''Surkh Chandni'' is a 2019 Pakistani crime-drama television series, produced by

Humayun Saeed Humayun Saeed Ansari (born 27 July 1971), professionally known as Humayun Saeed, is a Pakistani actor and producer. He has appeared in dozens of Pakistani television dramas and limited number of films, and earned Lux Style Awards, and ARY Fil ...

, Shahzad Nasib,

Samina Humayun Saeed Samina Humayun Saeed is a Pakistani producer and wife of actor Humayun Saeed. She is best known for producing drama serials such as ''Kuch Pyar Ka Pagalpan'', ''Kaash Main Teri Beti Na Hoti'', '' Akbari Asghari'', ''Sadqay Tumhare'', '' Mann Mayal ...

and Sana Shahnawaz under the production banners

Six Sigma Plus Six Sigma Plus is a Pakistani independent film and television production company. The company was founded by actor Humayun Saeed and Shahzad Nasib. This company also co-produces TV dramas with Next Level Entertainment. Six Sigma Plus Entertain ...

and Next Level Entertainment. It is directed by

Shahid Shafaat Shahid Shafaat () is a Pakistani director, writer, producer and actor who works in television, film and theatre. Mostly known for his work as a director, Shafaat started his on-screen career in the early 2000s and directed more than 10 television ...

and written by

Asma Nabeel Asma Nabeel (1970s – 1 July 2021) was a Pakistani screenwriter, poet, producer and creative consultant. She wrote scripts for Pakistani dramas such as ''Khuda Mera Bhi Hai'' and ''Khaani''. Education She had a Master's in Mass Communication ...

. First episode of the series aired on 11 June 2019 on

ARY Digital ''ARY Digital'' ( ur, ) is a Pakistani pay television network available in Pakistan, the Middle East, North America and Europe. The ARY Group of companies is a Dubai-based holding company founded by a Pakistani businessman, Abdul Razzak Yaqoob ...

and last episode aired on 24 September 2019. It focuses on the subject of

Acid throwing An acid attack, also called acid throwing, vitriol attack, or vitriolage, is a form of violent assault involving the act of throwing acid or a similarly corrosive substance onto the body of another "with the intention to disfigure, maim, tortu ...

with

Sohai Ali Abro Sohai Ali Abro ( ur, sd, سھائي علي ابڙو) is a Pakistani actress, dancer and model, who appears in Pakistani television serials and films. She is known for her roles in serials such as Geo TV's '' Saat Pardon Mein'' (2012), Hum TV ...

as Aida, an acid attack survivor and

Asad Siddiqui Asad Siddiqui is a Pakistani actor, who started his acting career while studying for his MBA. The nephew of actor Adnan Siddiqui, he appeared in notable television projects including '' Gumrah'', ''Khuda Dekh Raha Hai'', '' Shikwa'', ''Dareecha ...

as the perpetrator. It also has

Osman Khalid Butt Osman Khalid Butt ( ur, ; born 9 February 1986) is a Pakistani film, television and theatre actor, writer and choreographer. He is best known for his role as Wali Sohaib Khan in Diyar-E-Dil , Faaz Ibrahim in Chupke Chupke and Malik Shahzain in E ...

as Aida's love interest and

Mansha Pasha Mansha Pasha (Urdu: منشاء پاشا; born October 19, 1987) is a Pakistani actress and television presenter. She is known for her supporting roles in several critically and commercially successful television series, including ''Shehr-e-Zaat'' ...

as Aida's sister-in-law (antagonist).

Plot

The story starts with Aida who loves her cousin Amaan and he loves her also and they both want marry each other. However, Jawad, a guy from the neighborhood of Aida sends his proposal for marriage to Adia's home which she rejects. There comes Amaan with his mother and decide to marry earlier due to this incident to which the family agrees. On the other hand, Jawad in a fit of furry doesn't accept that Aida has rejected his proposal and decides to take revenge. He makes a plan and incorporate Aadia's sister-in-law Shumaila in it. He says Shumaila to bring her in beauty parlour on her wedding day and throws acid on her from returning. One side of her face burns completely and is admitted to the hospital. Amaan and his mother takes full care of her and supports her. Jawad worries about the revealing of his name as a preparator but pulls Shumaila on his side as she was the only who had seen the attacker. He fulfills her desires which she couldn't due to poverty. After discharging from hospital, Adia returns home and everyone in her neighbourhood blames her and even her brother Mukhtar also doesn't believe her when her character is questioned. She tells her mother that Jawad has done this and forbids her to tell it to anyone but she tells it to Amaan who decides to bring his end but fails as they lost case in the court due to lack of preparation and Shumaila's deception, who gives witness against Aida which undermines her honour further.

Cast

as Aida *

as Amaan * Hassan Ahmed as Mukhtar *

as Shumaila *

as Jawad *

Huma Nawab Huma Nawab is a Pakistani actress. She played major roles in '' Chand Grehan'', ''Aahat'', ''Nijaat'', ''Hawain,'' and '' Silsila''. Early life Nawab was born in 1969 in Islamabad, Pakistan. She completed her education at the University of Isl ...

as Safina; Amaan's mother *

Rashid Farooqui Rashid Farooqui is a Pakistani actor who appears in Pakistani films and television series. He is known for his villainous roles such as Inspector Ibrahim in Laal Kabootar. Career Rashid Farooqui started his career as a theatre actor and later bec ...

as Badar; Aida's father *

Lubna Aslam Lubna Aslam is a Pakistani actress. She has appeared in a number of television serials and advertisements. She has worked with directors such as Babar Javed, Mehreen Jabbar, and Haissam Hussain. She has mostly appeared as a liberal mother. Mostl ...

as Rukhsana; Aida's mother * Gul-e-Rana as Humaira; Jawad's mother * Rashida Tabbasum as Rehana, a social worker * Hajra Khan as Aida's lawyer * Saleem Mairaj as Jawad's lawyer

Reception

In an article by ''

Dawn Images ''Dawn'' is a Pakistani English-language newspaper that was launched in British India in 1941. It is the largest English newspaper in Pakistan, and also serves as the country's newspaper of record. ''Dawn'' is the flagship publication of the Da ...

'', the reviewer praised powerful moments, chemistry of the lead couple and finale of the series for sensitively dealing the issue of acid attacks, however criticised the pace. ''

Express Tribune ''The Express Tribune'' is a daily English-language newspaper based in Pakistan. It is the flagship publication of the '' Daily Express'' media group. It is Pakistan's only internationally affiliated newspaper in a partnership with the ''Intern ...

'' lauded the direction of Shafaat for portraying the realistic journey of the survivor, performances of the cast members and Nabeel's script. Hareem Zafar of ''Youline Magazine'' praised the Abro and Butt's performances and raw and realistic depiction of the household.

Accolades

References

{{ARY Digital Programs 2019 Pakistani television series debuts Pakistani drama television series Urdu-language television shows ARY Digital original programming