Surkh Chandni
Genre
Written byAsma Nabeel
Directed byShahid Shafaat
Starring
Country of originPakistan
Original languageUrdu
Production
Producers
Camera setupMulti-camera setup
Running time40 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkARY Digital
Release12 June (2019-06-12) –
24 September 2019 (2019-09-24)

Surkh Chandni (Urdu: سرخ چاندنی) is a 2019 Pakistani crime-drama television series produced by Humayun Saeed, Shahzad Nasib, Samina Humayun Saeed and Sana Shahnawaz under the production banners Six Sigma Plus and Next Level Entertainment. It is directed by Shahid Shafaat and written by Asma Nabeel. The series originally started airing on ARY Digital on 11 June 2019 and the last episode was shown on 24 September 2019.

The story focuses on the subject of acid violence with Sohai Ali Abro as Aida, an acid attack survivor and Asad Siddiqui as the perpetrator. It also has Osman Khalid Butt as Aida's love interest and Mansha Pasha as Aida's sister-in-law (antagonist).[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Plot

The story starts with Aida, who loves her cousin Amaan, and he also loves her. They both want to marry each other. However, Jawad, a guy from Aida's neighbourhood, sends his proposal for marriage to Adia's home, which she rejects. Amaan comes with his mother, who decides to marry earlier due to this incident, to which the family agrees. On the other hand, Jawad, in a fit of fury, doesn't accept that Aida has rejected his proposal and decides to take revenge. He makes a plan and incorporates Aida's sister-in-law Shumaila into it. He asks Shumaila to bring her to the beauty parlour on her wedding day and throws acid on her.

One side of her face burns completely and is admitted to the hospital. Amaan and his mother take full care of her and support her. Jawad worries his name will be revealed as a preparator but pulls Shumaila on his side as she is the only one who has seen the attacker. He fulfils her desires which she couldn't due to poverty.

After getting discharged from the hospital, Aida returns home. Everyone in her neighbourhood blames her, and her brother Mukhtar doesn't believe her when her people question her character. She tells her mother that Jawad has done this and forbids her to tell it to anyone. Her mother tells it to Amaan, who decides to bring his end but fails. They lose the case in court due to a lack of preparation and Shumaila's deception. Shumails goes against Aida, which undermines her honour further.

Cast

Reception

In an article by Dawn Images, the reviewer praised powerful moments, the chemistry of the lead couple and the finale for sensitively dealing with the issue of acid attacks but criticised the pace.[11][12] Express Tribune lauded the direction of Shafaat for portraying the realistic journey of the survivor, the performances of the cast members and Nabeel's script.[13] Hareem Zafar of Youlin Magazine praised Abro and Butt's performances and raw and realistic depiction of the household.[14]

Accolades

Year Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
February 7, 2020 Pakistan International Screen Awards Best Television Writer Asma Nabeel Nominated [15]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Mansha Pasha to star in 'Surkh Chandni'". The Nation. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Mansha Pasha takes on role of acid attack perpetrator". The Express Tribune. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  3. ^ Haq, Irfan Ul (1 February 2019). "Mansha Pasha takes on a villainous role for drama Surkh Chandni". DAWN. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  4. ^ "We have seen stories where the rapist has been highlighted: Mansha Pasha". Daily Times. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  5. ^ Tribune.com.pk (3 June 2019). "'Surkh Chandni' is dedicated to the indomitable spirit of acid attack survivors: Osman Khalid Butt". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  6. ^ "Osman Khalid Butt shares beautiful poetry as tribute to acid attack victims". Daily Times. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  7. ^ NewsBytes. "Osman Khalid Butt and Sohai Ali Abro come together for Surkh Chandni". The News International. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  8. ^ Ajaz, Mahwash (12 December 2018). "What's a guy like Osman Khalid Butt doing in an industry like this?". DAWN. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Mansha Pasha says 'Surkh Chandi' shows men and women both can trigger acid attacks". Daily Times. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Empathy, not pity; Asad Siddiqui hopes 'Surkh Chandni' will change how acid victims are perceived". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  11. ^ Maria Kari (8 August 2019). "What Surkh Chandni gets right about acid attack survivors". Dawn Images.
  12. ^ "Revenge, redemption and romance — the Surkh Chandni finale had it all". 26 September 2019.
  13. ^ Afshan Zahra (12 August 2019). "Five reasons why Surkh Chandni is a milestone of our drama industry". Express Tribune.
  14. ^ Hareem Zafar (25 June 2019). "Drama Review: Surkh Chandni". Youline Magazine.
  15. ^ Images Staff (8 February 2020). "Nominations for the first ever Pakistan International Screen Awards are out". Images. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
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