NEW YEAR AND DARK CLOUDS

2011 came, saw and conquered twelve months of our lives, however it’s hard to believe how stealthily and swiftly it went by. I have achieved probably the best of my life in the past year; I began writing officially on multiple platforms. And yet there has been this gloominess taking over me. In fact, this year has not really started off well for most people I know. Some have fallen sick, some worried on various issues, and others like me who are feeling sad and depressed for no apparent reason. Or maybe, I have several little problems that are nothing when faced one at a time but magnanimous when they come together as one all at once.
Firstly, I am expecting a reply from my Boss on a very important query I had placed, and I’m waiting to be answered for about a week now. You know how it is… The Boss really takes advantage of being the Head, and sometimes gets on your nerves! I wonder if he’s even read any of my messages! Moreover, I have a friend going through a tough time and there’s nothing I can do to be of any help, which is indeed a difficult place to be in. And I was criticized for the first time ever, on my views that I wrote on a Television Serial’s webpage. Is there any reason to be made embarrassed or to be judged on one’s opinions?!
This is merely a hint of the difficulties I have been going through lately and the least of my problems. To top it all my ‘Personal All-Time Shrink’, my sister, is away! She has left town actually, and I find almost no joy in the New Year celebrations. Maybe, this is what happens when sisters are wed-locked and living in far-off places.
Why oh why?! Why am I in such an impossibly coincidental situation tied with a chain of tribulations! Maybe, I’m just over-reacting a bit here! I know all the issues I mentioned are petite and those that most individuals face on a day to day basis. Perhaps, it’s only the absence of my sister that is troubling me. It is not easy, starting of a new year without her for the first time ever. I had never thought this time of year would make me feel nostalgic to such an extent that I would lose all interest in the planning for 2012!
The only plans I’ve made are to make a Club for all those who were miserable, frowning and in their beds on the New Year’s Eve! Yes, the other dull spoilsports like me! I’m calling it the ‘Circle of Darkness’!!! Yes, you’ve guessed it right, I’ll be the Chairman… oops ‘Chairwoman’… and our goal would be to keep the dark clouds looming over us within the Club by sharing it in our secret ‘Headquarters of the Glum’, instead of going about annoying other happy souls with our so-called miseries. We’ll have a round table conference every year, obviously as the New Year approaches, when all the disturbing merriment and partying begins.
At least, that way we won’t be polluting the environment by dumping our frivolous melancholies on our ever-smiling friends, our happy-go-lucky acquaintances.
HOWS THAT FOR A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION?!
Having said that, I do know what was and always has been special this time around the year. The New Year Gifts! And I’m not talking about the ones we exchange among each other. I am overwhelmed to see the New Year presents only the lucky ones are ‘Blessed’ with, from the Heavens. ­2011 while bidding goodbye and on entering our lives 2012, both gave numerous little bundles of joy to families all across the world. This time, I got to see bright smiles on many faces I know, holding their little ones with immense delight and an inexplicable aura of feelings… feelings of gratitude! The ray of which, induced happiness within me and suddenly I realized, The New Year, despite the nostalgia, is not that bad a thing! In fact, Year 2012 will always be cherished for the cheerfulness it brought to me when I was down.

A JOURNEY INTO WRITING

I have been writing for a long time now! There are also a few memories that bring a smile to my face when I reminisce those times. I have a memory where I am four, writing a letter to my 'Naani'. The letter is surprisingly in Urdu! I am writing all I want to say as a continuous chain of spirals, while making sure it appears neat! I am done with my letter, now reading it out to Mamma, proudly claiming that I can write in Urdu! I don't remember if I had the letter posted or not! I sure recall pressurizing Mamma Papa.

And then there's one where I am about six and drawing a bride, a 'mouse bride'! It's Mrs. Jerry (Tom & Jerry) on a notebook page, wearing a white gown with bangles and 'tika'. My elder sister asks me why the odd jewellery and I very confidently reply that she is 'fashionable' as if she had her own sense of style! The image is too small, probably the size of a little mouse, even smaller perhaps. It's about one sixth of the whole page. And when I get done with the miniature drawing, I tear the rest of the blank page. Now comes the story to tell. I write a story of the wedding, about as long as any essay a first grade student can write. And my parents and older sisters are surprised at what I have been up to.

Another memorable incident of me writing something was when I was 10 and my brother was admitted in the hospital. I decided to make him a 'Get Well Soon' card along with a storybook to save him from boredom since he would often get lonely. What would a book be without pictures. So I started off with illustrations describing the events that take place in the story. And beside each image I would write a paragraph. I still remember what it was about! It begins with a village woman at the river with her baby in a basket. The basket slides from the river bank into the water and floats until it reaches a new village where a childless couple finds it. Happy and thankful to the Lord they raise the boy as their own and so on....

It's funny how I discontinued writing as the pile of assignments grew taller at school. I did write though, essays, stories, dialogues, etc for English and Urdu homework. My teachers appreciated my work often, and it was always encouraging. I submitted a poem for the School Magazine for the English section in Grade 10, something I'll always cherish. I can somewhat recall what Mrs.Kavitha, my English teacher said about me the same year. She said, "Kokab can write really well, she does comparatively better in writing than in speaking"... As funny as I may sound, that gave me a lot of confidence!
Thank you Mrs. Kavitha Thambi for being an inspiration! =) Mrs. Tasneem Gandhi has appreciated my imagination and both of you helped me improve. Needless to say Mrs. Kavitha, your words have always encouraged me to continue writing.

Just about a year ago, I began writing my views on a Pakistani soap 'Shaista Shaista' at a group by the same name created by the team. The soap, written by Syed Mohammed Ahmed-a veteran in the industry, was one of its kind in today's Pakistan Television. I never had to face any restrictions while writing my opinions, there was no limit to the number of posts nor a hindrance to have my say. In fact, my posts were always acknowledged by both viewers and creators of the project. It is at this platform that I gained more and more confidence to share my writings and my own thoughts. So, thank you Ahmed Sir for always letting me share my elaborate insight on your work and for your words of appreciation. Thank you for giving me the confidence I have today. You have offered me the encouragement I never thought I would receive! You really are the Best Teacher I could ever have asked for! You are my Mentor! =)

July 2011! My first article gets published in a magazine. As thrilling as it was, it was equally unbelievable. Farhana Zaman, Sub-Editor of Bangla Express, my former classmate and my friend who made it possible with Almighty's Grace. Thank you for seeing a writer in me and for giving me the opportunity to contribute in your magazine. I will always be grateful to you for offering me a chance to put my work, my writing out there.

Both my parents have always guided me, they insisted I could pursue writing as a career to which I just smiled. My mother once told me I should keep a notebook or a diary to pen my thoughts whenever I feel like doing so, which I did. My friends have always believed in me and have been a constant drive, saying I am 'that type'... and that I should continue with writing or that I "...shouldn't go for 'Mass Communication' as you are already so good at it!" Minhah... Thankyou! =)

I now have my own Blog where I share all my work, both published and that which is yet unpublished. I am pleased to announce that today I have posted the very first Interview taken by me! =)

THANK YOU Everyone for making this Journey possible! I am still walking on the road and I have all your Blessings to guide me through!

- x o x o

SYED MOHAMMED AHMED INTERVIEWED: An Insight to the Writer's Life!

" ....Mujhay Quetta ka ghar bohaat yaad aata hay. Wahaan angoor ki bailain thein, saib aur khubani k darakht thay. Jahaan meri amma (Bibi) sardeyoon k zamanay main sweater buna kerti thein aur main un ko Urdu ki kahaniyaan parh parh k sunaya kerta tha."

Assalam Alaikum Ahmed Sir! Would like to start off with what you have to say about the ongoing success of Dareecha! Are you surprised by the response? Does it fulfill your expectations? Your say…
-Haan main hairaan bhi hoon, aur bohat kush bhi hoon keh hamaray viewers itnay ahmaq nahin hain jitnay samjhay jatay hain. Unhain acchi aur buri cheez ki tameez hay. Mujhay ummeed hai keh iss say marketing walay bhi kuch na kuch seekhain gay aur ulti seedhi farmaeshaen kar kay likhwana bund kar daengay . Yes it does fulfill my expectation to quite an extent. 

Are you content with MContent? Are the producers obliging, to be specific?

-Yes I am very happy with Mcontent because they have given me a free hand and support to do anything I wanted to do aur inhoon nay kabhi mujh say nahin kaha keh hamari pasand k hero yea heroine ko cast karain.

What do you have to say about Farrukh Faiz as a director, before Dareecha you’ve worked with him in Shaista Shaista, also in short plays I’ve been told!

-Hmm, ab aaya na oount pahaar k neechay. Farrukh Faiz exactly wohi ker raha hay jiss ki mujhay umeed thi. Abhi ussay aur bohat kuch sheekna hai mager mujhay yaqeen hai keh vo bohat jald seekh lay ga aur khud ko Speilberg nahin samjhnay lagay ga.


You have worked with one of the most sought after directors in the country - Mehreen Jabbar, Azfar Ali and Marina Khan, to name a few. Who do you reckon to be 'The Best' in the business?
-Mehreen Jabbar, beghair kissi soch k aur beghair kissi sawal k is the best. Mager mera bohat dil chata hay keh vo kabhi light romantic cheez bhi karay.


How and when did you start writing for Television and what was your very first project?
-Main nay Theater say acting shru ki thi. Offer acting ki aye thi aur bun writer giya. My first project was “Mystery Theater”, jiss k main nay bohat saray plays likhay (Mera sub say favourite genre mystery he hay)


Pardon me but to be honest, I haven’t yet seen all of your work before Shaista Shaista, and I’m very embarrassed about that… I did see a few telefilms but currently all I can think of is Dareecha! I am so engrossed in the story and the characters that I have kept aside your past work for the time being! And the same thing happened when 'S.S' was on air.So, in your opinion are there any other contemporary serials with characters having so much life that one can’t ignore them and such warmth that it connects to a viewer on a whole new level?!
-Ager aap meray kaam k elawah mujh say pochti hain tu mujhay Mehreen ka “Doraha” bohat pasand hay. “Uncle Urfi” bhi mujhay pasand tha. I liked the characterizations of that serial. 


One very crucial situation here is that, as a veteran in the Industry; whether by experience in terms of years or by the volume of work you have done, we can’t possibly find any rock-solid listings of your work or any detailed info on ‘Mr. Syed Mohammed Ahmed’.
Does that by any chance annoy you? Because it is disturbing to your fans! Is it so because, perhaps you are shy to talk about yourself on screen?
-Main nahin samajhta keh mera fan page hona chahye maen nay aesaa koi teer naheen maara. Mujhay iss baat per ghussa bhi nahin aata na mujhay iss ki zarorat mahsoos hoti hay. TV pay aur bhee bohat qabil logg maujood hain, un ka koi fan page nahin tu main kiya cheez hoon.


You once mentioned in an interview that you are very critical of your work. Who besides you is your biggest critic?
-Main khud apnay lye sub say bara critic hoon apnay kaam k baray main. Mujhay apna koi kaam pasand nahin aata. Dareecha maera likha hua aik aisa play hay jo maen daekh raha hoon, warna apna kaam daekhna mujhay bohat mushkil lagta hae. Aur acting ker k main to marr he jaata hoon. Her baar sochta hoon keh agli barr nahin karoon ga mager paisay kamanay k liay ker jata hoon aur phir shermindah hota rehta hoon.

"....Meri chaar baitiyaan yani dil k chaar tukray hain..."  

Like I once said, Ahmed Sir, an interview is incomplete if there is no mention of the beginning! It is the happenings in an Achiever’s past which truly hold the inspiration for those who need it most. Therefore, I require you to introduce us to the little boy Mohammed Ahmed that you have been hiding inside! Where you grew up, about your schooling and university education, and an incident that you can recall about each place.
-Talking about my childhood is like talking about Mohenjo Daro. I don't want to get into this and feel more older than I already think I am. Mager aik baat jo hamaysha say thi aur abb bhi hai mujhay cinema ka safaid perdah aur screen peh parha hoa curtain khulta hua aaj bhi bohat pasand hai. Mujhay white screen bohat pasand hai.

Main paidah karachi main hoa tha mager meri schooling Quetta main hui. Issi liay mujhay Quetta say bohat mohabbat hay, uss k baray main buri khabrain aati hain to mera dil bohat dukhta hay. Mujhay Quetta ka ghar bohaat yaad aata hay. Wahaan angoor ki bailain thein, saib aur khubani k darakht thay. Jahaan meri amma (Bibi) sardeyoon k zamanay main sweater buna kerti thein aur main un ko Urdu ki kahaniyaan parh parh k sunaya kerta tha. In fact i give all the credit to my BB, unhi ki wajah say mera rujhaan Literature ki taraf huaa aur aaj jo kuch bana unn kee wajah say bana.


How was your home like, the family values or a particular family tradition that you remember? Like a certain something that was restricted to your house in the neighborhood!
-Jahan tak values aur traditions ki baat hay hum ko sirf AAP aur JINAAB say baat karnay ki ijazat thi.

Kabhi TUM ka lafz bhi hamain istemal nahin kernay diya gaya, khas taur peh behnoon k sath ounchi awaz main baat kernay ki ijazat bhi nahin thi. Sath he aik masla yea bhi tha filmain zaror daikhtay they, dramay zaror daikhtay thay magar un main kaam kernay ki khuahish ka tasawwar bhi nahin ker saktay thay. Meray bhai nay Aka jee aur Bibi (Father and Mother) say chhup ker 2 films sign ker lee thein jiss k nateejay main aaq kernay ki dhamki di gae to vo chup kerkay wapiss apni naukri peh pohanch gaye.


How did you develop an interest in writing? Was it later in life or during school? And something about your family, your children and their talents/interests!
-Mera interest writing main University k zamanay main paidah hoa. Vo bhi sirf aik khat ki waja say jo main nay BBC Radio kee Urdu Service ko likha tha jiss peh mujhay first prize mila tha. Meri chaar baitiyaan yani dil k chaar tukray hain. Mujhay patha hai un maen vo sub cheezain hain jo mujh main hain, yaani vo writer bhi hain, actor bhi hain aur designers bhi hain.


Now if you had to sum up your ride so far in the Industry, what would you say? Has it been a piece of cake or a roller coaster ride?
-Etna asaan nahin tha aur etna asaa aab bhi hay. Laikin choonkeh yea mera passion hai iss lye shayed etna pata nahin chala mushkilaat ka.


Is there a certain Production house or a TV Network you intend to write for, but haven’t gotten the opportunity yet?! Or perhaps, something that you have yet to get done with?
-Main nay Pakistan k taqreeban sub hee TV networks aur production houses k liay kaam kiya hay. Best directors aur producers k liay bhi aur worst directors aur producers k liay bhi. Iss lye koi hasrat baqi nahin reh gae hay. Bus Mehreen Jabbar k liay bohat arsay say koi kaam nahin kiya vo kernay ko dil chata hay.

An inevitable request to a writer, Sir would you make a few book recommendations in both Urdu and English. The ones you found to be most inspirational and thought provoking.
-Umrao Jaan Ada by Mirza Ruswa
Everything written by Mushtaq Ahmed Yousfi
Letters of Mirza Ghalib
Letters to Alice by Faiz
Dastak Na Do by Altaf Fatima
And many more.

DAREECHA

'Dareecha'-Persian for Window

An MCONTENT Production written by Syed Mohammad Ahmed, directed by Farrukh Faiz and successfully running on ARY Digital. ‘Dareecha’ first came on air on the 12^th of September and is telecasted every week, from Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (PST)

About three months old now, this serial has captivated many a people owing to its simple depiction of everyday life. Everybody can relate with certain aspects of the story and the characters in the serial due to the realism. Dareecha attracts audience from all age groups primarily because a family can sit together and watch it just like the good old days when Pakistan Television was alive, for real. Moreover, the bonding within the subject family is tremendous, the warmth comes through and the house has been given a very apparent domestic illustration as well as a mysterious ambiance. In all aspects of film-making, from makeup and wardrobe to lighting and editing, the crew has excelled and made it all seem effortless. Where most TV shows focus on larger than life family sagas or on perfect dolled up leading ladies portraying lives of the elite living in luxurious homes, Dareecha has earned its rightful place and is gaining popularity among viewers slowly and steadily.

The performance of all the actors is absolute, each fitting perfectly in the character they play. Expressions are just right, neither too dramatic nor missing out on sentiments. Genre being mystery, more often than not, we see certain characters displaying a drastic change in facial expressions within split seconds which is not only exceptional but a rarity to find on our television these days. While the Direction is outstanding, the Casting is brilliant as well. The cast mostly comprises of newcomers along with veteran artists such as Fazila Qazi. Salma Hasan has appeared onscreen after a long break from television with Dareecha. Rashid Farooqi, a character actor and Adnan Shah (alias Tipu) are a few representing pivotal characters.


The writer has written not just any story, it is more of a mystical piece. And so is the serial’s original soundtrack, performed by the band ‘Kaavish’, written by Syed Mohammed Ahmed. Watching Ahmed Sahab’s serials is like reading a novel, simple but deep, something that gets you entrapped and thinking. Because when Ahmed Sahab’s work combines with Faiz's direction, the result is something very unique and rare! It has its own charm and the Dynamic Duo have a league of their own when it comes to fan following, as they know their audience, about their existence and what to offer them. Notably, there are many short scenes in an episode, each carrying a weight of its own. Each scene has a number of minute details and meaningful dialogues, often thought-provoking, thus every episode is extraordinary in that sense. It is exceptional that a single episode offers a variety of scenes ranging from the saddest moments to the lightest note, a series of thrilling events followed by tranquil and calm with the perfect incidental music for each situation giving its viewers a roller coaster ride of emotions. Background music plays an essential role in giving the viewer the right feel of what is being portrayed and the soap has a pretty good ensemble of tunes to ensure that. Alongside, Mr. Syed Mohammed Ahmed who is also responsible for the Art Direction has managed to translate all required moods and concepts with utmost precision giving every scene a detailed dense imagery.

All characters in Dareecha are heroes in their own lives, each giving it a meaning to their full capabilities under the circumstances that have befallen them. A remarkable initiative by the writer to dilute the conventional approach that there can only be one central character in a tale, with others revolving around as secondary. Rather, all tracks in the storyline are entwined beautifully and woven together so as to connect all dots in the plot but it is taken care of that every character holds an essential place in the narration.

A beautifully written script along with equally fine direction, the serial is a second by the Writer/Director duo. Their first serial together was ‘Shaista Shaista’, also an MCONTENT production which aired on TV ONE.

BARI HAWELI
Apart from houses where the viewers get to see the characters living in, there is a house often talked about in the serial. It is referred to as the ‘Bari Haweli’ and belongs to Gaeti Ara’s in laws. All Men in Haveli had more than one wife and it was considered to be very normal. But Gaeti could never compromise on that. It is told that she used to live there prior to her husband’s unexplained death, which is believed by many to be a planned murder. According to Gaeti Ara and Shamshad Bibi, black magic was a common practice in the house.

Gaeti’s family feels the existence of an entity in their house, besides the spirit of Shah Ji. That of a woman dressed in a traditional Black Ghagra Choli always donning a ‘Ghoonghat’. The veiled rustic lady is very much present in the house, affecting usually Maheen with her energy, but cannot be seen by all. Only Maheen can see her and spots the lady when she feels her presence around herself. And Gaeti Ara claims to have seen someone of the very same description. Very often we see glimpses of the woman standing at Maheen’s bedroom window. The mysterious lady seems to be connected to the Bari Haweli which is said to be the root of all unexplained events and home to all supernatural in Gaeti’s life.

CHARACTERS:  

Faizan Shah

Gaeti Ara (Faizan’s mother)

Iftikhar Shah also known as Shah Ji (Faizan’s father)
Roshan Ara better known as Bebo Khala (Gaeti's sister & Faizan’s aunt)

Maheen (Faizan’s wife)

Shahrukh (Gaeti’s House servant)

Surraya (Faizan’s Office employee)

Moin (Faizan’s Office emloyee)

Ejaz (Surraya’s father)

Shamshad Bibi (Gaeti’s friend)

Abdul Qudoos (Maheen’s maternal uncle)
Munni - Betrothed to Shahrukh and lives in the town where the Bari Haweli is located.

Unseen characters:

Bare Taya (Shah Ji's older brother)
Bari Tai (Shah Ji's sister in law & Faizan's aunt)

Chanda Bi (Daughter of Bare Taya and Bari Tai)

Faisal Shah (Chanda Bi’s husband)

Jora Kaka (Black Magician)-Reportedly worked for Bari Tai and died years ago while performing voodoo in an open grave

Alamdar Chacha and Choti Chachi (Faizan’s paternal uncle and aunt)-Died mysteriously in a fire that broke out in their room. 

BARI TAI
People of Bari Haveli always called her Bari Tai, although she was not old. Taya married a young girl who developed to have a very possessive nature. Gaeti Ara recalls that Tai was very violent towards Faizan, hitting and scolding him every now and then for no apparent reason. Faizan was then a seven year old boy and the horror haunts him even today, he gets nightmares of being slapped by Tai as a child. Everyone in the house including Maheen, who has never met her and yet quotes her, have something to say about Tai except Faizan. He has never said a word for her. Gaeti Ara claims that Bari Tai was into Black Magic while Shahrukh stated that Jora Kaka, her aide in voodoo died some time ago while practicing and his work is now carried on by Faisal Shah.

GAETI ARA
A seemingly gullible woman, entrapped somewhere between her sorrows of the past, the troubles in her present and the worries of the future of her home; All this anxiousness and a constant worry for her ‘almost insane’ son, Faizan, his repeatedly failing marriages and his present wife Maheen. She believes it is not a medical condition, but in fact the effect of black magic. And more so because of her faith in Shamshad Bibi who blames her in laws from Bari Haweli for Faizan’s condition, as does Gaeti. It has been shown that many a time, things are found hidden in various spots in the house, things that are used in black magic for casting spells upon victims. Gaeti has been seeking help from Shamshad Bibi, something Faizan disagrees with, for many years now. She is a religious woman and has strong faith in the Almighty. She believes that Shamshad Bibi is a saint with who can cancel, by God’s Grace and His Divine Words, the negative energies in her house. 

SHAMSHAD BIBI  

‘Deen aur Duniya ka itna khoobsurat imtazaj maine bohat kam dekha hai…..’ Gaeti describes Shamshad Bibi as enlightened and religious.
Famously known as a clairvoyant, she is said to have a long queue of people outside her house, seeking her help to get rid of curses and spells. Gaeti is one of those, but also her friend whom she often visits. Shamshad Bibi seems to have a good deal of knowledge about her past life, however there are certain things that Gaeti has been hiding even from her. She is the one person in the house with the most secrets, some of them dark, that she keeps from her family. Shamshad Bibi hints of being aware of that too, and tries to break Gaeti more often than not. At the same time, she herself is equally mysterious and secretive.
Shamsa, a woman who works in the Bari Haweli came all the way to Shamshad Bibi’s place to have her daughter spiritually healed. She gave an account of strange events in the Haweli that were unknown to both Gaeti and her trusted acquaintance. It was from her that Shamshad Bibi came to know about the unfortunate demise of Faizan’s uncle and aunt. Their death being unnatural, Gaeti could not help but accuse Bari Tai and her accomplices for the episode.

ROSHAN ARA
Roshan Ara, nicknamed Bebo, is a woman in her thirties who has been hurt in the past. Despite that, she is a person full of life, always giving her opinions in a comical way no matter how serious the situation is. Loud thinking and straightforwardness being her characteristics, Bebo hurts her sister Gaeti with her brutal comments every now and then. And as a result, continues to move up and down between her family home and her sister’s house. Almost always she ends up apologizing and asking for forgiveness with the same carefree attitude.
Loved by all, Bebo often proves to be a buffer consciously or otherwise neutralizing extreme conditions and coldness between house members. Bubbly in appearance and mannerism, she is very loving and possibly the only person who can never upset Faizan. Seven years older than him, she states of always looking up to him as an older brother while Faizan affirms that she is the only friend he has. 

ABDUL QUDOOS
Abdul Qudoos is Maheen’s maternal uncle who spent most of his life attending to his sick mother. He has thus been cut off from social life for a very long time and would usually immerse himself in a pile of books reading about home remedies and herbal medicines. As a result of which he is now a practicing ‘Hakeem’ but ended up being frozen in time, his style of speaking and manners that which have been long forsaken by the society. If seen through the eyes of the people of today, Abdul Qudoos appears ‘cartoonish’ and silly by every gesture he makes. Yet, his sweet, gentle nature has won the hearts of Maheen’s in laws especially Faizan’s.
He had met Bebo in Maheen’s wedding reception and has ever since been her secret admirer. His love at first sight, as it appears to be, has finally gotten Bebo to have a soft spot for him. The two are soon going to be engaged, much to Gaeti’s delight.

SHAHRUKH
He has been living with Gaeti Ara for the past 15 yrs and calls her ‘Maa ji’. He is often the object of everyone’s suspicion, especially Bebo Khala, due to his strange behaviour. Shown to have been eavesdropping most of the time and giving each and every piece of information on the phone, he is another puzzling character in ‘Dareecha’. It has gotten impossible to decide whether or not he really is behind all the mischief in the house!
But for the past few days I have started to believe that he is just like any other home servant, who likes to gossip about his employers. It goes without saying that maids and servants no matter how loyal can't be trusted with family secrets!
Having said that, it is unjustifiable for him to be talking about the house to some outsider, who he claims, is Munni. Especially when Gaeti fears the safety of her family is endangered by those living in Bari Haweli.
It certainly is a mind boggler when the ‘Suspicious Shahrukh’ comes to play instead of the usually comical ‘Servant Shahrukh’. Then, he appears more like the mastermind, rather than an accessory, behind all the villainy against Gaeti’s family. 

EJAZ
Surraya's father Ejaz sahab was a General Manager at some place, apparent from his conversation with Surraya, and lost his job. (Perhaps due to some conspiracy at the workplace) Thus he cannot find work elsewhere and becomes a drunkard.

He ends up doing something very wrong for the sake of money and liquor offered by Surraya’s boss. Knowing Faizan is his only hope with regards to his alcohol cravings and noticing his interest in Surraya, Ejaz seems more than ready to wed her off to him regardless of her dislike for Faizan and the fact that he would have to compromise his daughter's affection towards himself. Now that he has realized how wrong he was, it is too late for him to make things right.

SURRAYA
To me the people in this story represent something more than just human characterization, something symbolic. A theme that we can all relate to, what we face in our everyday lives. In Surraya’s case, Moin is representing the Good (Angel) while Faizan the Evil (Satan). Surraya, here, is the pious one. It seems like Faizan is trying his level best to take control over Surraya’s free soul. However, being virtuous she can only be drawn towards good. She keeps away from all vile, tries hard to walk on the right path but has hardly any support. She is trapped among unethical, sinful individuals with her morals and values in today’s world. A tough life, I must say!  

MOIN
Moin is a person anybody would like to get acquainted with. Witty and amicable, he is not only friendly but also kind and caring. If needed, he will not hesitate in giving all that he can whether it is monetary help, assistance or moral support. At least that is how he is with Surraya, standing beside her during the ups and downs she faces on a daily basis. Despite going through a tough time as a child, he seems to have a positive outlook on life. An optimist, he never seems overwhelmed with sorrow even in the most difficult of times. Instead he gets serious, convinces that the issue can be straightened out and finds a way around it. However, in some cases tries his best to handle the situation like getting Surraya to agree to marry him or to convince her in taking his help for her father’s treatment.

FAIZAN
A brilliant mind gone bad due to an unpleasant atmosphere at home, while being brought up. Again a lesson for the audience, to consider what effects our acts today might have on the children tomorrow. He has seen and knows that his parents did not care for each other. He has been empathic towards his father, being a boy and moreover after his unexplained death.
(I believe Gaeti could only have been confirming if Shah Ji died or not, out of hope not anxiousness. She couldn't have had the nerve to kill him. Faizan knows that and believes she wanted him dead, but for a child even this thought is quite nerve-wrecking.)
He is an only child and is therefore a stubborn, hard headed fellow. Also very self-centred, this is evident by the wallpaper on his phone (His own photo). As a child he got whatever he desired for and has only learned to conquer what he wants. At the moment, Surraya is his target, a challenge to win; not by force but by manipulating her own will. And it is by now obvious he enjoys women's subjugation to him.
Faizan is extremely complicated and needs the best of psychiatric therapies to open up what is locked up inside of him once and for all. He can live a normal life only if the chains from his past are broken loose to allow him to let go of it.

MAHEEN
Maheen, a very vulnerable yet self-assured person, mysterious and puzzling. You can never guess what’s going on in her mind at any moment. The statement, ‘Mera dil ghabra gaya hai, sadiyon ki tareeqi se…,’ has an underlying meaning. Here, she wasn’t just talking for herself, she meant much more than what seemed obvious. She has a weight on her shoulders, she feels for all the women who were once related to Faizan and likes of those women.
Maheen, to me, represents ‘WOMAN,’ imprisoned and caged by all for centuries. Deep, so extremely deep that nobody can measure her threshold. She is complicated to such an extent that she can surprise, not only others, but often herself. She is dominated yet bold, innocent yet shrewd, used yet manipulating. It is impossible, even for her, to explore herself.
She is gifted with many talents, a bright and skillful mind which she can use brilliantly to its full potential. This is evident by knowing about her parents’ death before she was told, by Bebo Khala talking about her piercing eyes that seem like reading others’ minds and of course, by her mystifying conversation with Shamshad Bibi. There has been more than just a hint that she gets visions, mostly of the past, near and distant.
She can and will take control of her situation because she is flexible enough to tackle Faizan, who is still child-like with hidden anger and bitterness. Once she gets to the root of Faizan’s unruly behaviour, she can surely make things work. According to me, Maheen is the one who can look through the window (Dareecha) opening to Faizan’s mind.