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Tag: Faysal Quraishi

  • Emotional and Powerful: The Finale of Case No. 9

    Emotional and Powerful: The Finale of Case No. 9

    It’s very hard to make a drama about social issues, especially a courtroom drama, and get it to become a smash, viral hit. 

    Case No.9 became just that, not only because of the storyline but also because of the supreme acting by everyone in the drama. A huge shoutout to Saba Qamar, Faysal Quraishi and Gohar Rasheed who embodied their characters so well, it was like watching the case in real life. Chilling performances with emotional return. 

     

    The last few episodes of the drama focused more on a media trial rather than the court. And with a lot of cases, that is what happens. Real-life cases of Zainab, the little girl who was raped and murdered, Noor Mukkadam and others first played out on the media, generated pressure and then came to their favourable ends. One question is that would Noor Mukkadam’s killer still be in jail had it not been for constant media pressure? It’s sad that the question arises but unfortunately it does.

     

    We have heard actual police officials tell people in meetings that Case No. 9 is a drama that everyone should watch because of how the law and police proceedings are covered in the drama. It’s fact and anchor Shahzeb Khanzada shows it as much in the finale of the drama.

     

    But the blurring of real life and a drama was a bit too pronounced at the end of Case No. 9. Perhaps, it might have been better that a ‘drama anchor’ had done the media trial because the shift between the real show and the one in the drama was a bit disconcerting. The ending as well, it might have been better if an actor from the drama (read Saba Qamar) had read off the stats on rape cases in Pakistan. The uneasy feeling lingered near the end of the drama but then perhaps that’s what the writer was going for. To make you feel uneasy that real life and drama, in this particular case, are very comparable. 

     

    Whether you agree with the drama or not, it is true that media trials, in a lot of cases trump actual courtroom proceedings. We have seen it many times and we will continue seeing it, and it’s a global phenomenon, perhaps more pronounced in Pakistan. 

     

    Case No.9 became a drama that will remain in the list of the best social issue dramas in Pakistan and hopefully, we sincerely hope, that the positive effect it had and presented lasts for a very long time. Will a rape victim watch it and feel hopeful and fight for justice? We hope so. Will society watch it and think that should a woman be judged if she comes out and says a crime has been committed against her? We hope not. Would this play a big role in women empowerment? It better.

  • Case No. 9: the double-cross no one saw coming

    Case No. 9: the double-cross no one saw coming

    Episode 19-20 of Case No.9 was full of suspense and a twist that no one expected.

     

    Kamran (Faysal Quraishi) bribes Inspector Shafeeq (Gohar Rasheed) to figure out a way to ruin Sehar’s (Saba Qamar) reputation and case online and Shafeeq makes a killer good plan by getting a woman Shazia, to pretend she is Kamran’s earlier victim and gain Sehar’s trust. He figures out that Sehar and her team will want to use the victim’s story and he’s banking on them using social media to do it. Once they do, Shazia will release a video of herself saying Sehar and her team bribed her to lie.

     

    It did feel like Shazia was shady. The way she randomly got in touch and randomly had a thing with Kamran when he was single without showing any form of proof. It seemed strange from the start and it was also strange that Manisha (Navin Waqar) was so pushed to get her statement on social media. It wasn’t very clear what kind of information Ali (Ali Rehman Khan) Sehar’s ex-husband was going to gather from Kamran’s workplace but this is the episode that shows exactly why he was needed, at the right place at the right time.

     

    Without a doubt the most stellar performance in the series is by Inspector Shafeeq. It is hard to hate a character as much as you learn to hate Shafeeq and credit goes to Gohar Rasheed for really playing the part of the greedy, corrupt police officer to the T. 

     

    Even though Sehar finds out in time that the woman has been planted by Kamran, it is Beenish (Amina Shaikh) that becomes a soft voice of reason where she, when talking to Manisha, says that maybe it’s not a good idea to use social media – almost because it’s a tool that was used and abused by Kamran as well. Beenish realises the value and sanctity of the case and even though Manisha does too, Manisha knows the power that social media holds. The point being that there is no quick fix to cases like this and that maybe it’s best to let things off social media, no matter how tempting it is to take a battle on that front as well. 

     

    But things are bad when Bukhari (Noor-ul-Hasan) is also trying to convince Kamran to use his underhanded ways to help them gain sympathy in the case. The lawyer, who was so arrogant and sure of himself in the past, now seems shaky, which shows where things are going.

     

    Even though Kamran figures out that Ali is in fact, Sehar’s husband and now Ali’s cover is blown, the more telling part is how everyone expects that a divorce is the woman’s fault. Kamran and Bukhari wanted to find Ali to prove Sehar was a bad wife (a point inadmissible in court) but Ali clearly shows us how it is – it was him and he is man enough to admit it.

     

    But the biggest point is that it is now crystal clear that Rohit (Junaid Khan) will have to take the stand. Beenish explains that even if Rohit doesn’t want to, the court can force him to and it’s something that will either make or break the case for Sehar. Watching Rohit go through his moral struggle, with his marriage and family on the line, is the real suspense and Junaid Khan doesn’t disappoint. 

     

    We will definitely be seeing more of him and his internal struggle in the next few episodes and also Beenish poking holes in the testimonies of Kamran’s staff. Things aren’t looking good for him as he realises that money can’t buy everything.

  • Episodes that give every Pakistani woman her voice: Case No.9 makes history

    Episodes that give every Pakistani woman her voice: Case No.9 makes history

    It was episode 17 of Case No.9 that totally blew up Pakistani television. An episode that said things with such clarity and force that have never been said before, an episode that made women feel empowered by law, highlighted the struggle rape victim’s deal with with such legal force that you couldn’t help but thank Pakistan’s law on rape and in particular Justice Ayesha Malik. Beenish (Amina Shaikh) delivered the performance of a lifetime, her best yet, and it was goosebumps on screen. Her counterpart Bukhari (Noor-ul-Hasan) also was the perfect contrast to her as Beenish laid down facts vs. fictions, truth vs. stereotypes. 

     

    She mentions a rape case verdict that says a woman’s past cannot be called into question if shes been raped. The background doesnt matter: the rape does. It doesnt matter if the woman is a virgin or not, it doesn’t matter if she is divorced or not, all that matters is that she is raped – or not. It is these true, landmark cases that we need our society and its women to be aware of and Beenish does a stellar, stellar job.  She quotes statistics that are hard, and scary truths about Pakistan: Eight children are sexually abused in the country everyday, women, regardless of what they wear are harassed on a daily basis and you also see Bukhari trying to find stats to counter her, but unable to do so.

     

    This was Beenish’s moment, every Pakistani woman’s moment too. Hope is here in Case No.9 and here to stay.

     

    That’s not it. In a day-dream sequence we see Sehar (Saba Qamar) getting up in the courtroom and confronting her attacker, her rapist regardless of court decorum. She faces him with the strength we know she possesses but is unable to show given court decorum and in that moment, we are happy for her as she is mentally able to face her worst nightmare. Hope is here to stay for Sehar too.

     

    And Kiran (Rushna Khan) is not far behind either. In episode 18, Kiran finally leaves Kamran (Faysal Quraishi), as she is finally convinced, after confronting Rohit (Junaid Khan) that her husband has done ‘something wrong’ when he admits that he flirted with Sehar – unknowingly admits it, of course. We see her leaving with her little baby girl, a very scary thing to do for a new mother, but she takes the stand nonetheless. There is hope of freedom for Kiran too.

     

    And we also hear of an older rape survivour, who was raped by Kamran before, who contacts Sehar and says that she finally as the guts to speak up after hearing Sehar did too. Hope that others will also have hope to speak up and get justice.

     

    Case No.9 is the breakthrough drama we didn’t know we needed, where women come together to support each other in life and in its struggles. Be it a wife, a survivor or a lawyer, they are all connected and lets not also forget that the words used are also so important. Sehar calls herself a rape survivor and she proves that she truly is not a victim. She has survived and that’s why there is hope.

  • Case No. 9: When Ego Takes the Stand and Justice Fights Back

    Case No. 9: When Ego Takes the Stand and Justice Fights Back

    Case No.9 Episodes 15 and 16 were like we predicted it! Kamran (Faysal Quraishi) was unable to control his ego and thought he could take down Beenish (Amina Shaikh), in a dream no less and thought he was fully able to make it a reality. He failed of course, revealing that he had no evidence that Sehar (Saba Qamar) had been flirting with him whereas Sehar had evidence that he was the one who was after her. Beenish’s epic takedown of Kamran’s staff member was also full of suspense when the information was being relayed to her by her fellow lawyer. In that moment, when Beenish was given information that could help the case, you couldn’t help but think that doing the right thing is so very hard with so many hurdles.

    But it seems like the hurdles are clearing, as we see Inspector Shafeeq (Gohar Rasheed) also feeling the burn has his superior tells him that Kamran is taking the stand and he might be exposed, we see Kamran’s lawyer pleading with Kamran not to take the stand (when the law gave him the right not to take it), but Kamran’s ego getting in the way and we also see it, in the most complicated way with Rohit (Junaid Khan).

    It is clear that the drama will take the direction of Rohit having to make a choice between his friend who saved him from a blasphemy mob and his friend who is a rapist and he knows about it. He will have to accept that Kamran is not the same person he thought he was but can Rohit’s guilt of convicting his friend get out of his way of doing the right thing? That will be the most important break and crack in the case and Kamran and Rohit’s business and friendship.

    The show is getting so gripping that you have to see the teaser for the next episode because you must know what happens. We see in the teaser that Kiran (Rushna Khan) confronts Rohit and he has a breakdown and a big showdown in court between Sehar and Kamran. 

    While the showdown seems to be one of Sehar finally taking charge of her rights and really letting go and giving it to Kamran, it also seems a bit out of place in this very realistic drama. Are there really outbursts like that in court between a rapist and a rape vicitim? One would like to believe so, despite seeing that Sehar might be taken in for contempt of court, but secretly happy that she faced her attacker and told him exactly what she thought of him. 

    Only time will tell until next week.

  • Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussaiyn thank Houston for overwhelming response to Deemak premiere

    Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussaiyn thank Houston for overwhelming response to Deemak premiere

    Pakistani film Deemak, which has already seen tremendous success at the box office in Pakistan, will now charm audiences abroad as it premiered to a packed house in Houston on its worldwide release.

    Lead stars Faysal Quraishi and Sonya Hussaiyn attended the Houston premiere, where they were warmly welcomed by fans. Taking to Instagram, Quraishi expressed his gratitude, writing: “Thank you Houston, full house.”

    Sonya, who wore a vibrant green ensemble for the evening, shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of her experience via Instagram. Her video showed moments from her arrival at the cinema to walking the corridors and interacting with fans. In a heartfelt note, she wrote: “Houston… I’m truly speechless tonight. The Deemak premiere was houseful — so much love that people were sitting on the stairs just to be part of it. Even with less capacity and more crowd, no one left till the very end. That kind of warmth… you can’t put into words.”

    She went on to thank her team and the organizers, particularly @rehanhumfm, for pulling off the event within just 24 hours “so flawlessly, so professionally, and with so much heart.”

    Sonya also acknowledged the presence of fellow celebrities, saying: “A special thanks to all my celebrity friends, my shining stars, for lighting up the night with your love and presence. You made it even more magical.”

    Signing off emotionally, she added: “As I say goodbye for now… magar phir milengay, Houston. Thank you for all the love and the memories we’re taking back with us. Yeh raat humesha yaad rahegi. Love you all.”

    The premiere was also attended by several other cast members of the film including Adnan Siddiqui, Mohib Mirza, and Aijaz Aslam, further adding to the evening’s celebratory atmosphere.

    The blockbuster film has already made crores at the box office in Pakistan, and is now captivating international audiences with its magic, continuing its streak of success in the US.

  • ‘Girls need financial independence’; Faysal Quraishi on women taking breaks from work

    ‘Girls need financial independence’; Faysal Quraishi on women taking breaks from work

    It’s no secret that the entertainment industry is a cutthroat place, especially for women. In a recent interview, veteran Pakistani actor Faysal Quraishi shed light on why many female actors in the entertainment industry take extended breaks from their careers. He pointed to the disproportionate burden of family responsibilities and societal expectations as key reasons behind the pauses.

    Addressing a commonly asked question about why men tend to work longer in the industry than women, Quraishi said: “Women usually take on more household and childcare responsibilities. Girls need security and, of course, financial independence too,” he explained. “Look at Sunita Marshall and her husband Hassan, they are working as equals while raising their children well. Javeria Saud took a break to focus on her family and later returned to acting. Savera Nadeem also stepped away from the screen for some time before making a comeback. Many actresses take such breaks due to the responsibilities placed on them after marriage.”

    When asked if he would be supportive of his wife choosing to work, Quraishi responded candidly: “I don’t stop anyone from working. It’s their choice and they are the decision-makers of their own lives. If someone comes to me for advice, I can present two options, but if they’ve already made a decision, I respect that. I never pressure my wife about anything, and I don’t think anyone should. A healthy relationship is built on mutual respect and freedom.”

    Speaking about his latest drama Case No. 9, the actor praised writer and journalist Shahzeb Khanzada for crafting a bold and meaningful story.

    “Shahzeb has written a brilliant script and worked very hard. He even underwent neck treatment during the process but completed the script. A good drama or film is shaped by the producer, who brings the right team together,” he said.

    Quraishi also addressed the often-taboo topic of workplace harassment faced by women, especially in conservative households where simply getting permission to work can be challenging.

    “If a girl faces harassment at work, like being called into an office unnecessarily, many stay silent out of fear. They’re worried they’ll lose their job, which they may have gotten after great difficulty. But these small incidents can snowball into bigger issues later,” he emphasized.

    He went on to say: “Families must support their daughters. If they face such situations, it’s critical they speak up. Either leave the job or take a stand against the harasser. But they should not suffer in silence.”

    He stressed the need for awareness and communication at home, stating, “Nothing helps more than knowing your family stands with you.”

    Ending on a note of optimism about his upcoming drama, Quraishi said, “Audiences will be surprised by plot developments. There are characters and themes in Case No. 9 that have never been explored in the Pakistani industry before and they are necessary.”

  • ‘Flirt ya ghussa karna aur rape karnay main farq hai’: Teaser for Case No. 9 goes viral

    ‘Flirt ya ghussa karna aur rape karnay main farq hai’: Teaser for Case No. 9 goes viral

    Acting powerhouse Saba Qamar is making a compelling return to television with her latest drama Case No. 9, a socially charged thriller that tackles crime and an uphill legal battle. The new teaser of the series showcases a lot of family drama, tears, and the resolve of a woman stuck in the legal system. 

    In the teaser, Qamar’s character reports a rape, but instead of receiving justice, she faces pressure from powerful figures determined to silence her. The drama explores her harrowing journey as she navigates a system designed to suppress the truth.

    Starring alongside Saba Qamar is the acclaimed actor Faysal Quraishi. The drama is directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain, penned by celebrated journalist and TV host Shahzaib Khanzada, and produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi under the banner of 7th Sky Entertainment.

    The cast is packed with stellar talent including Junaid Khan, Aamina Sheikh, Rushna Khan, Hina Bayat, Gohar Rasheed, Noor‑ul‑Hassan, Navin Waqar, Azra Mohyeddin, Ali Rehman Khan, Shahnawaz Zaidi, Ahmed Randhawa, Zohreh Amir, Mizna Waqas, Kamran Jeelani, and Faiza Gillani.

    The drama is expected to air on Geo Entertainment, with an official release date to be announced soon.

    Described as “a story that has never been told before of a crime that happens every day,” Case No. 9 promises a powerful narrative where justice, lies, and truth collide in a system designed to protect the privileged.

    Saba Qamar has delivered some of the most iconic performances in Pakistani television. Her critically acclaimed dramas include Baaghi, where she portrayed the controversial figure Qandeel Baloch; Cheekh, a legal thriller showcasing her intensity and depth; Maat, one of her breakthrough roles in a gripping tale of betrayal; Digest Writer, a heart-touching story of a struggling female author; Dastaan, set during the Partition of India; and Mein Sitara, a drama inspired by the golden era of Pakistani cinema. More recently, she starred in the hit drama Fraud in 2022, and the crime-mystery miniseries Gunah which was aired in 2023.

    Over the past several years, the topic of child molestation and sexual abuse has become a favourite for local drama creators and Faysal Quraishi has done many dramas on the same issue before. His role in Haiwan was also about a rapist and his mental illness. In this drama, he is playing a role of a rich business man, who says all allegations on him are baseless. To find out the truth, the audiences will have to wait till the drama airs.

  • Faysal Quraishi claps back after Nadia Afgan criticises his grammar

    Faysal Quraishi claps back after Nadia Afgan criticises his grammar

    Renowned actor Faysal Quraishi has responded strongly to recent criticism from actress Nadia Afgan, who questioned his English pronunciation in the ongoing drama Behroopia.

    Faysal plays Mikael, a man with Dissociative Identity Disorder, in a story praised for its complex characters and layered storytelling. While his performance has been praised, it has also drawn criticism from some, including Nadia Afghan.

    While appearing on the talk show Kya Drama Hai, Nadia criticised the English spoken by Faysal’s character Kabir, specifically his repeated use of the word “gottcha.”

    “What kind of a word is that?” she asked, adding that “It should be ‘got you’ instead.”

    Faysal didn’t let the remark go unanswered. In a video shared on social media alongside Behroopia director Shaquielle Khan, he clarified the creative intent behind Kabir’s dialogue.

    “In the US, some people do say ‘gottcha’ instead of ‘got you.’ Kabir imitates that kind of English because that’s how his friend talks,” the director explained.

    Faysal then asked Shaquielle directly, “And this ‘Gocha Gocha’ that Kabir is saying, why is Kabir using this American version of ‘Gotcha’? Why is he speaking English?”

    To which Shaquielle replied, “Kabir is actually an alter [ego] of his friend who was a UK-returned guy.”

    Diving deeper into Kabir’s character, he explains that when Kabir asks Mikhael why he’s giving away his paintings for free, it reflects that Kabir is someone “relatively close to him [Mikhael]”, someone who helps him realise that “money can give value to better things.”

    The director also defended the character’s speech pattern by highlighting the nature of Dissociative Identity Disorder, “To all the critics who are saying English shouldn’t be spoken, it’s not about English. The point is that these are alters, and every alter has a different language. Some speak pure Urdu, some speak Punjabi, and some speak like an Anglo-Indian, like Sneha’s character. If you’re creating different personalities, there should be a proper 60% change or shift in those personalities.”

    Challenging Nadia’s claim directly, Faysal added, “But Nadia ji said incorrect English was spoken. Where? Tell me, what incorrect English?”

    He also took a subtle dig at those offering surface-level critiques, “These days, you know, the focus is more on chest hair in previews. If you personally don’t like someone, don’t comment on them.”

    Director Shaquielle Khan backed Faysal’s explanation, stating, “If there is a genuine mistake, we’re open to correcting it, but this isn’t one of those cases.”

    Social media users also rallied behind Faysal. Many labelled Nadia’s comments as baseless and unnecessary.

    One user wrote, “These actors sit in drawing rooms and critique work they don’t understand.”

    As of now, Nadia Afgan has not responded to the backlash or to the explanations given by Faysal and Shaquielle.

  • ‘Name one’; Faysal Quraishi shuts down criticism over repetitive dramas

    ‘Name one’; Faysal Quraishi shuts down criticism over repetitive dramas

    Actor Faysal Quraishi recently appeared on Hasna Mana Hai alongside Sonya Hussyn and Samina Peerzada, where he did not hold back when an audience member remarked that Pakistani dramas and films are repetitive.

    A young woman from the audience asked Quraishi whether his new film Deemak was any different, given that “all plays and films seem the same.”

    In response, Quraishi challenged the claim head-on: “Name a few dramas that are based on the same story,” he asked.

    The woman could not name any specific titles but insisted that most dramas revolve around conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. To this, he replied, “For the last three years, we haven’t made dramas based on saas-bahu stories.”

    He continued, “This idea that all dramas are the same is simply wrong. Every drama is different.” He cited examples such as Ishq Murshid, Dunyapur, Kabuli Pulao, and his current show, Bahrupiya, as evidence of the industry’s diversity.

    Quraishi also defended Pakistani cinema, saying, “All films are different too. Humayun Saeed’s films are different, Fahad Mustafa’s films are different, and my new film Deemak is different.” He referenced older hits like Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani and Punjab Nahi Jaungi, emphasising that none of them follow the same formula.

    His defence sparked a debate online, with many viewers applauding his stance.

  • Nine versions of Faysal Quraishi are coming to your screens in ‘Behroopia’

    Nine versions of Faysal Quraishi are coming to your screens in ‘Behroopia’

    Green Entertainment is back with another powerful story, and this time, it’s going deeper than ever. Their new drama Behroopia is ready to surprise the audience with a bold topic: childhood trauma.

    The teaser shows the painful journey of a child who suffers abuse from his stepfather, and how that pain follows him into adulthood. Faysal Quraishi plays the grown-up version of the child, now dealing with mental health struggles and multiple personalities — yes, he will be seen in nine different roles in one drama.

    Madiha Imam’s role is still a mystery, but the teaser hints that she might be a source of strength or maybe someone deeply affected by Faysal’s character.

    In a recent Eid special with Rabia Anum and Danish Taimoor, Faysal Quraishi said, “This role is extremely tough, and I knew only I could do it.” Madiha also opened up about how emotional and layered the story is, adding, “I had to react to nine different characters — that was a big challenge.”

    Written by Rida Bilal and directed by Shaqielle Khan, Behroopia is produced by Multiverse Entertainment and Tehreem Chaudhary. With Faysal Quraishi and Madiha Imam in lead roles, this drama is expected to leave a lasting impact.