Grade: 4/5
Genre: Pakistani Crime/Drama
Episodes: 30 (ARY , YouTube)
Ages: 16+
Cheekh is an intense and gripping 2019 Pakistani crime drama touching topics of rape, assault, and how the wealthy can literally get away with murder.
It is also the story of one woman, Mannat, played flawlessly by the immensely talented Sabah Qamar, who stands on her own to fight back and seeks justice for her murdered best friend Nayab (Usna Shah). Mannat, Nayab and Haya (Mannat’s sister in law) are best friends from college and are preparing for Haya’s engagement celebrations. Nayab comes from a poor household and at times feels awkward around Mannat and Haya who are from elite family backgrounds. During the elaborate engagement ceremony at Haya’s family home, Nayab falls from the rooftop of the house and comes crashing down to her death, leaving everyone in shock and disbelief. The mystery of who pushed Nayab is revealed not too far into the serial but it’s Mannat’s crusade to implicate Nayab’s murder that is the driving force of the drama. She faces obstacles, challenges and death threats from her own family members but is adamant in her pursuitfor the truth.
No other actress in Pakistan nor in the Subcontinent could have played the role of Mannat the way Sabah Qamar did. She gives life and authenticity to the independent minded, feisty yet family oriented character. Bilal Abbas Khan as Wajih is outstanding and a shout out to Nayyar Ejaz who plays the obnoxious, nauseating, bribe taker cop with sheer brilliance.
A drama with a purpose….not to be missed.
