Actor Arslan Naseer has shared his two cents on star-cricketer Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fitness in a recent interview. The Chupke Chupke hero said that Shaheen is not fit enough as of yet to play cricket.
Shah suffered a leg injury a few months back and took some time off to heal it. It was a surprise to see him playing in T20 World Cup. However, the Pakistani team underperformed in both matches so far.
Hence Arsalan highlighted some flaws in the team, including Shah’s selection. Check out his exact statement here:
Safe to say, we’re not getting over Chupke Chupke anytime soon given the amount of light-hearted entertainment it provided us during Ramzan this year. The show has been a hit with the audiences with episodes trending on televsion and social media. The highlight of the series included the love story between Faazi (Osman Khalid Butt) and Meenu (Ayeza Khan) and Haadi (Arslan Naseer) and Mishi (Aymen Saleem).
Since Chupke Chupke ended on a high and happy note, we decided to take look back at some of our favourite scenes from the romantic-comedy show. Though it was extremely hard to narrow down the list to just five, we did our best. Check it out:
Faazi and Meenu’s first romantic scene
First time pyaar ka izhar and Bebe’s raid
Faazi’s reaction to Meenu’s foot injury
Mushtaq Plumber and Hajra Padicure Wali
Haadi and Faazi’s patch-up and Faazi requesting Haadi to placate Meenu for him
Chupke Chupke was a complete package with a high dose of entertainment and emotions, power-packed performances, romance and comedy.
Which scene from the show was your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
I’ll be honest. When the first teasers of Chupke Chupke released I was not impressed. Ayeza Khan as a clumsy, 20-something bewakuf larki didn’t really appeal to me and she appeared to have no chemistry with co-star Osman Khalid Butt. Don’t get me wrong here, both actors are brilliant but somehow I was unable to connect with the show.
Though I initially decided to avoid the drama altogether, the nature of my job doesn’t really allow me to do so and soon enough Chupke Chupke memes and fan edits started popping up on my social media feeds piquing my interest. And when ten-something episodes later, Faazi (Butt) and Meenu (Khan) tie the knot against their wishes, I ended up getting hooked to the show.
The premise of Chupke Chupke is by no means simple, given the number of characters in the show. Kudos to director Danish Nawaz for dealing with the script so skillfully and straightening out the creases. Nawab Sahab, the family patriarch had two wives – Bebe (Asma Abbas) and Ama (Uzma Beg). While Nawab Sahab has passed away, both his wives live in the same house but in different portions. The two cannot stand each other and are always putting each other down even though all their grandchildren are friends. Meenu, Haadi (Arslan Naseer) Mirchi (Areesha Sultan) and Waleed are Bebe’s grandchildren, while Gul Apa (Mira Sethi), Faazi, Roomi and Mishi (Aymen Saleen) are Ama’s grandchildren. Gul Apa is married to her maternal cousin Miskeen (Ali Safina), while Roomi is married to Mani (Salman ‘Mani’ Shaikh). Tara Mahmood and Farhan Ally Agha play Meenu and Mirchi’s parents and Qavi Khan plays Nawab Sahab’s elder brother.
Meenu and Faazi, who are constantly trolling each other, are set to marry outside the family on the same day. In a dramatic turn of events, the two end up getting married to each other and from there on there’s only trouble with a capital T. From the two refusing to acknowledge the marriage and later their feelings to the two grandmothers rejecting the nikkah and calling for an annulment to a ‘khufia’ (suspicious) and rushed rukhsati in the middle of the night – it is a mad caper.
If this drama was not enough, Haadi and Mishi, popularly known as Hashi, are also interesting in getting married to each other, while Gul Apa makes sure she makes life for the new bahu living hell with the help of the other ‘evil’ sister Roomi. Gul’s husband Miskeen, staying true to his name, will do or say something silly which is bound to make you laugh out loud. All the characters are so lovable that it is terribly hard to decide which one is your favourite. But if someone puts a gun to my head and forces me to choose, I’d go with Haadi and Miskeen.
The ‘evil’ sisters minus Mishi and Ama
What makes the drama stand out, even more, is the performances. Each actor from little Mirchi to the two dadis, everyone has brought their A-game lighting up the screen and bringing so much energy that it perks up the viewer also. Like mentioned earlier, I had some reservations about Ayeza playing Meenu, but I can now say with full conviction that the actor has done complete justice to her role and despite racking my brain for other options, I couldn’t think of a better actor for this role.
Meanwhile, Safina and Naseer in particular deserve a special shoutout. Safina’s transition into Miskeen is incredible – he has performed the role with such finesse that every time he comes on screen and says “Sarkar,” I want to cheer for him – his comic timing is excellent. Similarly, Naseer has made a promising debut as Haadi delivering one sarcastic comment after another with such ease.
The drama takes a while to set the stage but once it’s set its a rollicking rollercoaster.
As far comparisons with Suno Chanda are concerned, there are plenty, but I think I’ll leave those for another day. It’s Chupke Chupke’s time in the spotlight and it’s best to let it shine.
With only a few episodes to go till the finale, I am curious to know whether Haadi and Mishi will get married and what the future holds in store for Meenu and Faazi. Will Gul Apa go to Sadiqabad with her husband and leave them in peace? Can’t wait to find out!
Take a flashback to the past few years, we have been observing the trend of airing sitcoms or romantic-comedy dramas on different channels during the month of Ramzan. Although this trend initially received much criticism. However, with the passage of time, people have started to enjoy watching these entertainment packages. Chupke Chupke and Tanaa Banaa of HUM TV are giving us laughter dose after every Iftaar, while Geo TV has given Ishq Jalebi.
These dramas are offering comedy, controversies and family politics but they’ve also given us four delightful on-screen couples. Zain and Zoya from Tanaa Banaa, Hadi and Mishi, Meenu and Faazi/Ustaad Jee from Chupke Chupke and Basim and Bela from Ishq Tamasha.
Zain and Zoya
Zain (Danyal Zafar) is a young boy who fell in love with Zoya (Alizeh Shah) at first sight. The couple has interesting chemistry with Zain expressing all his love for Zoya and Zoya just starting to realise that how much Zain loves her. While Zoya is stubborn, Zain is a loving and caring husband. The two are poles apart and this keeps the drama interesting.
Hadi and Mishi
Arslan Naseer is playing the role of Hadi while Aymen Saleem is acting as Mishi in Chupke Chupke. There is a unique hidden chemistry between this couple that was initially growing in the form of one-sided love. But now that Hadi has also fallen in love with Mishi, this love story has taken a new turn and one of the reasons why you tune into Chupke Chupke every night.
Meenu and Faazi /Ustaad Jee
Ayeza Khan is playing as Meenu and Osman Khalid Butt is playing as Faaz aka Meenu’s Ustaad Jee. Faaz used to teach Meenu so she calls him Ustaad Jee. However, in a strange turn of event the two ended up getting married and while they were initially embarrassed by this development, they are now slowly beginning to catch feelings.
Faaz, who didn’t like Meenu for her carelessness and ignorance towards studies, is now falling for her innocence. Meenu too has started to like him and their cute ways of showing affection is making the drama more interesting. With many twists and turns, their wedding is at stake and everyone is eager to see what will happen next and what new problem will arise for the newly weds.
Basim and Bela
Ishq Jalebi stars the Madiha Imam and Wahaj Ali in leading roles. Basim who is on the lookout for a shortcut to go abroad is in cahoots with Bela (Madiha Imam). She is his sidekick, best friend, and partner in crime in all that he does and also his maternal cousin who was orphaned as a child and lives with them. While Basim may not have realised how much Bela truly loves him, we the audiences can definitely see it and are absolutely loving the chemistry the two have with each other. With scenes that will make your heart have a happy dance, these two stars are a treat to watch and we’re anxious to see what Ishq Jalebi has in store for them next.
While each couple has its own charm, my favourite has to be Meenu and Faazi. Both Osman and Ayeza have brought Meenu and Faazi to life brilliantly. Very much like Faaz, I used to detest Meenu and didn’t want him to marry her. But as the story progressed, I am also enjoying their naivety, blamelessness and non-romantic fondness. Looking forward to seeing how they will cross all obstacles among them and finally become husband and wife.
Ever since the phenomenal success of Suno Chanda, Ramzan dramas have become a thing on Pakistani television with a cult following. Chupke Chupke is Hum TV’s latest offering and it is safe to say the drama has gathered a huge audience with fans tuning in to watch the show every night at 9 pm.
While Chupke Chupke features many established stars including Osman Khalid Butt, Ayeza Khan, Tara Mahmood, Farhan Ally Agha, Asma Abbas, Ali Safina, and Mira Sethi, the drama also marks the debut of two new faces – Aymen Saleem and Arslan Naseer. Sidra Niazi is also a fresh new face who has made a mark in the drama.
Aymen Saleem
Daughter of former cricketer Saleem Yousuf and an alumnus of the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Aymen has won everyone’s heart with her performance as the sweet and innocent Mishi.
The hopeless romantic in the house, Mishi is secretly in love with her cousin Haadi played by Arslan Naseer. Not only Mishi but fans have been shipping Haadi and Mishi and we’re hoping to see their love story take off soon.
Saleem is also the first recipient of the esteemed Diana Award which “celebrates the achievements of 20 outstanding young leaders, visionaries and role models from across the world, aged 12-25, who have demonstrated their ability to inspire and mobilise new generations to serve their communities.”
Arsalan Naseer
One of Pakistan’s earliest YouTubers, Naseer is the brains behind Comics by Arslan (CBA), and no stranger to the camera. His spoof videos, movie reviews and commentary on pop culture have a cult following in Pakistan. In fact, there is even a CBA Army on social media.
Naseer, who spent several years studying and working in Ireland and the United Kingdom, plays the fun and easy-going Haadi in the series. Earlier, while talking to a local media outlet, Arslan shared that though he got several offers from the TV industry and Bollywood, this one came at the right time.
“I suppose this came at the right moment as I was about to take the leap of faith and was planning on quitting my corporate job. Though it happened all of a sudden, God has been kind and the timing was right,” shared Arslan, adding that he was thrilled to be a part of it because it was written by Suno Chanda writer Saima Akram Chaudhry.
Besides having great chemistry with Saleem, Arslan’s bromance with Faadi (Butt) is also winning hearts.
Budding actor Sidra Niazi is just a few projects old but the actor sure has left a mark on the screen. The actor played Hania in the drama, Faadi’s former fiancé.
Niazi is also part of Geo Entertainment’s Qayamat in which she is playing a grey character with finesse.
Hum TV’s Chupke Chupke, starring Osman Khalid Butt, Ayeza Khan, Mira Sethi, Asma Abbas, Tara Mahmood, Aymen Saleem, Farhan Ali Agha, Ali Safina and Arsalan Naseer among others, has become a hot favourite with the audiences this Ramzan. While the drama itself is a comedy, it has also given memers a chance to showcase their talent and add to the humour.
Soul Sisters Pakistan’s (SSP) Kanwal Ahmed recently called out Chupke Chupke for portraying ghar damads in a negative light.
Ahmed, who was recently selected by Facebook as one of its 115 ‘Community Leaders’ using the social network to help others, criticised the serial for “disempowering audiences by reinforcing problematic stereotypes.”
Referring to a character (played by Ali Safina) belittled in the drama for staying with his in-laws, Ahmed said: “Such as here the ‘ghar damad‘ character is an object of constant ridicule. Only yesterday a woman on SSP was asking how she and [her] sisters can manage her old parents as none of them can move in with them.”
Trust our dramas to disempower audiences by reinforcing problematic stereotypes. Such as here the ‘ghar damad’ character is an object of constant ridicule. Only yesterday a woman on SSP was asking how she & sisters can manage her old parents as none of them can move in with them. pic.twitter.com/58F51J3Qc2
Responding to Kanwal’s tweet, Osman Khalid Butt – who plays the lead character in Chupke Chupke – said that in the context of the drama, the ‘ghar damad’ is not the victim.
“This is an interesting take. However, it’s important to mention that this ‘ghar damad‘ refuses to work despite being offered a job in the family business. He isn’t with his in-laws because of financial (or any) duress and while he’s played for broad comedy, he has his own arc,” said Butt.
This is an interesting take; however it’s important to mention this ‘ghar damad’ refuses to work despite being offered a job in the family business, isn’t with his in-laws because of financial (or any) duress, & while he’s played for broad comedy, has his own arc.
Ahmed, in response, argued the character’s incompetence is to deliberately put him in a bad light to validate age-old stereotypes.
“My concern though is that comedy that identifies with problematic, existing stereotypes reinforces them in society. For example, how many men would want to be ‘ghar damads’ after watching this?” questioned Kanwal.
Thanks for the response Osman. My concern though is that comedy that identifies with problematic, existing stereotypes reinforces it in society. For example how many men would want to be ghar damads after watching this?
Agreeing with Ahmed that the stereotype was not as nuanced as it should have been, Butt said: “But viewers will also be considering the fact that his wife is shown to be quite obviously dominating / demeaning (which she’s called out on, albeit in a comedic manner). And he’s a slacker, no?”
I understand that this isn’t a nuanced take on the stereotype but viewers will also be considering the fact that his wife is shown to be quite obviously dominating/demeaning (which she’s called out on, albeit in a comedic manner), and he’s a slacker, no?
Though the two are yet to reach a cohesive conclusion, it won’t be wrong to say our TV screens are yet to project behaviour that does not conform to societal norms in a positive light.
Written by Saima Akram Chaudhry, Chupke Chupke is a story of two families of late Daar Ji (grandfather), who married twice. The first wife Bebe (Asma Abbas) is a Punjabi woman and the second wife Bakhto (Uzma Beg) is Saraiki. Both gave birth to two children (hilariously emphasizing his equal treatment of wives) and unfortunately, both lost one of their children. We see Farhan Ally Agha as Bebe’s stingy son who has two daughters; Meenu (Ayeza Khan) and Muneeba aka Mirchi. On the other hand, Fahad aka Fazi and Gul (Osman Khalid Butt and Mira Sethi) are twin siblings and grandchildren of Bakhto.
If this seems confusing to you, embrace for more actors: Hadi and Wali (Arslan Naseer and Aadi Khan) are brothers, Ali Safina (Gul’s husband and a ghar damaad), Mishi (Aymen), and Roomi as OB’s sisters.
