Hamza Abbasi comeback vehicle Jaan e Jahan is sputtering

Ayeza Khan in Jaan e Jahan episode 5

Recapping episode 5 of drama serial Jaan e Jahan

Jaan e Jahan episode 5 brings The Ayeza Khan and Hamza Abbasi drama, Jaan e Jahan needs to shake things up. So far, the director and writers seem to be betting on star power to carry it across the finish line but the warning signs are hard to miss: firstly, a comeback by Hamza Ali Abbasi is not an earth-shattering event (it might have been one a year ago), and secondly, the Ayeza Khan drama that people are talking about is Mein, not Jaan e Jahan. Let’s dive in.

Episode 5 picks up the story where episode 4 left it off. Mahnoor (Ayeza Khan) runs into Shehram (Hamza Ali Ababsi) at the haveli. She asks him whether she can teach at the village school, started by Sheram’s father, when it’s built. Shehram is surprised that the school building has not been completed yet. He promises Mahnoor that he will look into the school project personally.

Kishwar (Savera Nadeem) walks in on them talking. She is surprised to see Mahnoor there, whom she does not know. She is not pleased that they are discussing the school. Later, after Mahnoor has left and Shehram has retired to his room, she reprimands a maid for letting Mahnoor into the haveli.

Mahnoor returns home and tells her mother and sister about her meeting. She shares her impression of both Shehram and Kishwar. She thinks Shehram’s personality is similar to his father’s, who was well-liked. Ayeza’s role is well thought-out, but the picture-perfect clothes and make-up don’t add credibility to the rural setting.

Coming back to life

Shehbaz, the family lawyer, and Shehram’s father’s close friend, comes to see Kishwar. Kishwar tells him that Shehram wants to relinquish control over the factory and transfer it to her. Shehba stalls and delays the transfer. He also meets Shehram, advises him to be careful, and gives him a briefcase that is part of his inheritance. He asks him to hide it and guard it closely.

Kishwar sees Shehbaz leave empty-handed. She asks her niece, Zeenat (Mariam Nafees), to go into Shehram’s room and find the briefcase while he is seeing Shehbaz out. Zeentat comes across a locked cupboard. When Shehbaz comes back to his room he finds Zeenat arranging flowers in a vase.

In a later scene, we find Kishwar discussing the dosage of some drug to be mixed in Shehram’s meals. A highlight of this episode was a well-directed dream sequence in which Shehram meets his mother. His mother does not believe Shehram when he tells her he’s her son. The next day Sheram visits the school site. He runs into Mahnoor again. He has a dizzy spell and faints. Afterward, we see him being tended to by a doctor at the haveli.

In the closing scenes, Mahnoor and her sister are talking about Shehram. Shehram regains consciousness.

Our verdict: The drama is gradually picking up pace. The characters are very one-dimensional.

Our rating: 3/5

Quick summary

  • Mahnoor and Sheram’s relationship is developing
  • Shehram finds an ally in his father’s friend and lawyer
  • Shehram leaves the haveli to visit the school site

Leave a Reply