‘Cheekh’ is on the tips of everyone’s tongues these days, with its pivotal storyline and absolutely formidable acting from its robust ensemble cast housing Saba Qamar, Bilal Abbas Khan, Aijaz Aslam, and Emmad Irfani. It’s the drama everyone on social media can’t stop gushing about, and for plenty of good reasons too! So if you haven’t started watching it, here’s a roundup of why you need it on the top of your watchlist.
1. ‘Cheekh’ marks the return of Saba Qamar.
We know Saba is very particular about her dramas, and she’s built herself a very strong portfolio of dramas that push the boundaries. After ‘Baaghi,’ this was the drama she chose, and so far we can see why – she’s the best we have (the script has also proven to be very powerful thus far).
2. Emmad’s character Shayan has been hailed nationally for projecting a very progessive husband (a relatively new trope).
Shayan and Mannat (Saba) have been shown to be a very unique couple in Pakistani drama history. They both stand up each other and support each other, as well as being openly affectionate and loving – a very refreshing breather for our dramas. It is rare to see male characters support their wives so unwaveringly and in such a mettlesome manner. Shayan is a break away from the norm of narcissistic husbands, and people are IN LOVE WITH IT.
So far so good. Showing Shayaan as such a husband was a breath of fresh air, as otherwise the usual trend in our dramas is that husbands are the first to abandon their wives. Has been set up nicely, if only it keeps going well.
— Rawal, the Romeo (@Romeo_Rawal) April 7, 2019
3. ‘Cheekh’ is another drama that boldly addressed sexual harassment and the meaning of consent.
Ushna Shah’s character is harrowingly attacked and assaulted before she plummets off a rooftop to her eventual death. The accused, Wajih (Bilal Abbas Khan) is put in his place throughout the show, with his actions never glorified (a common narrative hiccup that many of our dramas succumb to).
Their powerful confrontations are keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats …
AND IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!#Cheekh @bilalabbas_khan @s_qamarzaman pic.twitter.com/mbgSndhQec— 𝓐𝓶𝓲 ᴷᵃˡᵃⁿᵏ ᴺᵃʰᶦ ᴵˢʰᑫ ʰᵃᶦ (@Amaya_dvn) February 7, 2019
4. Saba’s chemistry with Emaad is actual FIRE.
Saba is 35 and Emaad is 38💥🔥 They make a bomb Couple😍💥🔥
I ship them#Cheekh— ADINAᴷᴬᴸᴬᴺᴷ (@Adina_Varun) April 6, 2019
MANNAT & SHAYAN are Couple Goals..
❤❤❤
My Ship Deserves HAPPINESS
💞😭🌸#cheekh pic.twitter.com/w42GJlQLkp— ✨Nayyab Kayani✨ (@NayyabHoonMain) April 8, 2019
5. The pace of the plot is very quick – you barely get a breather and its crime premise is gripping.
The show is a milder form of an investigative crime genre, and the script has been very well-written. While most dramas tend to sag and slow down, reaching a stubborn plateau, ‘Cheekh’ remains a thrilling constant unraveling of a riveting tale.
6. Saba’s character Mannat has been shown as determined, unafraid and incredibly progressive in thinking.
Mannat is fixated on getting the justice her deceased best friend deserves and will do anything to make sure she attains it – even if it means she might lose her comfort way of living by accusing her own family member. We need to see more female protagonists like Mannat, who pave a more radiant path for our female community.
7. The drama is full of spicy, dramatic moments that leave you in shock long after the episode ends. The iconic slap has rocked fans because it was just so brilliantly done!
WAJIH CHUP KAR JA YAAR!
This slap was everything 🙌🏼 #Cheekh pic.twitter.com/dOcBeFMA5B
— Gia Khan 🇵🇰🇨🇦 (@Miss_Khan990) April 7, 2019
I guess we all will be forever thankful to Shayan for doing what Mannat should have done a long time ago..I would have slapped him twice or thrice coz he bloody deserves it!#Cheekh #BilalAbbas #EmmadIrfani pic.twitter.com/gdCPOAvuhx
— Javs. (@javeria_16) April 6, 2019
8. The OST for the drama is INSANE.
9. Kudos to Bilal Abbas Khan for showcasing his breathtaking versatility, from transitioning to the boy-next-door to an outright godawful villain.
Bravo! What an actor!
No glorification of #Wajih!! only glorification of outstanding acting performance of @bilalabbas_khan. His face is like a palette of expressions. Unbelievably brilliant 🔥He steals the show with a smirk 😏 Deadly & HOTTEST villain ever #Cheekh @fahadmustafa26 @aijazz7 pic.twitter.com/HlQgUpLllW
— Bilal Abbas FC (@bilalabbas24x7) April 6, 2019
10. We get to see a very different family dynamic in ‘Cheekh.’
At one end, we see an elder brother (Yawar) blindly protecting his own (Wajih), with another (Shayan) who won’t let blood ties blur what’s right and what’s wrong.
“Tumhein jo karna hai uske saath mein tumhare saath hoon”
Yawar you are such a beep 😡Wajih is spoiled and entitled only cause of your attitude!! Stop supporting his bakwaas#Cheekh pic.twitter.com/pRcZe32sjv
— Gia Khan 🇵🇰🇨🇦 (@Miss_Khan990) April 7, 2019
In a world full of Yawars, be a Shayaan!!!! #Cheekh
— Mahnoor Shah (@imahashah) April 6, 2019
11. The drama is an unfiltered, raw adaptation of the pyscopathic tendancies of men in our society. It doesn’t hold back at. All.
The optimistic bit about #Cheekh doing well is that it will encourage showrunners to make more and more dramas that show an empowered woman at the centre of ithttps://t.co/4jtSBq0YWS
— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) March 16, 2019