'Churails' review: Raw, real and radical

Asim Abbasi creates a series that does more good than it aimed for, outdoing himself in the process

KARACHI:

Throughout history, women have been labelled as the root of all evil while men get away with the most atrocious of acts. Kidnapped? “She shouldn’t have gone out late.” Raped? “She was asking for it.” Killed? “She should have listened to her husband.”

Never have men been held accountable but film-maker Asim Abbasi decided it was high-time this changed. And needless to say, he isn't wrong. With Churails, his latest web series, the auteur gets into the depths of how women are treated in our society and still expected to be the “best version of themselves.”

While many may assume that Churails would put women on a high-horse or show some “good, obedient” ones “gone rogue,” Abbasi has tread very carefully without pointing any fingers. Instead, he highlights how society sometimes leaves victims no choice but to take desperate measures.

But even while doing so, the Cake director makes sure that his storytelling shows that these women don’t lack compassion, nor does he justify any kind of wrongdoing. At a time when even many pro-women stories can be problematic, Abbasi seems to have done his homework thoroughly.

Churails stars some of the best talent from the Pakistani entertainment industry: Sarwat Gillani as a lawyer-turned-housewife Sara, Yasra Rizvi as an alcoholic wedding planner Jugnu, Nimra Bucha as Batool, a murderer released from prison while Meherbano dons the role of young Zubaida, looking for love and success in the world of boxing. The four meet each other in a rather unfortunate turn of events that leads them to start a spying service aimed to help other women identify cheating spouses.

But there is much more to the show than just that. The 10-episode debut season kicks off with a strong start and like most Pakistani productions, one would assume it would soon take a dip. But to one’s surprise, each episode is better than the last. Be it the storyline or the character development, Abbasi has outdone himself with not only how he unfolds the plot but also how every part of it is cohesive, leaving viewers no doubts.

And of course, his impeccable sense of direction shone throughout, easily ranking him amongst the best film-makers of Pakistan. Everything from the shots used to the cinematography is par excellent. Hues of red add mystery while the sound of cutting meat represented something much larger than what meets the eye. The background score perfectly complements the essence of each scene and the attention to details and the iconography that one can now associate with the main leads of Churails makes it a true artistic masterpiece. However, the use of single takes throughout, despite being well-executed, is a bit of overkill.

On the flip side, there are fragments of the actor’s performances that do fall a little short. Yasra’s Jugnu has a weak start but her performance improves tremendously with each episode. Sarwat and Meherbano maintain a stable curve but Nimra shows the most prowess as an A-class actor, proving she does not need words to convey sadness or anger. She lets her piercing gazes do the talking. And that is exactly what makes her Batool the strongest churail, followed by Jugnu.

That being said, the supporting actors are not just mere extras to fill up the story but rather glue the different pieces of the plot. Big names from the industry also make cameos throughout the series, but not just for the “whoa” factor. Instead, each guest appearance has a major role to play, taking the story forward.

All in all, Churails is not only a delightful series but also one that everyone should watch. Touching upon issues pertaining to harassment, forced marriages, abuse, assault and the concept that “boys will be boys,” it can be a conversation-starter for many, if not anything else. The show serves as a mirror to the harsh realities of our world and teaches us how to be more tolerant where needed and take a stand. Ending on a cliffhanger, we now wonder what the next season, if there is one, will bring to the table.

Verdict: Without compromising on the storytelling, Churails is a feminist masterpiece.
Rating: 4.5/5

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