From Atif’s acting to Pashto accents: Here’s what Pakistani Twitter has to say about ‘Sang-e-Mah’

The second instalment of 2016’s ‘Sang-e- Mar Mar’ released its first episode on Sunday and netizens have a lot to say

The much-anticipated drama serial, Sang-e-Mah, released its first episode on Sunday and netizens cannot stop talking about it. The Saifee Hassan directorial has been the talk of the town since it marked the sensational singer Atif Aslam’s television debut and returned with a familiar cast of A-listers such as Sania Saeed, Nauman Ijaz, Samiya Mumtaz, and Kubra Khan.

The serial focuses on a societal taboo that uncovers the tradition of Gagh. From Atif’s debut performance to the storyline, a majority of people are hooked to the show from its first episode. However, the Pakhtun representation has offended the community with its stereotypical portrayal.

Hilmand shines
Atif plays an unconventional lead being the black sheep of the family. Speaking up against the problematic norms of society, his poetic dialogues and stellar acting has won hearts.

#sangemah so I saw the first episode in cinema and 2 things I can tell you. 1: get ready to be charmed by and then fall in love with Hilmand played by Atif Aslam. 2: Once your enter the enchanting world of Sang-e-Mah, there is no return. @itsaadee #AtifAslam pic.twitter.com/OBJoB4et3u

— Rabia Mughni (@rabiamughni) January 8, 2022

Atif Aslam in sang-e-mah is personified masterpiece, the acting , the voice!!

— Thebreezeofspringtime (@Themessybreeze) January 10, 2022

Love the first EP of Sang e Mah and
Atif Aslam
I'm so amazed you totally nailed it just loving Hilmand so much. The dialogue delivery everything was🔥
Also didn't even realise when it ended Pleading faceeagerly waiting now for the next EP next week#AtifAslam #Aadeez #SangEMah pic.twitter.com/morBYRIDlq

— Asif Solangi 🇵🇰 (@AsifSolangi711) January 9, 2022

A Twitter user, impressed by the Aadat singer’s acting, called him a ‘natural’ since it “did not feel like his debut” to them.

After watching Atif Alsam's performance in 1st episode of sang e mah, I can't believe this is his debut drama. It feels like he has been working in dramas for years and has lifetime of experience in acting field. What a outstanding actor & singer he is!🙌❤#sangemah #AtifAslam pic.twitter.com/Q3hnbht9ka

— I'm Sona (@ImSonaaa) January 9, 2022

Bigger and better
Some netizens compared the storylines of the two shows and held praise for the revised perception of forced marriages in the second instalment and found the latter to have an ‘emotional’ approach to the sensitive issue.

I can already see a stark difference between Sang-e-Marmar and Sang-e-Mah.The former looked at forced marriage as a "solution" to problems while the latter takes a stand against it.Sang-e-Marmar had a factual approach towards sensitive issues but Sang-e-Mah has an emotional one❤️

— Dipanwita Banerjee (@dipanwita025) January 10, 2022

Historic cultural icons
Attention to detail is an important aspect when representing cultures to ensure authenticity and relatability. The production house proved to do their best since right from the first episode, there are conversations about Chail, a Swabi traditional shawl, donned by Sania Saeed.

A Twitter user explained the importance of the shawl as one that was used to cover the bodies of martyrs in a war against Sikhs and would stain from the bloodshed. It is seen as a heroic symbol and people were glad they included it in the show.

Sania Saeed has wear Swabi's traditional shawl "Chail" in #Sangemah,

History of Chail: Yousafzais fought a battle against the Sikhs during 1800s, women rushed & covered bodies of martyrs with white dopatts which stained them with red dots thus commemorating the historic victory. pic.twitter.com/94cb7tOFWk

— Shafeeq Gigyani (@ShafeeqGigyani) January 10, 2022

Pashtun Profiling
Triggered by the portrayal of Pashtuns in the serial, a Twitter user asked if it was "important to portray Pashtuns as religious fanatics, against women rights, and eat naswaar all day?”

I just saw the first episode of sang e mah, the new drama series on hum tv and theres a lot going on in it. Firstly, is it important to portray Pashtuns as religious fanatics, against women rights, and eat naswaar all day.I mean was this dialogue very significant to add? pic.twitter.com/umlscyY1eh

— wazma_00 (@Wazma0) January 9, 2022

They were also quick to point that the man who commits the heinous crime of Gagh first is shown wearing a Manzoor Pashtun hat. 

A drama serial called #sangemah has started on Hum TV in which the profiling of Pashtuns is being tried once again. In the very first episode of the play, a bad character man who commits heinous crime like Ghag is wearing a Manzoor Pashtun hat & a woman 1/2#StopPashtunProfiling pic.twitter.com/HL0rc690qT

— AlamZaib Khan Mahsud (@AlamZaibPK) January 10, 2022

The actors shared how difficult it was for them to get into the skin of their challenging characters especially mastering the language and accents in a press conference on Friday. The Pehli Nazar singer shed light on how tough it was for him to essay Hilmand for the first few days of the shoot. “For the first three, four days, I was trying to wrap my head around how to play this character,” Atif commented. 

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