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

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.

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

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.

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.

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?”

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

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. 

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.