Ek Naye Cinderella – First Look
After a long, long, long, long time, I hopelessly fell in love with a story that requires the brain to be totally switched off! And although its drama serial has not started yet, its photo shoot and promos look probably the most promising out of the current crop of upcoming serials.
Intrigued by the photos, I went online to search for any written episodes of Ek Naye Cinderella written by Faiza Iftikhar. The novel is currently being published, episode-wise, in Shua Digest, and since it is still ongoing, the ending is unknown and the suspense is very much intact. I found two episodes of the novel online, and needless to say, I was totally smitten.
Maybe I have always had something for Cinderella. I remember how totally taken in I was by The Cinderella Story in my early twenties. So anyway, Faiza Iftikhar's take on Cinderella is endearing at best, though you can expect totally black and white characterization because it is the Cinderella story of course!
Coming to the basic plot outline, the Cinderella is Meesha, who lives with her step-mother, two step-sisters, and granny. Meesha meets Mayer, and they both fall in love with each other - however, since she is disguised under heavy makeup, Mayer has no idea who Meesha really is.
When Meesha's family leaves her at home to go to a party at Mayer's place, she cries and calls out to her "fairy godmother" - and Rooman suddenly appears. Servant of the neighbour and deeply in love with Meesha, he promises her he will help her get married to Mayer.
Thereon begin a series of hilarious and heart-wrenching events that leave you smiling at times, and irritated at others.
While the story is enjoyable on paper, it remains to be seen how it has been shot. Thus far, the visuals and the picture quality looks absolutely stunning. We've all spoken at lengths about how director Haissam Hussain can create the right chemistry between the characters, so I do have "great expectations" this time around. In the backdrop of the scenic locations of Murree, the cast is a mixture of new and veteran with Hina Bayat, Qavi Khan, Nasreen Qureshi and Saba Hameed leading the experienced lot, and the younger lot playing the leads of Meesha (Maya Ali), Mayer (Osman Khalid Butt), and Rooman (Faizan Khwaja).
After their side appearances in Durre-Shehwar, it is good to see Maya Ali and Osman Khalid Butt being given a chance to prove their prowess. Faizan Khwaja has done mainly negative roles in Ab Kay Sawan Barse and Meri Ladli, so it will be refreshing to see him in a positive role for a change. Esheeta and Warda Butt will be playing the two step-sisters.
Although this is an A&B Productions serial, whose dramas I generally avoid for their similar look and feel, I am willing to give this one more than its fair share of chance mainly because of the team of director Haissam Hussain and writer Faiza Iftikhar. Let's see if the serial lives up to the hype...
Written by Drama Buff (dramabuff.dp@gmail.com)
PS: I am not sure when it is starting, but we do know it will air on Geo TV.
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Sadaf Says:
It looks promising!!! I loved DES and I think Hassem is not going to let us down ,Inshallah. He is one of those rare talents that can handle light comedy while drawing us into deeper more serous issues . I am just hoping that this time Faiza Ifthikhar gives us a more satisfying ending. She is an amazing writer and her name attached to a serial is a "must watch "signal for me at least.
Posted on September 16th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Sadia Says:
Finally checked out the promos. So far it looks nice. Let's wait & see. Does anyone know when it's coming on screens, because I didn't see a date?
Posted on September 16th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Laiba Says:
Which character did osman play in DeS ?
Posted on September 16th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
hoorean Says:
OH i am also desperately waiting for this one. I also searched for the story and read a recent episode and i am completely in love with story. I wish the drama to be the same. The promos and photo shoot already looks so promising. I am also not a fan of A&B productions and rarely watched any A&B serial but i am looking forward to this one due to HH, story and cast.
One thing i don't like in the promos is its title track as the music is very heavy for such story. It should be some heart touching, mesmerizing one.
Posted on September 16th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Drama Buff Says:
Thanks for your comments, guys!
@ Laiba
Osman Khalid Butt played Farwa's husband in DeS (Farwa was Shandana's next door neighbour in Murree)
Posted on September 17th, 2012 at 11:32 am
Nadia Says:
I am not sure if I'll actually watch this drama or not but I am glad they are producing a fantasy themed drama for a change. Pakistani dramas usually revolve around only 2-3 gizzay pittay genres so this will be a breath of fresh air hopefully!
Posted on September 18th, 2012 at 7:19 am
Fatima Awan Says:
I think A&B may finally have acted upon the advice we have been giving them for so long by not giving away the entire story in the promos.. The promos are short & sweet and don't give away much. Not everyone reads novels/digests etc so for such viewers it should be even more exciting. I don't enjoy knowing what is going to happen next or how the story will unfold, i would much rather watch it unfold on screen.
Posted on September 18th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
royter Says:
I have a request, please don't create hype. As the reviewer self confessed. This is an A&B production. The projects of this prod. house have an amazing characteristic to look the same. They follow the same formula, so its better not to expect from a project which is yet to start.
Partially, there is something manufactured about this hype for some guy by the name Osman Khalid Butt, I did'nt know much about him, when I gathered info. on the person after the crazy hype on facebook and twitter, I had seen him before[on a spoof on drama humsafar, in which he played Asher. The satire was plain crap and really cold.]
He is associated with the journos as well as the media, writes columns for an english mag, that are supposed to be funny, but are quite dry ,tasteless for those who understand, and who don't just "appreciate" him for writing inglis. He belongs from the Isloo/ Lahore liberal elite, who stand against anything and everything Pakistanis stand for. These are also the types who support Veena Malik and other elements, combat & divert criticism from US and other western interests by targeting Pakistan society and religious ppl. I hope this guy is not male version of Veena Malik, used as a pawn to attack Pakistan.
Posted on September 18th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Fatima Awan Says:
OMG just watched another promo, why is the prince charming wearing so much make up?
Posted on September 18th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Sadaf Says:
Oh dear I see the culture wats are about to begin.
Posted on September 19th, 2012 at 12:33 am
Annie Says:
Personally I am not interested in the this drama mainly because of the lead "actors" :)
The cinematography like another Haissam direction is excellent.
The lead actor seems to have a constant smirk on his face as if he's mocking his own work which shouldn't surprise us! Plus he looks way too girly to be playing a handsome prince IMO.
I didn't know who Maya Ali was so I youtubed and saw some of her videos and when I saw the promo, she sounded exactly like she did on her talk shows. LOL I felt like I was listening to her read the teleprompter ;)
Definitely giving this a miss. And I agree about the soundtrack - what the heck is that??
Posted on September 19th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
jk Says:
is it comedy? since osman prefers more funny n ironic sutff then something serious....itll b his 1st serial ...looking forward. good luck.
Posted on September 24th, 2012 at 3:45 am
nm Says:
ye drama mery liye must watch hoga......cox m fed up of SABAQ SIKHANY WALY DRAMY:p
Posted on September 24th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
jk Says:
seriously man im through with awl these greek tragic.... n "ibrat-naak" dramay...and of drama queens aswell....mehrene jabbar tweeted couple of days before... y ppl r making sadistically approached dramay...we r already frustrated with our economic n social crisis...why soo much pain now n then.... okb in this drama ...sounds fun hope...its not lame.. and stupid.....
Posted on September 24th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Bleh Says:
Royter sahab, your dogma w.r.t the Lahore/Isloo urban elite is baseless. That is all.
Posted on September 24th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
sundas Says:
nice review guys but not looking forward to this ....OB would make a gud lead actress trust me he looks more female than the actress herself....no offence intended but he used alot of makeup ...more than mohib mirza i guess .......big fan but MM but still ..........@royter i totally agree with you ....he takes **freedom of speech** that is,, to a level were it is not acceptable ...making fun of religious scholars and stuff....and supporting veena....unacceptable ....!!!
Posted on October 12th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Shahzad Says:
very nice drama OMG just watched another promo, why is the prince charming wearing so much make up?
Posted on February 26th, 2013 at 3:55 pm