Written by: Saman Khalid
Posted on: February 27, 2024 | 
| 中文
(L to R) Omair Rana, Syed Jibran and Saba Qamar in Pagal Khana
If there is any channel out there that is actively putting up a front against traditional saas-bahu (sister-in-law and mother-in-law) stories, it is the Green Entertainment channel. Launched on the 10th of July, 2023, Green Entertainment has been consistently releasing one banger after another. Almost all the dramas that they have screened, have a socially pertinent message to deliver. The show Pagal Khana (mental asylum), written and directed by Iqbal Hassan and starring Saba Qamar, went on-air last month. The teasers alone made it clear that the drama was going to tackle a number of ideas. Sure enough, an unconventional premise meets unique execution in this mind-boggling kaleidoscope of social issues.
Pagal Khana follows the members of a special mental health facility called the "Elevens Club". This club is different from a typical mental asylum, as it is run by a couple of dedicated doctors who are determined to help certain "hyper-sensitive" members of society lead a better life. What makes the narrative captivating is the range of characters, with patients struggling with a host of mental health issues, from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Adnan Shah Tipu, Mashal Khan and Jan Rambo in the drama
As alluded to before, the show's main selling point is its ensemble of cast. Every single member of the said club has a complex backstory that plays a significant role in their condition, as well as the prescribed treatment. The characters go through bouts of increased activity that are treated by the psychologists on the team. Another interesting dimension is the web of relationships between the patients. As a consequence of their mental illnesss, some patients even go so far as to pretend to be biological relatives. But there is more to the cast, because it isn't just the mental patients that are battling their demons. The doctors too have confusing personality traits that make one wonder if there is something more sinister to their characters as well.
(L to R) Mashal Khan, Syed Jibran and Faiza Gillani
As viewers of Pakistani television, we are used to watching dramas that start out with a basic setup. Almost all the exposition is laid out in the first episode, and the rest follows the plot. However, Pagal Khana has proven to be an outlier in this respect also. The initial episodes have scenes that are not intended to explain anything to the viewers. Instead, they involve conversations between the characters that are border-line ridiculous. The first couple of episodes make almost no sense, owing to the lack of context. However, it is a story that requires great patience. As the narrative progresses, important details are unveiled, one at a time. Therefore, it is receiving mixed reactions. While some patrons are appreciative of the suspense, others are finding it hard to keep up with the labyrinthine storytelling. Personally, while I do think that the beginning of the show should have been a bit easier to comprehend, I also admire the way the author is peeling back layers, scene by scene.
After the third episode, the plot picks up, and the scattered pieces start coming together.
Mashal Khan and Faiza Gillani in Pagal Khana
The setting of the drama provides an amazing opportunity for philosophical discourse. One character in particular, named Noor (played by Saba Qamar), has been making rounds on social media for her unabashed commentary on the distinction between pyar (affection), mohobbat (love) and Ishq (madness) . She struggles with an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but that doesn't hold her back from delivering hard-hitting dialogues that reflect her personality’s tenacity. She also happens to be the most intriguing character in the show. In fact, most of the patrons, including myself, keep tuning in to explore Noor's backstory and find out what exactly caused her to reach her current condition. The writer expertly unearths several key pieces of the puzzle in every episode, but also makes sure to leave out just enough to spark curiosity.
Th reason as to why Pagal Khana deserves to be lauded is the fact that it is initiating important conversations that need to take place in our country. Mental health is a topic that is shrouded in prejudice and ignorance. Television serves a significant part in shaping the attitude of the viewers. This show has clearly taken a bold step in easing the path of such conversations, and the destigmatization of mental illness. While we cannot predict how the show will evolve, it is still a commendable effort on the makers' part. By crafting real characters with human backgrounds, the drama is making the viewers empathize with them. It is also effectively prompting people to research different mental issues on their own, in order to better understand the story. The show has managed to garner a relatively small but educated audience, that has the emotional quotient to understand the complexity of such ideas. Many psychologists have chipped in and expressed their professional opinions about the show's accuracy. It is high time that Pakistani audience started regarding mental health issues with the same concern as physical ailments. Media can capitalize on its great influence, in order to encourage conversations about mental health.
(L to R) Momal Sheikh, Syed Jibran, Omair Rana and Saba Qamar in the drama
Last, but not least, the extraordinary performances given by every single actor, deserves a huge round of genuine applause. Starting off with the Pakistani star Saba Qamar, Noor's character has been brought to life as a result of her realistic acting. She seems to have immersed herself in this role so effectively, that it is reflected in every minute movement and mannerism of Saba Qamar’s. It is due to Qamar's portrayal of Noor that the viewers develop a strong empathy for her. The other actors, like Omair Rana, are also nothing short of exceptional. Rana is playing the part of a schizophrenic with unbelievable skill and expertise. With his fixation on his ex-wife haunting him, as well as his affinity to Noor, he has delivered the role with great feeling. Mashal Khan is another name in the industry that is relatively new, but she has outdone herself in the show. Her acting as a bipolar patient is compelling, and she does a masterful job of exhibiting shifting moods. All in all, suffice to say that the entire team has put their heart and soul into the making of this show.
Omair Rana and Saba Qamar in the drama
I would again like to take this opportunity to praise Green Entertainment for the production of dramas that are not only unique, but also have a social message. It is my hope and wish that other channels learn and emulate Green Entertainment.
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