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    Telefilm Review: Roshan Raahein by Sarmad Khoosat

    Written by: Ayesha Amir
    Posted on: February 21, 2024 | | 中文

    Aleeza Fatima as Hannah and Rasti Farooq as Maryam in Roshan Raahein (Bright Paths)

    Sarmad Khoosat has returned to the medium of telefilm after a decade with Roshan Raahein (Bright Paths), which has weaved a strong and powerful narrative around the issues that the women in our society are faced with. Although on the surface this might sound like just another cliched social issue drama film, Khoosat has excelled at portraying the narrative in such a way that it draws the audiences in. Khoosat said, “I used to love telefilms/stand-alone teleplays, but they became passé and stopped making any lucrative sense. Literally, after a decade or so, I got an opportunity to direct this heartwarming story with some of my favorite collaborators.”

    Maryam (Rasti) and Hannah (Aleeza) in the film

    This telefilm is an excellent narrative starring an ensemble cast, including Rasti Farooq as Maryam, Omer Ghaffar as Faraz, Aleeza Fatima as Hannah and Sania Saeed as Kulsoom. Produced by Sundus Hashmi and directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, who makes a surprise cameo appearance in the telefilm. The story is written by Nirmal Bano, and the concept was conceived by Rashida Dohad and Omar Asghar Khan Foundation.

    Rasti Farooq and Sarmad Khoosat in the film

    The story follows Maryam in the lead, who is a typical middle-class woman with everyday struggles that a majority of our people face. Her husband lives in Sharjah, where his job has taken him, while she lives with her mother and works in a late shift at a hospital's pharmacy. Not only has Khoosat’s craft as a director captured beautifully the minute and mundane details of day-to-day life and job, such as the transactions that take place in the pharmacy, or the pestering questions posed by aunties in a public setting. Khoosat has managed to become the voice of many women and the challenges they face.

    Rasti Farooq as Maryam and Omer Ghaffar as Faraz in the pharmacy

    Interestingly, the title of the film Roshan Raahein, ironically shows on the screen when the characters come across a dug up and dark street. It is in this dark street that the plight of Maryam and her other female companion, Hannah, is explored with some sensitivity when they are travelling alone. Throughout the film, there is a sense of anxiety for the women who try and find ways to protect themselves from the dark. The dark as a whole is a metaphor for the various dangers that women encounter. We see Maryam buying a torch and a pepper spray, in order to find ways to protect herself. There are various harrowing scenes where she is alone and scared of the prying eyes of men in public spaces, whether that is while using public transport, or outside on the dark street where a man lurks in the bushes. Maryam has a sense of responsibility she feels towards the safety of not only herself, but also her other fellow female companions. Khoosat portrays her character with great subtlety, as someone who is docile in a way that society expects women to be. When she asks her boss to change her shift and he refuses, she accepts without any resistance, and she shows the same acceptance to her husband's demand to leave her job. She is also turned away from a government office and asked to visit it a later date by an indifferent office worker.

    Sania Saeed and Rasti Farooq in the film

    Another important issue raised in the film is the inefficiency and incompetence of government offices in Pakistan. A scene in the telefilm shows Maryam and her companion from the pharmacy visiting offices, where they roam directionless and no one is willing to carry out their job with any sense of responsibility. The film very aptly touches upon such themes as electricity and gas shortages, and a lack of accountability of those who are responsible for the welfare of the ordinary citizens. Instead of coming to the aid of the weak and needy, the telefilm accurately sheds light on the society’s tendency of victim blaming. When Maryam brings her complaint to a figure of authority, he chastises the woman instead of addressing the problem, saying things like “tou aap raat ko jaanay se gurez karain na”, (you should avoid going out at night). It is not until Maryam witnesses a gruesome murder, and when she suspects that something “bad” has happened with Hannah on the dark path, that she finds the courage to speak with her family to take action.

    Maryam in the office of the politician who tells her not to go outside at night

    Roshan Raahein is a beautiful example of how films can make subtle insinuations towards the dark aspects of our society. It not only addresses the societal concerns, but acts as a motivating factor for audiences to realize the potential of sisterhood, companionship and the power of acting collectively to solve an issue. The amazing soundtrack with heart-touching lyrics that perfectly describe the feelings and condition of the characters in that particular moment, is a cherry on top. Khoosat’s comeback to telefilm after ten long years, was a worthy endeavor!


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021