Raqeeb Se
{{Short description|2021 Pakistani drama TV serial}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{use Pakistani English||date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox television
| genre = {{plainlist|
}}
| native_name = {{Infobox name module|رقیب سے}}
| image = Raqeeb Se.jpg
| caption =
| director = Kashif Nisar
| writer = Bee Gul
| starring = Hadiqa Kiani
Noman Ijaz
Sania Saeed
Iqra Aziz
Faryal Mehmood
| network = Hum TV
| first_aired = {{start date|2021|01|20|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2021|05|26|df=y}}
| country = Pakistan
| language = {{plainlist|
- Urdu
- Punjabi
}}
| location = Lahore, Pakistan
| opentheme = "Raqeeb Se" by Hadiqa Kiani
| composer =
| num_episodes = 23
| runtime = approx. 35-40 minutes
| company = MD Productions
| producer = Momina Duraid
}}
Raqeeb Se ({{translation|from my rival(in love)}}) is a Pakistani romantic drama television series produced by Momina Duraid, written by Bee Gul and directed by Kashif Nisar. It aired on Hum TV from 20 January 2021 to 26 May 2021 all under MD Productions. Raqeeb Se revolves around the repercussions of a love story stretched around one's entire life. It features an ensemble cast of Hadiqa Kiani, Nauman Ijaz, Sania Saeed, Iqra Aziz, Faryal Mehmood and Saqib Sumeer.
The series received critical acclaim due to its story line and performances of the cast. At 21st Lux Style Awards, it got most number of nominations, and won Best TV Director and two awards for Kiani; Best Emerging Talent in TV and Best TV Actress-Critics' choice.
Plot
The television series is centered around four women and the men around them. Sakina takes her daughter and flees from her abusive husband. She seeks shelter at her former lover, Maqsood Sahab's house and their love story is so tragic and interesting that his wife, Hajra and daughter, Insha, know it by heart.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-21|title=Ep1: Sania Saeed & Hadiqa Kiani steal the limelight in 'Raqeeb Se'|url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/ep1-sania-saeed-hadiqa-kiani-steal-the-limelight-in-raqeeb-se/|access-date=2021-03-10|website=Something Haute|language=en-US|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303013506/https://www.somethinghaute.com/ep1-sania-saeed-hadiqa-kiani-steal-the-limelight-in-raqeeb-se/|url-status=live}}
Hajra consoles Sakina and takes care of her and her daughter while Insha considers it an injustice to her mother.
Cast
- Hadiqa Kiani as Sakina, a rural woman and a victim of domestic abuse{{cite newspaper |url=https://jang.com.pk/en/952-hadiqa-kiani-opens-up-about-her-choice-of-acting-in-latest-drama-serial-news |title=Hadiqa Kiani opens up about her choice of acting in latest drama serial |date=February 4, 2021|access-date=June 19, 2024 |newspaper=Jang }}
- Noman Ejaz as Maqsood
- Sania Saeed as Hajra
- Iqra Aziz as Ameera, Sakina's daughter
- Faryal Mehmood as Insha, Hajra and Maqsood's daughter
- Saqib Sameer as Rafique, Sakina's husband, later divorced
- Hamza Sohail as Abdul Rahman a.k.a. Abdul, Insha's love interest
- Salman Shahid as Masood, Maqsood's elder brother
- Saba Faisal as Aatka, Masood's wife and Maqsood's sister-in-law
- Hassan Mir as Kashif, Masood and Aatka's son, Ameera's love interest
- Ismat Iqbal as Maasi Anaraan, Sakina and Rafique's neighbor
Music
{{Infobox album
| name = Raqeeb Se – OST
| type = soundtrack
| artist = Hadiqa Kiani
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2021|01|12}}
| recorded = 2020
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Television soundtrack
| length = 04 Minutes 55 Seconds (4:55)
| language = Urdu
| label = M.D Productions
| producer = Ustad Baqir Abbas{{cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1186417 |title=Hadiqa Kiani and Sania Saeed are jamming to a duet on the sets of Raqeeb Se |date=January 18, 2021 |work=images.dawn.com}}
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|H-fqSoXWbCw|"Raqeeb Se" OST}}|Type=song}}
}}
The title song of Raqeeb Se is composed and performed by Hadiqa Kiani who played one of the lead role in the serial, while lyrics were penned by her mother Khawar Kiani, was originally an poem of her. The soundtrack was produced by Ustad Baqir Abbas. It marks the return of the singer to the channel, since she performed the OST of channel's hit drama series Yaqeen Ka Safar in 2016.
=Track listing=
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| all_lyrics = Khawar Kiani
| all_music = Hadiqa Kiani
| title1 = Raqeeb Se
| extra1 = Hadiqa Kiani
| length1 = 4:55
}}
Production
=Background and development=
In September 2020, screenwriter Bee Gul shared the details of her upcoming project Raqeeb Se, directed by Kashif Nisar.{{cite web|url=https://thefridaytimes.com/18-Sep-2020/in-conversation-with-bee-gul |title=In Conversation with Bee Gul |date=18 September 2020 |author=Muhammad Ali |work=The Friday Times }} In order to avoid the manipulation and exploitation of the social issues due to the misrepresentation, Gul chose to focus on a more meaningful narrative leading her to write Raqeeb Se.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-10|title=Iqra Aziz, Naumaan Ijaz's upcoming drama 'Raqeeb Se' to be an unconventional love story|url=https://thecurrent.pk/iqra-aziz-naumaan-ijazs-upcoming-drama-raqeeb-se-to-be-an-unconventional-love-story/|access-date=2021-03-10|website=The Current|language=en-US|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203175606/https://thecurrent.pk/iqra-aziz-naumaan-ijazs-upcoming-drama-raqeeb-se-to-be-an-unconventional-love-story/|url-status=live}} She originally conceived the pre-partition Karachi as the setting of the series, however it was then changed to Lahore's setting of contemporary times.{{cite web|url=https://thekarachicollective.com/on-place-based-storytelling-a-conversation-with-bee-gul/|title=On Place-Based Storytelling: A Conversation with Bee Gul|date=14 January 2022|access-date=19 June 2023|work=The Karachi Collective|author=Muhammad Ali|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814023250/https://thekarachicollective.com/on-place-based-storytelling-a-conversation-with-bee-gul/|url-status=live}}
= Casting =
Singer and vocalist Hadiqa Kiani was selected to portray Sakina, one of the leading role of the series, marking her acting debut.{{cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1186331|title=Hadiqa Kiani is ready to make her acting debut|work=Images of dawn|date=4 January 2021|access-date=27 April 2022|archive-date=27 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427123405/https://images.dawn.com/news/1186331|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/12-Jan-2021/hadiqa-kiani-discloses-details-about-latest-drama-raqeeb-se|title=Hadiqa Kiani discloses details about latest drama Raqeeb Se|work=The Nation|location=Pakistan|date=12 January 2021|access-date=5 March 2021|author=Staff Report|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404061429/https://www.nation.com.pk/12-Jan-2021/hadiqa-kiani-discloses-details-about-latest-drama-raqeeb-se|url-status=live}} Her casting confirmed in September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.samaa.tv/entertainment/2020/09/hadiqa-kiani-acting-debut/ | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201017075052/https://www.samaa.tv/entertainment/2020/09/hadiqa-kiani-acting-debut/ |title=Hadiqa Kiani to make acting debut in a TV series |date=10 September 2020 |work=Samaa TV |archive-date=17 October 2020 |url-status=dead }} Kiani was approached by Duraid to play the role. For the preparation of the character, Kiani used to dress like a rural woman in her daily routine.{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1606977/the-icon-interview-the-mercurial-ms-kiani |title=The Icon Interview: The Mercurial Ms Kiani |date=14 February 2021 |newspaper=Dawn.com |author=Maliha Rehman}} Veteran actors Naumaan Ijaz and Sania Saeed were selected to portray the roles of Maqsood and Hajra, previously acted together in Jhumka Jaan (2009) Khamoshiyan (2010), Aao Kahani Buntay Hain (2011) and Sang-e-Mar Mar (2016). Young actors such as Iqra Aziz, Faryal Mehmood and Hamza Sohail, son of veteran actor and comedian Sohail Ahmed were cast in prominent roles.{{cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/714696/raqeeb-se-takes-you-on-a-rollercoaster-ride-of-thrill-and-emotions/|title='Raqeeb Se' takes you on a rollercoaster ride of thrill and emotions|work=Daily Times|location=Pakistan|date=19 January 2021|access-date=5 March 2021|author=Staff Report|archive-date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229034705/https://dailytimes.com.pk/714696/raqeeb-se-takes-you-on-a-rollercoaster-ride-of-thrill-and-emotions/|url-status=live}} Aziz confirmed her casting in September 2021 through her Instagram handle.{{cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/715847/iqra-aziz-reveals-she-was-nervous-working-with-hadiqa/ |title=Iqra Aziz reveals she was nervous working with Hadiqa |date=22 January 2021 |work=dailytimes.com.pk }} Theater actor Saqib Sumeer was selected to play the role of Rafique Ali, previously offered to Sohail Ahmed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/video-rafiq-ali-in-raqeeb-se-is-not-a-negative-character-says-saqib-sumeer/|title=Video: Rafiq Ali in 'Raqeeb Se' is not a negative character, says Saqib Sumeer|work=Something Haute|date=25 March 2021|access-date=27 April 2022|archive-date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229223537/https://www.somethinghaute.com/video-rafiq-ali-in-raqeeb-se-is-not-a-negative-character-says-saqib-sumeer/|url-status=live}} Likewise, Saba Faisal and Salman Shahid were cast in supporting roles of Aatka and Masood respectively.
Reception
The series received critical acclaim due to performances and story line.{{cite web|date=16 May 2021|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/834339-debut-actors-to-watch-out-for|title=Debut actors to watch out for|website=The News International|location=Pakistan|access-date=27 May 2021|author=Afreen Seher|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527063456/https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/834339-debut-actors-to-watch-out-for|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1189038/the-good-the-bad-and-the-strange-2021-in-dramas|title=The good, the bad and the strange – 2021 in dramas|website=Dawn Images|date=2021-12-21|author=Sadaf Haider|access-date=2021-12-21|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221091927/https://images.dawn.com/news/1189038/the-good-the-bad-and-the-strange-2021-in-dramas|url-status=live}} Hrithik Sharma of El Viaje Reviews included it into his select list of "Pakistani Gems" and says that "Raqeeb Se is a masterfully written show powered by extraordinary performances, meticulous direction, and euphonious background score". He adds, "The performances are breathtaking. Especially of the three principal characters. Maqsud Saab, played by Nauman Ijaaz brings in exactly the right amounts of charm and helplessness. Hajra, played by Sania Saeed, keeps you wondering whether she is too good to be true, or is she actually happily devoted to Maqsud and Sakeena’s love story. And then, my personal favorite, Hadiqa Kiyani, who towers over every scene and magically dominates every frame that she is part of".
A reviewer from The News International lauded the series for its female portrayal due the multi-faceted and complex female characters.{{cite web|date=28 March 2021|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/810769-women-in-focus|title=Women in focus|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328110132/https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/810769-women-in-focus|archive-date=28 March 2021|website=The News International|location=Pakistan|author=Intsab Sahi}} While writing for the same newspaper, Gaitee Ara Siddiqi praised the script of the series and performances particularly of Ijaz, Sumeer and Kiani but stated that Kiani's acting has become repetitive and monotonous after some episodes.{{cite web|date=11 April 2021|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/818000-raqeeb-say-a-breath-of-fresh-air|title=Raqeeb Say – a breath of fresh air|website=The News International|location=Pakistan|access-date=27 May 2021|author=Gaitee Ara Siddiqi|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511172741/https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/818000-raqeeb-say-a-breath-of-fresh-air|url-status=live}} In another article published in March 2023, Siddiqi praised the Saeed's character for being "nuanced" and praised the series stating, "another recent top-notch production that explores the complexities and intricacies of relationships without stereotyping them".{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1046548-something-old-something-new |title=Something old, something new |author=Gaitee Ara Siddiqi |date=March 5, 2023 |work=The News International |access-date=April 6, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305201813/https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1046548-something-old-something-new |archive-date=March 5, 2023}}
Awards and nominations
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
- [https://www.hum.tv/dramas/raqeeb-se Official website]
Category:Hum TV original programming
Category:2021 Pakistani television series debuts
Category:Pakistani romantic drama television series
Category:Television series by MD Productions
Category:Television series created by Momina Duraid
Category:2021 Pakistani television series endings