Sang-e-Mah
| Sang-e-Mah | |
|---|---|
 Official Title card | |
| سنگِ ماہ | |
| Genre | |
| Inspired by | Hamlet by William Shakespeare |
| Written by | Mustafa Afridi |
| Directed by | Saife Hassan |
| Opening theme | Atif Aslam |
| Composer | Sahir Ali Bagga |
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Original language | Urdu |
| No. of episodes | 21 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Momina Duraid |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera setup |
| Running time | 36–40 minutes approx. |
| Production company | MD Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hum TV |
| Release | 9 January 2022 – present |
Sang-e-Mah (Urdu: سنگِ ماہ, transl. Moonstone) is a Pakistani television series, and second series in the trilogy preceded by Sang-e-Mar Mar. Having central plot line inspired from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, it is written by Mustafa Afridi, directed by Saife Hassan and produced by Momina Duraid under her banner production MD Productions. It features Atif Aslam, Sania Saeed, Nauman Ijaz, Samiya Mumtaz, Hania Amir, Kubra Khan, Zaviyar Nauman Ijaz and Omair Rana in leading roles. The serial marks the television acting debut of Atif Aslam who is playing the main role of Hilmand Khan.[1][2]
The series had a cinematic launch on 8 January 2022, while it premiere on Hum TV on 9 January.[3] The series received praise from critics due to its script but was faulted for stereotypical portrayals of Pakhtoons.
Premise
A transcendent tale of love and retribution.
Sang-e-Mah follows the story of a family who belong to the tribal regions of Pakistan. The drama will reveal how people have to sacrifice their lives and love because of an untruthful tradition.[4]
Plot
The story is set in the fictional town of 'Laspiraan'. In the graveyard of 'Laspiraan' Hilmand lives with his friends where his father is buried and he wants to take the revenge of his father's murder. He believes that his stepfather Haji Marjaan Khan killed his father so that he could marry his mother, Zarsanga. Hilmand's half brother, Hikmat loves Gul Meena who is the daughter of Zarghuna. One day, Zarghuna discovers that her daughter secretly meets Hikmat. She scolds Gul Meena and tries to convince Hikmat's mother and her sister Zarsanga, but she refuses as she has some unresolved conflicts with her sister from the past. Hikmat tells Gul Meena that if their parents won't show willingness for their marriage then he will do 'Ghag'– an announcement done by firing in front of the girl's house to claim that she can be only his bride. Zarghuna forbids to do so by saying that if he will send his parents for proposal to her home then she has no objection.
Cast
| Name | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Atif Aslam | Hilmand Khan[1] | He is strong-willed and lives in cemetery with his friends whose only aim to avenge the murder of his father; based on Prince Hamlet of William Shakespeare. The letter "H" stands for both Hamlet and Hilmand. |
| Nauman Ijaz | Haji Marjaan Khan | Step-father of Hilmand and father of Hikmat; based on Claudius |
| Kubra Khan | Sheherzaad | a newspaper journalist who comes to Laspeeran to cover the practice of 'Ghag'; based on Ophelia |
| Hania Aamir | Gul Meena | Zarghuna's daughter who loves Hikmat Khan and vice versa |
| Zaviyar Nauman Ijaz | Hikmat Khan | Zarsanga and Haji Marjaan Khan's son who loves Gul Meena and wants to marry her |
| Sania Saeed | Zarghuna | Zarsanga's sister, Gul Meena's mother and widow of Asad Ullah Khan |
| Samiya Mumtaz | Zarsanga | Mother of Hilmand and Hikmat and second wife of Haji Marjaan Khan; based on Gertrude |
| Omair Rana | Mastaan Singh | a sikh servant of Zarghuna who looks after her lands when he is accused of the murder of her husband |
| Najiba Faiz | Harshaali Kaur | Mastaan Singh's fiancé |
| Hassan Noman | Badam Gul | |
| Nadia Afgan | ||
| Shamil Khan | Dr. Haider | |
| Muhammad Hunbal | Sabz Ali | |
| Adeel Afzal | ||
| Syed Muntazim Shah | Awal Khan |
Production
In July 2021, Saife Hassan announced in an exclusive interview that he is going to revamp the Sang-e-Mar Mar with a new season.[5] He revealed the Sania Saeed, Nauman Ijaz, Kubra Khan and Samiya Mumtaz as leading actors. Hassan also announced that it will be a trilogy and after Sang-e-Mah, he will make Sang-e-Siyah.[5]
Sania Saeed, Nauman Ijaz and Kubra Khan respire their roles from Sang-e-Mar Mar while Nadia Afgan, Hania Amir and Samiya Mumtaz joined for second season. There were also rumours of the singer Atif Aslam to be part of the series; his casting confirmed in late August 2021.[6] Before Aslam, film actor Bilal Ashraf has been cast for the lead role of "Hilmamd" however, he turned down the project due to date conflicts.[7] Previously, the role has been rejected by Ali Zafar and Fawad Khan due to unknown reasons.[8] While discussing about the story, Hassan revealed that the first part of the trilogy will focus on Pakhtoon family issues and will also tackle problematic traditions such as forced marriages.[9]
The first teaser of the series was released on 10 December 2021.[10]
Although, the production location of the series is Bhogarmang Valley located near Balakot where shooting was done extensively, some of the initial sequences were filmed in the Gurdwara of Nankana Sahib.[11]
Soundtrack
| "Sang-e-Mah" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Atif Aslam | |
| Released | 7 January 2022 |
| Recorded | 2021 |
| Length | 5:19 |
| Label | Hum |
| Composer(s) | Sahir Ali Bagga[12] |
| Lyricist(s) | Fatima Najeeb |
| Producer(s) | Moomal Shunaid |
| Music video | |
| "Sang e Mah" Lyrical OST on YouTube | |
The official soundtrack of the series is performed by Atif Aslam on the lyrics of Fatima Najeeb with music composition by Sahir Ali Bagga.
Reception
In late December 2021, the series received appraisal for its teasers which, promising a powerful story with larger than life characters and touch of Shakespearean tragedy. The serial had views of all teasers and trailers were as high as 8.3 Million.[13][14][15] On premiere, the series received mixed reviews with major criticism towards the stereotypical portrayal of Pakhtoons.[16][17] Mehreen Odho of DAWN Images compared it with Shakespeare's Hamlet and praised its writing and characterisation.[18]
Television ratings
| EP | Date | TRP(s) | ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 January 2022 | 9.3 | [19] |
| 2 | 16 January 2022 | 8.0 | [20] |
| 3 | 23 January 2022 | 7.5 | [21] |
| 4 | 30 January 2022 | 5.6 | [22] |
| 5 | 6 February 2022 | 7.0 | [23] |
| 6 | 13 February 2022 | 5.9 | [24] |
| 7 | 20 February 2022 | 6.3 | [25] |
| 8 | 27 February 2022 | 5.2 | [26] |
| 9 | 6 March 2022 | 5.2 | [27] |
| 10 | 13 March 2022 | 6.9 | [28] |
| 11 | 12 March 2022 | 6.0 | [29] |
| 12 | 27 March 2022 | 5.2 | [30] |
| 13 | 3 April 2022 | 6.1 | [31] |
| 14 | 17 April 2022 | 5.1 | [32] |
| 18 | 8 May 2022 | 5.0 | [33] |
| 19 | 15 May 2022 |
References
- ^ a b "Atif Aslam to debut in drama serial 'Sang-e-Mah'". Daily Times. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ Rameeza Nasim (14 July 2021). "Sang e Mar Mar trilogy on cards". Oyeyeah. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Irfan ul Haq (3 January 2022). "Atif Aslam, Hania Aamir and Kubra Khan's drama Sang-e-Mah to premiere first episode in cinemas". Dawn Images. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Sang e Mah Drama Cast, Review, Episodes, Hum Tv". Download Free Apps & Games APK. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
- ^ a b "A Sang-e-Mar Mar trilogy is in the works". Cutacut. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Irfan Ul Haq (23 August 2021). "Atif Aslam is starring in drama Sang-e-Mah, reveals Naumaan Ijaz". Dawn Images. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ Maliha Rehman (14 September 2021). "Saife Hassan — from teaching ninth graders to directing superstars". Dawn Images. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar rejected Atif's Hilmand in 'Sang-e-Mah'". Express Tribune. 26 April 2022.
- ^ Aliya Zuberi (24 November 2021). "Hania Aamir to star in Sang e Mah". Cutacut. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "The first teaser of Sang-e-Mah is out and it's got fans buzzing with excitement". Dawn Images. 11 December 2021.
- ^ Entertainment Desk (8 February 2022). "My character in 'Sang-e-Mah' isn't as unconventional as people think: Sania Saeed". Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ Sahir Ali Bagga [@thesahiralibagga_official] (21 December 2021). "OST Sange mah, Sung By Atif Aslam, Music Composer Sahir Ali Bagga, Lyrics Fatima Najeeb, Produce by Momal productions HUM TV". Retrieved 23 December 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Sang-e-Mah hit a huge digital number". 7 January 2022 – via Salam Lollywood.
- ^ "'Sang-e-Mah' new teaser promises a tale of suspense, love, blood feuds and much more". Daily Times. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Gaitee Ara Siddiqi (10 December 2021). "Sang-i-Mah - an intriguing concoction". The News. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "New Drama 'Sang-e-Mah' Criticised For Stereotypical Portrayal Of Pashtuns". The Friday Times. 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Sang-e-Mah's first episode may have won hearts but some Pashtuns aren't happy with their representation". Dawn Images. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Is Sang-e-Mah an adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet?". 5 April 2022.
- ^ "Glorious Opening!". 10 January 2022 – via Instagram.
- ^ "An Ultimate Hit!". 17 January 2022 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Simply Remarkable". Retrieved 26 January 2022 – via Instagram.
- ^ "An Ultimate Hit!". 1 February 2022.
- ^ "Champion!". 7 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022 – via instagram.
- ^ "Truly A Masterpiece!". Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ "Continuously Winning Hearts". Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ "Treat To Watch!". 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Remains The Best!". 7 March 2022.
- ^ "Winning Content!". 14 March 2022.
- ^ "HIGHLY APPRECIATED DRAMA!" – via instagram.
- ^ "Captivating Emotions (Sang-e-Mah, Episode 12 Ratings)". 28 March 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022 – via instagram.
- ^ "Leading the slot!". 5 April 2022 – via instagram.
- ^ "An Outclass Performer!". Retrieved 18 May 2022 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Continuously winning hearts!". 10 May 2022.