What Is the Story About?
‘Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam’, ZEE5‘s latest series under its ‘Zindagi’ brand of content, is an anthology of sorts. It showcases diverse stories of uncommonly spunky women who refuse to be victims, and strive to be the writers of their own narrative; women who take the unconventional route to getting what they want – even murder!
Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is directed by British-Indian director Meenu Gaur, and written by Gaur and well-known Pakistani filmmaker Farjad Nabi.
Performances?
Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is studded with excellent performances from all the female protagonists in the myriad episodes. Each actress stands out in her episode, delivering refined and understated performances that never breach the fine line between drama and melodrama.
Samiya Mumtaz as Mai Malki serves as a narrator of sorts, but with a devastating story of her own. She exudes an enigmatic mysticism, keeping the viewer riveted, as she takes us through the stories of the various women. Eman Suleman as Zehra is eye candy meets fiery. Sarwat Gilani delivers a decent turn, despite being handed the least interesting story of the lot. The standout performances for us are Beo Raana Zafar‘s as the sharp Massey Ma, and Sanam Saeed‘s, as the utterly shocking Zuvi.
The male performers in Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam recede into the background and are mere props in the drama that unfolds on screen. They deliver what is required, nonetheless.
Analysis
“And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.”
Call it clichéd, but this quote by Mark Anthony aptly sums up what new ZEE5 show Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam strives to say in six 48-53 minute long episodes. It’s a celebration of latent feminine power, a celebration of the woman who will not be restrained and fettered by the chains of patriarchy. Only thing, the show delivers the premise in a distinctly fantastical manner.
Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam starts off dark and deadly. The opening scene shows two women silently chop up a dead body, as blood splatters onto their faces and seeps down the chopping table. The chopped up pieces are packed into neat little blood-soaked jute parcels, waiting to be disposed around the countryside. A third woman sits in the background, watching, as she laments about the killing to a sympathetic cop. Slowly, the identity of the women are revealed to the viewer. And slowly we learn – through six interesting episodes – that who we perceive to be the weaker sex is anything but.
The series starts off quite slow and long-drawn, if we may. The first episode even borders on the tedious. However, rich rewards are in store for those who stick it out for the subsequent stories. Stunning twists lurk around the corner of each, the kind most wouldn’t see coming. Add to it, the psychedelic treatment that director Meenu Gaur gives to each story. Vibrant colours, offset by curiously sombre hues; frames shrouded in constantly swirling plumes of smoke, add to the mystique. The exotic dialogues, and the throaty tone and timbre of the voices of the actresses delivering those dialogues impart the final flourish to the storytelling. By the third episode, one is well and truly hooked.
The narrative flits back and forth between flashbacks and the present day, undulating and unspooling into an interesting montage. The world-building is good. Each episode slowly builds up the tension, only to release it in a flurry of unexpected acts of violence. Characters spill over from previous episodes into subsequent ones, delightfully connecting the stories together. And therein lies the fun of it. Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is a delicious flight of fancy – for female viewers especially. The final episode could have been sharper and slicker, though. It is distinctly underwhelming when compared to the middle episodes.
Music and Other Departments?
Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam scores in all the departments that make up a good show. Mo Azmi’s camerawork is terrific. Several shots are especially innovative, with distinctive camera angles and frames. The production design is superb. The fictional town of Andruni Shahar and the haveli (mansion) that form the backdrop of the show are particularly alluring. Kamran Shahnawaz’s editing is flawless. Saad Hayat’s background score and song compositions are eclectic, straddling diverse musical genres and elevating the storytelling by several notches. The dialogues, by Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi, are luminous.
Highlights?
Performances
Characterisations
World-building
Cinematography
Musical score
Direction
Dialogues
Drawbacks?
First and last episodes are underwhelming
Slow pace at several places might put off impatient viewers
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, but only for those who enjoy watching female-centric content
Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam series Review by Binged Bureau
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