DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 17 – It is time to say goodbye to patriarchy and misogynistic stereotype because the witches of Pakistan have arrived in all their glory – and oh, they have a lot to say. Zindagi’s first original and Asim Abbasi’s highly anticipated web series – Churails has been streaming on ZEE5 global, and let’s just say, it definitely isn’t your typical show.

Churails taps into a brave new world of mystery, drama, and some much-needed sass. It stars Sarwat Gilani as Sara, the lawyer turned housewife, Yasra Rizvi as Jugnu the high-society wedding planner (or, we’d like to call her the queen of the whole damn jungle), Nimra Bucha as Batool the ex-convict, and Mehar Bano as the sassy and mighty boxer Zubaida. The four self-proclaimed witches come together to start something for all their fellow women, a secret agency to catch abusive men who have ruined their lives.

In the first few episodes, Asim Abbasi sets the premise for a crime-mystery thriller, but as the story progresses, the filmmaker bulldozes the earlier premise and starts constructing a new one from its rubble. From dealing with domestic violence cases, they find themselves unknowingly taking on men at the top of society. Who can they trust? How dangerous and violent are these people? What, if anything, can they do to make things right and undo the damage they have done by digging and exposing our society’s ugly aspects?

In terms of performances, every lead and supporting character impresses. But, the star was really Nimra Bucha – carrying the hurt of decades, she has that weariness but also the gusto to kick ass and live life. Yasra Rizvi, the one who wants to die in Dior, starts on shaky ground, but she gets better with each episode. Sarwat Gilani is earnest in her performance. Her character most represents the change in the tone of the show, and she does a convincing job. Mehar Bano is fierce, fiery, and not afraid of a single thing. She will make you laugh, and snicker, and cry, and then laugh again.

The series does take on a lot on its plate. The microaggression from men at home is a running theme. Colourism and racism also play an integral part of one storyline. Elitism and classism is another theme tackled, given how diverse a background these Churails came from. Child abuse, child and forced marriages, prostitution rings, and crony capitalism are looked at – you just have to pay a little more attention.

On the surface, Churails might have thrown you off – and that is precisely what it must’ve aimed for because it comes from a place of hurt, anger, and injustice that has followed the women in Pakistan all their lives. However, that is what makes it so brilliant. Asim Abbasi doesn’t compromise on the narrative, neither the storytelling and nor the message proving to be a true ally. Anyhow, these Churails have come bearing a message, and mard ko dard tou hua hoga, but that isn’t their problem.