Dunk ( Portraying a Most Tragic and Evil Aspect of Our Society)
Review Article written by — Dur-e-Shehwar
Dunk is mysterious and confusing based on a very controversial issue Ary Digital drama, which caught the audience's attention even before the release of its 1st episode on 23rd December. It is presented under the banner of Bigbang Entainment like many other Dramas of ARY, produced by Fahad Mustafa and Dr. Ali Kazmi. It is directed by the famous Badar Mahmood ( also the director of hit dramas “Balaa” & “Cheekh”) and written by Mohsin Ali( writer of “Ishqiya”): Almost the same team as Cheekh and Balaa. It has been 4 weeks since “Dunk’ was released, and still keeping its audience on the edge, even though it is written on a very sensitive topic.
At first, it was very difficult to write a review on “Dunk”, because of the discussion that was going around about it, especially on social media as Fahad Mustafa has revealed something about Dunk’s theme in his recent interview With ARY News(which I will explain later), which was not much appreciated by the society of the current time. However, I am writing this review on the drama “Dunk”, not about the conversation (debate) that is going around about it.
Like many other people, I have been impatiently waiting for Dunk’s 1st episode since its first poster was released months ago, revealing its top-notch cast. Then its teasers were released, increasing my interest with every new teaser ( After watching all the teasers, I observe that this drama has two sides to its story). Then when I watch it on 23rd December, It made me realize that from now on I will be eagerly waiting all weekend for Wednesday to see my favorite actors in their best and worth-watching roles.
First of all, let me talk about its wonderful cast and I am sure after reading about them, all of you will be compelled to watch this drama(just like me).
Sana Javed is playing the role of the female lead, Amal. At first, people were criticizing her for playing the victim of sexual harassment again. But, the “Ruswai” actress has proved yet again that she was perfect for performing this role with her outstanding acting. She has successfully confused us with her acting about her being a victim or not. She is looking very beautiful in this role.
Bilal Abbas Khan is playing the role of Amal’s cousin and Fiance, Haider. He has stunned everyone with his amazing performance in Dunk too, just like his many other dramas. Pyar Ke Sadqay and Cheekh are among his most famous dramas. Even though at first, he was criticized by people for heaving the same hairstyle and beard as above mentioned dramas. But he has closed their mouths by giving his best performance which is completely opposite to Abdullah in PKS.
Nauman Ijaz is also playing a lead role, Professor Humayun. He is a legendary actor who has worked in many famous dramas and films. He has won the hearts of his audience in this drama too. His expressions and body language are making us very much confused about his character, that is he the culprit or not. Sometimes he makes us sympathize with him, but another second he’s making us think that he is the culprit by giving creepy expressions, also the background music that is playing on his appearance is not helping us.
Yasra Rizvi is playing the role of the professor’s wife. She has portrayed it as wonderfully as it was demanded by her character. Her expression, body language, and acting are wonderfully complimenting her character.
Fahad Sheik is playing the role of Haider's elder brother, Safeer. He is a new actor, who earned his fame from his outstanding performance in the drama “Jalan”. From the OST, it can be presumed that Fahad’s character Safeer will have a huge role in the development of the plot.
Azeka Daniel is also starred in this drama as Amal and Haider’s friend, Minal. She is also doing a remarkable job. Minal also seems like an important character for the development of the plot.
It has a very huge and famous supporting cast also, i,e; Shahood Alvi, Laila Wasti, Tara Mehmood, Saifee Hassan, Salma Hassan, and Kanwal Khan.
Now coming towards the plot, it is built around the social struggle of Professor Humayun of a well-known university after being accused of sexual harassment by a female student, Amal. Amal’s cousin and fiance, Haider is shown as a stubborn, arrogant, and quick-tempered university student. He is fully supporting his fiancee in her battle for justice, he not only believes her but also forcing her to seek justice for the evil that has been done. He said that he will support Amal to the end, even if all the students turn against her.
When I saw the teasers, it makes me curious to see the drama. It was portraying that this drama will not compromise on any department. I was proven right after the first episode was released, From wardrobe to locations to dialogues, each and everything is perfect. Also, it shows some graphic content that looks real and is enough to give us goosebumps. So, the first episode starts with the protests of an angry crowd of students attacking professor Humayun for harassing Amal. The professor begs and pleads that he’s innocent, however, no one believes him( except Mrs. Amjad, all the teachers are against him). The students are adamant, that they will not attend classes until the professor is punished. The first Episode has introduced all the main characters and supporting characters wonderfully. Shahood Alvi and Laila Wasti as Haider’s parents and Fahd Shaik as his brother. Then Saifee Hassan and Salma Hassan as Amal’s parents. Then the professor's family was also introduced perfectly, Yasra Rizvi as his wife and an adorable 5–6 years old daughter. Everything was wonderfully portrayed in this episode. The typical aspect of “log kiya kahain ge” was wonderfully shown by showing the family dynamics of the three characters that are directly involved in the incident.
Then as the story further unfolds, it is shown that as they have accused Professor Humayun without knowing his side of the story the students are forming 2 groups, one is against the professor and one demands that the professor should not be proven guilty until he is proven so. Then the media is involved that just like most students, is threatening to boycott the university, which will definitely put the university at risk. The university is left with no other option than suspending the professor until the inquiry is done.
Then it is shown that not only the professor, his family is also facing the consequences of this allegation, his daughter has to face many difficulties in school (her friend ends their friendship, everyone is saying bad words about her father, she is having quarrels with other students). But his wife is very supportive, fully trusts him, and is ready to face every problem that comes their way. She is acting as a strength for him, throughout this turmoil.
What sets the drama apart is the treatment of the plot. In every episode up to now, viewers have been kept on edge by being shown both sides of the story. Repeatedly we are shown that the professor is innocent, only to be convinced moments later that the opposite is true and the accuser is telling the truth. Amal’s expression and acting are giving nothing away.
The confusion that ensues in an aftermath of such an incident, in which one but the parties involved knows the actual truth has been captured with the great technique here. I use the word technique because the tension and confusion that the whole scenario has created are actually relatable. The viewer goes through the same range of emotions as the characters witnessing the incident, without knowing what actually happened.
In the last, I will say that the drama was wonderfully portrayed, and if Fahad Mustafa hasn’t revealed that this drama is a “ Tribute to the victims of a false allegation of sexual abuse”, we will have never known who is the culprit as the drama is portrayed wonderfully by all the actors and they are successful in confusing the viewers about “who is the lier”.
“if you are a man watching this, you will learn that if you do harass women and it comes out in public, know that this can happen to you; your wife will leave you, your children will suffer, and your entire life will be turned upside down so it’s something for any harasser to think twice about.” — Yasra Rizvi
Don’t forget to watch “Dunk” every Wednesday at 8 pm on ARY Digital.
