TV Time: Mera Naam Yousuf Hai‏

 Director:  Mehreen Jabbar      Producer: Sadia Jabbar      Writer: Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

Cast: Imran Abbas, Maya Ali, Behroz Sabzwari, Hina Bayat, Mansha Pasha, Waseem Abbas, Seema Sehar

Airing: Every Friday at 8:00 pm & repeat every Saturday at 12:00 am on A-Plus

In what has been described in entertainment circles as the product of a “dream team”, the much awaited 22-episode serial ‘Mera Naam Yousuf Hai hits TV on March 6, 2015 every Friday on A-Plus to anticipated fanfare.

The project which is produced by Sadia Jabbar and Alpha Productions, who previously produced director Sabiha Sumar ‘Khuda Dekh Raha Hai’ brings together the creative synergies of-acclaimed writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar; celebrated film and TV director Mehreen Jabbar and a stellar cast including, now internationally recognized, film and TV actor Imran Abbas, who plays the serial’s name sake protagonist Yousuf and Maya Ali of ‘Aunn Zara’ fame who plays his intended love interest Zulekha. The serial is supported by veterans Behroz Sabzwari,  Hina Biyat and Waseem Abbas, and rising TV stars Mansha Pasha, Taqi Ahmed and Faizan Shaikh.

Visually speaking, this will definitely be something different for Mehreen Jabbar fans as ‘Mera Naam Yousuf Hai‏’  in that the TV serial is entirely shot in Pakistan but will also retain the signature essence as it delves into the world of a lower socio-economic milieu like the directorial talent behind ‘Daam’ ‘Doraha’ ‘Pechaan’ and ‘Jackson Heights’ has habitually dealt with.

The plot revolves around how singer Yousuf first catches a glimpse of Zulekha in a train and cannot extinguish the image of her from his mind. Meanwhile, Zulekha is torn between proposals from two of her cousins,both of which are selfishly encouraged by her parents’ self-interest. Zulekha again encounters a decidedly love-struck Yousuf and has no choice but to feel only a fleeting attraction towards him as she is aware that her marriage has been fixed to one of her cousins.  However Yousuf remains adamantly vocal about his feelings for and his pursuit of her.

Am I the only one that can see the tragic overshadowing behind the lead title names? The serial, admittedly, has a lot of potential given the cast and the team behind the lens. We have still seen a lot of serials with the strongest of teams fall prey to a lot of unforeseen aspects. Here's fingers crossed for this exciting new venture. All the best!

SSK