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Cheekh
Cheekh is a 2019 Pakistani crime-drama television series created and produced by Fahad Mustafa and Dr. Ali Kazmi under their production house, Big Bang Entertainment. The series stars Saba Qamar and Bilal Abbas in lead roles, with Aijaz Aslam, Maira Khan, Emmad Irfani, and Azekah Daniel in supporting roles. It premiered on ARY Digital on January 5, 2019, and received critical acclaim, becoming one of the most successful shows on the network.
Plot
The story revolves around three close friends: Mannat (Saba Qamar), Haya (Azekah Daniel), and Nayab (Ushna Shah). Wajih (Bilal Abbas Khan), Yawer (Aijaz Aslam), Shayaan (Emmad Irfani), and Haya are siblings. Mannat is married to Shayaan, who comes from a wealthy family, while Nayab lives in poverty with her father Ramzaan (Noor-ul-Hassan) and her greedy stepmother (Saima Qureshi).
On the night of Haya's engagement, Nayab falls from the roof, leading people to assume it was a suicide attempt. However, it is later revealed that she had been assaulted and attempted to be raped before being pushed off the roof. As Nayab dies, she identifies her assailant as "Raja," a nickname used for Wajih, in her final moments.
Yawer suspects Wajih but tries to protect him out of familial loyalty. Mannat initially struggles to believe that Wajih could commit such a crime until he confesses that he called Nayab to the terrace and made unwanted advances, leading to her rejection and ultimately her death at his hands. Mannat is torn between her family ties and the pursuit of justice, facing immense pressure from her in-laws to retract her statement.
As the story unfolds, Wajih attempts to manipulate those around him, falsely accusing Mannat of infidelity and causing further rifts in relationships. Despite the challenges, Mannat decides to stand against Wajih and files an F.I.R., which creates chaos in her life.
Mannat becomes pregnant but faces emotional turmoil due to the ongoing case. After a confrontation with Wajih leads to a miscarriage, she finds herself increasingly isolated and pressured. Despite this, she remains determined to fight for justice.
Wajih's lawyer resorts to blackmailing Mannat’s mother, resulting in false testimony that leads to Mannat being sent to a mental hospital. The situation escalates when Shayaan is accidentally killed during a confrontation with Wajih, plunging Mannat into deeper despair.
In a pivotal moment, Mannat gains permission to represent herself in court, where she presents evidence and witnesses. During a heated exchange, Wajih inadvertently confesses to his crimes, and the truth about his character is revealed. He is ultimately sentenced to death, while Mannat reflects on her journey and the losses she endured to seek justice.
Reception
Cheekh quickly became a popular serial in Pakistan, achieving high viewership ratings with an average of 6.4 TRPs. The first episode garnered a remarkable 7.5 rating, while the second episode followed closely with 7.2. Critics praised the performances of Saba Qamar and Maira Khan, particularly highlighting Qamar's impactful dialogue delivery and expressive acting. Reviews noted the character of Shayaan, portrayed by Emmad Irfani, as a refreshing representation of a new Pakistani hero. Overall, *Cheekh* was recognized for its gripping narrative and strong performances, solidifying its place in the landscape of Pakistani television dramas.
Ratings
| Episode | Broadcast date | Weekly rank
(in ratings) |
Television Rating Points (TRP) | YouTube viewership (in lakhs)(in viewership) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 January 2019 | 1 | 7.4 [1] | 76 |
| 2 | 12 January 2019 | 1 | 7.2[2] | 51 |
| 3 | 19 January 2019 | 1 | 7.84[3] | 43 |
| 4 | 26 January 2019 | 1 | 7.84 | 47 |
| 5 | 2 February 2019 | 1 | 7.92[4] | 48 |
| 6 | 9 February 2019 | 1 | 7.7[5] | 45 |
| 7 | 16 February 2019 | 1 | 7.21[6] | 42 |
| 8 | 23 February 2019 | 1 | 7.1[7] | 47 |
| 9 | 2 March 2019 | 1 | 7.2[8] | 39 |
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named1episode - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named2episode - ↑ "ARY Digital on Instagram: "Engaging twists! Thank you for pouring in your love for #Cheekh on #ARYDigital @bilalabbas_khan @sabaqamarzaman @aijazzaslamofficial"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
- ↑ "Television Rating Points". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
- ↑ "ARY Digital on Instagram". Retrieved 2019-03-17.
- ↑ "ARY Digital on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
- ↑ says (2019-03-16). "Cheekh | Episode 8-11 | Review | Saba Qamar | Bilal Abbas". OxGadgets. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ↑ "'Cheekh' Episode 9 — tension intensifies between Wajih and Mannat". Daily Times. 2019-03-06. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-18.