Faraar: The TV drama redefining Action and Storytelling

Faraar plunges into the gritty, unrelenting world of street crime, following Batish (Hamza Ali Abbasi), a hardened goon being chased by an honest police officer, Fasih (Ahmed Ali Akbar). Airing its first explosive episode earlier this week on Green Entertainment, it has already set a new standard with its adrenaline-pumping action and gripping storytelling. With explosive dialogues, authentic depictions of Karachi, and razor-sharp editing, the drama hooked viewers, offering a glimpse of their favorite stars in roles they've never attempted.

In addition to Hamza Ali Abbasi and Ahmed Ali Akbar, the cast features Danyal Zafar, Sohai Ali Abro, Salman Saeed, Hassan Niazi, Faizan Shaikh, and Hina Bayat—whose characters have already been introduced. But fans eagerly await the arrival of Merub Ali, Haroon Shahid, and Sami Khan, who are set to play pivotal roles in upcoming episodes.

So, what makes Faraar the most electrifying drama on television right now? Like its predecessor, Gentleman, the series boasts a sprawling cast and tackles heavy themes like corruption, poverty, and the lure of crime. But here’s where Faraar raises the stakes: its masterful portrayal of Karachi, Swabi, and Lahore. These cities don’t just serve as backdrops; they become characters, grounding the story in a visceral realism that sets it apart.

1. The genius of Mustafa Afridi: Faraar’s winning edge

Move aside, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar—your Bollywood-inspired dramatics can’t compete with Mustafa Afridi’s nuanced pen. Afridi’s writing in Faraar is unapologetically grounded in reality, connecting viewers with characters who feel like real people. From the honesty of Fasih, the moral police officer, to the brutality of Batish, the relentless goon, every role feels authentic, layered, and alive.

What truly sets Afridi’s writing apart is his ear for dialog. Whether it’s a Paanwala casually quipping, "Aik kaan paan par, doosri saray Pakistan par hoti hai," or a columnist lamenting Karachi’s chaos with "Aadha shehr badmaash hogaya hai, baqi aadha badhawaas phir raha hai," the words feel authentic, raw, and deeply rooted in Karachi's spirit. These are characters you know, voices you recognize.

Afridi’s genius is crafting compelling characters and giving them explosive moments to shine. Entry points, confrontations, and one-liners are finely tuned to maximize impact—keeping audiences on the edge of their seats without boredom.

2. Hamza Ali Abbasi channels Pyarey Afzal with even more depth

Afzal Subhan from Pyarey Afzal is no longer the quintessential goon; Batish is. Hamza Ali Abbasi’s portrayal of Batish feels rawer, darker, and far more convincing than the character that catapulted him to superstardom a decade ago. From the first episode, Batish is presented as a full-fledged gangster, giving Abbasi room to dive deep into the character’s complexities.

One standout scene shows Batish at a local pawn shop, stealing glances at his love interest, played by Mamya Shajaffar. The director masterfully keeps Batish’s intentions concealed, ensuring that the eventual reveal of his true nature lands with maximum impact.

So far, Abbasi has showcased two distinct sides to Batish: the tender, romantic persona and the hardened gangster. But the audience is waiting for the angry Batish—the one teased in the promos and heavily marketed by the channel. Given Abbasi’s fearsome turn in The Legend of Maula Jatt, where his lethal stare and powerful dialogues left a lasting impression, expectations are sky-high for what he’ll bring to the table next.

3. Ahmed Ali Akbar: Dirty Harry vibes, Pakistani style

Ahmed Ali Akbar’s portrayal of Fasih, a gritty, no-nonsense cop, sets a new benchmark in Pakistani dramas. While playing a police officer is nothing new in the industry, Akbar’s performance feels fresh, raw, and unforgettable. His earlier cop role in Nadaan couldn’t be more different from the grounded, morally complex Fasih.

In one particularly gripping scene, Fasih silences his mother’s call mid-chase to confront mobile snatchers. It’s a moment straight out of a Hollywood thriller, channeling Dirty Harry energy while remaining distinctly Pakistani. Like Clint Eastwood’s iconic character, Fasih stands against corruption, refuses to back down from danger, and radiates an unshakable sense of justice.

Akbar’s portrayal doesn’t just make you admire the character—it rekindles a love for law enforcement. Here’s hoping the series continues to explore Fasih’s complexities while keeping the bar as high as Akbar has already set it.

4. The Pan-Pakistan Appeal: A story for every corner

Unlike Gentleman, which faced criticism for its uneven portrayal of Karachi, Faraar nails it. Karachi isn’t just a setting—it’s a living, breathing entity filled with all its people's chaos, grit, and resilience. From the dialects of ethnic communities to the depiction of corrupt police officers and politicians, every detail feels meticulously researched. Only someone intimately familiar with Karachi’s streets, Snooker Clubs, and Paan shops could write it this way. Mustafa Afridi clearly understands the city’s soul.

The show also ventures beyond Karachi, weaving in arcs from Swabi and Lahore. Danyal Zafar’s storyline in Swabi brings a rustic authenticity, while Nadia Jamil and Sohai Ali Abro’s narrative in Lahore introduces emotional depth and dramatic tension. These seemingly disparate threads are bound to converge in an explosive climax—a hallmark of Afridi’s layered storytelling. His ability to juggle multiple arcs, reminiscent of legends like Amjad Islam Amjad and Asghar Nadeem Syed, deserves special applause.

5. A Cinematic experience that deserves the big screen

What’s the first thing you notice about a drama? Its characters’ entries. And in Faraar, every single one is designed to make an impression. From Ahmed Ali Akbar’s thrilling face-off with mobile snatchers to Hamza Ali Abbasi’s entry as a gangster, these moments feel like applause-worthy cinematic entrances.

That said, Faraar isn’t without its missteps. Scenes like Daniyal Zafar’s character losing a local sport or Hamza Ali Abbasi throwing a snooker ball to stop a runner feel awkwardly executed—like a TV director trying too hard to replicate a film aesthetic. It’s a reminder that while Faraar has a cinematic feel, it’s still a TV drama at its core.

But these minor flaws are easily forgiven when the rest of the production is this polished. From the explosive dialogs to the high-octane action sequences, Faraar channels the energy of classic 1980s multi-starrers, where every character felt larger than life. It’s a nostalgic escape wrapped in a modern package, and one can only hope the next episodes will keep raising the bar—so high that others in the industry will strive to emulate it.