| Raqeeb Se | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original title | رقیب سے |
| Genre | |
| Written by | Bee Gul |
| Directed by | Kashif Nisar |
| Starring | Hadiqa Kiani Noman Ijaz Sania Saeed Iqra Aziz Faryal Mehmood |
| Opening theme | "Raqeeb Se" byHadiqa Kiani |
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Original languages |
|
| No. of episodes | 23 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Momina Duraid |
| Production location | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Running time | approx. 35-40 minutes |
| Production company | MD Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hum TV |
| Release | 20 January (2021-01-20) – 26 May 2021 (2021-05-26) |
Raqeeb Se (transl. from my rival(in love)) is a Pakistaniromantic drama television series produced byMomina Duraid, written byBee Gul and directed byKashif Nisar. It aired onHum TV from 20 January 2021 to 26 May 2021 all underMD Productions.Raqeeb Se revolves around the repercussions of a love story stretched around one's entire life. It features anensemble cast ofHadiqa Kiani,Nauman Ijaz,Sania Saeed,Iqra Aziz,Faryal Mehmood andSaqib Sumeer.
The series received critical acclaim due to its story line and performances of the cast. At21st Lux Style Awards, it got most number of nominations, and won Best TV Director and two awards for Kiani; Best Emerging Talent in TV and Best TV Actress-Critics' choice.
The television series is centered around four women and the men around them. Sakina takes her daughter and flees from her abusive husband. She seeks shelter at her former lover, Maqsood Sahab's house and their love story is so tragic and interesting that his wife, Hajra and daughter, Insha, know it by heart.[1]
Hajra consoles Sakina and takes care of her and her daughter while Insha considers it an injustice to her mother.
| Raqeeb Se – OST | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 12 January 2021 (2021-01-12) |
| Recorded | 2020 |
| Genre | Television soundtrack |
| Length | 04 Minutes 55 Seconds (4:55) |
| Language | Urdu |
| Label | M.D Productions |
| Producer | Ustad Baqir Abbas[3] |
| Music video | |
| "Raqeeb Se" OST onYouTube | |
Thetitle song ofRaqeeb Se is composed and performed byHadiqa Kiani who played one of the lead role in the serial, while lyrics were penned by her mother Khawar Kiani, was originally an poem of her. The soundtrack was produced by Ustad Baqir Abbas.[3] It marks the return of the singer to the channel, since she performed the OST of channel's hit drama seriesYaqeen Ka Safar in 2016.
All lyrics are written by Khawar Kiani; all music is composed by Hadiqa Kiani
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Raqeeb Se" | Hadiqa Kiani | 4:55 |
In September 2020, screenwriterBee Gul shared the details of her upcoming projectRaqeeb Se, directed byKashif Nisar.[4] In order to avoid the manipulation and exploitation of the social issues due to the misrepresentation, Gul chose to focus on a more meaningful narrative leading her to writeRaqeeb Se.[5] She originally conceived thepre-partitionKarachi as the setting of the series, however it was then changed toLahore's setting of contemporary times.[6]
Singer and vocalist Hadiqa Kiani was selected to portray Sakina, one of the leading role of the series, marking her acting debut.[7][8] Her casting confirmed in September 2020.[9] Kiani was approached by Duraid to play the role. For the preparation of the character, Kiani used to dress like a rural woman in her daily routine.[10] Veteran actors Naumaan Ijaz and Sania Saeed were selected to portray the roles of Maqsood and Hajra, previously acted together inJhumka Jaan (2009)Khamoshiyan (2010),Aao Kahani Buntay Hain (2011) andSang-e-Mar Mar (2016).[5] Young actors such as Iqra Aziz, Faryal Mehmood and Hamza Sohail, son of veteran actor and comedianSohail Ahmed were cast in prominent roles.[5][11] Aziz confirmed her casting in September 2021 through her Instagram handle.[12] Theater actor Saqib Sumeer was selected to play the role of Rafique Ali, previously offered to Sohail Ahmed.[13] Likewise, Saba Faisal and Salman Shahid were cast in supporting roles of Aatka and Masood respectively.[11]
The series received critical acclaim due to performances and story line.[14][15] Hrithik Sharma ofEl Viaje Reviews included it into his select list of "Pakistani Gems" and says that "Raqeeb Se is a masterfully written show powered by extraordinary performances, meticulous direction, and euphonious background score". He adds, "The performances are breathtaking. Especially of the three principal characters. Maqsud Saab, played byNauman Ijaaz brings in exactly the right amounts of charm and helplessness. Hajra, played bySania Saeed, keeps you wondering whether she is too good to be true, or is she actually happily devoted to Maqsud and Sakeena’s love story. And then, my personal favorite,Hadiqa Kiyani, who towers over every scene and magically dominates every frame that she is part of".
A reviewer fromThe News International lauded the series for its female portrayal due the multi-faceted and complex female characters.[16] While writing for the same newspaper, Gaitee Ara Siddiqi praised the script of the series and performances particularly of Ijaz, Sumeer and Kiani but stated that Kiani's acting has become repetitive and monotonous after some episodes.[17] In another article published in March 2023, Siddiqi praised the Saeed's character for being "nuanced" and praised the series stating, "another recent top-notch production that explores the complexities and intricacies of relationships without stereotyping them".[18]
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2022 | Hum Awards | Best Drama Serial – Popular | Momina Duraid | Nominated | [19] |
| Best Actress – Popular | Hadiqa Kiani | Nominated | |||
| Iqra Aziz | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actress – Jury | Won | ||||
| Best Actor – Popular | Nauman Ijaz | Nominated | |||
| Most Impactful Character | Sania Saeed | Won | |||
| Best Original Soundtrack | Momina Duraid and Hadiqa Kiani | Nominated | |||
| 24 November 2022 | Lux Style Awards | Best TV Director | Kashif Nisar | Won | [20][21] |
| Best TV Writer | Bee Gul | Nominated | |||
| Best TV Actor-Critics' Choice | Nauman Ijaz | ||||
| Best TV Actress-Critics' Choice | Iqra Aziz | ||||
| Hadiqa Kiani | Won | ||||
| Best Emerging Talent in TV | |||||
| Best Ensemble TV Play | Raqeeb Se | Nominated |
