The Castle - Aik Umeed

Written by: Haseena Moin
Original Story and Directed by: Zulfiqar Sheikh
Released Oct 2001
Starring: Talat Hussain, Humayun Saeed, Shagufta Aijaz, Shakeel, Rehan Sheikh, Samina Ahmed, Nayyar Aijaz, Tasmina Sheikh, Bilal Ahmed, and Asma Anwar.

Description: Elysees' P

roduction house has presented a serial, The Castle - Eik Umeed, which was shot in the breath-taking suburbs of Scotland and has a top cast in it. The story of the play begins with the death of Fawad Ali Syed’s - Talat Hussain only son Adeel - Zulfiqar Shekih and his wife in a car accident. Fawad is the owner of a huge castle and vast property and hence his lawyers contact his surviving relatives to come over to Scotland so that Fawad’s new will can be made. There comes the relatives: Fawad’s first cousin Nayab - Samina Ahmed along with her mentally retarded son Fayez - Rehan Sheikh and her cousin Munawwar - Nayyar Aijaz, Fawad’s second cousin Yousuf - Shakeel and his daughter Chanel - Tasmina Sheikh and grandchildren of his two cousins, Sumeet - Asma Anwar and Armani - Bilal Ahmed. Armani also brings along his good for nothing friend, Arsil - Humayun Saeed and thus the fun begins! The castle is reported to be haunted and many hilarious and interesting events happen to the new arrivals there, especially to mamu Munawwar. Meanwhile the new comers are also told the legend of the castle, where it is said that some priceless diamonds are hidden. This appeals to mamu and Arsil and both start searching for them. Also in between everything, Armani falls for Sumeet and both Arsil and Fayez fall for Chanel. Chanel, however cannot stand Arsil, but does have a soft corner for Fayez. And Sumeet is in love with her class fellow Asher. Poor guys from Karachi, life is just so tough for them in Scotland. It is also revealed here that Nayab and Fawad had once been engaged and Fawad had broken that engagement to marry his scottish wife. This fact does not settle too well with Yasmeen - Shagufta Aijaz who is Fawad’s lawyer and in love with him. Fawad arranges to get Fayez treated and as this is a play, Fayez becomes a normal person. When Chanel and Fayez get close, Arsil decides to play the villain to bring them apart. Humayun Saeed is brilliant in his role of an uneducated person and steals the show. The mamu’s character is well-written and Nayyar Aijaz is doing hilariously well in his paindu mamu character. These two characters make the play worth watching. Both the new comers have also performed well in this drama. A definite watch if you simply want to relax and unwind after a long day. - by Gina