Cheekh drama became one of the most successful Pakistani dramas when it aired on ARY Digital in 2019. The gripping thriller, featuring powerhouse performances by Saba Qamar and Bilal Abbas Khan, is a must-watch for drama enthusiasts.
Cheekh Drama Overview: A Groundbreaking Thriller
Cheekh premiered on ARY Digital on January 5, 2019, and quickly became one of the channel’s most successful shows. The drama serial was created and produced by Fahad Mustafa under Big Bang Entertainment. The drama started with impressive TRP ratings of 6.4 on average, with the first episode reaching 7.5 and the second episode scoring 7.2.
The title “Cheekh” translates to “Scream” in English, symbolizing the voice raised against injustice. This Pakistani drama serial broke conventional storytelling patterns by focusing on a murder mystery and justice system rather than typical family conflicts.
Cheekh Drama Cast: Stellar Ensemble of Talented Actors
Lead Actors in Cheekh
Saba Qamar as Mannat: Saba Qamar portrayed Mannat, a strong-headed and outspoken woman who believes in speaking the truth at all times. Her character serves as the protagonist fighting for justice. This role is widely considered one of the standout Dramas of Saba Qamar in her illustrious career.
Bilal Abbas Khan as Wajih: Bilal Abbas Khan played Wajih, a sharp and cunning man who knows how to manipulate any situation to suit himself. This antagonist role showcased Khan’s versatility as an actor and remains one of the most memorable Dramas of Bilal Abbas Khan.
Supporting Cast Members
- Emmad Irfani as Shayan: Mannat’s husband and the middle brother
- Aijaz Aslam as Yawar: The eldest brother who protects his family at any cost
- Azekah Daniel as Haya: The youngest sibling and Mannat’s sister-in-law
- Ushna Shah as Nayab: Mannat’s best friend in an extended cameo role
- Maira Khan as Shehwar: Yawar’s wife
- Noor-ul-Hassan as Ramzan: Nayab’s father
This marked the second on-screen collaboration between Bilal Abbas Khan, Azekah Daniel, and Ushna Shah after their drama Balaa.
Cheekh Drama Story: Plot Synopsis and Key Highlights
The Murder Mystery That Started It All
Mannat, Haya, and Nayab are close friends. Wajih, Yawer, Shayan, and Haya are siblings from a wealthy family, while Nayab comes from a poor background. The story takes a dark turn during wedding festivities when tragedy strikes.
On the night of wedding festivities, Nayab falls from the top of the house and dies. Police investigation reveals that Nayab was also sexually assaulted. Wajih confesses the crime to Mannat, setting the entire drama in motion.
Mannat’s Fight for Justice
Everyone breaks ties with Mannat and forces her to take the case back, including Shayan initially. However, based on the arguments and how Mannat is treated, Shayan becomes confused about whom to support.
The drama portrays Mannat’s relentless pursuit of justice despite facing numerous obstacles:
- Family pressure and isolation
- False accusations against her character
- Social media manipulation by Wajih
- Loss of personal relationships
- Threats and intimidation
The Emotional Journey and Sacrifice
Mannat becomes pregnant but starts getting stressed and emotionally strained because of the case. One day, when Mannat was walking back home at night, Wajih confronts and follows her in his car, causing her to fall on the ground, which results in a miscarriage.
The Final Verdict of Cheekh Drama
In a heated argument with Wajih where Mannat twists the situation, Wajih subconsciously admits the truth. He confesses that because he was never objected to by Yawar and given everything he demanded, even if wrong, he developed a sick mentality believing he would always be backed up and saved.
Justice is finally served when Wajih is taken to jail and eventually hanged for his crimes.
Saba Qamar’s Performance in Cheekh Drama: Career-Defining Role as Mannat
When asked about choosing the character of Mannat, Saba Qamar told ARY News, “If I can connect with a character, I do it and if I don’t, I opt out.” This selective approach to roles explains why Qamar consistently delivers outstanding performances.
Saba Qamar’s portrayal as Mannat is incredibly strong and empowered. Yet she is not entirely fearless, which makes her human. As someone says, courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the knowledge that something else is more important.
Her performance in Cheekh drama showcased:
- Emotional depth and vulnerability
- Physical transformation throughout the ordeal
- Powerful dialogue delivery
- Natural chemistry with co-stars
- Ability to carry intense dramatic scenes
Bilal Abbas Khan as Wajih in Cheekh Drama: Breaking the Hero Stereotype
Saba Qamar found Bilal Abbas more passionate about his work than other actors, stating “He is good looking but is also a very good actor, I found him more focused and passionate than other actors.”
Wajih’s Character Analysis
Bilal Abbas as the lead antagonist represents the very definition of male privilege – someone who absolutely cannot take no for an answer and is extremely shocked when a girl refuses his advances.
Bilal Abbas Khan’s portrayal of Wajih demonstrated:
- Nuanced villainy without being one-dimensional
- Psychological complexity of an entitled individual
- Manipulation tactics and gaslighting behaviors
- Gradual revelation of his dark personality
When asked why he agreed to play a negative role, Saba Qamar remarked that “such actors who decline negative roles are just heroes, not actors.”
Cheekh Drama Direction and Production Team
Director: Badar Mehmood brought his expertise to create this compelling thriller.
Writer: Zanjabeel Asim Shah crafted the intense storyline with social commentary.
Production House: Big Bang Entertainment, owned by Fahad Mustafa and Dr. Ali Kazmi, produced Cheekh. The production house had previously addressed social issues through dramas like Aisi Hai Tanhai, Mubarak Ho Beti Hui Hai, and Meri Guriya.
Cheekh Drama OST: The Haunting Soundtrack
The Cheekh OST was sung by Asrar, composed by Waqar Ali, and written by Sabir Zafar. The haunting melody perfectly captured the drama’s intense atmosphere and emotional depth. The title track became instantly recognizable among Pakistani drama fans.
The OST was pleasant, though its excessive use in some episodes became noticeable.
Social Issues Addressed in Cheekh Drama
Breaking the Silence on Sexual Violence
Cheekh drama tackled several critical social issues prevalent in Pakistani society:
Violence Against Women: The drama highlighted how sexual assault victims and their advocates face victim-blaming and character assassination.
Class Privilege: The storyline exposed how wealthy families manipulate the justice system to protect their own, regardless of guilt.
Family Honor vs. Justice: Mannat’s character challenged the cultural norm of prioritizing family reputation over truth and justice.
Women’s Agency: The drama portrayed a woman’s right to speak up and pursue justice, even when it means standing alone against her entire family.
Cheekh lends support to the idea that breaking silence is not easy, but it’s important.
Why Cheekh Drama Became a Cultural Phenomenon?
Unique Storytelling Approach
In all the typical family drama patterns, Cheekh represented a change of pace. While there is marriage and family drama associated with the play, the real story takes place beyond these elements. Class, wealth, gender, and legal issues are brought to the forefront.
Realistic Portrayal of Justice System
The drama portrayed that a girl who stood up for her friend’s rights lost almost everything she had – her baby, husband, and peace of mind. Yet it also provides hope that even though the justice system in Pakistan has flaws, there is still hope of culprits getting punished if you properly follow through.
Breaking Television Stereotypes
Unlike conventional Pakistani dramas focusing on domestic conflicts, Cheekh drama offered:
- A murder mystery thriller format
- Strong female protagonist fighting injustice
- Courtroom drama elements
- Psychological thriller components
- Social commentary on privilege
Cheekh Drama Episodes and Schedule
The drama serial aired every Saturday at 8:00 PM on ARY Digital. The weekly format allowed viewers to digest each intense episode before the next installment. The drama ran from January 2019 through mid-2019, delivering a complete story arc with proper closure.
Cheekh Drama Reviews: Critical and Audience Reception
Critical Acclaim
Cheekh received a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 374 reviews, with 75% rating it as excellent and 11% as very good.
The drama has an IMDb rating of 8.3 out of 10, indicating strong viewer appreciation.
Viewer Feedback
Critics praised Qamar and Khan for their exceptional performances in their respective roles.
Viewers appreciated the different and engaging storyline that distinguished Cheekh from other serials, along with powerpack performances by Saba Qamar, Bilal Abbas, Emmad Irfani, Azekah Daniel, and Maira Khan.
Performance Highlights
While all performances at Cheekh were excellent – Saba Qamar, Emaad Irfani, Bilal Abbas Khan, and Azekah Daniel were outstanding actors – Aijaz Aslam particularly stood out. He hadn’t had an opportunity to portray such a resonant character in a long time, and he gave Yawar life, capturing this twisted persona wonderfully.
Where to Watch Cheekh Drama Online
Cheekh drama is available for streaming on:
- ARY Digital’s official YouTube channel
- ARY Digital’s streaming platform
- Various Pakistani drama streaming websites
The drama can be watched with English subtitles for international audiences.
Awards and Recognition for Cheekh Drama
Cheekh drama received significant recognition in the Pakistani television industry for its bold storytelling and exceptional performances. The drama’s impact extended beyond ratings, sparking important conversations about justice, women’s rights, and accountability in Pakistani society.
Behind the Scenes: Cheekh Drama Production
Saba Qamar had posted on social media that she wanted to do a serial with Bilal Abbas Khan. The directors and producers took notice and cast both for this project.
The first teaser of the drama featured renowned actors and personalities including Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Sanam Baloch, Sarwat Gilani, Maria Wasti, Sania Saeed, Shaista Lodhi, and Marina Khan in a powerful narration format.
Cheekh Drama vs Other ARY Digital Dramas: What Makes It Stand Out
Cheekh distinguished itself from other ARY Digital dramas through:
- Genre Innovation: Combined thriller, mystery, courtroom drama, and social commentary
- Strong Female Lead: Centered on a woman’s fight for justice rather than romantic relationships
- Realistic Consequences: Showed the real cost of fighting for justice in Pakistani society
- Ensemble Cast: Balanced multiple strong characters rather than focusing solely on leads
- Production Quality: High production values with cinematic execution
Impact of Cheekh Drama on Pakistani Television Industry
Cheekh drama set new standards for Pakistani television by:
- Proving that thriller and mystery genres can succeed in Pakistani market
- Demonstrating audience appetite for socially conscious content
- Showing that dramas can address serious issues while maintaining entertainment value
- Encouraging production houses to invest in diverse storytelling
- Establishing Bilal Abbas Khan as a versatile actor capable of complex roles
Comparing Cheekh to International Thriller Dramas
Cheekh, despite all the blood and gore, is a watchable murder mystery thriller that viewers can not just binge watch but actually take time to see. The drama holds its own against international thriller productions by maintaining cultural authenticity while delivering universal themes of justice and courage.
Best Scenes from Cheekh Drama
- The Confrontation: When Mannat first learns the truth about Nayab’s death
- Court Hearings: Intense courtroom sequences showcasing legal manipulation
- The Miscarriage: Heart-wrenching scene after Wajih’s attack on Mannat
- Final Confession: Wajih’s breakdown and admission of guilt
- Justice Served: The emotional conclusion bringing closure
FAQs About Cheekh Drama
How many episodes does Cheekh drama have?
Cheekh drama consists of 30 episodes, each approximately 40-45 minutes in length. The drama aired weekly every Saturday, giving viewers ample time to process each intense episode before the next installment.
Is Cheekh drama based on a true story?
Cheekh is not directly based on a specific true story but reflects real issues prevalent in Pakistani society. The drama addresses genuine problems like sexual violence, class privilege, and flaws in the justice system. Many viewers found the storyline realistic because it mirrors actual challenges faced by assault survivors seeking justice.
What happened in Cheekh drama’s last episode?
In the final episode, Wajih is taken to jail where Haya, Yawar, and Shariq tearfully hug him before police take him to be hanged. Mannat is seen smiling and telling herself that whatever losses she endured to see this day were tests from Allah, and had she kept quiet like everyone else, she would have lost dignity in her own eyes.
Who are the main cast members of Cheekh drama?
The main cast includes Saba Qamar as Mannat, Bilal Abbas Khan as Wajih, Emmad Irfani as Shayan, Aijaz Aslam as Yawar, Azekah Daniel as Haya, Ushna Shah as Nayab, Maira Khan as Shehwar, and Noor-ul-Hassan as Ramzan. Each actor delivered memorable performances that contributed to the drama’s success.
Where can I watch Cheekh drama with English subtitles?
Cheekh drama is available with English subtitles on ARY Digital’s official YouTube channel and their streaming platforms. Several international streaming services also offer the drama for Pakistani content enthusiasts worldwide, making it accessible to non-Urdu speaking audiences.
Final Verdict: Is Cheekh Drama Worth Watching?
Cheekh drama stands as a landmark achievement in Pakistani television. The powerful performances by Saba Qamar and Bilal Abbas Khan, combined with compelling storytelling and important social commentary, make it essential viewing for drama enthusiasts.
The drama successfully balances entertainment with meaningful messaging, proving that Pakistani dramas can tackle serious subjects without compromising viewer engagement. Cheekh remains relevant today as conversations about justice, women’s rights, and accountability continue in Pakistani society.
For fans of thriller dramas, strong female characters, and socially conscious storytelling, Cheekh is highly recommended. The emotional journey, stellar performances, and satisfying conclusion make it one of ARY Digital’s finest productions.
