| Raqeeb Se | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original title | رقیب سے |
| Genre | |
| Written by | Bee Gul |
| Directed by | Kashif Nisar |
| Starring | Hadiqa Kiani Nauman Ijaz Sania Saeed Iqra Aziz Faryal Mehmood Hassan Mir |
| Opening theme | "Raqeeb Se" by Hadiqa 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 – 26 May 2021 |
Raqeeb Se (transl. almost rivals(in love)) is a Pakistani romantic drama television series produced by Momina Duraid, written by Bee Gul and directed by Kashif Nisar. It aired on Hum TV from 20 January 2021 to 26 May 2021 all under MD Productions. Raqeeb Se revolves around the repercussions of a love story stretched around one's entire life. It features an ensemble cast of Hadiqa Kiani, Nauman Ijaz, Sania Saeed, Iqra Aziz, Faryal Mehmood, Hassan Mir and Saqib Sumeer. The title is adopted from Faiz Ahmad Faiz's nazm of the same name.
The series received critical acclaim due to its story line and performances of the cast. At 21st 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.
Plot
The television series is centered around four women and the men around them. Sakina takes her daughter Ameera and flees from her abusive husband Rafiq. 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 Ameera while Insha considers them putting up at her house an injustice to her mother.
Cast
- Hadiqa Kiani as Sakina: Rafiq's ex-wife; Ameera's mother; Maqsood's former lover[2]
- Nauman Ejaz as Maqsood Ahmad: Hajra's husband; Insha's step-father; Masood and Mansoor's brother; Sakina's former lover
- Sania Saeed as Hajra Maqsood: Maqsood's wife; Insha's mother
- Iqra Aziz as Ameera Ali: Rafiq and Sakina's daughter; Kashif's love interest
- Faryal Mehmood as Insha Maqsood: Hajra's daughter; Maqsood's step-daughter; Abdul's ex-wife
- Saqib Sameer as Rafiq Ali: Sakina's ex-husband; Ameera's father
- Hamza Sohail as Mohammad Abdul Rahman: Insha's ex-husband
- Salman Shahid as Masood Ahmad: Maqsood's elder brother; Aatka's husband; Kashif's father
- Saba Faisal as Aatka Bashir: Masood's wife; Kashif's mother
- Hassan Mir[3] as Kashif Masood: Masood and Aatka's son; Ameera's love interest (Dead)
- Ismat Iqbal as Maasi Anaraan: Sakina and Rafiq's neighbor
Music
| Raqeeb Se – OST | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 12 January 2021 |
| Recorded | 2020 |
| Genre | Television soundtrack |
| Length | 04 Minutes 55 Seconds (4:55) |
| Language | Urdu |
| Label | M.D Productions |
| Producer | Ustad Baqir Abbas[4] |
| Music video | |
| "Raqeeb Se" OST on YouTube | |
The title song of Raqeeb Se is composed and performed by Hadiqa Kiani who played one of the lead role in the serial, while lyrics were penned by her mother Khawar Kiani, was originally a poem of her. The soundtrack was produced by Ustad Baqir Abbas.[4] It marks the return of the singer to the channel, since she performed the OST of channel's hit drama series Yaqeen Ka Safar in 2016.
Track listing
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 |
Production
Background and development
In September 2020, screenwriter Bee Gul shared the details of her upcoming project, Raqeeb Se, directed by Kashif Nisar.[5] Gul stated that to avoid the manipulation and exploitation of the social issues due to the misrepresentation, she chose to focus on a more meaningful narrative, leading her to write Raqeeb Se.[6] She originally conceived the pre-partition Karachi as the setting of the series; however, it was then changed to Lahore's setting of contemporary times.[7] It was the second collaboration of Nisar and Gul since Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila (2017).[8]
Casting
Singer and vocalist Hadiqa Kiani was selected to portray Sakina, marking her acting debut.[9] Besides acting, Kiani also performed and composed the soundtrack of the series.[10] Her casting was confirmed in September 2020.[11] After pursuing by Sultana Siddiqui and Momina Duraid, Kiani was approached by Duraid to play the role.[12] For the preparation of the character, Kiani used to dress in Shalwar kameez in her daily routine, as her character's appearance.[12] Veteran actors Naumaan Ijaz and Sania Saeed were selected to portray the roles of Maqsood and Hajra; previously acted together in Jhumka Jaan (2009), Khamoshiyan (2010), Aao Kahani Buntay Hain (2011) and Sang-e-Mar Mar (2016).[6] Young actors Iqra Aziz, Faryal Mehmood and Hamza Sohail, son of veteran actor and comedian Sohail Ahmed, were cast in prominent roles.[6][13] Aziz confirmed her involvement in September 2021 through her Instagram handle.[14] Sohail was selected to portray Abdul Rahman in the series after meeting Nisar, when he auditioned multiple times, making his acting debut in 2021.[15] Theatre actor Saqib Sumeer was selected to portray Rafique Ali, a role originally intended for Sohail Ahmed, who was unavailable.[16] Likewise, Saba Faisal and Salman Shahid were cast in supporting roles.[13]
Principal photography
Principal photography for the series began in mid-2020 in Lahore,[5][15] and almost half of the work was completed by October 2020.[6]
Reception
The series received critical acclaim due to performances and story line.[17][18] Hrithik Sharma of El 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 by Nauman Ijaaz brings in exactly the right amounts of charm and helplessness. Hajra, played by Sania 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 from The News International lauded the series for its female portrayal due the multi-faceted and complex female characters.[19] 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.[20] 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".[21]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2022 | Hum Awards | Best Drama Serial – Popular | Momina Duraid | Nominated | [22] |
| 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 | [23][24] |
| 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 |
References
- ^ "Ep1: Sania Saeed & Hadiqa Kiani steal the limelight in 'Raqeeb Se'". Something Haute. 21 January 2021. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ "Hadiqa Kiani opens up about her choice of acting in latest drama serial". Jang. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "Hassan Mir | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Hadiqa Kiani and Sania Saeed are jamming to a duet on the sets of Raqeeb Se". images.dawn.com. 18 January 2021.
- ^ a b Muhammad Ali (18 September 2020). "In Conversation with Bee Gul". The Friday Times. Archived from the original on 5 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Iqra Aziz, Naumaan Ijaz's upcoming drama 'Raqeeb Se' to be an unconventional love story". The Current. 10 October 2020. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ Muhammad Ali (14 January 2022). "On Place-Based Storytelling: A Conversation with Bee Gul". The Karachi Collective. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "Iqra Aziz is 'lucky' to learn from Naumaan Ijaz's sarcasm". www.samaa.tv. 17 September 2020. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020.
- ^ "Hadiqa Kiani discloses details about latest drama Raqeeb Se". The Nation. Pakistan. 12 January 2021. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "Hadiqa Kiani is ready to make her acting debut". Images of dawn. 4 January 2021. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ "Hadiqa Kiani to make acting debut in a TV series". Samaa TV. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020.
- ^ a b Maliha Rehman (14 February 2021). "The Icon Interview: The Mercurial Ms Kiani". Dawn.com.
- ^ a b Staff Report (19 January 2021). "'Raqeeb Se' takes you on a rollercoaster ride of thrill and emotions". Daily Times. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "Iqra Aziz reveals she was nervous working with Hadiqa". dailytimes.com.pk. 22 January 2021.
- ^ a b Ayesha Aqeel (24 April 2021). "Hamza Sohail Reveals How He Got The Role Of Abdul In 'Raqeeb Se'". propakistani.net. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021.
- ^ "Video: Rafiq Ali in 'Raqeeb Se' is not a negative character, says Saqib Sumeer". Something Haute. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ Afreen Seher (16 May 2021). "Debut actors to watch out for". The News International. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Sadaf Haider (21 December 2021). "The good, the bad and the strange – 2021 in dramas". Dawn Images. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Intsab Sahi (28 March 2021). "Women in focus". The News International. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021.
- ^ Gaitee Ara Siddiqi (11 April 2021). "Raqeeb Say – a breath of fresh air". The News International. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Gaitee Ara Siddiqi (5 March 2023). "Something old, something new". The News International. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Cutacut Editorial Team (26 September 2022). "The 8th Hum Awards Winners". Cutacut. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ^ "LSA 2022: And the nominees are..." The Express Tribune. 23 November 2022. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ "Presenting the Lux Style Award winners of 2022". The Express Tribune. 25 November 2022. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
