Pakistani entertainment projects that usually experiment with the horror genre often have a challenge impressing the audience. After all, their viewers are exposed to Hollywood movies like The Conjuring, and Anabelle and expect the same level of terror and effects as portrayed in the plots they look up to!

However, there is one latest entry in the horror genre that has surely grabbed the attention of drama aficionados and critics alike- Neeli Zinda Hai.

Starring Urwa Hocane, Mohib Mirza, Sonia Mishaal, and Jinaan Hussain in leading roles, the drama is directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, written by Adeel Razzaq, and produced by Six Sigma.

Weaved around black magic, a dead girl, and major supernatural activity, the pot seems to be rightly baked to provide intrigue and suspense in the story. While the story hasn’t been as scary and fearful that it gave us goosebumps, the tale has piqued our interest nevertheless.

A peep into Neeli’s past

The past episodes warmed us up to all the characters and their past. Sumbul (Sonia Mishal) is undergoing major trauma of losing her child in stillbirth, being away from her husband- Amaan (Mohib Mirza) for years and not to forget, bearing the mental torture her mother-in-law, Mehrbano (Kinza Malik) has put her through.

This week’s episode opens with a panic-stricken Sumbul trying to convince Amaan that she has seen a bloodied woman’s hand on the bedsheet. Unfortunately, the husband is now sure that his wife is mentally sick and takes the opinion of a psychiatrist to deal with the matter.

When the doctor hears Amaan’s side of the tale, he warns him that Sumbul is vying to draw his attention in the fear that he will abandon her again.

Meanwhile, Amaan’s mother is leaving no stone unturned to destroy her son’s home. Using the power of black magic and going to a fake peer who does nothing but mints money from her; she brings home an amulet to soak in the tea for her son to drink.

Things got out of hand a little more as Neeli tries to strangle Nagina (Jinaan Hussain) as she spots Minal (Tehreem) playing her in the ground. The little mute child witnesses it all, the maid hovering high in the air and is, of course, shaken to the core. Her clueless mother tries to calm the poor kid down and tries to get to the bottom of the commotion. But Nagina tries to cover the hubbub that there was a mouse in the house they got scared of.

She, then, runs to Dilawar who has planted her in the house in the first place to battle Neeli. Nagina is scared to the core and tells him that she can no longer deal with Neeli. He, in turn, threatens her that if she abandons him, she will not get the money that is required to treat her sick son.

The highlight of the episode was Neel and Minal’s secluded moments.

We discover how Neeli has a daughter and died almost 23 years ago in the same household. Later, as Neeli goes back in her past, we realize that she was a beautiful bride as she got married to the love of her life. But there is a villain in her story, who is the reason her imprint is left on earth after her death.

Neeli Zinda Hai is working its magic

So far, Neeli Zinda Hai is getting all the love and we have given it a thumbs-up as well. The performances of all characters are on-point. Sonia and Mohib Mirza’s chemistry as the estranged couple is on point.

Jinaan Hussain as Nagina has carried the character with impeccable ease. She has the most important scenes in the play and she has immersed herself in the role of the inane maid, who has the best intentions but is doing more damage than good for the household.

Urwa Hocane has fewer dialogues but she takes our breath away with her riveting eyes as Neeli. With minimal makeup, she uses expressions to communicate and translate the spookiness of her character on the screen. Her character is gradually opening up and we are learning more about her past as the story progresses. The direction and the shots accurately portray the mood and tone of every scene.

The background score is equally eerie and spooky, balancing it all every time Urwa enters the frame. The next episode shows more pandemonium in the house as Neeli gains the power to create more havoc. We will continue to watch Neeli for its doing justice to the diversity it has brought on screens. What is your take on the drama? Let us know in the comments below.