Khushhal Khan to play unconventional role in Wehshi

KARACHI: Truth be told, the project behind Khushhal Khan’s rise to fame, Midsummer Chaos, may not have been the best start for an actor. But few are able to move beyond a less loved web series and into fulltime actors with as much ease and speed as Khan did. From starring in telefilms such as Aik Hai Nigar and drama serials including Qissa Meherbano Ka, Khushhal Khan has proved that he is here to stay and improve his craft with each step. And that is exactly what his upcoming drama Wehshi promises as well.

Wehshi is based on the novel by Razia Butt Sahiba and dramatized by Shumaila Zaidi. Directed by Iqbal Hussain, the drama tells the story of Asif (Khushhal Khan), an emotionally and mentally disturbed man who is often angry and acts out. Known for his distant behaviour and often hurting those around him, he is given the title of wehshi (violent). However, Asif’s behaviour is not without reasoning.

His psychological problems were triggered by an abusive stepfather after his biological father passed away when Asif was a child. The mother (Nadia Khan) seems unaware of her husband’s (Babar Ali) abusive nature and only sees Asif at fault. The only person who Asif eventually seems to trust and let into his life is Sobia (Komal Meer) who he loves but who his stepfather sees as a ‘doctor bahu’ who can perhaps help their son.

Needless to stay, storylines like Wehshi are sensitive and may be triggering for certain audiences. If not dealt with utmost care and responsibility, the drama might not sit well with the masses. One can hope that Asif’s portrayal as a psychologically disturbed individual is not romanticized, nor Sobia’s character a scapegoat whose love can ‘fix’ him.

In the past, Shehzad Sheikh has aced his role as an individual with mental health issues in Phaans while the ongoing Habs is doing a commendable job at portraying the affects of childhood trauma and neglect on adults through Basit’s character. Wehshi seems to be treading into both of these territories and while much cannot be concluded about the drama yet, Khushhal Khan’s performance in the teasers definitely has us keen on watching more of him once the drama goes on air on September 29.