Written by GEO News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada and directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain, the new play *Case No. 9* has already caused quite a stir despite only two episodes having aired to date. Boasting a stellar supporting cast and a gripping plot, the series promises to raise the bar for future productions.
Featuring accomplished actors like Faysal Qureshi and Saba Qamar, and with Syed Wajahat Hussain at the helm, it is hard for the production to go wrong. Saba Qamar plays Sehar Moazzam, the head of sales and marketing at KKR—a company owned by Kamran Haider, portrayed by Faysal Qureshi.
Sehar, a star employee, is invited to dinner by Kamran. However, upon arrival, she is surprised to find that she is alone. Suspecting something terribly wrong, she tries to escape but is sexually assaulted by her boss, who is frustrated by her repeated rejection of his advances. Kamran’s wife, Kiran, is away at her parents’ house and is soon due to have a baby.
Junaid Khan plays Rohit, Kamran’s friend. After receiving a text from Sehar inquiring about Kamran’s whereabouts, Rohit grows concerned. Following a conversation with Kamran, he rushes to the location, only to find Sehar lying in a distressed state on the powder room floor. It appears she has been sexually assaulted. Sehar is traumatized and leaves, while Rohit, enraged at Kamran’s actions, later agrees to hush things up under pressure.
After nearly a week, Sehar finds the courage to file an FIR against her boss. Mirza Gohar Rasheed appears as Shafique, the police inspector assigned to the case. Under the supervision of the SP, he investigates Sehar’s complaint. Sehar undergoes invasive questioning at the police station and is sent for a medical examination.
Kamran, with the help of his company lawyer, obtains bail before arrest and hires a powerful lawyer to defend him. The unfolding of the play brings forth several pressing questions: Will Sehar get justice? Will Kamran be convicted?
*Case No. 9* highlights numerous social issues. For example, Saba’s character, Sehar, is a divorcee—an aspect exploited by misogynists around her who view it as justification for Kamran’s advances. When she rejects him, Kamran’s attempt to retaliate leads to the assault. Rohit, as a witness, is torn between loyalty to his friend and the truth.
The supporting cast delivers excellent performances, effectively propelling the narrative. Faysal Qureshi excels as the arrogant and supercilious boss. Junaid Khan is an on-screen revelation, having developed into a fine actor. However, it is Saba Qamar who steals the show. She portrays a survivor with incredible conviction and maturity, continuing to raise the bar with every performance. Her previous roles in productions like *Cheekh* and *Baaghi* cemented her reputation as one of television’s finest actresses, and she has only improved since.
The play boasts a big-budget production with a slick look, complemented by great acting and excellent dialogues. With a masterful director leading the charge, the audience is in for a treat.
Far removed from the usual fare, *Case No. 9* aims to raise awareness about a crime that occurs every day worldwide—sexual assault—wherein the conviction rate remains abysmally low in Pakistan, at a mere 3 percent. This low rate is partly due to delayed reporting and societal pressure on survivors to remain silent.
As the story progresses, viewers will be eager to find out whether Sehar obtains justice, if Kamran will be held accountable, and whether Rohit will protect Kamran or reveal what he witnessed.
**Verdict:**
A hard-hitting and powerful production, *Case No. 9* is definitely one to watch out for. Tune in to GEO every Wednesday and Thursday to see how the plot unfolds.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1346824-a-hard-hitting-thriller