It seems everyone loves a good ‘Cinderella story’, which could explain why Geo TV is running three versions of this formula in its viewing schedule. Kaffara is the most popular, using a frustrating, Indian soap-style format that seems to captivate a demographic who want unthinking entertainment. Salaar (Ali Ansari) is the main ingredient: wealthy, spoiled, only son who becomes entangled with the poor, orphaned Sitara (Laiba Khan). The villains (Sitara’s evil cousins and Salaar’s silly parents) push the story forward with their plotting and machinations, literally forcing the leads into a relationship. This formula is never complete without a psychotic rich girl who, despite education, looks and resources, has traded self-respect for an obsession with marrying the male lead. Ali Ansari sleepwalks through this role, which has nothing to offer except being a poor girl’s dream of a trophy husband. Laiba Khan has more meat to her role but cannot move beyond the “chalaak larrki” [cunning girl] vibe her character hated in her manipulative cousins. The show relies on Indian TV-style confrontation scenes and verbal spats, where logic is the main casualty. In another take on the Cinderella formula, this time the male lead Asad (Azaan Sami Khan) is the middle class guy in love with the uber-wealthy Wafaa (Kinza Hashmi). Wafaa’s domineering, politician/wealthy businessman father (Naumaan Ijaz) is cast as the enigmatic villain who has Asad beaten up and put in hospital. Asad’s disappearance, terrible condition and her father’s admission of guilt are still not enough to convince the heroine that asking to marry the same man might be a bad idea! Asad is equally stupid and wants his father to formally ask for Wafa’s hand. The story is riddled with logical fallacies and there is zero chemistry or connection between the leads, something that might otherwise lead the audiences to root for them. Zaviyar Ijaz has now cornered the market on nakaam aashiqs [jilted lovers], and plays both sides as a “friend” of Wafa and her father’s choice of ideal husband. The only characters of note are played by Samar Abbas (who is proving to be a natural actor with screen presence) and veteran Babar Ali. Middle class Masooma (Hareem Farooq) has found a job as a PA to the powerful and wealthy TT (Naumaan Ijaz) after TT’s son Moosa (Saad Qureshi) disables Masooma’s father in an accident. TT and the ambitious Masooma have crossed the line of appropriate behaviour between staff and employer, flirting and openly stating their attraction. Thankfully, we are spared any pretence at emotional involvement or excuses about neglectful wives, and the budding relationship is entirely physical and transactional. Masooma flatters TT with his success and power, while offering her supposed “looks” as a currency of exchange, which TT accepts. Meanwhile, Reham (Savera Nadeem) publicly shames Masooma for wearing her clothes and pretending TT and Reham’s house is hers. Much is made of Masooma’s humiliation, but the event is not the trigger for the affair, rather the fire accelerant. TT takes Masooma’s side and their illicit relationship begins. Naumaan Ijaz is in his element as a rich charismatic man who takes advantage of what is on offer. Savera Nadeem and Saad Qureshi represent the moral outrage/ family values side of the equation well. Hareem Farooq plays her role with the kind of flair and bold self-belief her character requires so well that, even where she is the actual victim, she arouses little empathy. Anmol Baloch plays a responsible, middle class girl who fights for justice for her brother. Ali Raza also stars in this serial, which seems to be inspired from the previous hit, Khaani.