Release Date: July 2025
Platform: HUM TV / Tamasha App
Lead Cast: Ahad Raza Mir, Sajal Aly, Samina Ahmed
Director: Kashif Nisar
Writer: Fatima Ahmed Khan
Genre: Mystery, Psychological Drama
Introduction: When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
In the age of overused tropes and predictable plotlines, Pakistani television is about to witness something truly remarkable. City of Echoes, an upcoming psychological mystery drama, brings a breath of fresh air into the world of South Asian storytelling. Unlike the typical love triangles or family politics dominating prime-time TV, this show dives into the unexplored territory of memory, identity, and the ghosts of the past.
The drama features a power-packed reunion of Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly, two actors who have previously enchanted audiences with their chemistry and individual brilliance. Directed by the acclaimed Kashif Nisar and written by debuting scriptwriter Fatima Ahmed Khan, City of Echoes is all set to become a groundbreaking series that blends suspense, emotional depth, and cultural richness.
Plot Summary: A City That Remembers More Than Its People
Set in the crumbling yet timeless lanes of old Lahore, City of Echoes follows the story of Sarim (Ahad Raza Mir), a young and emotionally burdened writer, plagued by recurring nightmares and inexplicable déjà vu. His life takes a sudden turn when he inherits an ancestral house in the walled city of Lahore—a place he has never visited yet finds hauntingly familiar.
Inside this house, he discovers a hidden room filled with journals, photographs, and unsent letters belonging to a woman named Meher. Her writings, dating back to the 1940s, are filled with longing, love, and secrets that suggest she may have been connected to Sarim in ways beyond time.
As Sarim delves deeper into these mysterious entries, he begins to experience hallucinations and vivid dreams that merge past and present. He meets Amina (Sajal Aly), a local librarian who is inexplicably drawn to him and his search. As the two begin to piece together the puzzle, they find themselves uncovering a tragic love story, political betrayals, and a dark family secret that ties them both to a shared destiny.
Deep Themes and Symbolism
Memory and Time:
The show revolves around the fragility of memory and the weight of history. Sarim’s journey blurs the line between past and present, questioning whether our souls carry echoes from previous lives or if memory itself is a construct molded by pain and longing.
Old Lahore as a Character:
More than just a setting, old Lahore is portrayed as a living, breathing character. Its narrow alleyways, fading frescoes, and silent courtyards reflect the collective memory of a society that has forgotten its own history. The city remembers what people have tried to bury.
Romantic Tragedy:
Rather than focusing on a typical romance, City of Echoes tells the story of unfinished love—a connection so deep it transcends time. Meher and her lover’s story, rediscovered by Sarim and Amina, serves as a poetic reflection of emotional inheritance.
Sufi Influence:
The show weaves in elements of Sufism, using metaphors of “separation and union,” “inner light,” and the concept of the “Beloved” to express spiritual and emotional truths. The dervish who appears in Sarim’s dreams, the references to Rumi and Bulleh Shah, and the idea of a city echoing divine longing all add philosophical richness.
Outstanding Performances
Ahad Raza Mir as Sarim:
Known for his intense and layered acting, Ahad brings raw vulnerability to the character. His performance as a man slowly unraveling, struggling to understand visions from a time not his own, is already being called his career best by critics who previewed the pilot.
Sajal Aly as Amina:
Sajal’s portrayal of Amina is both grounded and ethereal. As a woman with a mysterious past and an empathetic soul, she brings subtlety and grace to the screen. Her chemistry with Ahad is electric, filled with pauses, silences, and unspoken emotions.
Samina Ahmed as Bibi Rani:
The show’s philosophical anchor, Bibi Rani, is a character who has lived through war, partition, and heartbreak. Samina Ahmed’s monologues are poetic, her expressions timeless. She adds emotional gravitas that binds past and present.
Cinematic Brilliance
Direction:
Kashif Nisar treats each episode like a short film. Long takes, natural lighting, and character-centric framing pull the audience deep into the narrative. Scenes unfold with the pacing of poetry rather than commercial drama.
Visual Style:
Cinematographer Bilal Awan uses a palette of muted golds, browns, and shadowy blues to reflect nostalgia and mystery. Drone shots of the old city, dim-lit libraries, candle-lit rooms, and foggy rooftops give a timeless texture to the story.
Soundtrack and Score:
The haunting OST, “Khamoshiyon Ki Sada,” composed by Zohaib Kazi and sung by Ali Sethi, is already topping charts. The sound design mixes ambient noises with old tape-recorded whispers, adding tension and immersion.
Audience Reactions and Anticipation
Even before its official release, City of Echoes has captured the public imagination. The teaser trailer hit 5 million views within two days. Fan theories are circulating across Reddit and Twitter. Some believe the story hints at reincarnation; others think it’s a metaphor for intergenerational trauma.
YouTube reaction channels, especially in India and the UK, have praised the show’s art direction and psychological depth. Influencers and TV critics are calling it “a cultural reset” for Pakistani television.