Maat (TV series)

Maat follows the contrasting lives of two sisters, Aiman and Saman, from a lower-middle-class family. Aiman, the elder, is polite and respectful toward her elders, while the younger Saman is ambitious and believes she can defeat (“maat”) anyone to achieve her desires. Their cousin Faisal, engaged to Aiman, becomes infatuated with Saman’s beauty. Though Saman initially rejects him, she changes her mind after his financial situation improves, and they marry. The marriage is strained by Saman’s demanding nature, though the couple have a son, Hadeed. Unable to manage her responsibilities, Saman relies on Aiman to care for Hadeed. Saman begins an affair with Faisal’s business partner, Azar, who is wealthier than her husband. After Faisal slaps her during an argument, Saman files for divorce and later marries Azar, leaving her family disheartened. Aiman eventually marries Faisal so that Hadeed will have a maternal figure. Twenty-five years later, Faisal is a wealthy businessman and Hadeed, now 27, is also successful. Following Azar’s death, Saman resumes a relationship with Faisal. He decides to leave Aiman, offering her financial support and falsely claiming that Hadeed wants Saman back in their lives. Distraught, Aiman departs, while Faisal remarries Saman. Hadeed discovers the truth, condemns both Faisal and Saman for their selfishness, and brings Aiman to live with him. Initially reluctant, Aiman accepts, recognizing that Hadeed was not responsible for his parents’ actions. Four years later, Hadeed is married with a son, and Aiman lives peacefully with his family. Saman contacts her by phone, expressing regret for her and Faisal’s choices. Aiman forgives them but reminds Saman that their unhappiness was the result of their own actions. With this, she hangs up, happy to have finally given maat to Saman, after all. == Cast ==

• Aamina Sheikh as Aiman • Saba Qamar as Saman • Adnan Siddiqui as Faisal • Noor Hassan Rizvi as Hadeed • Shamim Hilaly as Faisal's mother • Rabia Noreen as Afia • Asad Malik as Aazar • Maheen Rizvi as Shaila • Sadia Ghaffar as Munazzah • Diya Mughal as Noreen == Production ==

Aamina Sheikh shared her insights on playing Aiman, initially finding the character unrealistic and feeling trapped as a submissive self-sacrificing sister. However, viewers feedback made her realize the importance of portraying Aiman's complex story. During the filming of the series, Saba Qamar briefly left the set after a disagreement with the director, but returned on Adnan Siddiqui's intervention, ensuring production continued smoothly. == Broadcast and release ==

Maat originally aired on Hum TV in 2011. It later premiered in the UK and Ireland on Colors Rishtey in August 2013. The show debuted in India on Zindagi on July 19, 2014, replacing Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Maat is available to stream on MX Player, and since mid-2020, also on ZEE5 and Hum TV's official YouTube channel. == Reception ==

Critical reception Eefa Khalid of Dawn praised the series, noting that the dialogues are "full of impact" and the performances by Sheikh and Qamar are "excellent". A reviewer from the Bollywood Life praised Saman's character, the mother's personality, and Aiman's potential, however, the pacing, moral posturing and overdramatic moments were critiqued. In a mixed review published in The Caravan, the reviewer criticised the series for lacking nuance and sophistication, presenting characters in a simplistic and unambiguous manner, and relying on conventional storytelling, but praised the fascinating, albeit flawed, characters. Accolades ==References==