The miniseries narrates the true story of Maqbool Hussain, a Pakistani soldier injured and captured by the Indian Army during the 1965 war. He sent 40 years in Indian jails before being released as a civilian prisoner in 2005. The series highlights the severe human rights abuses he endured and pays tribute to his resilience and steadfastness.[1][2]
Plot
As the story unfolds, Maqbool Hussain, bearing army No 335139, is shown being hit by enemy fire on the Line of Control at the start of the 1965 war.[1] Subsequently, he is taken prisoner by the Indian army, who deny him Prisoner of War status.[1] Trained in the traditions of the Pakistan Army, Maqbool Hussain faces great suffering and refuses to share any information about his country with his captors — so much so that when they cut out his tongue, he writes Pakistan Zindabad (long live Pakistan) in his own blood. Maqbool Hussain also beaten into becoming mentally ill during his four decades of incarceration.[1][2][3]
Director Haider Imam Rizvi, who has dozens of popular television and movies and plays and serials to his credit, told the gathering he and his team had been reduced to tears several times during the filming of the poignant scenes in the drama serial. "In my opinion, the production of 'Sipahi Maqbool Hussain' is more significant than all the 40 serials that I have produced in my entire career," Rizvi said.[4]
Reception
Dawn lists the series among "Pakistant's top 10 patriotic dramas".[5]