I had been so worried that the next episode of AZ would not be as good as the first but happily there was no disappointment. The story moved along at a fast pace and there were so many one liners that I had to watch it at least three times to enjoy all of them. Being Punjabi I recognized almost every character in this play as one or other of my relatives ,suffice to say I was completely at home .I hope everyone who watches realizes the truth of the rishta hunting criterion of Aun’s family . After all who could possibly think of character or personality, when soni noo (pretty daughter in law) is the top priority? The entire family’s main worry is whether there is a girl good looking enough for their Chandi ka thaal Aun, if she turns out to be psychotic or a criminal on the run: so be it, but at least they can say soni tey barri see (at least she was pretty).

For some strange, inexplicable reason Zara has no wish to fulfill her father’s dream for her of joining the Navy. Tired of her already highly regimented life she decides to accept the first rishta that comes along .Similarly Aun is happy to be ignored by his family busily discussing his rishta and decides to find a girl, any girl immediately. The catalyst for their rishta turns out to be the accidental photos of Aun with Zara taken at the wedding they attended in the first episode. I nearly fell of my chair laughing at the entire family decked out in their best clothes and make up to see Zara’s rishta . Having been on various rishta safaris for cousins and brothers I can testify to the fact that this is not an exaggeration. Being the ABCD in the group I always had a tendency to dress down; a tendency literally beaten out of me by various overbearing aunts, who thought wearing a simple jora might let the side down.

What I found rather refreshing and sweet was the fact that neither Aun nor Zara was particularly worried about whom they were going to marry, so long as it got them out of the status quo. This is truly a story about a very young, innocent love. After all the heavy dramas we have been watching it makes a really pleasant change .The whole thing was beautifully directed, seamless and without a frame wasted: it had Haissem Hussain written all over it. The script was fabulous and I have my hopes high that this is going to have the strength of narrative that Bilqees Kaur had combined with the fun of Akbari Asghari minus the long scenes in the latter.I hope everyone can understand the Punjabi .

All of the actors are doing a wonderful job so far but the best had to be the Mukarram Kaleem /Osman Khalid Butt Bromance.  Despite his whining and spoiled prince attitude, Osman makes Aun so innocent and naïve that the viewer cannot help but take his side. Similarly Mukarram has made the annoying Manzar character a lot more palatable and despite his attempts at playing it cool, he is even stupider than Aun. Their chemistry is great; I just love Aun’s overreaction to everything while Manzar plays the straight man unfazed by it all. Talking of chemistry Hina Bayat and Nasreen Qureshi have some good stuff going on too. I just loved how the Aun’s mammoo ki betiya were not quite good enough and of course who could put up with another Multanan? Dadi knows exactly how to put everyone in their place. I keep wondering what was the exact translation Aun’s Phupo gave of the word “privacy” that shocked Dadi so much ?

I think I prefer Maya Ali in this role rather than Cinderella, which was sometimes over the top. She certainly fits the role of a sweet girl next door. Zara’s family has its own set of funny problems brought to light so well by the her father and grandfather played by Irfan Khoosat .I have a feeling that Zara’s Dada ji may well be the voice of reason in this serial or at least the only normal, sensible character in the cast. I have heard from those who have read the book Hissar e Mohabbat that Zara gives Aun as good as she gets and I am looking forward to their clashes.

Written by Sadaf