When one thinks of a Bari Apa, the first impression that comes to the mind is that of someone very submissive who ends up sacrificing for her younger siblings. This impression of a big sister has been promoted by many of our dramas starting from Maat to Madiha Maliha and so many other plays that are currently on air. For a change it is good to see a Bari Apa who is different from the “role model” sacrificial goat sort of big sister we have been seeing in our dramas lately. The play has been written by Sameera Fazal, directed by Saife Hassan and produced by Momina Duraid.
Zubeida (Savera Nadeem) is the main protagonist in the play and after watching these two episodes I have to say that I see a Bilquees Kaur in Zubeida. She is bossy, rigid, blunt and unreasonable! Everyone in the family must seek Bari Apa’s approval before going ahead with things, so much so that her Husband Farman (Nauman Ejaz) is not allowed to invite guests over or see his friends without the consent of his wife, his name should have been Farmaburdaar! I couldn’t help but wonder what could be the reason behind Farman being so willing to play the slave in Zubeida’s life, surely all wives do what Zubeida does for him but no husband puts up with what he does.
Everyone in the family accepts Bari Apa’s authority except for her younger sister Firdous (Arjumand Rahim) and her sister-in-Law Riffat (Madiha Rizvi). I especially enjoyed watching the interaction between the two sisters in the first episode, the way Firdous tries her best to avoid Bari Apa at the family lunch but Zubeida waits for her because she has no clue that her sister would much rather not see her. Riffat and Firdous ally with each other to take a stand against Zubeida’s dictatorial ways but their husbands do not comply. I find all this so relatable because women tend to enjoy family politics but men try their best to keep peace. Zubeida was always the favorite child and Firdous had to live her whole life following Zubeida’s footprints but unlike Zubeida she is fun and bubbly; in short the two are poles apart. Firdous’ only son Adeel (Mustafa Changezi) is interested in Bari Apa’s daughter Sharmeen (Sara Khan?), very interesting indeed! But Sharmeen is involved with Eesa, who happens to be her father’s best friend’s nephew. Zubeida is not willing to marry her daughter off with Eesa, Why? Well the only good reason I can think of is that solely because Zubeida does not like anyone to have their own way. Bari Apa decides Adeel is a good match for Sharmeen and it looks like Sharmeen is going to play along in order to buy herself some time since Eesa has gone abroad for higher studies.
When Bari Apa asked Shakeel to divorce his wife, I thought to myself what shocking double standards, she treats her own husband like the man has no dignity and expects her Sister-in-Law to be passive and compliant. One of the reasons Bari Apa has a say in everything that goes on in her mother’s house is that she supports her family financially. I am dying to find out if that money comes out of her husband’s pocket or she runs some kind of a business. In these two episodes she seemed to be involved in family politics only.
It is good to see Nauman Ejaz in a role different from what he usually does, let’s see how his character shapes up. I found the way the husband and wife talk to each other rather odd. The way Farman says his wife is a smajhdar khatoon and the excessive use of aap janab was rather strange. The flashback scene when Zubeida was on the phone with Firdous’ husband (Waqas Khan) suggested that there was more to Bari Apa than a tough exterior and a rigid set of principles to guide her through life. I am sure there is a great deal in Zubeida’s past life that will take the viewers by surprise. Did Bari Apa start the divorce controversy so that Firdous’ husband would come see her? I felt like that was what the conversation between the two suggested. Did Firdous win “something” in her life which Bari Apa wanted? Zubeida takes an about turn after the meeting and showers her sister-in-law and the entire family with blessings and gifts. Why is it that this man exercises so much control over a woman who won’t listen to anyone except herself?
The news of Jamal’s death was also an interesting development, Eesa will be going abroad for studies so that would mean that Jamal’s sister (Ayesha Khan) will be all by herself. I think we all have a vague idea where the story will go from there. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of Ayesha Khan.
Honestly speaking the first episode did not completely bowl me over, I found Bari Apa’s character quite annoying but now that the story has progressed a little I definitely like that there are so many different characters in this play and the way all of them are interlinked. This play has a great deal of potential since it has a stellar cast and a plot that will keep the viewers wanting for more. I am already so curious about so many things. One other thing that I must mention, I really appreciate the way the credits were given in the end, it was nice to see the names of all the actors including the child stars in the credits.
Author: Fatima Awan.
