And we’re back to a (somewhat) exciting episode!
I think the secret to a good episode is the inclusion of Patel and the exclusion of Babaji! Don’t you think? Yes, yes, I know there is much left to be desired but from what we’ve been fed so far this episode was welcome relief like an oasis in the desert, like food to a bhuka, like water to a pyaasa… you get the gist.
Now, don’t get me wrong nothing can compare to A Game of Thrones. And those of you who watched the third episode will know that Benioff and Weiss know how to end an episode. Talk about a cliffhanger! Take note HUM TV you have nothing on HBO.
But back to the subject at hand… hanji, hanji.
We open with yet another party, it seems all these people do is party, party, party. And I thought my freshman year was an eyeopener, clearly I need to inhabit dramaland reality! Where Enrique Iglesias seductively coos some combination of Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) and Be With You, where Dania channels her inner moral-police, and Bunty gets slapped. Fret not that’s just the beginning!
After what can only be a classified as an oh-so-dramatic exit from Chauhan’s residence (coupled with a “I’m sorry Mr. Chauhan” – Yeah right!) we see Boy Wonder make his way back with some unlikely help. That scene though was beautifully shot – barely lit streets, empty and sunsan. Here’s what ruined it: horrible background music, Bunty’s stunted running, and his hirsute brother on a bike!
In the meantime, Patel finally makes a comeback and this time around not in the bedroom but in that long forgotten landing. Remember the same staircase which became an integral part of our visual landscape in the first few episodes, it too makes a comeback! This time around Patel comes bearing more words of wisdom – jaanay do ussay – which only makes me wonder why is he dead? Kyun?
But he’s not the only one who beats us to the punch! Bunty finally mans up and confesses his “love” for Beenish in a scene with considerable emotional depth.
Since I wasn’t expecting anything much it was actually a pleasant surprise. Saba Qamar is flawless as the pal mein tola, pal mein masha pyscho, a difficult role for any actress and she does justice to it notwithstanding the nighties and scrunchies. Her demeanour from a lovestuck seventeen year old to a forgiving mehbooba to a tormented wife is an absolute pleasure to watch. I cannot think of any other actress that could have done justice to this role, not a single one (no, Ayesha Omar sit down!).
The way Saba Qamar channels the bewa of a bhudda is what has kept me glued to this series for so long (albeit with a slew of complaints!). Here’s a woman that’s not happy at being married off to a 60 year old man when she was 17, she’s unwilling to come to terms with it, and much of her inner turmoil or conflict (call it what you will) stems from this (in)decision. Her reham-dil gesture then was acceptance of Patel’s power over her – it seems she’s given up fighting, doomed to perpetual enslavement, if you will.
If Dania surprises me, Beenish does exactly the opposite with her less than stellar acting skills, which are beginning to haunt me! Bas kar do. With lady-love (maybe luck who knows) being magnanimous it is only a matter of time before Beenish will have to qurbaani-fy her mohabbat. Ji haan mohabbat ki jhooti kahani pay royee, badee choot kahee, jawani pay royee, jawani pay royee.
And shocker of shockers, Zain has been paid off. Does that mean we won’t get to see his handsome face any longer?
In what I can only describe as a roller coaster ride, Bunty I Love You is anything but predictable. For a series I’d written off five weeks ago, today’s episode proves otherwise. I find there is a pronounced dysfunction between episodes 10 and 16, as though the last six were directed by someone else. What took HUM TV six episodes to convey could have easily be done in three, perhaps, four. Thereby maintaining continuity and viewer interest, prolonging it lost them a much needed audience and ruined (to some extent) a drama that could have been really, really good.
As I conclude I can only think of one thing: Saba Qamar’s acting! Aapkay bahut chahnaywalay hain, Masha’Allah, unhi ki zabaan bayaan kartay hua kahu ga: “Ankhiyoon say goli maaray, ladki kamal ray” (That’s the inner script writer in me!)
Until next week,
Happy reading!
RB (Tweet me!)
