This week’s episode was disappointing on so many levels, that I hardly know where to begin. Numair finally sprang his trap and assaulted Ramin while his wife and Mother in law were visiting the doctor. Ramin, who knows full well this man’s predatory nature. acts with less intelligence than the normal five year old who when confronted by force at least puts up a fight or screams. Instead she keeps repeating the mantra “ aap kiya karr rahein hai Numair Bhai “ as if she had no idea where the situation was leading. A good director can show the violence perpetrated, the suffering, the sheer horror of such an event without crossing any boundary of good taste simply by showing the state of the victim after the event but no such luck here. Sajal Ali’s hair is barely disheveled, her makeup perfect and she is fully in charge of her faculties.
The shock of this terrible moment passes by without the impact it should make. I always considered Sajal Ali one of the better actresses among the younger generation but she has let herself down badly and after Nanhi it seems to be a pattern. Let’s get something straight here: this story is about rape, one of the worst things that one human being can do to another. It leaves life long ,deep psychological scars that may heal or may not. Yet in this (and to some extent in Nanhi) we see the perky Ms Ali is not so moved. There is some shock but she is articulate and almost calm. Yes we get some tears and a few sobs but none of the visceral pain illustrated Saba Qamar in Pani Jaisa Pyaar or Sumbal Iqbal in Roag and who can forget Sanam Baloch in Dastan ? . Contrast Ramin’s muted response to Manal’s vigorous defense of her husband and it all seems even more empty. Even in the nightmare scene (where her mother of course, leaves her to sleep alone after such a traumatic event) ; Sajal Ali is made up to the nines, with not a hair out of place belying all the wrenching and writhing which we are given in lieu of actual acting. Where was Yasir Nawaz , the director ? shouldn’t he have ……errrr…….. given some direction ?
Whoever is playing Ramin’s mother definitely not only wins worst mother of the year award but also worst actress. Despite my liberal tendencies I can understand why awoman would wish to cover the whole thing up, why they would feel ashamed , alone and afraid ,but what I cannot comprehend is the lack of feelingshown behind those actions. The mother does not seem outraged or torn; there is no sense of the great injustice done. She even starts counting out clothes for the wedding. If this was an ordinary drama dealing with some run off the mill predicament I might have let my sense of disappointment go but this is a very relevant, very important topic and trivializing it in anyway does a disservice to victims and survivors of such treatment. Such an awful circumstance brings out many contradicting emotions of fear , hatred anger and despair yet none of this is illustrated .
If there were any highlights to this episode it had to be Jibran Syed, manipulating everyone with his heartless, easy going ways. He is perfectly believable and is keeping this whole thing together. What a character sketch! Like most psychopaths he has absolutely no remorse and is relentless in his games. Oh dear I forgot to mention Azar , hmmm . ..The declarations of love were a little over the top but at least Feroz he is taking his role seriously .
I am keeping my fingers crossed for next week to improve but I have to say Yasir Nawaz has really disappointed this time even Samira Fazal’s script seems less detailed than normal. If they were less talented I might not expect so much but I keep remembering Anjuman , Saat Pardon mein, Dastan and KPKPP and Mera Naseeb ….
written by SADAF
