After last week’s debacle, this week was a definite improvement . Maybe I have been spoiled by the likes of Sanam Baloch, Saba qamar Sumbal Iqbal etc ….who knows ? But Sajal Ali is still maintaining impossible amounts of backcombing and an appearance that constantly gives the lie to any suffering her character might be enduring but we finally got to see Ramin’s misery. Ramin is scared, very scared of Numair. She sees him everywhere and especially around Azar but her mother persuades her that marrying Azar is the best for her. Azar’s declarations of unending, all-conquering love should have made an amazing contrast to Ramin’s inner turmoil but instead fell like damp squibs around Ramin’s artfully draped duppattahs and flawless make -up. However, Feroz Malik/Khan kept his end up of the scene pretty well.
God forbid that any mother should have to face such a situation but the passivity of Ramin’s mother is unbearable. In every society there is pressure on women to keep quiet. A couple of years ago in the now famous case of the presumptive head of the IMF who assaulted a maid in a hotel room is a good example. Once that poor maid came forward, another woman stepped forward who was from a very wealthy, elite French family. Despite her being a highly educated woman from the highest levels of liberal Western society that woman had been advised similarly by her mother; to keep quiet. What rankles is the lack of anger or personal outrage at her daughter being violated and that too by someone the entire family had trusted. Ramin’s mother plays a pivotal part in the story so perhaps a better actress might have helped.
When forced to, Sajal can actually act. Her desperation and panic in the car , her visions of Numair all made this episode worth watching . Azar and Sajal share some great chemistry and work well on screen.
For me the highlight of the episode was the other couple with great chemistry; Numair and his friend Shiraz played by Yasir Nawaz himself. Like all criminals, Numair feels an almost pathological need to boast about his exploits. By now it is apparent that Numair is very good at manipulating people and even manages to convince Shiraz that Ramin “ asked for it “, that she somehow enticed or seduced him . Despite knowing his friend’s nature Shiraz believes him but when Numair suggests he might (for want of a better word) “share” Ramin with Azar it is too much even for him. I think this will become relevant later. So often in cases of assault the victim’s character is questioned before the perpetrators. As I said in an earlier review it is easy enough to understand who is guilty on screen but in real life lines are blurred, perceptions are easily created and altered and we believe what is easiest for us to comprehend. I hope it is not the last time we see Shiraz. Meanwhile Jibran Syed is playing this role with great skill and really is the pillar of this serial. Overall a much better episode, now tell us what you think …
Sorry the review is late …will try to be quicker next time .
written by SADAF
