There’s just something about Durre Shehwar that takes me to an altogether different experiential plane – kinda hard to explain, but it’s where I don’t really want to talk to anybody, not do anything, just sit with my thoughts and reflect – reflect on the mundane, the everyday, the inconsequential, things we do, words we say, which on their own may mean nothing, but which when all put together take on a whole different meaning, a life of their own. This episode gave us a peek into Shandana’s troubled marriage, where all those random little things and words had now snowballed, and were threatening to destroy her relationship with her once beloved husband, Haider.
Today, the story revolved around Shandana as she continued reflecting on her marital issues. Her fretting in turn reminded Durre Shehwar of her own marriage and its early problems. It was fascinating to see Mansoor getting so upset about Shandana’s marital issues, still not having joined the dots and seen the similarities in Haider’s and his behavior, as to how they make their wives feel neglected. Meanwhile, back in Lahore, Haider was also doing some thinking of his own, missing his daughter and wife (not prepared to admit to that one though), but still not willing to take the first step towards a possible reconciliation. Sophee meanwhile is caught in the middle; her feuding parents so involved in their own egoistic games, manipulating her for information about each other, that they cannot see the harm they are inflicting on this precious child.
This was yet another bang-on episode from Haissam Hussain & Co. The interpolation of the past and present was beautifully done. The editors deserve applause for their brilliant job here. The haze that covers the scenes from Durre Shehwar’s youth is an inspired touch, giving the phrase “maazi ki dhundli yaadein” a whole new cinematic meaning. The camera work was superb, the fall colors were beautifully captured. Each scene was beautifully framed and shot. As a viewer I’m in hog heaven as I watch Shahzad Kashmiri’s excellent camerawork in Mata-e Jaan on Friday and Illyas Kashmiri (brothers?) and his fantabulous work on Saturday – wow!
In terms of acting, this was Nadia Jamil’s episode to own – and own it she did. She was superb as the anxed out Shandana, torn apart by her feelings. The way she was angry with Haider but still waited for his calls was very well done. I felt for Shandana when the twit (a fun cameo by Sundus Jamil) totally upset her by saying she looked older than her age – as it is she was already messed up in her head and then this – talk about driving somebody round the bend! Clearly, random people need to take a hike. Apart from Nadia, Sophia Syed was fabulous. It’s now official, I totally love this child! She was good in all her scenes, but stole the show when she talked to her father on the phone while half asleep. Samina Pirzada and Qavi Khan were their usual immaculate selves and again they must be credited for the way they add realism to their characters, with their measured steps, slower speech, and a gentler demeanor.
Overall, I’m really enjoying the mellow pace and the gentle turning over of the pages in Shandana and Durre Shehwar’s lives. Looking forward to next Saturday!
Written by SZ~ [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter: SZ_DramaPakistani (@sz_dp)
