These two episodes were well paced and had quite a few interesting developments to their credit. Even after watching these four episodes, I have not been able to connect to the characters completely. The only time I truly felt sorry for Shehryaar was when Raania tells him that she was going to England and was going to get married to her cousin. After watching the first two episodes I felt like Shehryaar wasn’t emotionally involved with Raania but these two episodes proved me wrong. Bia and Shehryaar’s loving relationship has somehow not moved me at all till now.
Episode 3 focused on Paras while the 4th episode mainly showed how Shehryaar’s story was progressing. It would have been nicer if we the director could have given equal screen time to both the tracks in each episode. The taya proposes that Najma should get married to him soon after his brother passes away; the argument he gave in favor of the notion was very flawed. It looked more like he was taking advantage of the situation. Sarmad is just like his father only less authoritative. Sarmad and his father’s ultimate goal is to change Paras and Sara’s ways. I must say that Sara Khan’s acting has improved considerably. Javed Sheikh’s acting is superb but these molvi characters have been done to death. The whole idea started with Mi Raqsam and ever since that we have seen so many molvis who love to judge others but are flawed themselves in so many ways. I am not arguing with the fact that many people who are very religious usually are very judgmental of others and are most often more interested in who is going to go to Jaanat or Jahanum than with their own conduct.
Raania’s father’s character is another extreme and Mohsin Gillani’s acting makes the character even more filmy. He appears to be more of a jealous husband than a father!
I am so glad that Raania is out of the play, firstly because Mehak Ali’s acting was not at all impressive and secondly because I am impatiently waiting to find out how Paras and Sheryaar end up together.
Bia like always was there to direct Paras in the right direction. Her conversation with Paras about choti and bari larayen was very meaningful. Bia plays the mentor in Paras’ life and Paras does the same for her sister. Paras’ character is very likeable; she is focused and considerate. She took a stand for her mother when her taya proposed to her and is always very considerate towards her sister too.
The feel of the play remained depressing, the ever present sad background score just added to the “forced” sadness. It almost seemed like the director and the sound editor tried extra hard to make the viewers feel for the characters! Until now, Ek Kasak Reh Gayee has been strictly okay. I am definitely not sold just yet but nevertheless will be following it just to find out how the Shehryaar/Paras track unfolds in the upcoming episodes.
Fatima Awan
