Since, I’m all caught up with the last three episodes, I can work my way back in this review. Like Sadqay Tumhare, I’ll break two episodes in one and a separate review for the latest instalment. Now that the organizational formalities are over, let’s get to the topic at hand.
What just happened?
I was originally a little more than peeved at these two episodes till I saw Maa-jee dying and Payman running to Karachi, thus, realizing that episodes eleven and twelve weren’t really that bad. There was enough food for thought here, the progression was fairly decent, and the story was still on a track (whatever that track might be) till the pattari went haywire in episode thirteen (I’ll get to it shortly).
There are many things about that I like about Firaaq. I think it’s well-cast, in fact, it is amongst the best casting I’ve seen this year, truly. The acting emanates from the cast and clearly that’s not a problem either. There’s crisp camerawork with beautiful shots of Panama City, it seems, the cinematographer has utilized his location as a silent backdrop for the series. The background score is smooth and generally pleasing. Yet, there’s something off and this time around I’ll tell you what’s off.
Firaaq, I believe, is trying too hard. It seems like the director and producer have found a winning combination, a formula of sorts, that they think they can apply to any given story and it’ll be a win-win situation. Alas, if that were the case, then, Mohabbat Shubha Ka Sitara would have been a hit, Mausam would have been a hit, and wait for it, Ahista Ahista would have been a super-duper, groundbreaking series. In actuality, none of these series left a mark let alone break any ground, wohi same ghissi-pitti kahaniyan, shohar, shaadi, talaq, mazloomiyat. So, it begs to be asked what formula are we talking about anyways?
Clearly what works for one drama series won’t work for another. I had serious reservations about the authenticity of certain things shown in Dastaan (and perhaps I’ll come to this series in time), yet, I still enjoyed the drama, and what “winning” formula it had cannot be replicated for any other drama. Similarly, Durr-e-Shawar, Humsafar, Kankar, and Zindagi Gulzar Hai had their own ups and downs, they cannot be repeated. Why won’t the head honchos at HUM TV get this once in for all? Do you even have a creative head? And if you do, please mujhe unki qualifications baatayein Actually rehnay dain, kisi expensive sounding MBA ki degree say kuch nahi hota. Nazar aur kuch haad tak tajurbay ko koi maat nahi kar sakta.
Barhal coming back to Firaaq, lagata hai Maa-jee ki surkh lal joday ki khawish unki doono bacchiyon par puri uttareen. Apni beti ko to shaadi ka jooda pohoncha diya tha ab apni bahu ko bhi wohi joda pehna diya hai. Aabis Raza’s choice of opening the episode with Shams, Maa-jee, and Sara was an excellent decision, as seeing all three happy faces really went a long way! Cybil might not be perfect but she brings such a genuine feel to Sara that I think none of the other actors have been able to bring to their characters. As Sara laughed her way out of the ghoonghat making Shams smirk was a beautifully scripted moment and equally well-shot. Now, don’t get me wrong, everyone is good but Cybil really works well with her co-stars. Plus, her wardrobe is perhaps the most understated, so much so that no matter what she wears she carries it off with panache. I still wish she would have stuck to English, if she isn’t comfortable with Urdu. I also wish she would have pushed herself just a bit, if only to shut the naysayers up! Junaid’s Shams is always the picture of manly resolve and well done too. I guess someone has to make up for the masculine quotient in the series.
With Shams and Sara back together things are looking fine for Maa-jee and Haider as well. Good news is just around the corner, Tabassum is going to be a Dadi and Haider a Dada. Yet again, Uzma Gillani and Syed Mazhar up the game a few notches, but that’s old news and rather obvious by this juncture.
The remainder of the episode was devoted to Imroze and his beemari, whether that sickness is shuk or cancer, I wouldn’t know. As much as I want to feel for Payman, all I can do is roll my eyes. Sorry, sweety, trying too hard. Get it?! Imroze’s birthday and that lovely cake with Rumi and Payman flanking him – what did you achieve, I wonder. Truth be told at times I think Imroze and Rumi are misali best friends ’cause no man would run away from his wife like Imroze does and to top it off hand the baton to his friend, then again, truth is stranger than fiction! What is this Kal Ho Na Ho? Momina Duraid bibi, we’re tired of Bollywood cliches, which is why we watch PAKISTANI dramas, please keep it real, na. Akhir hooni ko koi nahi tal skata and as Imroze confesses his predicament and plan of action, the scene’s set for his rather memorable exit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNXgCbLIQE0
What next? More roona-dhoona, what else.
Come next morning Payman wakes up unaware of what is in store for her. And no amount of running out will change the fact that you’ve been dumped. Again, a sequence that was supposed to powerful, dramatic, and full of emotion felt like pandering to the audience. Dialogues, acting, movement, background score everything signalled to a heightened sense of emotion for the audience, yet, Sanam Saeed’s outburst, Uzma Gillani’s anger, Noor Hassan’s clam but guilty demeanour didn’t elicit a single response from me. This was where I knew this was a road downhill.
I will say that the dialogues were well-written, too bad they couldn’t convey what they were meant to.
No sooner is Imroze out of the picture everyone wants Rumi to be the next damaat. Again, is there a saving grace for Firaaq. I started with themes – confrontation, moments, relationships, ruptures, anger, freedom, and reconciliation – so it seems fitting to end with another. Lekin shayad mein khud nahi janata ki ab mein kya kahoon? Had I reviewed this episode a week back, I would have prayed for salvaging what is left, alas, having seen what comes next I can’t even end with that. Chalain, shayad humara safar yahin tak likha tha.
Umeed karta hoon Firaaq hum sab ki umeedon par pura utaray ga.
Tab tak kay liye.
Khuda Hafiz
RB (Tweet me!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAUqeGFqIGA
