Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Wah! What an episode! By far the best one so far, and that’s saying a lot!! Excellent direction, superb acting, beautifully framed shots, hard hitting dialogues, spot-on editing, great use of the OST – in short, everything gelled together, and how!!!
Today’s episode covered only about the span of a day or so, but so much happened that it was difficult to move away from the screen for even a minute. Hareem’s surgery was indeed successful and she is now recuperating. Batool Khala came to visit and we heard Khirad re-confirming her plans to leave Hareem with Ashar. Fareeda’s neurosis continues unabated. Cornered by an angry Khizar threatening to spill the beans, she attempts to placate him with empty promises. Sarah, on the other end, now totally heart-broken, is finding it very hard to conceive of a life where there is not even the faintest glimmer of hope of ever getting Ashar. As Sarah’s mother, Zareena is at complete loss as to how to help her daughter gather her shattered dreams and move on. Standing out among all these threads was the central story of Ashar trying to come to terms with his re-kindled feelings for Khirad. Finally, he sat down and had a long overdue conversation with himself about how/where things had started to unravel between him and Khirad. Unlike the last time, the sight of Khizar in his house, and the story concocted by an unfazed Fareeda, does not blind him to such extent that he cuts off all communication with Khirad. Instead, even after that, he opens up to Khirad, confessing his willingness to move on and build a new life with her. Khirad, on the other hand, refuses to even entertain the thought of reconciliation, and continues to remain adamant about leaving after Hareem recovers. I was struck by the similarity in her present attitude to that of Ashar’s obdurate stance four years ago, when he had refused to heed any of Khirad’s pleas.
For me, this episode was sheer brilliance in terms of Fawad’s acting. His voiceover was powerfully delivered. Every word was dripping with emotion. His confession to Khirad was outstanding. Mahira was strictly ok. She has improved a lot, but still her dialogue delivery remains flat. Generally she is fine but pales in scenes with Fawad. My heart broke for Naveen Waqar as she lamented for her unrequited love. Hina Bayat was fantastic as the mother who can only look on helplessly as her daughter makes a complete mess of her life. Atiqa Odho was great as the absolutely whacko mother, one who just refuses to give up. It’s all about her ego.
Excellent as everybody was, the real superstar today was Sarmad Khoosat. I don’t think Farhat Ishtiaq’s fantastic story would’ve shaped up the way it has, if it weren’t for Sarmad. Farhat’s done a great job of adapting and extending her story, but it is Sarmad’s keen insight and his even-handed handling of all the characters that makes this drama exceptional. To make an audience empathize and sympathize with each character is a difficult task, but in highlighting the grey shades of every character he has managed to do just that. Today, I felt Sarah’s pain, shared Zareena’s helplessness, cried with Ashar, and understood Khirad’s need to stand up for her dignity. Atiqa’s is the only character that is more black than grey, so, Aunty Fareeda, sorry no sympathy for you!!
And, after watching the dhamakedaar pre-cap for episode 22, can’t wait for next Saturday. Intizar shuroo….
Written by S Z~
