“Mein tum se nafrat karney mein Haar gaya hoon”

This had to be one of the most heart wrenching episodes of Humsafar, I blame the entire team but mostly Sarmad Khoosat. People ask why I like certain directors and I ask them to watch this episode and then talk to me. This kind of episode requires control; control to keep the pathos without slipping into melodrama. The beautiful use of the OST, Mahirah,Fawad,Naveen and Atiqa’s acting hit every note at just the perfect pitch .Many times we forget to praise the producers of a serial ,let me correct myself here :producers such as Momina Duraid who have the rare ability to combine artistic vision and commercial viability are the ones which have raised Pakistani dramas to the level of success they are enjoying now. Otherwise we would all be drowning in the current sea of banality and TRPs , such daring , creative people are keeping excellence afloat.

Asher and Khirad are shown in perfect harmony in their anxiety and fears for their child. The scene where Asher finally lets go of any lingering resentment or anger he had towards Khirad is so wonderfully done. His hesitance to touch her and final acceptance that not to, is impossible for him brought a collective sigh of relief from the entire viewing audience..challo shukr hai we all said ..It can only get better from here. 

Khirad breaks down several times in Asher’s presence but as soon as she realizes Hareem is out of danger her guard goes up again. Asher however has burnt his bridges, like most men he makes a decision moves forward .The scene of Khirad falling asleep while Asher tries to make sense of his feelings, his admission that basically he still cares for her drove me insane at the time! It was as if the whole resolution had been snatched away by an evil fairy, or a trick had been played on us viewers to prolong the show. Now however I think it was necessary. The way Khirad turned her back reminded me of all those times Asher had turned his back on Khirad when she had wanted to talk to him .What a good lesson for Asher. Despite seeing Khirad’s character was just as honest and straightforward as he had originally thought it never occurs to him to question what happened to split them apart.

Much as I loved Asher and Khirad’s scenes I have to say one of my all-time favorites has to be the Asher’s apology to Sara in the beginning of the episode. Fawad as the desperate father and Naveen the desperate lover, blew me away with their performances .I felt so much pity for Sara not least because understanding anyone’s pain, even Asher’s, seemed beyond her. She could barely stand the sight of him by the end of their conversation and look in Asher’s eyes as she refused to forgive him showed that he finally recognized her true nature. Meanwhile Farida’s plan is falling apart but she is nothing if not persistent, failure is just not an option. I found Farida’s character beyond the usual villainy in our dramas. There seemed to be a touch of almost clinical psychopathy about her, the inability to empathise , the single minded confidence in her own judgment and the sense of self entitlement that even poor Sara could not match. 

written by Sadaf