Is it just me or was this an actually enjoyable episode?
Approximately 60% of this episode was Nabeel – Mikaal focused so yay! At least we got half of the dream team. As for Ms Dreamy stares, what can one say that hasn’t already been said? And when I say enjoyable, I mean after I had literally edited her out in my head.
Despite his family’s biased intentions, our Nabeel has a mind and heart of his own which he is following to adorable effect. Mikaal, despite those truly oddly striped shirts, had a sparkle in his eyes and nails the cute comical scenes and is more and more amused as Romiasa gets uncomfortable. Or let’s say tries to be uncomfortable since Sanam Jung seems contractually obligated to give us just the one blank expression to everything. Case in point:
“Mujhe laga ki appa kahain gi ek number ke lafange hai.” Ideal reaction: Embarrassment! Cut to Sanam: Zilch. Boss polishing off her karela roti. Ideal reaction: Incredulousness, nervousness and maybe even longing for her lunchbox! Cut to Sanam: Nada. Nabeel inviting her to lunch again. Ideal reaction: Horror! Cut to Sanam: Nothing.
What could have been really adorable scenes with Romaisa’s ideas of her boss (quite justified really), and his attempts at bringing her out of her shell, were squashed by her total nothing-ness! Was the director napping? You would think that someone with the benefit of being an actor-director would have an easier time of getting a performance from her cast or maybe even some varied expressions (and in lieu of that get the editor on board to snip, snip, snip) but alas it is not to be.
Even the scene with Nabeel informing his parents was so, so dull. Every one of them – parents and Mikaal included was mind-numbingly monotonous. You would think that they would have more of a reaction to this clearly status-quo shaking moment. Some emotional blackmail, tears, horror or even if you aren’t cut out for what is likely to be the most melodramatic moment in a single desis and his/her parents life, some clear cut disappointment and sharp barbs.
Sigh, I was even prepared for Umera Ahmed’s stereotyping soliloquies, but not such insipid fare. Even all the sibling machinations where you thought swords would be drawn, (can you tell I am watching too much Bollywood these days?) seemed so boring!
Mikaal Zulfikar is a director’s actor and he can really deliver when well directed. He did however hold his own in the comical scenes despite an un-emotive co-star. His character Nabeel however, isn’t that endearing. Chronic enabler, extravagant spender, borderline harasser with dubious work practices, a flirt leading women on – can you imagine the grief and moral phenyl wringing this character would have had to endure if she were a woman?
The only bearable character, once again hitting all the right over the top notes and despite her covetous cravings is Alia. Mansha Pasha, take a bow, you are remarkable and as Nabeel rightly notes, “App ko kon bhool sakta hai?”
MM (aka A musing Muslim)
