Thirty two episodes in and Nikhar Gaye Gulab Sare is still going strong. I look forward to my daily dose of this soap as routinely as I do my daily newspaper. With a story that is spread over a vast canvas and numerous intertwined but well-defined tracks there is enough masala here to ensure interest does not lag. Writer Nadia Akhtar and director Asim Ali are doing an excellent job in maintaining a tight grip on the narrative and sustaining the fast pace. The technical facilities are top notch and the acting, with a few exceptions, is very good. In short, I continue to be intrigued by all the going-ons in this family saga, replete as it is with equal measures of romance, hate, lust, greed, murder, kidnapping, revenge, corruption – you name it and it’s there.
The main track of the story has revolved around Malik Firozedin’s children and their families, in the village and in the city. Malik Durab, Firozedin’s grandson, a village feudal and resident baddie, is engaged to his lovely cousin doctor Sheheryal, an idealist who is not too keen on making a match of it with her debauched cousin. Thus their proposed marriage date is pushed forward by a few months. Apart from being a lecher, Durab is corrupt to the core, and is engaged in a full-on business rivalry with Sahir, Sheheryal’s older brother, and also implicated in the murder of Sahir’s lawyer.
Also in the village is Sikander, the unacknowledged son of Firozedin’s daughter, who has been raised by a family maid and looks upon her daughter, Kausar, as his sister. With his own brand of charm, Sikander seems to have attracted the attention of the ladies in and around the haveli. Another intriguing character in the haveli is that of Saima, abandoned by her husband. There is an air of mystery around his whereabouts. MIA though her husband might be, the frustrated Saima is certainly not sitting around twiddling her thumbs; her nefarious plans caused a lot of chaos, leading to Kausar’s untimely death. After this tragedy, Sikander has brought his heartbroken foster mother to the city and entrusted Sheheryal with her care, while he has sworn to avenge Kausar’s murder.
Kausar’s exit has paved the way for the entry of Mehreena Malik, a girl Saud, Sheheryal’s younger brother is interested in. Mehreena is a girl with a lot of serious issues with men. From her mother, Yasmin’s suspicious attitude it is clear that there are a boatload of past grievances waiting to be aired out in future episodes. For the time being Saud’s family has agreed to take his rishta to Mehreena’s house. Waiting to see how Saud’s family deals with the rejection that is bound to happen.
Another story working in tandem is that of Zarlala, whose past still remains murky. After several twists she has ended up working in Durab’s office and caught his eye. Meanwhile she has also attracted Sahir’s attention, and the two cousins are almost certainly going to come to blows over their professional and personal rivalry. Given that the “official” synopsis provided by HUM TV describes Zarlala as the pivot around whom the story revolves, it is surprising that out of all others, this is the one track that has completely failed to attract attention. A huge part of this failure must be attributed to the actress Sana Ismail. She has completely failed at evoking any sympathy; watching her fully made-up expressionless face I can only laugh whenever Zarlala is supposed to be worried about her future. Hers is the only part of the story I fast forward routinely.
Another actor who is failing to impress is Hassan Niazi, not due to lack of acting skills, but because of his mature appearance. He does not look like a college student by any stretch of the imagination and neither does he look like Sheheryal’s younger brother. I wish they had cast the net a bit further while looking for an actor to play Saud. Apart from these two incongruities, the rest of the actors are doing a great job. Imran Aslam, Mawra, Shamoon Abbasi, Sabreen Hisbani, and Faisal Rehman, are all doing justice to their parts. Shazia Afgan’s track has just begun, but she has me intrigued.
So yes, so far Nikhar Gaye Gulab Sare has definitely not disappointed. I only hope that the story continues on this even pace and resists the temptation to stretch like a rubber band. I have tons of questions that I look forward to getting answered in a timely manner.
Written by SZ~ [email protected]
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