Just finished watching the latest episode of Nikhar Gaye Gulab Sare, and I have to say I am surprised at myself for still being so into this soap. As a rule, I tend to stay away from these long drawn out sagas, but something about this one has really caught my eye, and I have been hooked ever since it began. There is something about the story, the characterizations, the storytelling, the pacing, the suspense, and the clever twists that come at just the right time. Just as one issue gets barely resolved, another one arises to take its place. In short, even as I laugh at the predictability, the cheeziness, and the clichés, I still look forward to my daily dose of the looney toony Malik family; excellent job by Nadia Akhtar, Asim Ali and the cast and crew of NGGS.
Continuing on from my last review, Mehreena is now the youngest bahu of the Malik family. As expected, she did indeed turn out to be a long lost member of this clan, the unacknowledged daughter of a now deceased son. Given the circumstances under which Mehreena’s mother Yasmin was kicked out of the haveli, it is no surprise to see her holding a grudge against her former in-laws. While I understand her desire for revenge, I cannot fathom a mother using her daughter as a pawn in order to achieve her goal. Regardless, though the kidnapping scenario, the heavy duty dialogues about khandani izzat, naam , haq, badla, the negotiations for the haveli, while the baraatis waited outside, and Saud pulling out a gun threatening suicide, were very OTT to say the least, there was something about the sincerity with they were presented, that even though I was laughing, I couldn’t fast forward even a second – fabulously done!
Just because she’s now their bahu, doesn’t mean the family accepts Mehreena as one of their own; there is plenty of resentment over the way Yasmin blackmailed Amma into signing away the haveli. The latest episode featured an almost walkout by the hen-pecked Saud and his wife, all over a patently fake looking suche motiyon ka khandaani haar. But, thanks to Sahir’s intervention the potentially contentious matter was calmly resolved. However, it doesn’t seem like Mehreena is anywhere near done with her revenge. I look forward to seeing how she plans on going about claiming her rightful position as a daughter of the family. I don’t think her present harkats are endearing her to anybody as yet. Also wonder how long will it be before Saud takes off his blinders and sees through Mehreena?
Saud is not the only person blindly in love, Sahir, the older brother, is equally enamored of the mysterious Zarlala. We are slowly finding out more details about her past. Turns out her not-so-dead husband is none other than Durab’s evil henchman. I have to say Zarlala’s track is one that I still am not feeling. I don’t know what her qualifications are, but I love the way both Durab and Sahir are so willing to pay huge amounts of money to get her to work for them. Given her stupidity, I think this woman deserves every single problem that comes her way. Even after being obliquely warned by the neighborhood gossip, she still went on her driving expedition with Siddiqui Sahab. As if that harrowing experience was not enough, she now has Sahir visiting her on a regular basis, and the latest person to knock on her door – the shadiest looking man in the world, her OMG-he’s-alive husband (a great cameo by Asim Ali). I wouldn’t be surprised if she is kicked out of the neighborhood one of these days.
Sheheryal, Saud and Sahir’s sister, has her own set of problems with her lecherous fiancé Durab – whether she will end up going through with the nikaah remains to be seen. Though she’s kinda sorta agreed to this marriage, she is clearly interested in Sikander. Sikander on the other hand is busy plotting his revenge against Saima, who is implicated by her maid in Kausar’s murder. Well, seems like Sikander’s revenge might now have to take a back seat now that Saima’s MIA husband Fahad is returning from Germany – can’t wait to find out what he was doing there for so long and why he abandoned Saima. So yes, plenty still to look forward to in the coming weeks!
Just penning down this barebones outline has given me a headache. I don’t know how Nadia Akhtar kept the who’s who straight in her head. When I watch I know what’s going on, but to put it all down on paper and explain who is paired up with whom, who loves whom, who hates whom, who is related to whom, who abandoned whom where and who’s really died and who’s just being thought of as dead – phew!! Kudos to you, Nadia, for keeping an extremely complicated story very straight, making it seem almost effortless. Along with her, director Asim Ali deserves applause for the fluency with which he has translated this story on to the screen. The actors are doing a great job. Amongst them, Shamoon Abbasi, Imran Aslam, Faisal Rehman, Sabreen Hisbani, Mawra, Shazia Afgan are the standouts for me. The production values are excellent and I appreciate the overall slick look and feel of this mega-serial that is masquerading as a soap.
So yes, go ahead call me a sucker, but I for one am an unabashed follower. As I sign off, I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the story remains on an even keel and does not disappoint. Looking forward to more thrills. Keep ‘em coming NGGS!
Written by SZ~ [email protected]
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