Has anyone heard of the unfortunate woman who got on a flight for Canada from Europe and woke up ten hours later, totally refreshed but in China? After watching this week’s episode I know exactly how that poor woman felt.
Most of the episode today was a little ho hum; as usual the promos had left nothing to the imagination. In fact one of the thorns in my shoe about this production is that the entire story seemed to have been given away in the initial promos rather than hints to intrigue the viewer. However this is a common complaint with many dramas and I thought , hey get over yourself .In the beginning we see a dejected but contemplative Falak lying on a her bed.The scene was very well done , no glamour, no makeup and no over dramatics just a person with defeat etched on her face. Downstairs Naani has come on a visit and is mulling over the situation with Falaks distraught mother. Meherunissa is still her old self and for some strange reason discusses applying for a Khulla for Falak. Nanni (surprise) warns against doing anything without Falak’s consent and as such things take time Mehrunissa says that of course that will be their first priority. Now I ask why, as Salman had so happily and recently offered to divorce Falak , when her Mother challenges him at the hospital after her daughter’s breakdown? I can understand Falak’s parents reaction but why exactly a Khulla, is that another symbol of their false pride? Perhaps they don’t want to be seen as the ones cast aside so they are trying to do the ‘casting’?
Falak has forgotten how to pray and does not even remember the relatively simple rituals of Wudu. When she visits Nanni’s house she is taught by one of her Nannis simple students, a humbling experience for one who has flown so high. Still she learns with humility and prays with her grandmother. She reads the Quraan at first haltingly and does not even remember that first lesson of so many Muslim children Surah Fatiha. I know this is meant to illustrate how secular her life has been so far, but didn’t we cover that already? As the episode progressed, I kept wanting to see Falak move on ,it seemed as if she was spinning in the same groove. Her Nanni advises her to return “home” as in to Salman. It’s still your home and you still have a relationship says Durreshehwar oops Naani. Falak listens and promises to consider the option despite what would be any woman’s deepest reservations in such a situation.
Till this point, although predictable the story made the sense we have grown accustomed to. Here was our pleasant flight to Canada, first class thanks to 7th Sky and Hum TV. We had the extra leg room, extra chocolates and a cozy sense of knowing our near future. Falak blames her mother,”aap ne mujhey namaz nahin seekaeey” you didn’t teach me how to pray or read the Quraan ,she accuses her Mother. In times of trouble most of us tend to blame those around us for our failures, its human nature. Agreed Meherunissa is at major fault, I cannot imagine how anyone let alone those living in a Muslim country could make such an omission. Her mother counters with, I didn’t want you turning into a “molviani”. Immediately my hackles are raised, if I pray, fast or fulfill the basic obligations of Islam does that make me a “molviani” . Why is that a bad word anyway? Bear with me we are still ostensibly headed to Canada. Poor Meherunissa then gets a double dose of guilt from Nanni,who tells her that while “Ilzaam nahin lagaa rahee” I am not blaming you BUT sometimes the actions of the parents result in bad consequences for the children. Now bechari Mehrunissa is sitting tortured on her stairwell contemplating her mistakes. “Ladies and Gentlemen we have reached China, remember to take all your belongings when you disembark.” Do bad things only happen to bad people? As Drama Buff pointed out in comment to one of SZ”s reviews, plenty of religious, “good” women go through difficulties and sad divorces without being as materialistic as Falak . I have seen simply dreadful people enjoying guilt free lives without once mentioning their Malik’s name except to curse someone. My mother has always taught me to pray for Allah’s mercy because he might test us as he has tested those who were better than us. The inference that had Falak been religious this would not have happened is standing like ten ton elephant in the room and I’m sorry I’m just not used to the smell.
Our own beloved Prophet (PBUH) has warned us about those who perform religious rituals to be seen of Men and if memory serves me right Qaid e Azam warned Gandhi Ji about the use of overt religious symbols. Much as I admire Umera Ahmed, I strongly disagree with the message these scenes give. Then is the opposite true, does eveyone who believes and worships in the prescribed formulas achieve perfect lives? Allah is thankfully a great deal more forgiving then human judgment I am sorely disappointed. It’s not that I wanted a mundane happy ending for Falak, but I was just expecting better. While a religious background might,nay will help you deal with and indeed overcome the difficulties of life it certainly is not going to protect you from the roller coaster that is kismet. While I understand the concept of personal responsibility, I don’t think that is the message being sent.
So our intrepid heroine follows the advice of Naani and goes to “her ” house because Salman hasn’t yet physically pulled her out by the hair so who knows he is probably waiting for her. …. I love Tabinda, or rather Nadia Afghan who seems to be poking fun at this highly charged self important couple of Salman and Falak . Humour aside ,here I am back on board with Umera Ahmed and that trip to Canada. This is the writing of Umera Ahmed I love.Where a women can face her greatest fears and difficulties with honor and dignity. Falak goes through her house looking at it through a stranger’s eye, when she reaches her room she sees the disgusting mess Tabinda has made the disarray of clothes and baubles and you can tell she wonders how Salman bears it. Well next week is the last episode and for some strange reason it feels like a showdown even though Salman does not seem to have changed at all. Tabinda very confidently calls him to come and send Falak away and from the promos it seems likely her confidence is warranted.
Written by Sadaf~
PS: Here’s my article on Shehr E Zaat that got published on Express Tribune
http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/14184/shehr-e-zaat-a-spiritual-romance/
