First of all, let me just say that I miss Tariq Road and its chat even more after watching today’s episode!! Alright, now to the actual episode; so last week I deliberately did not write about the ending of the episode where Saaniya is listening to Zara’s Cd. I thought it was extremely personal between two sisters (yes I realize this is fiction, but still). But since Saaniya’s change of behavior in this episode is due to what Zara says I have to write about it.
Episode 3 was on the lighter side…not as intensely emotional as the first two episodes and more on the humor side. It was actually quite chilling though, to hear Zara tell Saaniya over a CD that she will not listen to this in a room all alone and locked up, but rather in an open atmosphere in the car. Gives the audience another glance into how in sync the sisters actually are even though they haven’t spoken to each other in 10 years. However I’m thoroughly confused and I’m hoping these questions will be answered in the remaining episodes (in fact I’m sure they will). Why was Zara so confused? Why, with a husband and 2 daughters, did she feel lonely and lost? And what’s with the lack of communication in this world of email, skype, and international texts? Zara is wondering why Saaniya didn’t call or email, Saaniya doesn’t hear from her sister so assumes she has made some sort of a decision and doesn’t even question it. And if that is how Saaniya felt, then why blame Zain for everything? And why didn’t Aani contact Zara? I really wish I could be in the writer’s head right now or in that locked drawer where the script it so these questions could be answered. Khaire, Zara’s plea to Saaniya to not isolate herself from Serena and Zeeniya ever was very touching. How she says that she had strived to make her daughters the younger versions of Zara and Saaniya is also evident in both of their behaviors. I have seen many comments from people saying how they miss Zara and I’m wondering why? Zara is everywhere in the story. I honestly don’t feel like Zara is not there, especially after this CD. Syed Mohammad Ahmed successfully passed the task of making sure Zara was felt. Even though she couldn’t be physically seen, her presence is felt everywhere. Here Marina Khan’s acting should be mentioned again. This lady is just amazing. Her expressions, her emotions, one can actually feel them. Her character has been put in the most difficult situation one can imagine. She has lost everything (her sister), yet gained everything (her nieces) at the same time and must make this extremely delicate transition in a matter of minutes and she does!! When she goes back and apologizes to the sisters. I’m truly baffled by how she acted and directed so superbly and that too simultaneously! This scene was fabulously written, shot, acted, and directed!
We move on to Zain asking Aani for permission to go back. Here the respect that is given to elders must also be mentioned. You don’t see this anymore. Who asks their late wife’s aunt for permission to go back and actually listens to what she has to say? His own daughter threatens to call the US embassy if she is kept here against her will. I feel like this respect too is phasing out in Pakistan. I’m really glad this was shown and I hope writers continue to incorporate our traditional values into our plays. It is extremely important, so Thank You Sir!! Ok, back to the scene. The lines spoken by Aani “dekho Zain, jana jitna asaan hota hai, waapis aana utna hi mushkil hota hai. Khoe hue maqam ko haasil karna bohut mushkil hota hai; aur agar rishton mein daraarein per jaen to faasle barh jate hain, aur rishte mit bhi sakte hain.” These words seem easy to say, but I guarantee that many people watching will be able to relate to these words in one way or another. These lines, in my opinion, are the most important lines in today’s episode because he listens to her and decides against going back. Here let’s talk about the scene between Zain and Faraan Uncle. We find out just a little bit more about what might have happened to him when Zain asks for advice setting up his business here. Faraan Uncle gets really angry with him knowing that Zain knew what happened to him and is still bringing this up. For some reason I feel like he thinks Zain is putting salt on old (and clearly still hurtful) wounds. He doesn’t believe him when told that the reason he is asking is because that particular episode in his life has probably given him more experience. Perhaps Faraan Uncle’s business partner betrayed him by doing some illegal activities and blaming all of them on him? Qazi Wajid is always performs brilliantly in his ‘old and frustrated’ Faraan character, yet he also seems to have a soft spot for the girls. Asif Raza Mir’s chemistry is intact with the entire team. Even when he is slightly scolding Saaniya and telling her she is no longer a child ‘ke katti ker ke baith jae.” He tells her to grow up and face the issues (although in fairness, he too was just given that same lecture by Aani, albeit in a different manner).
On to the girls, Serena and Zeenia. I think both of the girls are performing great. They really do remind the audience of Zara and Saaniya from the original Tanhaiyan. I do feel like though that Serena’s character is over compensating for something…maybe for Zeenia’s lack of excitement to be in Khi, I don’t know. Or perhaps that is how her character is written…of an over energetic and bubbly girl. I don’t know and I haven’t been able to make up my mind yet. For instance, take the scene where she s speaking to the ‘Seen, sheen ka pahara” at the end when we are introduced to Shehroz Sabzwari, might have been a little too much. Also before that when she goes to the youth center and tells these completely random people (thank you for bringing Mona (Salma Hasan) back waise J) to throw away all the chooriyan except for 2 pairs. Who does that to a complete stranger? She is also clearly inspired by her clothes and payal and everything about Mona and they end up going shopping right away. It is conceivable and inconceivable at the same time. Oh and like I said in my very first line, I miss Tariq Road and its chat (especially Zafar cold corner) and the shopping. As someone living abroad who already missed the above, now I really want to take the first flight out. Thank You for incorporating my favorite shopping center in this episodeJ. Anyways, back to Serena’s character…so yes, I’m waiting to see how she really plays out in the next episodes. Zeenia on the other hand is very straight forward. We don’t know what her issue is with her father, but her character is as is. Both of the sisters have performed very admirable and I think the fact that they are sisters in reality absolutely helps in their acting. They really don’t have to act and you can see that on screen with the way they interact with each other.
Dudana Butt’s character speaks for herself. It feels like she’s continued to be ‘Bib’ for the last 26 years without a break. I love Chandni’s character more and more with each episode. Kaif Ghazanvi and Salma Hasan are great additions to the serial. They are both very natural and Chandni’s chemistry with the household is in complete sync. Also she has been given great lines like ‘seen sheen ka pahar’ at the endJ…which is where enters Shehroz Sabzwari. Fantastic entrance!!! He really is Qabachca’s son. The episode ends with a visibly happy Saaniya when she sees Qabacha. Another thing about this serial is that cliff hangers are really really great. I was wondering how he would be introduced and I knew it wasn’t going to be some ‘normal’ way so really happy to see he enters with the clash of the cars.
All in all, again, fabulously written, acted, directed and edited. Can’t wait for the next episode. Till next time…:)
Written by Sheeba Khan
