Kuzey Guney Episode 85 in High Quality 28th December 2013
Bari Aapa has been written by the same talented author who was behind unforgettable plays like Daastan, Vasl, Mera Saeein, Mastana Mahi, Mere Pass Pass, Khamoshiyan, Mera Naseeb and the list is never-ending. Samira Fazal, the writer of this play has always been one of my favorite authors because her plays are gripping and the storyline is always unpredictable. Her characters are very close to real life and therefore easy to identify with. The play has been directed by Saife Hassan and produced by Momina Duraid. Till now ten episodes of this play have gone on air and I will write an overview of all these episodes. I will start by giving the summary of what has happened till now and then share my opinion about the play.
Bari Aapa is the story of not just one person but many people of one family. Bari Aapa, Zubeida, played by Savera Nadeem is the eldest daughter of the family and has a very controlling and dominating nature. She has a brother Shakeel, Syed Jibran, who lives with his mother along with his wife Riffat, Madiha Rizvi. Zubeida cannot bear to see Shakeel being happy with his wife and tells him many times to divorce her. Riffat is also not at all fond of Bari Aapa and wants her to stop controlling their lives. The reason Zubeida thinks she has the right to tell Shakeel how to live his life is that she took care of him when he was little and helps the family financially too.
Firdous is Zubeida’s younger sister, who does not like her elder sister at all because she always ordered her around and the parents always gave her priority. Arjumand Rahim plays Firdous and I have never liked her more in any character. Now for the most interesting part, Firdous is married to the man Zubeida was once engaged to but didn’t get married to. Zubeida loved Ghazanffar, Waqas Khan, but her parents forced her to marry Farman, Nauman Ijaz, because of his social status. Even after being married to Farman for so many years, Zubeida never got over her first love. She does not give her husband any love or respect and still relies on Ghazanffar Emotionally. Farman is always very polite with his wife and even likes her very much.
Farman out of nowhere marries his best friend’s sister, Ayesha Khan, after his friend passes away and Zubeida finds out about it after three years. Farman’s second wife is much more younger than him and submissive. Farman’s daughter and wife are devastated after hearing the news and we will find out in the next episode what happens.
Does the story sound interesting, well that is because it is very engaging and keeps you hooked. All the actors have done complete justice to their characters and the direction is also very good. The pace of the play is excellent unlike most of the plays nowadays which only seem to be dragging. Sometimes Zubeida’s moral and ethics sermons just make you think that she is such a hypocrite but then other times she is so open about who she is. Farman on one hand is so passive and meek and on the other takes a very bold step by getting married for the second time. Firdous is justified in holding a grudge against his sister and there are times when I feel for her but she also does not seem like a very just person when she goes around talking ill about her sister. Ghazanffar is shown to be very graceful but at the same time he also lies with his wife from time to time. There is a good reason behind telling those lies but it only means that he is not Mr. Perfect either. Zubeida’s mother is very nice to her daughter when she is around but in the 8th episode when she comes to stay, her mother just wants her to go. So, she is another person who you are not sure whether you like or not.
Riffat leaves Shakeel in the last episode and leaves her son behind. She wants her husband to realize that there is no place for Bari Aapa in their life and he has to choose. Riffat being right or wrong is also debatable. Sometimes it seems like Riffat is too touchy and sensitive but at other times you think that she is right in taking a stand for herself.
In short, all these characters are like real human beings, like you and me and people around us. No one is evil and no one is too good to be true. There are times when you like them and feel sorry for them and there are times when you think that they deserve no sympathy. Nauman Ijaz, Savera Nadeem, Ayehsa Khan, Waqas Khan, Arjumand Rahim, Syed Jibran and Madiha Rizvi all have acted with precision. Whoever is responsible for the casting deserves special praise.
Bari Aapa is a play that should not be missed. If you are not watching this show, I recommend that you give it a try. Those of you who are watching it, I would like you people to share with us how you feel about the story and the different characters in the play. No one can guess where the story is headed and that is what I like about this play the most. It is so unpredictable you don’t know what the next episode will have in store. It is a play that should be cherished and treasured.
Ayesha Ahmed.