Imtiaz finally got arrested in this episode and this latest development was covered very convincingly. The medical report has been mentioned several times in the past episodes and was also mentioned quite a few times in this one which definitely helped in drawing attention of the viewers towards its importance. Malik was the one who played an important role in making Imtiaz the monster he is today and watching him taking his support away from him actually reminded me of many such things which we witness very often in reality too! Many prominent politicians rely on men like Imtiaz who do their dirty work for them without asking any questions but when these people get into trouble and their name is associated with that of important political personalities, the people concerned always react the way Malik reacted today. This basically proved that even people like Malik can be pressurized into taking drastic steps which they wouldn’t normally take. And all this happened because a victim chose to be a survivor! If Zebu did not come forward no one could have brought Imtiaz to justice.

Zebu’s reaction to her mother’s disapproval was also a good addition to this track. The meeting between Zebu and Sajo went to show that although Zebu had started looking at things completely differently Sajida was still convinced that at the end of the say Zebu was bound to “suffer” more than anyone else.

Illyas’ visit to Meeran’s house and her reaction clearly showed that she did not want Illyas back in her life. There was a time when she wanted to stay in touch and thought about him but it looks like things have changed in that department. Meeran’s explanation to Arsh and his reaction made for one of the best scenes of this episode. Arsh took what Meeran said to him very seriously and is now making sure that they don’t even talk about his feelings. Every time he meets Meeran, he is emotionally disconnected and talks to her only as a lawyer who wants the best for his client. I am still having a very difficult time relating to the minimal change in Meeran’s accent and personality. She has still not been able to completely move on with life. 7 years is a very long time especially when your life completely takes a U-turn and you are meeting new people every day.

Farhan Saeed, Ahsan Khan and Bushra Ansari have given the most outstanding performances in this drama. Farhan Saeed and Ahsan Khan in particular have been very impressive throughout. Bushra Ansari’s faultless performance does not come as a surprise because she always performs well. Meeran’s presence in the court in the next episode will prove to be another development which will show a woman standing not only for herself but most importantly for someone else without thinking about what people will say about her. Meeran’s character is very likeable but it would have been easier to connect to her character if there was more personality and character growth by this time.

Right now more than anything else, I am looking forward to Zebu’s udaari – watching Zebu put all this behind her and making the most of her potentials. Also, a change in Sajida’s thinking and attitude is much needed.

Apart from showing how a victim’s strength can change the whole scenario this drama also shows how people who are affluent can help those who are less fortunate. If it wasn’t for Munira and Arsh Zebu wouldn’t have come this far. It goes to show that when people decide to help each other selflessly then they can achieve anything at all. (phentermine375.net) Watching Imtiaz regret his decision to take Sajida to court and Zebu’s firm belief that she was on the right track were few of the best moments of this episode.

Udaari is a play filled with positive messages, we definitely need more such dramas. There are plenty of plays which the viewers tune into solely for entertainment but there are hardly any which are there to serve a bigger purpose. The writer Farhat Ishtiaq has penned down the script of Udaari very intelligently without sensationalizing an issue which is unfortunately very often mishandled by our writers. The director Mohammad Ehteshamuddin has extracted some amazing performances from the cast with a very few exceptions.

How many of you watched this recent episode? Please share your thoughts about it.

This episode once again focused on the lack of any positive developments in Sajida’s case because so far no one is willing to share the truth with Arsh. Arsh’s commitment to this case, the faith he has in himself and his relationship with Meeran was also covered in this episode. For now Arsh is standing out more than any other character in this play. Ahsan Khan has already established himself as an actor who continues to grow and impress. In the previous episode and also in this one Farhan Saeed’s acting was truly impressive. This is the first time I am watching him act and I must say he is a natural. This drama has some incredible performances to its credit but the pace of the drama has slowed down for now. Most of us were expecting this drama to be more about Zebu; her growth as an individual and the story of a survivor but that is not the case. However, the positive aspect of the latest developments is that for the first time we are watching a case like this go to court and the viewers are definitely learning that staying silent in such situations can be suicidal. Arsh knows that Zebu has something to do with this case but his hands are tied. Also, showing Imtiaz making the most of this situation because Sajida will never tell the truth in court goes to show who is actually benefiting from this situation. Arsh’s mother gave her blessings in this episode but even after all these years Meeran has not moved on. Is it because Meeran hasn’t completely forgotten her first love or because she never wants anyone to be in a position to hurt her like that ever again? I must say that even after all these years watching these two people standing exactly where they were emotionally so many years back isn’t exactly easy to connect to. I had a difficult time relating to this particular track even though Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed’s acting was on point. Zebu got plenty of screen time in this episode and there were times when Hina Altaf’s acting was up to the mark while there were others when once again I was wondering how could a director who chose someone like Ahsan Khan to play Imtiaz’s role cast someone who was a complete misfit for playing Zebu’s role. Although Zebu doesn’t have a bigger role to play in the picture but even then Hina Altaf makes it very difficult for the viewers to feel for Zebu’s character. The scene in which Zebu grabs a knife to kill Imtiaz could have been far more powerful if Ins-e-Yazdan wasn’t the one who tried to stop her. That particular scene became a lot more meaningful as soon as Urwa Hocane stepped in – which basically goes to show what a huge difference a good actor can make. Imtiaz’s relationship with Malik sahab also got a lot of screen time tonight to show how his support was the main reason behind Imtiaz’s confidence. This is one of those things which has been very well established by now therefore these scenes could easily have been chopped down. Sheedan’s character did not get enough screen time in this episode, I miss watching her scenes. I love the camerawork in Udaari, usually there are more close-ups in dramas and fewer scenes in which all the characters in the scene are covered but that is not the case here. I wasn’t looking forward to Illyas’ comeback but since we were shown that he will be back in the preview of one of the episodes therefore I am wondering what happened to that development in the story. HUM really needs to work on the previews of their dramas because they are very often extremely misleading. Sajida’s case will start in the next episode, I am waiting to see how this track will be handled. How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

The inevitable happened in tonight’s episode and I must say that even with all the scenes which were supposed to be a ‘distraction’, this was an extremely upsetting episode which made it extremely difficult for me to detach myself from Zebu’s character in particular. I am certain that many other viewers like me could not help but think about all the Zebus out there especially those who never get any support at all. Zebu can never get over what has happened to her but she is lucky to have a mother who is by her side. There isn’t much Sajida can do for her daughter but at least she is there and she can ensure that what has happened never happens again but what about all those little girls and even boys out there who don’t have anyone to turn to? It would have been far better if that particular scene was much more subtle. A closed door and then threats afterwards would have been enough. Zebu’s state of mind was shown in such a way that the viewers could relate to the trauma every little child who goes through something so horrific must feel. What remains to be seen now is that whether Sajida will be able to figure out why Zebu was so upset all of a sudden and most importantly what is she going to do about it once she knows the truth. Laila Zuberi’s character will probably play a pivotal role in putting Imtiaz behind bars or helping Sajida take a step which would ensure that this man gets the punishment he deserves according to law. So far we have seen quite a few dramas in which rapists were not punished through courts but they either lost their mental balance or were shot in the end.

Imtiaz’s attitude towards Sajida changed in this episode because he wanted to make sure that she didn’t think he had anything to do with Zebu’s present condition. Sajida trusts Imtiaz blindly and she is convinced more than ever that Imtiaz genuinely loves her daughter. Ahsan Khan made me hate his character completely in tonight’s episode. He looked wicked in all the scenes and portrayed his character superbly on screen. It must not be easy playing such a dark character especially for a person who is used to playing the good guy most of the times. Samiya Mumtaz is also very convincing as a mother who has no clue that she leaves her daughter with a monster every day. The child star playing the role of Zebu has definitely breathed life into her character. I am certain that playing such a role for a girl her age must have been tough.

Meeran and Arsh’s track took a brand new turn with this episode. Arsh finally realized that he had hurt Meeran badly and ended up not only apologizing to her but also promised her that he will help her out as much as he can. Although Arsh’s outbursts have been terribly annoying but the way he admitted his mistake and decided to change his attitude towards Meeran was shown really well. Also, the dialogue about the change in Meeran’s behaviour after she moved to the city was an excellent addition because it summed up the reason for Meeran’s change in personality perfectly. While Sheedan is still as confident as she was back in the village, her daughter feel like she is not good enough – something that will change now that she has everyone’s support. Sheedan’s know-it-all attitude provided some comic relief in this episode too. Meeran’s character is very likeable so far; she is intelligent and sensitive. Urwa Hocane is doing complete justice to her role. Bushra Ansari has nailed every single scene as Sheedan. In tonight’s episode in particular Sheedan’s scenes were needed more than ever!

I have to admit, this episode was a difficult one to review because it was seriously disturbing. The preview of the next episode showed Meeran and Arsh working together as a team and Arsh admitting that Meeran was indeed very talented. Sometimes what a person needs the most is someone’s support who would have confidence in their abilities and they can achieve anything at all. Laila Zuberi’s character was also shown directly involved with the issue of child abuse therefore these two tracks are likely to meet at some point. It also suggested that Imtiaz’s intimidating tactics are not helping him keep Zebu quiet.

Do share your thoughts about this latest episode.

Fatima Awan

The team of Udaari has definitely succeeded in making sure that things don’t get too dark and ugly in this drama. While causing awareness about child abuse is the primary reason why this drama was made but the entertainment value of the drama, the scenes that make you laugh sometimes outdo the bits that send shivers down your spine. This episode focused more on Meeran and Sheedan’s first day in Lahore. There were some scenes that were somewhat repetitive and could have easily been chopped down. For instance we have already seen enough of Arsh complaining about Meeran and her mother, that particular aspect did not deserve so much screen time. Just like all the previous episodes the scenes in which Imtiaz got an opportunity to violate Zebu was shown in a subtle yet very convincing manner. Without showing anything that would hurt the sensitivities of the viewers the director managed to put the message across. The message in the first scene was loud and clear – a molester will grab any opportunity that comes his way, he does not care if the mother is in the next room. It also goes to show that a lot of children are abused in their own home. A child should be safe inside the four walls of his or her home but that is not always the case. Although Imtiaz’s character is despicable but the word “googli” was hilarious!!! Since he is the only one who knows a little something about Google therefore he was shown bragging about it. It also went to show how this easy access to internet can be misused by people who can easily access such websites. Ahsan Khan owns his character, he is faultless as Imtiaz. He makes you forget every other character he has ever played and you only see him as a ruthless pervert. Sajida has no clue what is going on and she has also accepted Imtiaz’s insulting behaviour towards her majorly because he takes good care of Zebu and looks after her!

I must say that Sheedan’s overconfidence (I don’t agree with Arsh on a lot of things but I do agree with him on this one!) was surprising! We always saw her as a very vocal woman but I expected her to be slightly less vocal in this new environment but I was so wrong!!! Sheedan’s never-ending chatter and her confidence in her singing stood out more in this new place than it ever did in the village. Sheedan is completely different from these people and this contrast was shown brilliantly! The way she refused to give Arsh her vote of confidence was absolutely hilarious! She is so sure that Meeran can do so much better than him or anyone else! It was shocking yet entertaining to watch Sheedan feel right at home in this new place, she was not the least bit intimated by these people. Also, the reaction of Meeran and Sheedan when they were served lunch was spot on. They missed family members who would have done anything to eat such food and at the same time they enjoyed every bit of it. Meeran can tell when she is not wanted or when she is not being appreciated therefore when she starts singing with Arsh there are bound to be problems. Bushra Ansari stole the show yet again! The way these scenes were written and the manner in which they were portrayed on screen made me forget that I was watching a drama! It did remind me of all those helpers who come straight from the villages. Urwa Hocane has been doing her part really well too; her body language and dialogue delivery is on point.

Milli’s conversation with her mother outside their house was another meaningful conversation which basically went to show that Milli’s mother was not skeptical about these people because of their financial status or background. Laila Zuberi yet again failed to deliver in these scenes. She seems to be more concerned about how she was looking when she talks instead of focusing on the dialogues.

Throughout this episode Imtiaz was trying to prove that Meeran and Sheedan had a bad character because they left for Lahore alone. This actually reminded me of a seminar I attended once in which Asma Jahangir was one of the speakers and she referred to this mentality! The way women are labeled in this way all the time because of such reasons. People who have known Sheedan and Meeran for a long time including Illays refused to believe what Imtiaz said. Imtiaz’s actions went to prove that this was his way of getting back at Meeran for refusing his ‘offer’ which basically sends out yet another message – when a man talks about a woman like that then it is highly likely that the reasons might be similar to the one’s shown in this drama! Sadly, this is actually a very true depiction of our society where defaming a woman can sometimes be the easiest thing to do! It happens not only in villages but even in workplaces where seemingly educated and enlightened men and women work together! Imtiaz’s bruised ego won’t let him rest and I am waiting to find out if he manages to accomplish anything by bad mouthing about these women.

There was a little too much of Arsh and the gang in this episode and their scenes unfortunately didn’t have much to add to the track. Other than that this episode managed to convey some truly important messages with Sheedan (Bushra Ansari) providing the comic relief  and keeping things from getting too serious.

The preview of the next episode suggested that Zebu will start showing that she is mentally disturbed and Sajida will start getting worried for her. Arsh and Meeran’s scenes in the preview showed that things will not be easy from here on. I am definitely waiting to find out how Meeran manages to overcome all these barriers and become a part of this band – right now it seems impossible for her to groom herself to come to that level.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

I am really happy that Udaari did not go off air because of the baseless objections by the PEMRA authorities. I am certain that viewers/parents complaint about a lot of dramas but at the end of the day it is up to the authorities to decide which dramas really are ‘obscene’ therefore I am more disappointed with PEMRA than the people who complained about this drama because their notice and the opinion of their ‘experts’ endorsed the notion that this drama was against our cultural and social values. This drama would have been against our social values if these values were based on brushing important issues under the carpet and pretending as if they don’t exist! I am very thankful to all those people out there who showed their support for this drama because Udaari is a step in the right direction.

This episode of Udaari just like all the previous episodes managed to put the message this drama attempts to put forward in a very sensitive and intelligent manner. The most refreshing aspect of this drama is the relationship Meeran and Sheedan have with each other. Sheedan might have said some very bitter things to Meeran when she found out that her daughter had gone behind her back and done something she would never approve of but everything we saw after that went to show that Sheedan loved her daughter and did not want to see her getting hurt. She took a stand for Meeran when Illays’ mother came to give the mithai and in this episode too when Meeran came back home heartbroken, she was there to console her. At the same time Meeran has realized that she was being selfish and at a time when she should have been there for her family, she only thought about her own future and happiness. The scene in which Meeran apologizes was extremely emotional. Bushra Ansari and Urwa Hocane both were absolutely brilliant in that scene. It isn’t easy delivering dialogues and giving the right expressions when they are in a language an actor is not used to speaking therefore I will give Urwa Hocane full credit here for delivering dialogues with a lot of Punjabi with precision.

The story moved forward quite a bit with this episode. Meeran decided to sing and that is when Milli spotted her. I must say that this particular development was shown very convincingly, the way Milli ended up in that village was very interesting and I am looking forward to how this particular track will unfold in the future. I still have a huge problem with the way the song sequences have been shot. There are no background sounds when anyone of these people is singing a song which makes it seem like all of a sudden you are in a recording studio and not a village. It would have been so much better if these scenes were more real. These scenes do not add to the entertainment value of the drama but are proving to be very distracting and unreal. I have said it before as well that it would also have been better if a relatively new voice was used in these scenes since everyone is very well acquainted with Hadiqa Kiyani’s voice. The scene in which Milli meets Sheedan was hilarious. I am glad that these scenes and this track has been added to the drama because it makes the drama engaging and not very depressing.

Imtiaz’s attitude towards Sajida completely changed in this episode. Was it only because of what his friend said or is there more to it? I felt like this recent change could also be due to the support he got from his wife which basically showed that she trusted him blindly and also because the only strong woman who was always watching over Sajida is no longer her friend. He also knows that Sajida has no one to turn to now to share her problems or ask for solutions therefore he can treat her any way he wants. This sudden change also gives out a message to all the women out there who most often think that a man can change so much without there being any reason for it. Imtiaz’s scene with Zebu suggested that he is molesting the poor child but like most children she is not sharing anything with her mother probably because she is still confused about what is happening. In such cases mostly the children find it difficult to label someone they love as a villain therefore they get confused and try to justify these actions in their own mind instead of talking to someone about it. In my opinion if showing what was shown today in this scene can save even one child then this drama serial has managed to achieve its objective. It will definitely make mothers think ten times before they leave their child with someone they think they can trust, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a step father, it can be anyone at all. Ahsan Khan has done complete justice to his character. Sajida’s situation and Samiya Mumtaz’s acting made me feel for her. Sajida’s only mistake is that she is too naive, she trusts someone who is not worth trusting.

Overall, this was another engaging episode of Udaari which covered all the tracks flawlessly. Except for Meeran’s singing scene and Laila Zuberi’s acting everything was spot on. Whatever Milli’s mother said did not have any impact because of her monotone dialogue delivery but we got to find out more about her character. It was also good to see Behroze Sabzwari playing the loving father. The stars of the show tonight were Urwa Hocane and Bushra Ansari. Their scene together was very emotional and it is so so so good to see a mother on screen who understands and loves her daughter.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

This episode of Udaari was engaging, touching and all the developments in tonight’s episode were executed brilliantly. Meeran and Illyas’ love story came to an end with this episode, Sheedan and Sajida’s friendship also ended in this episode, Imtiaz got the kind of support from his wife which will gave him even more confidence to execute his evil plans and Arsh and his friends got the call for audition. All these developments just like the previous episodes of this drama were covered flawlessly. The credit for this goes to the entire team.

The best thing about this episode was the way Sheedan showed support for her daughter. Even though Sheedan had just found out about Meeran’s love affair and was not happy with her but when her daughter told her what Imtiaz had done she did not think twice before confronting him! The confrontation did not end well and nothing good came out of it but it was truly refreshing to watch a mother trusting her own daughter and not the person who attempted to violate her. Imtiaz is the kind of person who everyone trusts  blindly, even Sheedan’s own brother supported him by saying that this could have been a misunderstanding but her mother did not doubt her for a second. Now how often do we get to see such mothers in our dramas? We have seen more educated mothers in our dramas who come from affluent families doubting their daughters or not having the courage to confront the man involved because they are too afraid that no one will believe them. Sheedan’s personality traits coupled with Bushra Ansari’s powerful performance have made this character memorable. Sheedan is not educated, in fact she is not even respected by people, she is looked down upon because she is a ‘mirasi’ but she is much more intelligent and enlightened that all the other characters in the play. Sajida only believes Imtiaz instantly because of what her sister told her about Meeran. This incident happened only after her sister warned her therefore she had more of a reason to take sides with her husband. Sajida forgot everything that Sheedan had done for her for all these years and said things which were very bitter. This particular scene was touching and extremely powerful. It was good to see Samiya Mumtaz at her best in this scene. Watching Sajida regret what she had done later on and Imtiaz convincing her that she was right was an interesting addition to this new development.

After the conversation with his friend Imtiaz felt like he had the license to cheat on his wife. So far he was shown as a perverted man but now he is a perverted man who thinks he has the right to do anything he wants to do because his wife is not good enough for him. Imtiaz has never been true to Sajida but he has never made her feel like she is inferior on her face either but things are going to change in that department as well. Sajida has cut  herself off from the only person who truly cared for her and now she is all alone with a man who is completely fake and very dangerous. Ahsan Khan yet again nailed every single scene in this episode because of his effortless performance.

Even after hearing that Illyas is getting engaged, Meeran was still in denial. It was really good to see Urwa Hocane’s toned down make-up in the last scene and especially in the preview of the next episode. She acted superbly in tonight’s episode.

The subject around which the central story of the drama revolves is a very tricky one to handle but so far the writer and especially the director has made sure that the subject of child abuse is handled sensitively. We know that Imtiaz has been playing ‘secret games’ with Zebu but so far nothing upsetting has been shown. Imtiaz and Meeran’s scene was also handled really well in tonight’s episode. Besides the drama has additional tracks because of which it doesn’t get too dark or depressing. The happenings and the characters definitely have an impact even though everything has been shown in a subtle way. The acting and the direction of the play is so fabulous that you feel like you’re watching real life stories unraveling on screen. Bushra Ansari has played many characters in different dramas but Sheedan is definitely the most outstanding of them all. I thought she could never outdo her character in Bilquees Kaur but she has done just that in this play. Sheedan’s character is much more strong and positive.

The preview of the next episode showed Meeran and Illyas’ final meeting. It also showed Imtiaz mocking Sajida because he thinks he deserves better! The way he looked at Meeran in the preview of the upcoming episode went to show that he was not going to leave her alone.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

This episode covered all the tracks in the story flawlessly. Imtiaz’s true nature was revealed in this episode and it seemed like he got married to Sajida because he wanted easy access to all the young girls who were constantly in contact with Sajida and not just his little girl. This drama has rightly shown the true depiction of  these monsters who can very often appear to be decent human beings. They are the sort of people who are trusted by especially those who are directly related to the girls they molest. It is a known fact that most of the times child abusers are people who are family members or close relatives/friends who are trusted blindly with these children. Even though Imtiaz’s expressions and his reaction said a great deal about his intentions when Sajida walked in the house but even then she did not suspect him for a second. Mothers always try their best to keep their children away from people they feel they won’t be safe with but very often the people they trust their children with the most tend to be the ones who harm them.

Imtiaz tried to win Meeran over so that she would start trusting him and at some point he will get a chance to do what he wants to do but it was good to see Meeran not accepting the mobile phone from him. This marriage has given Imtiaz the certificate to do what he was seen doing in tonight’s episode otherwise Sajida would have never left Zebu with him and Sheedan would never have sent Meeran to his house to get sugar. He is a ‘khalu’ and ‘aba’ now therefore Sheedan does not feel threatened from him. I have said this before but I feel the need to say it over and over again that sadly it wasn’t the least bit shocking to watch Imtiaz’s true colors since we already knew what his character was like. The only shocking bit was that he had the guts to think that he can get away with doing something like this to Meeran since Zebu might be a little girl who can be forced into stay quiet but Meeran most certainly won’t do that. Ahsan Khan is superb in this character and Sammiya Mumtaz is equally convincing as the mother who thinks she can trust this man blindly. Sajida thinks she has found the perfect man and has no idea what this man is capable of doing. This is only the second time in his entire career that Ahsan Khan has taken up a role like this and according to him he took it up because this drama will create awareness among people. He feels that people should take action against child abuse and not overlook it.

This episode showed a completely different side of Sheedan; she has not been able to bounce back after her husband’s death. Sheedan refused to sing because she is depressed and also sick. The situation in her house gets from bad to worse because Meeran is not willing to sing either. I liked the way this whole track was covered, there wasn’t excessive rona dhona. Although Sheedan was always the one running the house but her husband was her support. The love between them was highlighted right from the first episode. Bushra Ansari owns her character, she has covered all the different aspects of Sheedan’s personality brilliantly. The actor playing the role of mamu is also doing a superb job. Urwa Hocane is also doing complete justice to her character but her make-up really needed to be toned down.

The inevitable happened in tonight’s episode – Farwa’s mother has finally decided to send her away to another city which means she can no longer be part of the band. Arsh’s reaction to this latest development was covered well. He was worried about Farwa at first but once they were selected for the auditions, he was more worried about his band. Am I the only one who finds the actress playing Farwa’s mother’s role a bit overboard? So much so that I find her funny at times because she seems to be trying too hard. Rest of the actors in this track fit their respective characters perfectly.

Everything about this play so far is great; the script, the direction and the acting but unfortunately the make-up is not up to the mark. A director like Mohammed Ehteshamuddin could certainly have guided the make-up artist if he was a newbie. Meeran looks too white at times, she looks like snow white with that white face and those red ribbons in her braids. Zebu’s make-up also looks too artificial at times. This drama sends out a loud and clear message to all the parents out there who think that they can trust someone who looks very decent and loving on the surface with their children. I hope that it will also show how the victims of child abuse can get justice and for once the viewers would like to see the abuser getting punished and not getting shot in the end!

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it. If you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

This episode belonged to Sheedan – Bushra Ansari completely. Bushra Ansari has proven yet again that she is one of the most gifted actresses in our drama industry. Sheedan is a strong woman who believes in standing by people she loves. One thing that stood out more than anything else in tonight’s episode was Sheedan’s love and concern for Sajida. Unlike Durdana, Sheedan does not judge Sajida. She wants her to be settled and happy because she feels that Sajida is entitled to her share of happiness even though she is a widow. The relationship between all these characters is very heart-warming. This episode was definitely educational since I had no idea that there was such a custom in some villages; the women gathered clean water for the groom to be so that he could bathe with it before he came to pick the bride. What a simple yet touching gesture. Since I am talking about water I would like to share something else with the readers which doesn’t have anything to do with this episode but which is definitely related to this drama. The people of the village in which this drama was shot had no access to clean water and had to walk for miles to get water for daily use. The team of this drama solved this problem so that they didn’t have to walk for miles to get water. What a great initiative! I am glad that the presence of these stars made a real difference in the life of the people living in that village.

This episode mainly revolved around Sajida’s marriage. There was a lot of singing and bonding between the characters involved. Sajida could never have gone ahead with this marriage if it wasn’t for Sheedan’s support. It was also good to see Meeran supporting her mother for a change. Imtiaz was more than willing to marry Sajida whenever she wanted. The wedding was covered with detail, although there were too many songs in tonight’s episode but they went well with the situation that was being shown. The wedding festivities were interrupted by the news of Sheedan’s husband’s death which means this is the start of a different life for Sheedan too.

Imtiaz has been shown as a very loving and resourceful person. Sajida also opened up with him in tonight’s episode and for now everything between them is perfect. Although Imtiaz did not want to stay in Sajida’s house but she insisted that he should open his shop in the house too, save some money and then build a house for them. The preview of the next episode however showed that he will start showing his true colors in the upcoming episode. I hope this particular aspect of the story is covered sensitively. Ahsan Khan is definitely standing out in this role, his confidence and effortless acting made his scenes a treat to watch.

The viewers also got to see what was going on in the life of the characters in the city. Farwa’s mother put her foot done in tonight’s episode and her father refused to help her too. Farwa’s mother thinks that people who sing are ‘bhand aur mirasi’ therefore she forbids her daughter from leaving the house. Farwa however manages to sneak out and record the song. This track wasn’t given a lot of screen time which was actually good. We know what is happening in these characters’ life but weren’t shown the scenes in detail. It was also good to see that the focus today remained on Sajida and Imtiaz. The preview of the next episode also suggested that Imtiaz will find out about Meeran’s love interest. Although I did not like Urwa Hocane’s acting in the first episode but she seems to be completely into her character now.

So far Udaari is a different and interesting play. There are several tracks in the story and the director has covered the village life in particular brilliantly. It is good to see a drama in a different setting with some of the actors playing roles which they have never played before.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it. If you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

Udaari is off to a great start with all the actors making their mark and a script which tells a different story. This episode was brilliant in many ways but the only thing which seemed somewhat out of place was the way the songs have been shot. It would have been far better and it would have looked more real if the actors sang the songs themselves there and then instead of lip syncing to the recordings especially because Bushra Ansari could have done that easily and even if Urwa couldn’t sing herself they should have chosen a singer whose voice went well with her voice. Other than this tiny glitch everything else about this episode was picture perfect. All the actors played their part really well because of which it was easier to connect to their feelings. It is refreshing to see Ahsan Khan in a different role, I wish we didn’t know how this particular track was going to unfold because it effects the overall impression of the character. Right now Imtiaz seems like a caring person who wants to get married to Sajida because he too is lonely and because he likes her but since the main twist in the story has already been revealed therefore most of the viewers know his motives already!

This episode showed that Sheedan is the ‘man’ of the family! She is the one who makes all the important decisions and she was the one who confronted Chaudhry’s nephew. Her husband stood there and said nothing and later on too when he wasn’t willing to stay back for work she was the one who told him he should take up the job. Sheedan’s character is that of a very strong and confident woman who does not believe in holding back her thoughts. Although Sheedan’s husband does not look after his family the way a man should but the love between this couple has been highlighted from the first episode. The opening scene of this episode was very well directed and very powerful. Sheedan’s dialogues, the energy with which they were delivered and the way the effect of this incident on Meeran was shown was simply flawless.

Meeran wants to give up singing but her mother does not agree with how she feels. The relationship between Meeran and her mother was shown beautifully in this episode. It is good to see a daughter who does not agree with her mother on many things but at the same time she does not want to hurt her. Urwa Hocane’s performance in tonight’s episode was impressive. She made me feel for her character, I could relate to this girl’s struggles. She is fighting a war which she is not likely to win. The accident scene indicated that Sheedan’s husband might die or get seriously injured.

Imtiaz and Sajida went from being bhaa and bharjaye to something entirely different in tonight’s episode. These developments were covered perfectly too in this episode. The gradual shift in Sajida’s behaviour and the way Imtiaz convinced her that she needed a man in his life was shown convincingly. Zebu’s consent and feelings for Imtiaz also played a pivotal role in this whole situation. Sammiya Mumtaz is one of my favorite actresses although I loved her as Rasheeda but she is equally good in playing such roles. She has played many such roles before too therefore I am waiting to find out if this one has something new to offer.

Arsh, Milli and Farwa’s track was not covered in tonight’s episode which made this episode less crowded and more engaging. I am glad for now the focus is on the characters residing in the village. Their characters and stories are interesting enough to keep the interest of the viewers alive for now.

Although all the actors acted brilliantly in tonight’s episode but in this episode Bushra Ansari, Ahsan Khan and Urwa Hocane stood out more than any other.

How many of you watched tonight’s episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it. If  you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

Tonight’s episode focused on Arsh’s attempts to find out Sajida’s side of the story. All the developments were covered in detail which has slowed down the pace of the drama but there were no unnecessary scenes in tonight’s episode but the story should move to the next level in the upcoming episode. The scene in which Arsh asks Sheedan why they lied was one of the best scenes of this episode mainly because of the way Sheedan didn’t have much to say in her defense. Also, the fact that Sajida has a very weak case was further highlighted because she is not willing to tell what actually happened. This episode definitely had a lot of important messages to its credit. Firstly, Arsh’s advice to Sajida that she should not tell the police anything without asking him first and secondly telling her that no one was allowed to hit her were two very important points. The police had to change its behaviour after Arsh started representing Sajida which was another important message which showed how vital it was for people to take help from a professional in such a situation. Thankfully there was very little focus on Imtiaz in this episode. I must admit I am finding it really hard to relate to or feel for Zebu’s character ever since Hina Altaf took over. The little girl playing Zebu definitely added more substance to this character. Also, the chemistry the little Zebu had with all the other characters has been missing every since she grew up. Basically two very important characters – Zebu and Jaaza – have lost their effectiveness ever since they were taken up by these young actors who are not fitting into the roles. Sajida is not willing to tell the truth even if it means that she will be in prison for the rest of her life. This was another important message in this episode. By hiding the facts she thinks she is helping her daughter but she is actually helping the culprit get away. Imtiaz only has a stronger case because there is no way for Arsh to prove that this was an act of self-defense. Imtiaz also knows that Sajida will not tell anyone what transpired that night therefore he is taking advantage of the situation. It basically goes to prove that staying silent about such things isn’t a smart move. Farhan Saeed has done complete justice to his character. He has performed brilliantly right from the first episode. When his character was that of an immature youngster who had a big ego, he appeared to be just that and now that Arsh is mature and settled, he is equally convincing. The way Arsh tried to persuade Sajida to share her past with her was ideal but right now everyone is hoping that he will manage to find a way out without knowing the truth. Once things get worse for Sajida, someone will decide to tell him the truth. Arsh’s feelings for Meeran have not changed in all these years, something which was apparent from all his interactions with Meeran. Sheedan’s meeting with Arsh outside the prison and the way she kept on telling Imtiaz off showed yet again that she was fearless. Bushra Ansari was the perfect choice for playing this role, her effortless acting makes her character even more impactful. Sajida’s character turned out to be somewhat disappointing in this episode but I do feel that showing all this was important because many of the women out there will probably be able to relate to why Sajida is covering up for her daughter. I am also waiting to find out when and how Arsh will know the truth. In this episode all these intelligent people – Sheedan and Meeran in particular – were unable to think what Imtiaz could do if he wasn’t punished for his crime. Inz-e-Yazdan and Hina Altaf are standing out in this play for all the wrong reasons. It is unfortunate that the director was not able to find better actors for playing these roles. The young actors playing these roles were brilliant therefore the viewers had high expectations from the actors who were going to play the roles of Zebu and Jaaza now. The bond which both these characters had with rest of the family members has been broken because of total lack of chemistry and the lack of expressions and acting! Even the actor who plays Sheedan’s brother is a very gifted performer. Rest of the cast is so perfect that it never seems like any of them is acting; they are faultless in all the scenes. The preview of the next episode showed Arsh talking to Zebu and hopefully the secret will be out in the next episode because this track got a lot of screen time in this episode. The drama needs to pick up pace at this point. How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it. Fatima Awan

This episode of Udaari was extremely depressing because it showed Imtiaz getting exactly what he had been waiting for all these years and Sajida’s worst nightmare came true. All the developments in tonight’s episode were shown realistically but it was very painful watching Sajida suffer. Imtiaz got plenty of screen time which gave the viewers even more of a reason to hate his character. It has been very well established by now just how villainous and evil Imtiaz’s character is therefore it would be great if the upcoming episodes focus on his downfall instead of showing how he gets away with everything. It took Sheedan time to figure out who she should call but once she talked to Milli’s mother, there was hope that Imtiaz will finally get the punishment he truly deserves. That is something I am looking forward to. Tonight’s episode also focused on Illyas. Illyas says he still loves Meeran but the fact is that he never loved her. While talking to his mother he revealed the real reason why he had been pursuing Meeran. He wanted to enjoy the luxuries she had. Many years back he rejected Meeran so that he could continue enjoying the lifestyle he had because he did not think she was worth the sacrifice. Now that Meeran is not only popular but also financially stable, he wants her back in his life. He knows that Meeran still has feelings for him but what he doesn’t know is that Meeran will never allow him to manipulate her now. The growth in Meeran’s character has been shown really well and I missed watching her in this episode and the previous one, the drama is not the same without her. Illyas’ new plan to get closer to Meeran was an unexpected twist in the story. Illyas has proved that he is incapable of keeping his commitment, not once but twice. He got married for money and now that he knows Meeran has even more money, he does not want to live with his wife any more. Haris Waheed’s makeover was superb in tonight’s episode, the new hairstyle and the beard made him look older but his acting was not on point. There were many times when he completely changed his accent from Punjabi to Urdu. Unfortunately so far Zebu does not have a bigger role to play in the story, she is the victim and that’s it. Hina Altaf‘s acting leaves a lot to be desired. Same is true for Ins-e-Yazdan whose t-shirts so far have been standing out more than his performance. Whoever is responsible for casting made some major compromises by choosing these two actors for these roles. When a drama has powerful performers like Bushra Ansari, Sammiya Mumtaz and Ahsan Khan then it needs equally talented actors for playing the supporting roles. Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed definitely fit the bill but Hina Altaf and Ins-e-Yazdan have been major disappointments. Hina Altaf’s acting has been-there-seen-that written all over it. Am I the only one who thinks that there was an overdose of Imtiaz’s character in this episode?? We all love to hate Imtiaz and there is no denying the fact that Ahsan Khan has portrayed this character brilliantly on screen but isn’t it about time that Imtiaz starts paying for what he did to Zebu? The preview of the next episode showed that Meeran will turn to Arsh for help – something which we were all expecting. I am also waiting to find out why Illyas has been given such an important part in the story once again. How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.   Fatima Awan

This drama deserves tons of credit for showing some very strong women who are always there to support each other. It is truly refreshing watching Sheedan taking a stand for Sajida without thinking about the consequences or Milli’s mother helping all the women who come to her without expecting anything in return. Also, Udaari has some exceptional mothers who put their children above everything else, just the way most mothers do. The viewers saw some of the most strange mothers in drama serials like Chup Raho and Sangat therefore watching someone like Sajida gives us hope that there are still writers out there who believe in showing what a mother should do and not what a mother shouldn’t be doing! This drama has set new standards by showing a very positive image of women in general too. Usually in our dramas women are not only weak but they are most often in a bad situation because of another woman. Also, unlike most of our dramas in which even the most intelligent and good looking women who belong to a good family are incomplete without a man we have a woman like Sheedan who is not educated but she does not rely on anyone else except her own strength. We need to see more strong women in our dramas who use their strength to benefit themselves and others. Sheedan’s character in particular can prove to be an inspiration for many women out there who belong to the same class as Sheedan. The message Sheedan’s character gives is loud and clear – you don’t have to be educated or rich to have self-confidence, all you need is to have faith in yourself! Bushra Ansari was outstanding as Sheedan tonight; Sheedan was scared of Imtiaz too but she did not let him intimidate her. Ahsan Khan has outdone himself in this drama; he has made this character unforgettable! His expressions, dialogues and those little additions here and there which I am sure are his very own are extremely impressive. Imtiaz has waited very long to take revenge from Sajida and now that he has found her, he is going to do everything it takes to make her life hell. Sheedan is no match for Imtiaz but Milli’s mother’s scene with Arsh showed exactly where the story will go from here. Imtiaz has friends in the police force and he will use his contacts. The fact that Imtiaz is not only a paedophile but he is also someone who kills people for money will work in Sajida’s favor once she takes him to court. Zebu wanted to die after finding out that Imtiaz was still alive and that her mother wanted to distance herself from her but I must say I had a tough time relating to Zebu’s character. Hina Altaf Khan’s acting wasn’t remarkable in this episode. Ejaz also revealed a secret to prove to Zebu that he knew exactly how she felt and he might be used as a witness later on. Ins-e-Yazdan is okay for a newcomer but the chemistry that was there between the young Zebu and Jaza was completely missing from this episode. That scene in which Ejaz shared his feelings with Zebu did not work for me at all mainly because of the fact that there was zero chemistry between the actors and Ins-e-Yazdan’s dialogue delivery  and facial expressions weren’t very impressive. I understand that there are very few young actors in our industry who could have played this role therefore we need new young actors who will get more polished with time. Am I the only one who felt like most of the actors looked too white in this episode? Arsh’s new look however was spot on, it made him look more mature. The scene in which Sajida was taken away by the police was shown in the preview of this episode but was missing from it and will be shown next week. This episode laid the foundation for what is coming ahead. The story is quite predictable at this point but it remains to be seen how it is translated on screen. It will be interesting to watch Imtiaz’s downfall, something I am looking forward to. How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.   Fatima Awan

Drama serial Udaari continues to be very enticing and thrilling. With this episode the story took a big leap forward and with this leap while a lot of things fell into place for many of the characters, Imtiaz’s re-entry in the drama changed everything. Sajida worked hard to start a business which seemed to flourish with every passing year. Her progress, the confidence she had in herself and the fact that she had left her past behind was shown brilliantly. Sajida’s success went to prove that anyone can achieve their goals if they are hard working and focused. The recent turn of events was also a cruel reminder of the fact that leaving one’s past being isn’t all that easy. Also, one cannot ignore the importance of all the positive support Sajida got from Sheedan and from Kashf Foundation. Kashf foundation did not only provide Sajida with the finances she needed but they also played an important role in giving her ideas which helped her expand her business. Kashf foundation gave her a vision and Sajida’s steadfastness made that vision come to life. Six years later Zebu managed to excel in studies and extra-curricular but the fact that she still couldn’t sleep peacefully at night went to show that even after so many years she had not completely healed. Sajida turned out to be the kind of role model she wanted to be for her daughter. Sajida’s constant support and the love Zebu got from Sheedan and family helped her settle down. Arsh revealed his true feelings for Meeran but just like anticipated Meeran is not looking to settle down with a man. Even after so many years she still wants to focus on her work but continues to be good friends with Arsh. This goes to show that Meeran too has not healed entirely. She still hasn’t forgotten how Illyas and his mother insulted her therefore she does not want to put herself in that position ever again. Meeran wants to be known for her work and perhaps she knows that marriage would automatically bring up the topic of her cast. Deep inside Meeran still feels that she cannot change the fact that she is a mirasi. She might have adopted singing as her profession and she has excelled in it as well but she has not forgotten all those times when people insulted and belittled her because she was a mirasi. Farhan Saeed and Urwa Hocane’s on screen chemistry makes their scenes a treat to watch. Both of them have done complete justice to their respective roles. Bushra Ansari is one of those actresses who make their presence felt in every single scene even when her character has no dialogues, she manages to convey the emotions effortlessly through her body language and expressions. Ins-e-Yazdan made his first appearance today, he did well in the brief screen time he got but we have yet to see what he really has to offer. The young actor playing the role of Jazza before was very well-suited for the character. Ins-e-Yazdan of course is a much polished version of Jazza because all these years he has been going to school and has developed a very different personality. Talking about the change in personalities, I was expecting Meeran to be slightly more polished too. Even after so many years and so much exposure she still has the same Urdu/Punjabi accent. Someone as smart as Meeran should have learned to speak in a more shehri way by now. I must say that the makeover given to Ahsan Khan in tonight’s episode was brilliant. Imtiaz is still the monster he was so many years back but the change in his look and his current status went to show that he had been through a lot too in all these years. Imtiaz was desperately looking for Sajida and now that he has found her, he will use all his contacts to make her pay for what she did. This latest twist in the story will make things very difficult for Sajida and Zebu both but it is also a great opportunity to show a much better end to Imtiaz’s character. Zebu is old enough to go to court now and hopefully even with all his contacts Imtiaz will pay for making Zebu’s life miserable. Hina Altaf Khan did complete justice to her character today but her acting skills will truly be tested when Zebu and Imtiaz meet in the next episode. Watching Imtiaz back on screen was scary but watching Ahsan Khan nail the role once again was truly impressive. Ahsan Khan deserves an award for playing this role with perfection and dedication. The actor playing Sheedan’s brother deserves a special mention here, the director deserves due credit for choosing him for playing this character because he stands out in all the scenes. His acting is beyond impressive. The preview of the next episode suggested that things will get very serious from the next episode. This was one of the best episodes of Udaari because the way the story was taken forward was very impressive. The writer, director and all the actors involved have given their best to the drama and in my opinion Udaari is the best drama on HUM right now. It is another feather in the cap of HUM TV and a drama which surely deserves to be noticed and appreciated. How many of you watched this latest episode? Please share your thoughts about it.   Fatima Awan

This episode was thoroughly refreshing and uplifting. It also proved that Zebu’s story is just one part of this whole story, it is the part of course that ends up impacting the viewers more than any other but at the same time the other tracks of the story keep your interest alive as well, add entertainment value to the drama and keep this drama from getting too dark and depressing. This episode focused more on Sajida and Meeran’s track than that of Zebu. Two months after Sajida (now Tahira) arrived in Lahore, she decided she needed to do something to earn a living so that she could be financially independent. This was a very important message for all those women out there who think that once they have been through the worse they cannot start afresh. Sajida put her talent to good use with the help of Kashf Foundation. The way Kashf Foundation helped Sajida sends a ray or hope for many women who are talented but don’t have the finances to start something on their own. Sajida had the option of living with Sheedan without doing anything on her own but she chose not to live like that. It was heartening to see Sajida grow. At the same time it was shown that Sajida and Zebu still haven’t forgotten what happened and they carry the scars with them. Zebu might have started school and she is going on with life as usual but it will take her much longer to heal internally. Although I wanted the story and this episode in particular to be more about Zebu but after the previous episode which was terribly upsetting, it was to good to watch an episode which did not focus on Zebu’s misery. I am very sure that this issue will be addressed in detail in the upcoming episodes but this episode needed to be a little less depressing so that it doesn’t scare away the viewers who do not want to get sleepless nights after watching every episode of this drama.

My favorite part of this episode had to be Meeran and Arsh’s track. This particular track was covered brilliantly. Arsh clearly feels more for Meeran than he is willing to admit just yet. Meeran on the other hand just like Zebu hasn’t really moved on. One chance meeting was all it took to take Meeran back to her past. Her meeting with Illyas was very meaningful. Firstly, it went to show that she was still hurting inside, she had not forgotten the way she was insulted by this man and how he backed out of the relationship because he did not think she was worth taking a stand for. Meeran told Illyas confidently that he had done her a favor by leaving her but at the same time it seemed like this wasn’t really what she wanted from life. Sometimes fate drives people to achieve what they have never dreamed of getting but very often it is something they do because they have to and not because they wanted to. Meeran is blessed in more ways than one but is she really happy? She has attached her life to her goals which means that Illyas hurt her so much that she still does not have the courage to start a new relationship like the one he had with him again. Also, when Meeran went looking for a car, her conversation with Arsh went to show how grounded she still was. She has gained popularity and had friends who were rich but she hadn’t forgotten who she really was. I think this is the major reason why someone like Arsh fell for Meeran otherwise his big ego wouldn’t have allowed him to fall for her had she not considered him superior to her in some way. Although Arsh has many positive qualities and he is going out of his way to help Meeran but he does have an inflated ego which needs reassurance every now and then, Meeran gives him just that. Urwa Hocane has been outstanding in this character; it is not an easy character to play but she has convinced the viewers that she was meant to play this role. Her acting was especially impressive when she told Illyas how he had helped her in a way. Her expressions said much more than the dialogues she spoke; she was hurt but she was not going to give this man another chance to hurt him. Illyas did not mention Imtiaz and it did not seem odd because he wanted to make good use of this opportunity to convince Meeran that he still loved her.

The person responsible for giving all these actors a makeover also deserves tons of credit for making them look exactly like the characters they are playing. The contrast between their personalities are even more obvious because of these makeovers. Also, all the actors who are playing the paindus here are simply mind blowing. Someone like Sammiya Mumtaz hasn’t even once uttered a single line in her every day accent and Bushra Ansari has nailed her character every step of the way. These scenarios and dialogues wouldn’t have had such an impact if these actors did not look and act like they have lived in the village all their lives. The credit for this of course goes to the director as well for extracting such amazing performances out of these actors.

The relationship between all the characters in Sheedan’s house and the one they have with Milli and her family is another part of this drama which basically goes to show that while there are monsters like Imtiaz in this world, there are also many others who will love you and support you. It is truly refreshing to watch a drama with so many strong women who have their weak moments but they know how to pull themselves together and focus on things that truly matter. Meeran and Sajida both are hurting inside but that does not stop them from being very strong women who are actually doing a really good job of proving that women can make something out of their lives even with a painful past and without a man by their side. Arsh, Milli and her mother also send out a very important message to all those affluent people out there; there are so many ways in which such people can help people who are less fortunate than them and turn their lives around.

The preview of the next episode showed Arsh revealing his true feelings for Meeran and it looks like once again Meeran’s past will come to haunt her. Do Meeran and Arsh have a future together?

How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Drama serial Udaari continues to be one of those plays which leaves a huge impact on you. All the characters are easy to connect to and you want all of them to succeed in their struggles. I was expecting Sajo to think of a way out of that house and away from Imtiaz in this episode since living in the same house with him would have meant confronting him at some point which would only leave a woman like her – who is all alone and weak – very difficult to defend herself and her daughter. Unfortunately, Sajo made a huge mistake by taking too long to ask someone for help and not coming up with a plan to move away from Imtiaz. Life went on as usual even after Zebu told her mother what had happened. Sajida was always a very weak woman who could not even make decisions without turning to Sheedan. Now that she is all alone, it is understandable that she needed some time to figure things out but it would have been good if she grabbed the opportunity and called Meeran right away. This particular track didn’t exactly go the way I was hoping it would go. Yes, what we saw was a bitter reality – it is not easy to leave your house and start a new life just like that but Meeran’s letter was Sajida’s ticket out of this house and to a place where she would have found people who supported her. Watching Sajida make rotis for Imtiaz and asking him to bring rashan was disappointing even though it was in line with her character. I was hoping that this would be the end of Zebu’s ordeal and start of a new life but unfortunately that was not the case.

Imtiaz’s behaviour all through tonight’s episode was covered flawlessly, he has absolutely no guilt and he is getting even more frustrated now that Sajida is in the house and things are not going the way he wants. Forcing Sajida to go to work, thinking she might finally succumb to the pressure is a tactic which did not work for him because of which he felt like he was no longer in control. The only reason he was showering Sajida and Zebu with all the ‘love’ and things was so that he would get an opportunity to act on his evil intentions and now that he is not getting an opportunity to do that he is getting aggressive. It is amazing just how naturally all these actors have portrayed their respective characters on screen. Samiya Mumtaz’s accent and her body language is faultless. That one scene in particular in which she was washing the clothes was superb. Ahsan Khan’s effortless acting goes to show what a versatile actor he is. The child star playing Zebu is also a natural who never goes overboard. The credit for extracting the best performances from all these actors especially the child star goes to the director of course.

Meeran’s journey has started on a very positive note. Although Arsh and his band did more to make all this possible for Meeran than Meeran herself but her talent has won her more fans than all of them. Arsh’s jealousy towards Meeran was covered nicely too which gave this track a realistic touch. This was Arsh’s dream, something he had been working on for so long but he could see now that Meeran caught everyone’s attention and not him or the band. Later on when he shared his feelings with Meeran, I felt for him as well. There was a time when Meeran thought she could not make it and Arsh gave her the confidence to try harder, right now Arsh feels like he is not good enough therefore it would be good to see Meeran supporting him in the same way too. That could happen if they can all do the concert together and after that Meeran can pursue a career in acting on her own. Meeran’s whole journey has been shown really well; the growth in her personality and also as a singer has been very convincing. There were some scenes in which Meeran forgot to speak in her Punjabi accent but overall Urwa Hocane has done complete justice to her character. The way the family bond between Meeran, her mother, brother and mamo has been shown is also heart warming. Although these people are not educated but they are very sensitive people who care for each other’s feelings. Sheedan’s sentiments for Zebu went to show that she still felt the same way about Sajo and Zebu as she did before but she didn’t want to go see her for obvious reasons. Bushra Ansari has owned her character right from the beginning. She brings out Sheedan’s simple, loyal yet loud character come alive on screen.

The preview of the next episode was terribly upsetting. The only hope is that someone will come to Zebu’s rescue or Sajida will somehow rescue her daughter and take a bus which will take her to Sheedan. So far this drama serial has been written intelligently and very well executed but it is getting hard watching Zebu and Sajida suffer like this. I hope things change for good for them in the next episode. This drama has some amazing performances to its credit which surely deserve tons of appreciation.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Udaari has proved that a sensitive topic which is also considered highly tabooed in our society can also be shown on screen without crossing the line which many other dramas dealing with similar issues have done in the past. The makers of dramas like Chup Raho and Sangat who glorified all the pathetic clichés that exist in our society, went completely off track and undermined the role of a mother should take a leaf out of Udaari’s book. This drama cannot be praised enough because after a very long time we are watching a drama which in a very impressive way deals with something which is usually swept under the rug. Not only this Udaari has some very strong women and mothers who self-reliant, educated women can relate to and others can look up to them as role models.

This episode opened remarkably and ended just as brilliantly. Arsh and his band finally managed to fulfill their dream and the way everyone’s reaction was shown was the best part of this scene. This was not just a huge success for Arsh and the band but it was an even bigger success for Meeran and Sheedan, who needed this more than anyone else in the band. Illyas’ family and his own reaction had to be the most ‘gratifying’ of them all!!! There was a time when this man thought he ‘owned’ Meeran, he used to tell her not to sing in public and now there were millions of people watching Meeran bask in glory, looking confident and proud of what she had managed to achieve. Meeran was being appreciated and applauded for something she had been mocked for by all these people. She had a reason to be proud not only because she was talented but most importantly because she was gifted with a mother and group of people who believed in her. Meeran’s journey has sent so many positive messages for so many people out there. She wouldn’t have made it this far if Milli did not believe in her. Also, she learned from her mistakes and managed to achieve what seemed impossible. Farwa’s parents reaction got a few seconds but it showed that Farwa’s mother in particular had realized how wrong she was! She looked down upon this profession and these people but tonight they were shining on screen because they held on to their dreams and worked hard to make them a reality. This was a beautiful scene which was captured impeccably. Had this scene not been directed the way it was, it wouldn’t have had such a huge impact. Now, the viewers have even more of a reason to look forward to what lies ahead for Meeran in particular. Arsh and his band would have made something out of their lives even if they did not achieve all this but Meeran would have been singing on weddings even when she felt like she deserved better all her life if she didn’t get this opportunity.

Zebu’s track was covered flawlessly in this episode. The writer, director and the actors deserve an award for putting their heart and soul in this project. The way Sajida found out that Imtiaz was mistreating Zebu was very well done but it was Sajida’s reaction to all this which made it very realistic. Sajida’s first reaction was that of shock, she thought Imtiaz was merely physically abusing her daughter and there were also times when she tried to tell herself she was over thinking things. After thinking about her daughter’s behaviour in the recent past and asking her a few questions, the answer of which clearly suggested Zebu was scared of her father, she was convinced that Zebu was not safe in this house with Imtiaz. Like any intelligent mother, she distanced Zebu from Imtiaz, since she did not exactly know what went on she could not confront Imtiaz. Sajida’s over protective attitude towards her daughter was also shown really well. She knew she could not trust Imtiaz but it wasn’t till the end of the episode that Zebu told her what actually happened. Sajida also thought about the incident with Meeran which was also something that made her question Imtiaz’s character. Sammiya Mumtaz’s acting in all these scenes was absolutely superb. Also the child star playing Zebu has done her part really well. Imtiaz’s reaction was also shown excellently; he wasn’t sure what he should do since Sajida clearly wasn’t in the mood to ‘bargain’. What will be Sajida’s next move? Will she turn to Sheedan for help? Is Imtiaz going to sit back and let Sajida do what she wants to?

This episode was faultless in every way. A big thank you to the entire team of Udaari for putting this brilliant show together. Udaari has been exceptional right from the beginning and it is only getting better with every episode. This drama deals with how vulnerable children are but at the same time it has some very strong characters. Also, I have a feeling that just like Meeran’s track, Zebu’s track will also go in a direction where we will see her grow and flourish. This episode was full of positive messages – there is always hope if you are surrounded by people who love you and support you! Way to go team Udaari, looking forward to more from all of you!

How many of you watched this amazing episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

This episode was picture perfect in every way, it served the purpose of causing awareness about the issue this drama deals with in a very clear manner and at the same time Meeran’s story definitely proved to be a good ‘distraction’. The fact that the developments in Meeran’s track were very positive kept this episode from becoming too dark and depressing. The writer of this drama Farhat Ishtiaq deserves due credit for covering everything in the speech which was delivered by Munira at the conference. Addressing such a sensitive topic is not an easy task but the team of Udaari has managed to accomplish this task brilliantly so far. I am certain that every parent out there no matter how educated, enlightened and careful they already are is going to benefit from watching this drama. It is true sometimes parents do tend to ignore the signs which Zebu is showing right now because like Munira said in her speech they trust the person who might be involved in such a crime too much and at other times even when they find out there isn’t much they can do about it because the pedophile might be a very close family member. This opening speech needs to be heard by every parent out there over and over again.

The scenes covering Zebu’s mental state and the way Imtiaz kept on employing pressure tactics to make sure she stayed quiet were yet again chilling but very apt in showing how a wicked person like him would act in such a situation. Imtiaz obviously did not think that Zebu would react in this way, he probably expected her to start acting normal after a few days and now that things are not going according to his plan, he is getting more and more frustrated. The acting by both the actors involved in these scenes – Ahsan Khan and the child star – was so impressive that you could not help but feel everything that Zebu was going through in all these scenes and all that was going through this evil person’s head while he tried to pressurize Zebu into giving up. Sajida has absolutely no idea why Zebu is no longer the person she used to be, Imtiaz kept on telling her it was because of the fever and he continued showering them both with gifts therefore she did not pause for a second to think that Imtiaz might have harmed her daughter in some way. Sajida is naive and gullible and Imtiaz is too clever therefore this whole situation is very realistic and might prove to be a wake-up call for many!

Meeran’s track got just as much screen time as Zebu’s which was much-needed. Watching Meeran grow as a singer and the change in Arsh’s attitude was definitely something which put a smile on my face. Meeran is finally friends with these people who are very different from her, she is catching up fast and has a new found confidence. The on screen chemistry between Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed made their scenes a treat to watch. The only thing I missed was the interaction between Meeran and Sheedan. Sheedan continued to make herself ‘useful’ in this episode! I love the way the differences in the lifestyles of these people have been shown. Sheedan is not used to a life of luxury, she likes to keep herself busy doing something. Meeran too is used to getting up early in the morning and starting what she is supposed to do. Bushra Ansari owns her role as Sheedan.

The preview of the next episode showed Arsh and the band making it to the final competition. Will Meeran’s blooper put their career at stake? I am also waiting to find out when Sajida will really find out what has happened to Zebu and what she is going to do about it. Right now this little child is putting up more of a fight than Rameen did in Chup Raho therefore kudos to her character. The director Mohammad Ehteshamuddin has directed this play brilliantly by keeping the sensitivities of this issue in mind. All the actors have breathed life into their respective characters but Ahsan Khan is the one who took the biggest risk here and has definitely done a great job of making people hate his character. I would also like to thank the producers of this drama for talking about a topic which we most often sweep under the carpet.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Please do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Writer: Farhat Ishtiaq
Director: Ehteshamuddin
Produced by: MD Productions & Kashaf Foundation
Channel & Timings: HUM TV – Every Sunday – 8pm

Udaari is the brainchild of the same writer and production houses who were behind drama serial “Rehaii”. It is inspired from true stories; Kashaf foundation collected real life stories from the community they work with on regular basis and asked the writer Farhat Ishtiaq to write a script based on these stories. The owner of Kashaf Foundation said in an interview that when Rehaii went on air people said it was too real therefore very upsetting and not entertaining enough. Keeping that feedback in mind this time around they have tried to highlight some serious issues without compromising on the entertainment value of the serial. According to the producers Udaari is going to be a mix of education and entertainment.

This first episode of Udaari introduced all the primary characters in the story and I must say that there are a lot of characters in the play. Rehaii had many characters too and quite a few tracks but the writer and the director did complete justice to them therefore I expect nothing less than just that from this drama as well. Sheedan (Bushra Ansari), her husband (Rehan Sheikh), her son, her brother and her daughter Meeran (Urwa Hocane) live in the village. It is a Mirasi family who go to different functions to sing in order to earn a living. Everyone else in the family has absolutely no problem with this profession except Meeran. Sheedan in fact is proud of the fact that she inherited this profession from her ancestors. Meeran on the other hand feels differently mainly because the boy she is in love with does not approve of the profession. Although she tries her best to convince her mother that she does not want to sing but Sheedan is not someone who will let her school going daughter dictate to her. Meeran also has a naturally beautiful voice, dubbed by Hadiqa Kiyani. Urwa Hocane’s acting was flawless in this episode but her make-up unfortunately wasn’t. Her ‘white’ face was very distracting and she does not pass for a school going girl. Bushra Ansari and Rehan Sheikh shared good on screen chemistry. I am looking forward to finding out more about their characters.

Sajida (Sammiya Mumtaz) is Sheedan’s neighbour, she is a widow. She works at someone’s house to earn a living. She has a little daughter Zebu (Maryam Fatima) who she has to leave with Sheedan and when she is not around with other people because she has no other choice. Imtiaz (Ahsan Khan) is Sajida’s dead husband’s best friend. He has just returned from Dubai and was shown showering Zebu and Sajida with gifts and affection. Imtiaz is highly respected among people in the neighborhood and although he seems like a nice person but there is definitely more to his character than what was shown in this first episode. I must say that for the first time I felt like Samiya Mumtaz wasn’t appropriate for this role because she looks much older than Ahsan Khan. Otherwise I am a huge fan of her acting because her acting is always effortless. Ahsan Khan was very convincing as Imtiaz.

Arsh (Farhan Saeed), Milli, Haris and Farwa’s lives are very different from the lives of all these people living in the villages. They live in the city and Arsh, Milli and  Haris in particular come from very affluent families. All of them have a music band and are aspiring musicians. They hope to get a chance on television. Farwa is the lyricist and the vocalist, a very important part of the band but it looked like her mother’s opposition will prove to be a hindrance in the way of her dreams. Arsh and Farwa don’t get along well but Arsh’s meeting with Haris and Milli’s mother (Laila Zuberi) went to show that he is a good person at heart. Milli is also a sensitive person whose mother works with people who are underprivileged. Farhan Saeed acted superbly in all the scenes. It was good to see some new faces on screen and two completely different worlds in a drama which only had one thing in common – passion for music!

This first episode was decent enough. The story has something new and different to offer.  For some odd reason Sajida’s track caught my attention more than that of Sheedan and her family. It would have been so much better if the child artist did not wear so much make-up and Urwa Hocane shouldn’t have white washed her face either. All the actors deserve due credit for changing their accents completely to meet the demands of their characters. Bushra Ansari made her presence felt in tonight’s episode more than any other actor. Udaari promises much more than just mindless entertainment and I am really looking forward to what it has to offer in the upcoming episodes.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it. If you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

It was sad to see Sajjida ordering her daughter to stay away from a person who she had no reason to feel threatened from and putting her trust in someone who should not be trusted. The way Sajjida refused to talk about Meeran and Illyas’ relationship when Imtiaz wanted to ‘gossip’ about it went to show that deep down she still has a soft spot for these people. In a way Imtiaz told her to make sure that they had no ties with the ‘mirasis’ therefore she feels that she is saving her marriage by severing ties with Sajjida and her family. These scenes in which Sheedan and Meeran showered Zebu with love went to show that they still loved Zebu just as much as they did before. One apology can bring these friends back together but Imtiaz is making sure that never happens.

Imtiaz is gradually trying to make Zebu question the things her mother makes her do and the way she treats her because he knows that if she starts distancing herself from her mother then he will be the only ‘friend’ she will have in the house. He is constantly trying to prove that he loves her more than her mother and that she is better than her mother. Zebu is too young to understand these things and she has a pure heart therefore she never gets persuaded by his words. She has however started hiding things from her mother because she gets rewards in return for keeping these secrets which obviously implies that Imtiaz is violating this little girl in some way and he makes sure she knows that it is their ‘secret’ along with many other nice things he does for her like buying her things and taking her to places she likes.

Sheedan’s enthusiasm and her quality to focus on the positive aspects of every situation makes her character the most amazing character in this play. She did not judge Milli or her friends but only focused on what these people had to offer. Surely, these people are very different from Sheedan and her family and friends but that did not mean they were bad people – this aspect of Sheedan’s personality won me over completely tonight. She is a strong and insightful woman just like Samina Peerzada’s character in Rehaii. She is also very confident that she can protect herself and she does not need a man by her side. Bushra Ansari is beyond brilliant as Sheedan, she owns her role completely. Her acting and dialogue delivery is impressive and spontaneous.

Arsh is educated and modern but he is very narrow-minded and immature. Unlike Sheedan he judged Meeran and her family right from the first day based on their background. Sheedan could have refused these people too because there are many things about them which might appear to be outrageous to her but Sheedan is much more wise than Arsh. Arsh was never convinced that Meeran could be part of the band and now after this meeting he did not feel the need to ‘entertain’ her. Meeran felt the exact same way about these people but Sheedan made sure she took up this assignment. Urwa Hocane was superb as Meeran in this episode but I am tired of watching Meeran sing the same song over and over again!!

The preview of the next episode showed that Meeran and Sheedan reach Milli’s house and I hope that Arsh comes into terms with the fact that Meeran is there to stay because his nakhras are getting annoying now. The ‘ABC band’ got a lot of screen time in tonight’s episode, which was justified but their arguments got repetitive after a while.

All the actors are giving their best performances in this drama including the child star Maryam Fatima. Ahsan Khan, Sammiya Mumtaz make you forget that you are watching a drama, their portrayals are so natural and convincing. Even the actor playing Sheedan’s son’s role is doing complete justice to his character. So far the entire team of this play; the writer, the director, the producers and all the actors have done a commendable job.

How many of you watched this latest episode of Udaari? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan