Reality checks, unmet expectations, unfulfilled desires, broken dreams, and most of all, the will to go on – Raqs-e-Bismil has it all and more! No matter what these characters go through life goes on for them and that is what makes the central characters of this drama easy to connect to. Every other week, the writer intelligently sets the stage for something even more interesting which keeps the excitement alive. These 15 weeks have been a wholesome journey with Moosa being the primary character that has a pull. Zohra’s naivety continues to be her most dominant personality trait because of which she failed to make the right decision. Except for the fact that Zohra had no idea about the deal Ana Ji had made with Shehryar, everything else was quite convincing. Laila and Moosa’s track has my undivided attention at the moment! Once Zohra is in the picture as well, things will get even more interesting. Why is Moosa so determined to work for Laila? I would love to hear everyone’s take on that and I will obviously be sharing my own thoughts in the review!

Zohra Regrets Her Decision

Tonight’s episode opened with Shehryar reassuring Shehbaz that Zohra will apologize to him. Later on, Shehryar and Zohra’s confrontation revealed that he was going to make sure that she did exactly what he wanted from her. He knows that he ‘owns’ Zohra completely and she has nowhere to go to. She is in the situation she hoped she will be out of when she married Shehryar. I am surprised Shehryar did not talk about the ‘deal’ while they had this confrontation. It was however good to see Zohra at least trying to fight back. It is well established by now that Zohra expected to live her life as a housewife after getting married to him and it is rather unconvincing how long it is taking for her to accept the situation she is in considering she always had such a low opinion of men in general. Even though he paid Ana Ji to win her approval, Zohra expected this marriage to be like any other! Even after Shehryar told her what his expectations were somehow she has a difficult time coming to terms with the reality of the situation. The thappar tonight and the revelation that her husband was already married came as a reality check and rude shock like no other. I must say that Sarah Khan failed to add the kind of intensity to this scene that would have made it truly impactful even though the dialogues were so powerful.

Tonight, later on, she found out about the deal and that was yet another revelation that will further pressurize Zohra into doing what Shehryar expects from her. For the first time tonight, Zohra thought about Moosa but as is the case with Raqs-e-Bismil in general, the writer/director did not focus on the remorse or the hurt. This is clearly a punishment for her so that she will ultimately value Moosa’s feelings for her. He could have given her the life she wanted yet she did not trust him enough. Zohra’s feelings for Moosa have always been a mystery; so far it seems as if she was waiting to be ‘married’ in order to have any kind of expectations from men at all. All the conversations revolving around love and commitment, which she had with her friend, always suggested that she did not believe in happy endings. In reality, however, as is clear now, she was waiting to get settled down. When she accepted Shehryar’s proposal she had no idea what his intentions were therefore even though he was ‘paying’ Ana Ji to get married to Zohra, she did not expect to be treated like a commodity.

Moosa – The Bodyguard

Moosa is an interesting character! I have said this before but I always feel the need to say it again; the naïve and rather childlike part of his personality gives this character a definite appeal. Even though Moosa has the strength and the will to do whatever it takes to uphold the principles he believes in, his general impression of people and his outlook towards life is not mature enough! He is strong, emotional, and impulsive but definitely not street smart. Even before Murad started pointing out this aspect of Moosa’s personality, it was quite evident. We found out tonight that Moosa is in fact educated and therefore can take up a better job. Laila has a soft corner and a certain likeness for him since the beginning therefore she wants to see him doing something other than being her bodyguard! Moosa’s refusal to do and the reasoning he gave was open to interpretation. In the previous episode, he told Murad that he was going to protect Laila since he saw her getting abused by her husband. He also felt for her when Murad told him her backstory. Therefore, Moosa probably wants to continue doing this job because he feels that his madam needs him. The reasoning he gave her tonight, however, suggested that he did not want to make it big and that having such a job would keep him grounded – this was like a punishment for him since he was so used to living a completely different life. Moosa definitely has a mind of his own! Imran Ashraf owns this character; he has nailed every single expression and makes it easier for the viewers to understand this rather complex character. Saleem Mairaj is extremely likable as Murad – a friend like no other who sees all the qualities in Moosa which are not apparent!

Just like Murad said, Tauqeer wants to get back at Moosa and this attack on Laila seems to be part of his plan to do so. Laila thinks highly of Moosa and perhaps after this attack, she will make him stay at his home which will give Tauqeer the opportunity he is looking for! Laila’s character is turning out to be a pleasant one even though there is a gullible side to her personality as well.

Other Tracks

Esa continues to be hopeful that he will ultimately find the woman who was with Moosa and that would change everything! It was good to see Sakina wanting to tell the truth since she is the kind of person who wouldn’t hide behind a lie to save herself. Her hands are however tied and she cannot tell Esa the truth! It seems as if he will ultimately find out the truth and it remains to be seen what will happen then. Sitara is still madly in love with Moosa but in a rather typical scene, her mother asked her to move on and get married to Ahmed. These tracks have taken a backseat for now but might be back in the limelight once the story moves forward.

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil was entertaining as usual with the story moving forward in different directions once again. Imran Ashraf’s performance stood out more than any other. Furqan Qureshi also continues to impress. The next episode is going to be even more exciting since Moosa and Zohra will meet once again, Moosa’s father will also see his son with Laila this time around!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil? Do share your thoughts about it.

What an interesting turn of events! Raqs-e-Bismil continues to impress with the main protagonist Moosa taking the lead in the true sense of the word. I find myself looking forward to meeting these characters every week and Moosa continues to be the main attraction. With his rather twisted yet likable set of values, Moosa’s strengths outweigh his weaknesses. The writer has kept this character real throughout and Imran Ashraf has done exceptionally well especially considering the fact that bringing out the ‘naïve’ and somewhat ‘uncivilized’ side of this character was no easy feat! Moosa’s new job fits his personality so well and for a change, he was not shown thinking about Zohra tonight. The new characters have given this main track a new direction as well. Laila and Moosa’s equation is turning out to be interesting. Zohra and Moosa will meet once again since the stage is set for this meeting!

New Beginnings

Last week Zohra and Moosa’s tracks took a completely different direction altogether with both of them embarking on new journeys. Moosa accepted the fact that his father was not going to allow him to be a part of the family anymore and therefore he decided to start a new life away from his family. On the one hand, Moosa is emotional and impulsive; on the other hand, he is completely capable of being ‘practical’. Instead of spending days or weeks moaning Zohra’s loss, he started working as soon as he was offered a job. For a change, Moosa also did not ‘judge’ his boss and was keen on doing his duty as long as some of his terms and conditions were met. Laila’s track is interesting and the fact that she hired Moosa as her guard is even more so! Since Moosa has lived his entire life in a certain set-up that was completely different from the outside world, he does not gel in well with the ‘outside environment’. He is still learning to adjust to this life and that is the reason why he ended up hitting Laila’s husband! The way Na Murad introduced Moosa to Laila was priceless! It was almost as if he was voicing the thoughts of all those viewers who truly understand Moosa after watching him for all these weeks. Moosa’s mother’s dialogues tonight were the best ones tonight. She desperately wants Moosa to come back home but his father wants to punish him at all costs.

Moosa’s new beginning was rocky since he made some new enemies tonight! He is obviously someone who is not afraid of the consequences of his actions therefore this was the least of his worries.

Zohra’s new beginning is definitely more challenging than Moosa’s since this marriage is turning out to be a nightmare for her. She wanted to leave the life she once lived behind and start afresh but Shehryar wants her to go on living the same life, this time as his wife! The writer has handled this track well since he has shown that Zohra is attracted towards materialistic things and she is willing to adjust but at the same time she does not feel comfortable being objectified. Shehryar is a ‘business-minded’ man who treats Zohra as a commodity and understands why others would treat her that way even though they are married. Zohra did not get the respect she yearned for all her life and which she was hoping she would get once she was someone’s wife. Her most recent actions will make her husband’s motives even more clear. Sarah Khan and Furqan Qureshi’s acting was convincing throughout. Sarah Khan looks picture perfect in every single scene and she has done justice to the role she is playing. Furqan Qureshi has proved that he can effortlessly make the viewers love and hate his characters.

We found out details about Laila and Tauqeer’s relationship, their background, and Tauqeer’s evil plans. It seems as if Moosa will be playing a vital role in saving Laila; this is going to be really interesting! Will Zohra in any way become part of the revenge plan? I am waiting to find out. Moosa and Na Murad’s conversations always add something important to the story. The bromance between Na Murad, Esa, and Moosa is definitely the most heart-warming part of this drama. Moosa already has a soft corner for his madam after finding out how she has been exploited and is ill-treated by her husband.

Esa Is On A Mission!

Thankfully Esa did not find out the truth tonight but he is still impatiently looking for answers. The conversations he had with Sakina were well written and acted out. It seems as if these men have been given clear instructions not to let anyone know who was with Moosa that day, therefore they will not be revealing the truth anytime soon. However, there is a chance that Sakina might eventually tell Esa the truth herself. This track has been engaging right from the start and now more than ever I am waiting to find out where it leads.

Final Remarks

I absolutely love Moosa in this new avatar as the ‘protector’ yet again! The scene in which he reassures Laila that he was there to save her was one of the best scenes tonight! Imran Ashraf’s expressions throughout were impressive. He deserves tons of appreciation for embracing Moosa’s flaws and at the same time highlighting his strengths convincingly on screen. Zara Sheikh also acted superbly in this episode. Apart from the flashback scene which was unnecessarily long, all the other scenes added something to the story. Raqs-e-Bismil is one of my favorite television shows at the moment because it has been thoroughly engaging throughout.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil? Share your thoughts about it.

Raqs-e-Bismil continues to surprise and every week there is a major development that changes the leading tracks considerably in some way or the other. It is storytelling at its best since every track is interlinked and the journeys of the characters are such that they are being taken in directions completely different from the one they started out from. Just like every other episode, there were few moments where I found myself questioning the scenes but the more important developments in the story were convincing as usual. I feel that with every episode I find something new about some character; tonight’s episode revealed more details about Murad, Shehryar, and even Zohra.

Moosa’s pain was translated on screen in a subtle yet impactful manner. I am glad that, unlike so many other dramas, the scenes are not needlessly dragged and even though the OST is beautifully composed, it has never been over-used. The director Wajahat Rauf has not even once stretched the scenes even though there have been instances when he could have easily given more screen time to one of the characters. For instance, in this episode, Moosa’s scenes were short and to the point, although they could have been stretched. This is primarily the reason that not a single episode of Raqs-e-Bismil can be termed as a filler episode. Laila Khalid was introduced in this episode and I must say that it wasn’t the best introduction given the fact that she was once such a popular heroine. Surely, such a person wouldn’t need an introduction yet Shehryar had to tell Zohra who she was! Furqan Qureshi’s performance was outstanding tonight and Imran Ashraf yet again made Moosa’s ups and downs come alive on screen. I am waiting to see more of Zara Sheikh. The party scene could have been more grand given the fact that Shehryar comes from such an affluent background and this was supposed to be a party he threw to impress everyone. Other than that, the story is heading towards an interesting direction with Moosa heading towards a completely new direction.

Reality Checks

Tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil was filled with reality checks for our main leads. Moosa and Zohra both realized that things could actually get much worse than they already were. Zohra always hated the fact that rich people thought that they owned her and others like her. When she got married to Shehryar she was expecting to leave this life behind and be someone’s wife. Right from the beginning, the writer made it clear that Zohra never accepted her life as an escort. She went along with whatever Ana Ji said because she loved her enough to not question her decisions but her conversations with Chanda made it clear that she yearned for respect more than anything else. Ironically enough, the only reason she refused to get married to Moosa was that she was sure that she would always be treated with disrespect since he came from a respectable family. She found out early on in her marriage that Shehryar never wanted a wife but he also needed someone in his life who could ‘please’ his friends and partners so that he could get what he wanted from them. He ‘bought’ Zohra so that he could own her and use her as he willed.

The scenes showing Zohra’s shock every time she realized that Shehryar was going to allow others to treat her like a commodity and did not want her to be the wife she was hoping she could be were shot well. Sarah Khan acted impressively in this episode and she looked stunning as well. The viewers found out today that while Zohra hated the way she was being treated, she was not going to be too rigid. She did confront Shehryar but she was also willing to make the changes he wanted her to make. Shehryar is the ‘sodagar’ Zohra accused Moosa of being! Is this her punishment for rejecting Moosa’s love?

Moosa found out in the beginning that Zohra had married someone else and I must say that his reaction was not shown as dramatically as I was thinking it might be shown. He accepted the situation, refused to blame Zohra (this part was refreshing and quite likable), and decided he needed to start a new life realizing that it was not going to be easy. Some of the scenes were dedicated to showing how much pain and hurt this loss had caused him, while others showed how eager he was to build a new life away from his family. His scenes were a pleasant mix of strength and vulnerabilities. I especially liked the part where he explained why Zohra was not to be blamed. Imran Ashraf always manages to bring out different emotional states of his characters beautifully on-screen with intensity every single time. Moosa ended up at Laila’s office and it seems that she might fall for him. Will Zohra actually start acting and that is where Moosa will meet her once again? I am waiting to find out.

Sakina and Esa

Sakina and Esa’s track is also headed towards a direction which most of us are dreading especially because now they are finally happy! Only Sakina could have been sharp enough to figure out that Moosa’s mother might not have told Sakina what Moosa expected from her. While Esa was desperately looking for his brother he met Sitara and that is when he found out something that might change everything! In the next episode, he will go after those men to find out who was with Moosa that day and that is one development I am eagerly waiting to watch! Will Esa find out the truth? What will his reaction be when he finds out that Sakina was with Moosa that day?!

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil was interesting throughout since every scene added something tangible to the story. It is interesting how everyone else can appreciate Moosa’s love for Zohra but she rejected him without giving it a second thought. The story is getting more intense and exciting with every passing episode.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil? Do share your thoughts about it.

Tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil showed the aftermath of the impactful developments last week. Just like every week, tonight’s episode also had meaningful conversations and convincing portrayals. Rashid Farooqui’s character was introduced this week along with other supporting characters – Moosa’s new ‘friends’ in the prison. Unlike last week, Moosa did not get a lot of screen time but the scenes dedicated to Moosa certainly left an impact. Imran Ashraf has truly outdone himself in Raqs-e-Bismil since he has an undeniable screen presence in every single scene. I find myself looking forward to these scenes solely because of his performance. Anoushay Abbasi and Mehmood Aslam stood out in supporting characters tonight more than any other. Zohra’s decision to accept the proposal and the nikkah at the end of the episode were the most important story developments in this episode. Like every other week, tonight’s episode also ended in such a way that the viewers will be eagerly looking forward to what is in store next. Some of the dialogues and conversations tonight were beautifully penned down since they flowed like poetry. The preview of the next episode was intelligently put together!

Moosa and Zohra

This episode showed Moosa’s life in the prison, once again his only concern being his family’s honor which is already at stake and somehow he is at a stage where he is not able to do much to save it himself! He is fully conscious of how everything he has done has affected his family’s honor but he does not have the kind of control over himself that he can live the life he was living once. The only reason he wanted the men he shot to change their statements was because he wanted his father to have a logical explanation to give when people questioned him. And obviously, once he is out of prison, everyone will find out that he is innocent and that way there would be less pressure on his family. Sarang (Rashid Farooqui) was introduced as a powerful figure in the prison and another person who has lost in love! Moosa’s scenes tonight were short but the dialogues were powerful throughout. He has already impressed his prison mates and his father remains seriously agitated by his behavior for obvious reasons.

The conversation Moosa’s father had with Sitara’s father was one of the many well-written conversations in this episode. This was the most sensible interaction between two heads of families we have seen in recent times. They are both sensible individuals and they understand what each one of them is going through. The aesthetically pleasing background made this scene visually pleasing as well.

Zohra and Sitara’s meeting in this episode was the perfect reflection of unconditional love. This meeting was surprisingly pleasing and it left an impact on Zohra. Sitara wasn’t there to tell Zohra to stay away from Moosa but to ask her to help release him. Sitara also knows now that the woman Moosa shot those men for wasn’t Zohra. Quite unexpectedly, Zohra decided to accept the proposal owing to the growing pressure after the legal expert shared how he felt about the situation. I am sure I am not the only one who is waiting to find out what Ana Ji whispered in Zohra’s ear.

Sakina and Esa

Tonight’s episode opened with Sakina telling her mother why she had changed all of a sudden. The dialogues were brilliant and Anoushay Abbasi’s performance was on point as well. Finally, we are getting to watch major character development here with Sakina seeing the world from a completely different perspective. Everything that happened to her served as a reality check. She has realized that she was running after an ‘ideal’ and did not realize that the man she was sacrificing everything for did not have the common sense to realize how his delay could have affected the woman he claimed to love. Esa could already see the change in her but the way she explained how she felt about the thappar now also served as an apology. All these conversations were penned down exceptionally well since they were short and meaningful. The focus was on Sakina throughout and the rest of the characters were merely there to make the viewers understand how she felt now and what she was going through. Sakina’s conversation with Kamran was another such scene that showed just how casually Kamran took the entire matter and what was going on in Sakina’s mind regarding him. I am glad that this track was given so much screen time.

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode was one of the most well-written episodes of this drama. The dialogues were not too verbose but they were meaningful and intense. Raqs-e-Bismil continues to be an entertaining drama that is also visually pleasing. There are times when you feel as if there has been a little too much focus on making it visually pleasing but I honestly don’t mind that since the story flows smoothly and performances are always natural. Zara Sheikh will finally make an appearance in the next episode. Will Zohra go forward with the nikkah? The preview of the next episode suggested that Moosa will disappear after being released from jail. I am eagerly waiting to find out what happens next!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil? Do share your thoughts about it.

This was yet another engaging episode of Raqs-e-Bismil with some powerful performances and emotional scenes to its credit. The turn Sakina’s track took was predictable but this entire development was covered logically. The role Moosa played in this whole scenario was definitely the highlight of this episode since it was a turning point for Sakina. This was also the scene that yet again showed Imran Ashraf’s versatility and Anoushay Abbasi’s impressive acting skills. The director Wajahat Rauf deserves a lot of appreciation for ensuring that all the scenes are always short and to the point without compromising on the details and authenticity of the scenes. Hashim Nadeem’s characterizations stand out more than anything else since all these characters have some surprise or the other in store. Raqs-e-Bismil’s characters are as real as they get and the story has been compelling throughout. Moosa and Esa’s bond continues to be the most heart-warming aspect of the drama. Moosa is an unconventional hero – another feather in the cap of Imran Ashraf – who has nailed many such unusual lead roles!

Latest Developments and Their Impact

The opening scene of this episode set the mood for a power-packed episode. After weeks of watching Moosa sulking, it was great watching him bounce back because he knew he couldn’t ignore Sakina’s next move. This time around he intervened to save a sister and not to hold her responsible for breaking the rules set for her by the family. He instantly picked up that Sakina was planning something when he saw the driver taking those things to her friend’s house. Moosa might be lost in love but when it comes to things that matter, he is completely aware of his surroundings. It was shocking when he actually fired on those men but then it also made this scene even more impactful. He has always been shown as a fearless man who does not think twice before acting on his impulses. Imran Ashraf’s acting in this particular scene was simply outstanding; the anger in his eyes reflected a brother’s love for his sister more than anything else. He was there to protect Sakina this time around therefore this situation was completely different from the last time he barged in when Sakina was getting married. There have been quite a few instances when Moosa has reminded me of Adam, perhaps because I am finding it really difficult to forget Adam! This was another one of those times. Adam also rescued everyone around him who needed saving and tonight Moosa did the same for Sakina.

Moosa and Sakina’s conversation afterward showed how much had changed in these few months. I was hoping that Moosa would ask Sakina to take her buddua back but he did not do that. However, everything he did clearly indicated that he understood her situation more now than ever. His love for Esa was another reason why he decided to keep this a secret. This scene was so different from the one we watched in the first episode and it showed just how far Moosa had come. His character development has been so convincing and a journey in its own right. The change in Sakina’s attitude, later on, was just as logical and it was obviously really pleasant watching Esa happy for a change. Esa has to be the most likable character in the drama and I am so glad about the turn Sakina’s character has taken. If Esa ever finds out the truth he will be heartbroken! This is another interesting element of this track since most of us wouldn’t want Esa to find out what exactly happened.

Moosa constantly keeps on telling Esa to take care of the family and to be the son he couldn’t be for them. He is completely aware of how he has let his father down and deep down feels guilty. Esa has always looked up to his brother therefore even though his father keeps on telling him to treat Moosa differently, he cannot do that. These brothers share such a special relationship even though their personalities are poles apart. Momin Saqib and Imran Ashraf’s superb performances and the on-screen chemistry both these actors share have definitely contributed to the beauty of this relationship.

There was also interesting progress in Zohra’s track with Shehryar making the move he was planning to in the previous episode in order to put pressure on Zohra to accept his offer. Right now it is impossible to predict what turn this track will take. Will Zohra eventually decide to marry him or find another way out? Moosa continues to be the center of Zohra and Chanda’s discussions but even now it is impossible to tell how Zohra actually feels about him. There are times when it seems as if she is fascinated by his deewanapan. Sitara’s love for Moosa is just as intense as Moosa’s love for Zohra because even after finding out everything, she is not willing to let go. I am waiting to watch what impact Sitara’s meeting has on Zohra.

Final Remarks

This latest episode of Raqs-e-Bismil belonged to Moosa (Imran Ashraf) in particular and also to all the other characters and actors who made Moosa’s track extremely impactful. Moosa’s character and his journey truly stand out so far. This drama goes to show what a big difference suitable casting can make. There isn’t a single actor in Raqs-e-Bismil who has been typecast but at the same time, none of these actors are misfits. All of them fit perfectly into their respective characters which makes their tracks easy to connect to. It also goes to show the director’s vision and confidence in his skills. This was definitely one of the best episodes of Raqs-e-Bismil.

Did you watch tonight’s episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

Tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil ended too soon and it is going to be really difficult waiting an entire week to find out how the latest developments in the story affect all the leading characters. The story is getting more interesting and intense with every passing episode. There was a great deal of progress in the story tonight with Zohra asking Moosa to make an impossible sacrifice and Sakina rushing things in order to prove a point! Malik Shehryar wants Zohra in his life at all costs and it seems as if she might have to get married to him after all. This particular track has been unpredictable and powerful throughout. Esa and Sakina got more screen time tonight, which was definitely another aspect of this episode that made it wholesome. The fact that their track is just as significant as that of Moosa and Zohra’s makes the story even more interesting. The impressive performances by all the actors continue to be one of the most appealing factors of this drama. Imran Ashraf is at the top of his game at the moment since he has managed to impress as Moosa after leaving a lasting impression as Adam in Mushk.

Moosa, Zohra and Shehryar

Tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil opened with the most emotional and beautifully scripted scene covering Zohra asking for a final sacrifice from Moosa. All of their scenes together so far have been so intense and every mulaqat is supposed to be the last one! This time around Zohra showed just how intelligent she was by asking Moosa to leave him in a way that he could not refuse. She kept her promise and did exactly what Moosa’s mother wanted her to. Even though Moosa knows that he cannot live without Zohra, he gave her a promise which would be really difficult to keep. Once again Moosa’s mad love for Zohra was the highlight of this episode. There were also instances when it seemed as if Zohra was fascinated by the intensity of Moosa’s love for her but she still chooses not to be with him because she feels that if she marries him everyone will always look down upon her. Zohra’s character keeps me guessing because it has always been so difficult to gauge her actual feelings for Moosa. Sometimes it seems as if she makes a conscious effort not to be drawn towards him and at other times it is as if she really does not even care how he feels about her. Imran Ashraf and Sarah Khan performed exceptionally well tonight. Their on-screen chemistry and the intensity of their scenes together make their track the most powerful element of this drama.
Malik Shehryar made an offer that Ana Ji wanted to consider but she let Zohra make the final decision. Since Malik Shehryar wants Zohra in his life at any cost at all he is now going to create problems for Ana Ji so that she doesn’t have a choice and ends up pressurizing Zohra. I am waiting to watch what turn this track takes next since Moosa does not have the finances to help Ana Ji out of this situation.

Sakina, Esa and Kamran

The latest turn in Sakina and Kamran’s track was one that I already predicted in one of my previous reviews. It was well-executed and presented convincingly since these latest developments revealed a great deal about the characters involved. Sakina might be fierce but she is not too intelligent. Even though Kamran was hesitant to go forward with the plan, she was too eager to prove to Esa that she could depend on Kamran. Sakina is more stubborn and full of hate now than anything else. She was so confident about her decision that she did not even pause for a second to think that Kamran might let her down once again. Had she thought this plan through and wasn’t so eager to run away from the ‘hell’ she keeps on saying she is living in, she wouldn’t have taken such an extreme step. This turn in the story also showed that Kamran was not reliable at all and he wasn’t dependable enough to take anyone’s responsibility. The fact that he did not even try to get in touch with Sakina and left her at his friends’ mercy, who were clearly not reliable showed that Sakina did not choose the best life partner for herself. Apart from that, she also took her jewelry with her and thought nothing of it. The first time Sakina got caught it seemed as if her family members were the only ones who were unreasonable but tonight it was quite clear that Sakina is also equally irrational when it comes to having her own way.

Esa and Sakina’s interactions tonight showed that despite everything, Esa still loves Sakina and even trusts her. Tonight, the viewers have more reasons than ever to root for Esa since he isn’t just a thorough gentleman but he also has a big heart. Even after everything Sakina did to his brother whom he loves so much, he has forgiven Sakina because he loves her too much to hold a grudge. Now, Moosa will also redeem himself by not only rescuing Sakina but perhaps also taking the blame for whatever happens after he beats up these men. This time around Moosa will not judge Sakina but possibly understand why she is being so unreasonable. Most importantly, Sakina will have a reason to value Esa now, since he would never put her in the kind of situation she was in today because she trusted Kamran. I am looking forward to seeing a change in Sakina’s character in particular.

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil was entertaining and exciting. These 10 weeks have been pure entertainment and the brilliant performances have definitely set the bar really high! The story flows smoothly, apart from a few glitches here and there which can easily be ignored, Raqs-e-Bismil continues to impress. The best aspect of this drama is that it always gives you something to look forward to. The characters are easy to connect to and the pace has been steady too.

I can’t wait to watch what happens next! Did you watch tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil? Do share your thoughts about it.

After a long time, I was genuinely excited to watch the opening episode of a drama and unlike Dunk, Raqs-e-Bismil’s first episode was faultless. From the first scene to the last one, every scene was well-put-together and meaningful. Some of the issues highlighted in this first episode have been addressed in other dramas as well but overall the theme of the drama seems to be all-encompassing and not one which would be focusing on specific issues. The romantic element of the theme stood out more than any other which was pleasing. Other than that, the suffocating environment, rigid rules, and double standards were apparent from all the situations shown in this first episode. There were no ‘desperate’ attempts to get the viewers’ attention and most importantly it was a well-written and brilliantly executed first episode with mind-blowing performances. This first episode was also fast-paced which added to its entertainment value. Imran Ashraf and Mehmood Aslam’s performances stood out more than any other, Momin Saqib was truly impressive especially considering the fact that he has just started performing.

The Main Characters

It rarely ever happens that you warm up to all the characters introduced in the first episode instantly; I felt an instant connection to all these characters and had no trouble understanding them while I watched this opening episode. Not only were these characters written with the utmost clarity but the casting is perfect as well. Some of these characters are not new but this first episode promised that none of these characters are going to be black and white. Also, for a change, all the women shown in this first episode were supportive of each other in some way or the other. In this first episode, the viewers were introduced to Peer Qudrat Ullah Shah’s (Mehmood Aslam) household. He runs an astana, is the head of a Syed family, and has some set strict rules. Even family members who broke these rules in the past were killed. His older son Moosa (Imran Ashraf) takes his duty as the ‘janasheen’ really seriously and has beliefs perhaps more rigid than his father.

Moosa’s character already has my undivided attention because even with all his rage and the reputation he has, he is capable of loving others. He released Sakina (Anoushay Abbasi) after he was reminded of everything her mother had done for him. The conversation he had with Sakina before her nikkah was one of the best since it revealed how he had protected her over the years and there were times when she was actually proud of the fact that he was her brother. He went too far in protecting her this time around and ended up making even those decisions for her which she would have happily taken for herself. Moosa also has double standards since he wants to choose his wife himself but will never give Sakina the right to do the same. His definition of the perfect woman also said a great deal about his expectations from women. There are certain set rules in the family regarding matrimony therefore marrying out of the cast is out of the question.

Moosa’s younger brother Isa (Momin Saqib) however seemed to have a completely different perspective. Although he was the one who informed Moosa about the nikkah and supported him wholeheartedly, he was more than willing to marry Sakina. Isa seems like a more open-minded individual since instead of thinking that his father was marrying him off to someone who had eloped with her boyfriend; he was actually questioning his own credibility as a suitable life partner for Sakina. Isa is clearly head over heels in love with Sakina but she has no feelings for him at all. Sakina is a confident and educated young girl who had the guts to speak up even though she knew she would have to pay a big price for it. Even though she has been living in such a suffocating environment, she refuses to abide by the rules but at the same time is aware of the dangers associated with breaking the norms.

Sakina’s track was taken forward quickly with the nikkah taking place towards the end of this episode. She gave Moosa a ‘baddua’ that might haunt him in the future. Sakina and Isa are really interesting characters therefore I am looking forward to their track. It seems like Isa will be the one making the compromises and Sakina might fall in love with this ‘jahil’ eventually! I liked the mother’s (Nida Mumtaz) role since her loving and soft nature balanced out the rigid attitude of her older son and husband. Sakina’s mother also did whatever she could to save her daughter and there was no bitterness and resentment in her attitude even later on. The women have accepted the norms in the family but it seems like their experiences have not made them bitter. They have a bond with their children which enables them to have them do certain things the way they want. They obviously have little control over most of the situations.

Must-Watch

This first episode is a must-watch since it had everything it takes to grab the viewer’s attention. The overall feel of this episode was superb; the locations, camerawork, picture quality, and even the looks sported by all the actors. What I liked the most about this first episode was that it focused on the main characters, it wasn’t ‘over-crowded’ and the entire cast is well-suited for the roles they have been assigned. The way Imran Ashraf translated his character on screen was especially impressive; I liked how he intentionally kept his posture rather stiff while sitting down and when he was ‘on guard’ during the nikkah! Anoushay Abbasi nailed all the scenes; she has always been such a brilliant performer, I am so glad to see her playing such a character. Hashim Nadeem’s writing and Wajahat Rauf’s direction both were on point. I am eagerly looking forward to more!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Raqs-e-Bismil? Do share your thoughts about it.

Written by: Hashim Nadeem
Directed by: Wajahat Rauf
Produced by: Showcase Productions & MD Productions
Channel: HUM TV
Schedule: Every Friday at 8 pm

Complete Cast

Imran Ashraf
Sarah Khan
Anoushay Abbasi
Zara Sheikh
Momin Saqib
Javeria Abbasi
Mehmood Aslam
Nida Mumtaz
Gul-e-Rana
Rashid Farooqui
Saleem Mairaj
Furqan Qureshi

Raqs-e-Bismil OST

Singer: Vicky Akbar
Composer: Hassan Ali – Riaz Ali Khan
Lyricist: Farhat Abbas Shah