Naraz is something that has hooked me up since it’s very first promo that I saw. Not only because it had Faysal Quraishi, but also the mesmerizing OST by Sohail Haider. The author’s name is new to me. But I can see he is doing a splendid job. A lot has been set up in first episode.
Azlan (Faysal Quraishi), a confident, charming and bluntly, somewhat egoistic stock-broker lives in his self made heaven. With a loving wife, a son to spoil to his heart’s content and having enough money to do that, there seems to be no problem can ever touch this guy.
Except for his wife’s health. With the doctor’s appointment scene, we are shown from the beginning that she is suffering from some sort of disease.
Azlan’s character is clearly portrayed as class conscious by his attitude with his parents-in-law. But his habit of having his way is also evident to us by the fact that he had married and living happily with a middle-class girl. And care about her with all his heart. He also show genuine and extraordinary care to the one he loves.
A perfectly imperfect protaganist.
Fariha (Sara Khan) is as idealistic as Azlan is materialistic, with family values rooted inside her. She is shown trying in vain to bridge the class gap between her family and Azlan. Also trying to stop him from spoiling his son from showering all the money as a mean to show love.
The relationship between Azlan and his son Azir is also beautifully portrayed. Azir’s habit of having his way is promising some real good trouble in the coming episodes.
The character of Javaria Abbasi (forgot the name) still isn’t much developed. Aside from the fact that she is hopeless romantic for Azlan, and Fariha knows that.
The end really hit me hard. Making me mark next Monday on my calendar. With all his confidence in his skills and believe in his money, Azlan has failed badly in a deal capable enough to actually destroy his heaven.
And all that in the first episode, if it still doesn’t feel promising enough drama, I doubt anything will hook you.
Overall, the episode was fill with warm family moments and beautiful direction. The birthday celebration in Fariha’s parents home perfectly evoked the theme right from the beginning. Happiness isn’t all about money.
I gotta admit that I was relieved to see a director who doesn’t believe good direction means odd camera angles, but scenes that evoke emotions with right bit of dialogue and music. I do still have some setbacks on Sara Khan’s acting though. Lets hope for the better.
The second episode of Naraaz hit it’s mark. From the very beginning, it hooked us up by the on going conflict that didn’t faded until the final moment.The first scene was my favorite since I really hate those sort of people who, when someone else is going through a big shock, is raving about how I had already told you so.
Azlan has messed up a big deal completely. And the whole episode focused solely on his trying in vain to grasp the situation. Not only is he loosing all his money, but all of his friends are rapidly turning into foes— or should I rather say beasts.
In previous episode, we were told Azlan’s false values and suddenly in episode two, all of them break in front of him.
He can’t keep his office anymore. None of his friends are even waiting for their money to return, let alone cooperating. No banks are providing him lone. So yeah, our hero is completely lost in his battle.
I really loved the way his relationship with Fariha was defined in these moments. The way she assured him no matter what happen, for her he is more important than anything else.
But on the contrary, his innocent little son couldn’t even realize how much hurt he is inflicting on his father in his blissful ignorance. That scene literally made me cry, and that is really rude of the makers to make that happen to viewers right from the beginning.
He is having to leave his office, since he couldn’t afford his business anymore. How his partners are discussing the fact that if he is paying, that means he has money made me gag. The picture of materialism in modern society was spot on and nauseating. We didn’t get any more hints on Fariha’s illness. But a small amount of Aisha’s (Javeria Abbasi) character has been developed. Her love for Azlan is above money. But there has to be some reason for her avoiding her parents. And that is making me interested.
In the last scene, the way Azlan is beaten by Khawar and how he looks at his son and wife with horror, it made us realize how much he this act of Khawar’s selfishness had shattered his whole world. Of course, promising more amazing emotional scenes ahead.
Overall, I watched this entire episode without even taking time to breath. Until the end, the tension kept developing in an exhilarating pace. Although it isn’t necessary to say that about Faysal Quraishi, but I still have to rave about how spot on and amazing his acting was on this entire episode. Not only this episode, but this whole serial revolves solely around him. Which for his fans like me is a feast to watch.
The direction was amazing. It’s first time in a Pakistani drama in which a punch looked realistic. Thanks to of course, Faysal’s acting. No more warm scenes this entire episode, it was all Azlan scraping up his pieces which a single blow had shattered off him. Or I should rather say, Azlan is still in the process of getting hit this entire episode. He didn’t even get the chance to hold his breath even for a second.
Kinza Sheikh
