These four episodes of Laal Ishq have taken the drama forward in huge steps and all of them equally engaging, intriguing and yet all the more complicated. For Ansa Mehrunnisa aka one woman army of Laal Ishq, things are downhill since the day she has found out the identity of Farhad and Rameen. First her world came crashing down when she got to know that she had unknowingly engaged her daughter to the man’s daughter whose blood she is thirsty for. Secondly, to her utter dismay, her strength, Mehr Punaar has fallen in love with Bali’s daughter. That makes him leave Bali unharmed not once but twice because of the love that he has for her. The first time, mamoo Munir tried to do his job but Punaar stopped him the middle, which made Bali hurt and hospitalized but not fatally. This was so difficult for Mehrunnisa to grasp that she lost all senses in anger. Her effect was so much on Punaar that he agreed not to leave Bali alive the next time he finds him. He even denies his love for Rameen but she is not going to let him go that easily. She reached the restaurant unexpectedly when he and Farhad were meeting and created a huge scene which ultimately made his brother realise that she had also fallen in love.

Mehr Punar is shown very realistically confused. He has been brought up and raised in a way that his sole reason for existence was to take revenge for Hukum’s murder. Now that he has discovered romantic feelings for Rameen, he doesn’t know how to deal with them. He can’t dissociate her identity of being Bali’s daughter away from her and that makes him swing between a love hate pendulum for her. Aabi Khan has consistently been a star in all four episodes.

Farhad is also just amazing as the calm and controlled one. It’s lovely to see all four youngsters with individual personalities and temperaments being so wonderfully played and acted out. Amongst the terribly emotional Punaar and Mahi and Rameen, Farhad is an oasis of calm and thoughtfulness. He is strong but gentle unlike Punar who is gentle at heart but doesn’t quite know how to control his temperament and all that’s expected out of him. That’s understandable though, since they have been raised by totally opposite individuals and they have the characteristics of their parents in them.

Ansa Mehrunnisa has crossed all limits now and went to the extent of putting metal locks in Mahi’s feet to keep an eye on her all the time. Mahi has suffered so much at the hand of her mother, that she has started requesting Farhad to do court marriage with her, which he is almost willing to do but not quite. Mehrunnisa has even shot one of her maids and injured another one because she saw her helping Mahi in talking to Farhad.

The next time Punar and Munir have gone to kill Bali, Rameen comes in front of his father and Punar is helpless in love. He simply shoots at Bali’s feet and this time mamoo Munir also stops and follows Punar home.

On seeing that she is losing a battle, Mehrunnisa gets Mahi engaged and insults Jajji and Rameen when they come to request her for Mahi’s hand. Jajji and Farhad seems to be the only two who are feeling everything, hence they have that tragic expression all the time. The others, including Bali himslef are an example of if you think, life is a comedy. Despite their trials, they still see humor in all of it and that makes Laal Ishq a very interesting watch in an otherwise sad story.

It was very refreshing to see Zahid’s entry as such a good human being. Just by being egngaged to Mahi and that too wrongfully, he fully listens to her and wants to help her. He is such a positive character. Now that Mahi and Farhad are all set to elope secretly with Zahid’s help, Rameen tries to take Punar into confidence but he becomes Mehrunnisa’s son once again and gets really angry at the suggestion of Mahi and Farhad’s court marriage.

The two stars of the episodes were again Mamoo Munir and Mehr Chiragh. Mamoo Munir is such a fun character that I actually look forward to his scenes. Simply amazing…

If the dramas were truly appreciated for their screen play, plot and acting abilities of lead characters instead of their marketing budgets, I truly believe Lal Ishq would qualify as THE drama of the season. All three of these episodes were mesmerizing and engrossing to the extent that you cannot believe when they actually end and they leave you frantically searching for the promo to see if anything more can be gained from there.

What an amazing three episodes. The story is flowing forward seamlessly. There is an artistic quality to the drama. The way the characters interact with eachother and the way they are fighting their internal battles while pretending to be strong gives it a very life life quality. Despite the fact that the story is extremely dramatic, the drama seems very free from unnecessary drama and over the top actings. The newcomers are doing such a great job that they are actually at par with veterans like Saba Hameed and Waseem Abbas. In the scenes between Mehrunnisa and Mahi, Mahi seems to hold her own as well as Mehrunnisa, which says a lot Faryal Mehmood’s talent.

Rameen and Farhad had accepted Bali as their Jajji uncle. Before they came to know his identity in the seventeenth episode, they even started to care about him like their father’s friend. On the other hand, Mehrunnisa has started preparing for the wedding despite Mahi’s reluctance to leave the house, lest Punar kills Bali and ruins his own life which is Mahi’s biggest fear.

Bali is finally caught by Mehr Punar and that scene was handled absolutely brilliantly. There was no confusion and contradiction in how the characters dealt with the whole situation. It was all pretty straight forward and natural.

Another thing that truly stood out is the amazing portrayal of supporting cast. Usually, the family members of lead characters are useless, baseless and poorly performed but not here. From mamoo Munir to Mojoo uncle to Yawar Kamal, each and every one of these is adding a new dimension to the story without which it would not be the same. They all have their rightful places in the story which the actors are holding up well. From Mojoo’s wide eyed innocence to mamoo Munir’s witty laugh, I wonder who did the casting so well. Seems like an act of genius.

Rameen and Punaar share a beautiful love hate chemistry. In her own way, she has planted a seed of forgiveness for Bali in Punar’s heart, which Mahi and Yawar Kamal were unable to do. In a very emotional sequence, Bali is willing to sacrifice his life for Farhad’s happiness and Punar comes at the right moment to take his life. However, Rameen’s words start resounding in his ears and while he is deliberating, mamoo Munir has done his job which might not have been a very successful murder attempt since Punar tried to save Bali.

Do watch this drama if you are almost sick of Pakistani dramas’ typical stories and substandard acting performances. It is romance, action, thrill and murder all entwined beautifully to create a masterpiece. Cannot wait for the next episode.

This was the first episode that did a great job as usual in making you look forward to the next one but sadly, did not give much to reflect upon on its own. It would have been wonderful if a little more had been shown about the aftermath of Mahi’s death.

In the dark of the night, as it poured heavily and the heavens cried on the death of an innocent, Punar and Muneer have made an anonymous grave for Mahi in the woods, where she will be quiet forever and the spark of her life, her love all has blown out. Mehr Chiragh could not stop his tears and while it was so hard to see him sad, it was also harder to forget that he had been ally in the silencing of the only voice of life in their haveli.

Farhad has the feeling of loss in his heart. He knows something is wrong with Mahi, and he is not able to calm down. Arsalan Idrees was just amazing in his short scene today. His expressions, body language and tone, everything was perfect in depicting the agony of a lover who was so close to his destination and suddenly it has slipped out of his hand again. He has made Bali and Jajji aware of the dangers he thinks Mahi is in and Jajji is now realising what a blunder he has committed in forcing Farhad to send Mahi back.

In the Mehr household, Mehrunnisa is shedding crocodile tears. She is an evil woman, a vengeful soul whose existence is enough to destroy all sorts of goodness in her surroundings. She has killed her beautiful, loving daughter in her hatred for someone who has spent twenty years in prison already and knowing full well that Mahi and Farhad did know about eachother’s paternal identity when they fell in love. Worse is Punar who is her puppet. What’s the point of showing Punar as the soft and kind youngster of today if he is going to be this cruel at the end. His sadness at Mahi’s demise was certainly not enough. There should have been some forgiveness for his only sister and some anger at the mother who killed her in cold blood.

Now Jajji and Bali are trying to do damage control and they have gone to Yawar Kamal for help and advice. It seems as if Yawar Kamal, Jajji, Bali, Farhad and even Mahi herself were not aware of the dangers of Mehrs’ anger. It took Fakhira to point out to them that they would not be heartbroken at the running away of their daughter. Rather, Mehr Chiragh is heartbroken beacuse Mahi has been killed.

The promo was very promising. It seems as if Rameen will go to any extent to save Farhad and Punar will cross all limits of cruelty and revenge and maybe marry her forcefully , since her mother’s fasts are now dependent on Farhad’s death, not Bali’s. Whole lives are  being wrecked and ruined at the whim of a woman who fasts everyday in the prayer that her enemy’s murder will free her of this pact of unending fasts. By the way she is in remarkable health for someone who is eating nothing but dates and water for twenty years. A raw vegan Mehrunnisa, thirsty for human blood…

I am not sure whether I take more breaks on the rare occasions that I work out or I did during this episode! I tried to get into it with all the ‘exciting’ events happening but kept finding myself pressing the pause button and tuning in a few minutes later. This is the second drama that I have been reviewing that has come to an end this week and that too before the 20th episode mark. I do feel very lucky, LOL!

I will admit I did not expect Shahzeb to die and Bari Sahab to collapse like she did. So even though this drama did rely on a lot of misleading dream sequences there were a few twists and turns to its credit, but still that did not manage to engage me totally. Sab ko maar, peet, bhaga kay, there was nobody left in the haveli anyway so it took a heart to heart between the nurse and Zainab which of course, Jahanzeb overheard to make him stop and ponder over how caring Zainab is. Sigh. So, Alisha has devoted her life to social awareness now and Mannat has gotten her happily ever after while we are left to assume Zainab may or may not have gotten hers. A number of things bothered me in these last episodes – why did Alisha have to take Zainab’s name, why call the press conference anyway when she knew it would cause further trouble and someone from Sikander or Bari Sb’s family would try to get to Mannat, when did Mannat and Shahmeer get married, is Zainab not in iddat now so why was she flitting around the city – I could go on. I am not sure if Zainab’s love for Jahanzeb and his constant resistance or rejection whatever you may like to call it, was meant to be bittersweet or romantic but it felt neither to me.

Sometimes a drama has a very typical and predictable story but the execution is such that you watch it anyway and enjoy it. After all, why do people watch chick flicks time and again even though they all pretty much follow the same pattern (I have given up on them, but still). Laaj was more filmy than like a drama with the feuding Sikander and Bari Sb, lives lost during the feud, the shehr wali larki, the parha likha walaiti son, the ‘selfless,undying’ love, the suffering granddaughter – the works. The set was colourful but some bits like the walls in the background and even the scene when Shahzeb dies and the blood was soooooo not convincingly blood made the presentation look a bit sloppy at times. Iqra Aziz has weeped her way through the play so seeing her smile in the last episode was probably the only thing that caught my attention, LOL! I do think that Kamran Jillani is quite the underrated actor and I liked how he portrayed his feelings over Shahzeb’s death. I missed Bari Sb in this last episode and would have been nice to see her conscious again. Asma Abbas as Bari Sb was phenomenal and although her ideas were outrageous at times, her dialogues and acting especially when it came to expressing her views over Alisha and Sikander thoroughly entertained me. I hope I never see Sabika Imam in a drama again. Zarnish Khan is an excellent actress and I hope for her sake she has better luck choosing her future projects where her talent can be appreciated.

I have seen promos of a drama with surprise surprise, Iqra Aziz and am assuming that will replace this one. Doubt I will be tuning into that! I would like to thank the readers who read my reviews and shared their thoughts, in particular Rida, Haider and Sabika and most of all Omm E Nida who would read and comment on my reviews every single week What did you all make of this drama and how it ended? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

I found it quite a struggle to sit through these two episodes, to be honest. I know there are a few out there who really enjoy this drama and so I just want to make it clear that to each their own, we all have different tastes and while I thought this drama was a decent watch initially, the past few episodes have relied too many times on cliffhanger endings which turn out to be only a nightmare, a dream or a daydream of the character and in this latest episode when Mannat is running away she pauses next to the motorbike when the air and Shahmeer are crackling with anxiety and tension and she imagines a whole scene play out where her father shoots them both dead! I mean, really! Too many episodes of this drama have either ended on such a note or the previews of next episodes show such scenes, Bari Sb coming upon Shahzeb and Mannat, Jahanzeb declaring his love for Zainab, Zainab killing herself, to name a few. This has begun to really try my patience, aargh!

Alisha decides to come see for herself what is amiss and seeing the wedding picture hung on the wall, realizes Shahzeb has married Zainab. The only interesting scene was when Bari Sb sees Alisha and Asma Abbas acting is always spot on. I am loving her as Bari Sb and her comments about Alisha make me laugh. It is beyond weird how Zainab consoles Alisha – she is married to Shahzeb now, how about moving on? What is she thinking long term? I get she could not muster the courage to say no to Bari Sb but how is giving her blessing to Shahzeb and Alisha to not let go of their love supposed to help matters? Shehr wali biwi and gaoon wali biwi is the way forward?

Bari Sb. Ruthless Bari Sb has not forgotten about Mannat’s unborn child and has started taking steps to roll her plan into action. Shahmeer overhears her plans (that is another thing that is truly annoying – this eavesdropping on conversations to move the story forward). Anyway, Mannat and Zainab already know of Bari Sb’s plans which is why Zainab confronts Shahmeer and sends Mannat off with him in the dead of the night.

I have a feeling the scene played out between Mannat and Shahmeer when his friend’s wife locks them in while her husband runs to tell the haveli people Mannat is in his house was meant to be highly emotional but it felt like a poorly executed Indian movie. Mannat threatening to kill herself, kill her baby, Shahmeer announcing he would lay his life down for her, Mannat declaring a life without him is no life. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for romantic cheesy dialogues and scenes but this just did not work for me. So the haveli and Sikander and the evil world all ganging up against poor Mannat and Shahmeer. Well, it did not work for me but it worked for the friend’s wife for she has a change of heart and lets them escape.

Where are Mannat and Shahmeer headed? To Alisha, of course. All hell will break loose in the haveli in the next episode and Mannat will reach Alisha safely. Will Zainab be found out for her role in this escape and will she be made to pay? Will Sikander/Dilawar search for Mannat themselves since she is the mother of their heir? Will I be counting days until next Saturday? Errm, definitely not.

There are dramas which have a very average, sometimes predictable story but the acting and the direction make them stand out. Then you have a star studded cast and a weak script and direction and the drama is a bore. Laaj is excellent on the production values, the colourful sets (although I can not help notice the backgrounds are sometimes just painted which is saying a lot since I am not a very observant person) but still. Even Shahzeb’s colourful shalwar suits with matching waistcoats were interesting – although he has abandoned them and resigned himself to white and black since he has gotten married! Asma Abbas, Kamran Jillani and Zarnish Khan seemed to really fit into their characters and acted well but the endless twists which are such a figment of someone or the other’s imagination and the fact that the story lacks direction is making it hard to sit and watch the drama. I would love to hear what you all made of these episodes and how, if anyone feels the same or differently about it.

Kunwal Javid

Seriously. I am amazed at how Jahanzeb has not managed to share his feelings with Bari Sb. Everyone seems to be passing the buck with Zainab hoping Jahanzeb will speak up or Shahzeb will refuse to marry her where Jahanzeb wants Zainab to say no to Bari Sb or hopes Shahzeb will. In the end only Shahzeb was able to voice his feelings and head out to take action but that failed too.

These two episodes focused on the seemingly inevitable marriage of Zainab and Shahzeb and Mannat’s ‘predicament’. Bari Sb thinks Zainab is interested in Shahzeb with her constant hints of not wanting to leave the haveli and given she does not like Alisha either, she feels that having Zainab marry Shahzeb would be a wonderful idea. Alas, nobody else shares her enthusiasm. Shahzeb tells Bari Sb he will not marry Zainab and prepares to leave but the emotional stunt that Bari Sb pulled had him weeping and falling to his knees and in that moment of weakness, she makes him promise to honor her words. I felt bad for Shahzeb then and wondered at Bari Sb’s mamta for she knows Shahzeb is unhappy with this match yet she resorts to such drastic measures to make him succumb. She further impresses upon him that he must appear to act that he is very happy with this match and it is what he wants. I know Bari Sb is ruthless but she always came across as a woman who loved her sons, niece and grandchild (well not too sure about the grandchild for her decisions regarding Mannat seem questionable to me, but oh well)!

Zainab and Jahanzeb are taken aback at this change in Shahzeb and Zainab even confronts him but Shahzeb stays true to his word. I know Bari Sb expects the ‘daughters of the haveli’ not to have any opinions but I wonder how awful could it be if Zainab said she wanted to marry Jahanzeb? Bari Sb thinks Jahanzeb is not a fitting match for Zainab since he is older and a widower so it would be unfair to Zainab. Also, her thoughts regarding what ‘people will think’ are contradicting her image of a woman who earlier tells another woman to throw out her worthless husband for she can earn her own living and must not put up with his nonsense. Bari Sb clearly does not practice what she preaches or does so selectively it seems.

Jahanzeb is another confused character. He has moments where in his mind he is passionately vowing to make up for all the misery he has put Zainab through and then he feels he is not good enough for her. I think it is his cowardice which prevents him from speaking up and in that sense maybe he is not deserving of her indeed!

Mujhay acha lagay ya bura, hona wohi hai jo meri kismet mein likha hai. Seems like Mannat is the only one who knows crying or having an opinion or feelings will not matter in this haveli. She seems to be a bit too easily resigned to have Bari Sb and others decide her fate but then given how Shahzeb’s situation where he tried to ‘do something’ was dealt with, then maybe she is not too far off the mark either! Bari Sb is planning to have Mannat’s baby aborted so she may rob Sikander of an heir but wants Zainab married off quickly too so that she is not ‘available’ as an offering to Dilawer anymore. This woman! Her scheming and ruthlessness knows no bounds. Sikander on the other hand is laying his own plans which failed when his plan to have Shahzeb killed fell through. It did however bring to the limelight our desi Charlie Chaplin who it seems is about to be caught out very soon!

The episode ends with wedding celebrations beginning for Zainab and Shahzeb. I watched these two episodes together so the pace was okay for me. But I feel by the next episode either Zainab should be married to Shahzeb and move the story forward or Jahanzeb finally speaks up (don’t see that happening though!). This drama is not the sort that has you glued to the screen but the colourful visuals, powerful acting by Asma Abbas and heartfelt performances by Zarnish Khan and Kamran Jillani have held my interest. I normally find Mirza Zain Baig’s acting lacking but the scene between him and Asma Abbas was done well and was convincing. I like Laaj but I am still waiting for that ‘punch’ in the storyline for so far there has been nothing out of the ordinary.

Next week’s preview shows Zainab taking matters into her own hands. Wonder where that will lead everyone. How did you all find these episodes? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Well! This was an interesting episode to watch with Bari Sahab struggling to accept Zainab as a sacrificial lamb and trying everything she can to avoid this marriage from taking place. She pays Sikander a visit and offers him more than double the amount of villages he demanded but that he take the condition of Zainab and Dilawar’s marriage back. Knowing how greedy Sikander is I was a bit surprised he did not seem to at least consider the offer but then true to form, he explains to his son later that with Zainab wed to Dilawar Bari Sahab hamaray neechay lag jaye gee and that seemingly gives him far more satisfaction than numerous amount of villages and land in his name.

Charlie Chaplin ka desi bhai informs Jahanzeb about the latest developments and his thoughts later Kaash Allah mujhay ek mauka day day, mein tumharay saaray khwaab pooray karoon ga Zainab makes me wonder if this is an impulsive, emotional moment or whether the sacrifice Zainab has agreed to make has managed to awaken love in Jahanzeb’s heart. Bari Sahab’s teary eyes and expressions show her inner conflict where she is wracked with guilt and grief to be throwing Zainab in the mouth of wolves in exchange for her son’s life. She has loved Zainab with all her heart and does now too, but it is a tough decision to make. Zainab has made it easier for her by offering herself to accept the terms Sikander has set forth.

Alisha and Shahzeb were given very little screen time thankfully, with Alisha throwing her two cents in and Zainab ka number send karo had me laughing. Like really? To quote Bari Sahab from the earlier episodes, kaun kurri hai yeh, kithun chuk laya hai?!! Anyways, Bari Sahab tells Sikander to have Jahanzeb released before the nikkah and that got me thinking whether Bari Sahab has something up her sleeve. My hopes are pretty much crushed when she says to Jahanzeb that she can not go against this decision and there is nothing she can do.

Jahanzeb’s conversation with Zainab was emotional. Jahanzeb’s accusation tu mujh se pyar nahin karti, sirf apni zid poori kar rahi hai was interesting. You know this is what stood out to me in today’s episode. Where emotions such as pride, dignity, revenge are the driving forces in these people’s lives. Not once does Jahanzeb say anything along the lines of how he feels about Zainab but that his pride can not take that she live such a life in exchange for his. How Zainab says there is no other way for she can not take back her word. How Bari Sahab proudly declares that Jahanzeb was right to kill Sajjad to avenge his daughter’s honor. These people have a code of life which they firmly believe in and logic takes a back seat to any of these emotions when taking a decision.

I can not help wonder how Mannat fits in all this. When Bari Sahab earlier had Mannat wed to Sikander, true she did it in the hope of having relations between the families improve but she has known Sikander forever and you would think a shrewd woman like her would not agree to such a proposal when clearly Mannat would be better off elsewhere? Surely she could see it was a gamble at best. The way Bari Sahab is suffering at the thought of handing Zainab over to Sikander and his family, did she not feel any apprehension earlier. I agree, there had been no bloodshed then either but still she could have agreed to assign some land to Sikander if she wanted to improve relations, not offer her only grandchild as a peace token! But then as was highlighted in one of the earlier episodes, lands and property to Bari Sahab and Sikander held much more meaning than just a piece of land and was more a play of ego and power and respect. Sigh.

Jahanzeb has made it clear that he will not allow this marriage to take place. Wonder how he can prevent that from happening? The ending scene of this episode although seemed like a dream come true for Zainab makes me think whether it was just that – a dream? In which case I will personally go hand over Zainab to Sikander and Dilawar myself, aargh! Asma Abbas today as always was flawless as Bari Sahab and I was struck how apt the casting had been done in the scene when Jahanzeb returns from jail with Shahzeb and Mannat greets him. They did look like father and daughter in that scene. The scene between Jahanzeb and Zainab was interesting but I kept waiting for Jahanzeb to burst out that he loves Zainab – but alas, he did not. Nayyar Ejaz as Sikander is also truly convincing as the greedy, crafty old man that is portraying. Interested to see how Bari Sahab will be able to wriggle herself and her loved ones out of this mess. Any ideas – would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

So this episode revealed to us in detail what Sikander has been planning. On the other hand, Bari Sahab has plans too for Mannat. While the elders plan and scheme, the younger generation is used as pawns and is at the mercy of their plans. I could relate to Mannat’s fear when she wondered why Bari Sahab wanted to keep mum about Mannat’s pregnancy and what she in mind for her baby. Bari Sahab does not want Sikander to know Mannat is pregnant with his heir and she wants to give him no chance to be able to have any continued relations with them.

Samjhotay kamzor laug kia kartay hain, hum sirf hukkum daitay hain. Bari Sahab has been indulgent with Shahzeb but she is fast losing patience with him now and is beginning to be disgusted with the way he thinks and longs to handle the whole situation. Bari Sahab is ruthless and it is how she has raised her son Jahanzeb as well. Where she is shaken and will stop at nothing to save him from death, she also takes great pride in the fact that he murdered Sajjad to avenge his daughter’s honor. Bari Sahab’s words to Shahzeb ‘mein bhool jawaan gee keh meray do puttar hain’ had Shahzeb reduced to tears and even me shaking my head in disgust. He may mean well but it is clear that Sikander will not listen to any reason or persuasion to let things go calmly.

The judge sentences Jahanzeb to death, something Bari Sahab had not anticipated but which Sikander was confident would happen. He now reveals his plan to his son Dilawar who initially balks at the whole idea but then begins to warm to it. Dilawar feels that his son’s death should be avenged by having his murderer hanged but Sikander wants to approach Bari Sahab with a two pronged proposal. Jahanzeb’s life in exchange for the four villages near the lake to be transferred to his name and Zainab’s hand in marriage to Dilawar. Sikander is hungry for an heir now and thinks what better person to present him with an heir than Bari Sahab’s laadli Zainab who can be mistreated as much as they want which will cause Bari Sahab endless pain and grief.

Bari Sahab agrees to the property transfer without wasting a second but her eyes shoot daggers as she listens to the proposal for Zainab. Zainab however presents herself willingly as the sacrificial lamb. Sikander gives Bari Sahab three days to think over his proposal with ‘yeh phool kis kay leeyay khareedoon – Jahanzeb kay qabar kay leeyay ya Dilawar kay sehray kay leeyay’. Sikander wants to hurt Bari Sahab and have her grovel yes, but he also wants an heir very badly. I can not help wonder whether Bari Sahab will now reveal the fact that Mannat is expecting Sikander’s grandchild. Will she let Zainab marry Dilawar to free Jahanzeb or will she somehow use Mannat’s pregnancy to their advantage? Or does she have a master plan to oust Sikander? Only time – and a few more episodes – will tell, LOL.

So relieved Alisha’s presence was restricted to just one scene in today’s episode – made the episode much more watchable. Last week’s preview had prepared me for today’s happenings so I deliberately avoided watching the preview for next week so I do not know what to expect. Asma Abbas continues to impress as Bari Sahab with her expressions and her dialogue delivery. Although I find Zainab constantly throwing herself at Jahanzeb a bit cringeworthy at times, I can not help but like the chemistry between Zarnish Khan and Kamran Jillani and hope to see more scenes of them together and really hope Zainab is not wedded to Dilawar. On a side note I would love to watch a drama with these two as the lead couple again. Any speculations/predictions about what Bari Sahab’s game will be now? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Kunwal Javid

So this episode was not as engaging as the previous one but the note at which it ended and the preview for next week has definitely caught my interest as I had not anticipated this turn of events! Rafiq and his wife have done a runner and Bari Sahab demands no stone be left unturned in the search for the couple. Despite the police having taken Jahanzeb off to jail and the policeman not seeming the sort to be bribed or intimidated by them, Bari Sahab is still fairly confident Jahanzeb will be released from jail. She is very proud though of what Jahanzeb has done although I find her constant jibes and taunts regarding her son not being like a ‘zanani’ and being a ‘mard’ a bit odd as surely she knows she is in a way mocking herself too?! I mean, I doubt she is but she is a woman after all and when she draws comparisons with women it is done in a demeaning and condescending way so it does seem strange.

Eavesdropping, eavesdropping, eavesdropping! Sneak behind open doors, stand behind curtains, walk softly so you may walk in on a conversation and learn something valuable. Seriously – if a law was passed that eavesdropping scenes could not be used to move a story forward in a drama anymore, a lot of dramas would not know how to go on! Alisha ‘overhears’ Bari Sahab tell Shahzeb the truth and gulping like a goldfish out of water she is shocked and then outraged. She shares her thoughts with Shahzeb and Bari Sahab walks in on them and demands she leave. Even though I know Bari Sahab is more often out of line yet I find her character and her statements often amusing and the scene where she tells Alisha what she thinks of her with Alisha gulping furiously was entertaining. ‘Bari Sahab ko kehna unn ki kissi baat ka bura nahin manaya’ are her parting words to Shahzeb and all I could think was – as if Bari Sahab cares!

Alisha is either delusional or Shahzeb has fed her some silly notions for despite Bari Sahab having made her dislike of Alisha very clear, she still feels she can make a change and has decided to adopt the village and its people. Alisha’s character does not ring very true to me. Yes, she is portrayed as someone who is clear headed and ‘for the people’ and wanting to bring a revolution – yet Sabeeka as Alisha is so not convincing. She seems more like someone who wants Shahzeb and live in the city and maybe try to bring some change in the village while not really living amongst the village people. Her article has apparently caused an ‘uproar’ although she claims she has not mentioned Shahzeb’s village or his family.

Zainab is desperate to have Jahanzeb released and does not share Bari Sahab’s confidence and faith in his return so easily. It is interesting how Bari Sahab loves Zainab and worries about her too when she feeds her herself – I wish Zainab could confide in her about her feelings for Jahanzeb. Sikander’s plan is also disclosed – he feels killing Bari Sahab and her sons is too easy, quick and mindless a revenge. He prefers ‘ maarna nahin, ghaseetna hai’. The episode ends with Mannat feeling unwell and Zainab reporting back to Bari Sahab that Mannat is pregnant. Bari Sahab decides to have Mannat remarry as soon as possible and orders Zainab not to tell anyone about Mannat’s pregnancy – except one of the housemaids overhears the conversation and I suppose the whole point of us seeing her overhear is that she will talk.

Although this episode was not very happening, it was still watchable especially with the preview for next week showing a twist I had clearly not expected and taking the story forward in an interesting way. I enjoy watching Asma Abbas as Bari Sahab – her dialogues at times are really interesting especially her analogy of a snake and Sikander. I missed Kamran Jillani in tonight’s episode and there was far too much of Sabeeka and I really can not take much of her. Her acting is extremely mediocre and her goldfish antics do take the attention away from the entire scene being played out.

Definitely looking forward to next week’s episode and to see how things go from there. Is Alisha able to make any changes or is she just another small fish in a big pond – pun intended! Will Jahanzeb be released? Although not mind blowing – Laaj still holds my interest – what do you think?

Kunwal Javid

Uff-ho! Just a dream, rather a nightmare! With the cliffhanger-ish ending we were given to the previous episode, I thought Bari Sahab was to finally learn of the romance between Mannat and Shahmeer but it was only a bad dream. Bari Sahab is still in the dark but Ms. Busybody Alisha sees Mannat and Shahmeer together and has Mannat confide in her.

This episode focused more on Shahzeb and Alisha than my liking. Sorry mein itnay sawaal kar rahi hoon but mein iss ko apna ghar samajhti hoon. That being Alisha’s pet line, she learns more and more about Shahzeb and his family and I could see the strikes build up in her mind which is why I was not surprised when she suggested to Shahzeb that they live in Islamabad and that she could not live in this haveli. Rewind a bit, and a gleeful, skipping Alisha seemed to be in love with Shahzeb’s village. Cringe, cringe, cringe – that’s what I felt in all the scenes covering Alisha’s exploration of the village. Playing with the children, playing with the goats, hugging the children and hugging the goats – I mean, really?! I guess the green grass, children and goats were not enough to make Shahzeb’s village alluring enough for her to want to stay.

Mannat’s husband’s murder – Strike 1, Zainab telling Alisha that if a woman expresses her love for a man here it can lead to death – Strike 2, and Shahzeb’s conversation with her when he tells her that women are not encouraged to express their likes and dislikes and the long standing quarrel between Bari Sahab and Sikander – Strike 3. Out – goes Alisha’s fantasy of living in the village. Alisha did make sense though when she questioned that when Bari Sahab has so many lands then why not forego the school for due to the tussle between her and Sikander, it is the village children who suffer. What Shahzeb said in reply is the sad reality that it is not about how many lands they own but about their izzat.

Bari Sahab is not thrilled with Alisha’s presence at the haveli. Kaun kurri hai, kithun chuk laya hai had me cracking up. Waaqayi, kithun chuk laya hai, pray tell! Seeing how Shahzeb stands up to Bari Sahab for Alisha and then pondering over her friend’s words, Bari Sahab is beginning to warm to the idea of a match between Shahzeb and Zainab. I wonder why there is the constant reminder of the age difference between Zainab and Jahanzeb? True she does not look much older than Mannat but then she does not look much younger than Jahanzeb either so what is the deal here?! Given how much Bari Sahab loves Zainab and as both are her sons I am hoping she will mention both sons to Zainab and even if she presents Shahzeb as a potential husband, I hope Zainab is able to say it is Jahanzeb she wants to marry but nahin! Zainab ki umar nikalti ja rahi hai, so I suppose Bari Sahab will broach the topic of marriage soon again and if Zainab can get wed to Jahanzeb – then the drama is over. Sigh.

Rafiq is arrested and despite being beaten up by the police, his lips are sealed. Bari Sahab is ruthless when she suggests that Rafiq be killed so he can not rat out Jahanzeb. I liked how the suggestion shocked Jahanzeb (momentarily – but still!) but then he warms to the idea too. Rafiq’s wife’s statement to the police leads to Jahanzeb’s arrest and it remains to be seen whether he will be found guilty or let free soon. Sikander does not believe in striking when the iron is hot which would have been the chance to kill Shahzeb when he came to their house to offer his condolences rather he seems to be waiting very patiently for an opportunity to truly harm Bari Sahab and her family.

I had binge watched the first 5 episodes and while they were interesting, there were moments when my interest wavered. I enjoyed watching today’s episode and was surprised when I realized it had ended. The promos had sort of laid out the story to me till this point but I am waiting to see what happens post Jahanzeb’s arrest. Even though Zainab seems a bit too comfortable barging into Jahanzeb’s room and thoughts, I do like the chemistry between the two and hope they end up together soon but that does not seem likely. Zarnish Khan, Kamran Jillani and Asma Abbas continued to impress me with their acting in this episode. Love seeing Asma Abbas in this role – she truly does come across as the headstrong,ruthless Bari Sahab who presents one side to the world and a more loving, doting side to her own. I did find the whole frolicking in the village scenes between Shahzeb and Alisha extremely forced and noticeably so since both Zain’s and Sabeeka’s acting is really mediocre at best!

I knew you were trouble, trouble, trouble! – not to steal Taylor Swift’s words but seems like film wali Alisha is going to cause trouble at the haveli, going by the promo for next week’s episode. Wonder where Zainab and Jahanzeb’s track will lead from now and how soon before Jahanzeb is released. I am finding Laaj a decent watch so far – what about you? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

So I have been watching Laaj thinking that while the story is not extraordinary, it is not too bad either. But I am getting a little fed up with these promos for the next episode which give one idea and when the episode is aired it is all a figment of Zainab’s imagination. While this may work a few times, I am sure if done too many times then the viewers will begin to lose interest.

When Reshma brings the bottle of poison to Zainab and drinks it and collapses, I was a bit taken aback for I had seen the promo last week and Zainab had the scene with Jahanzeb when she tells him she can not live without him and then collapses in his arms. Zainab has told him that she will wait for him till her last breath and beseeches him to somehow stop the wedding. He tells her nothing can be done and she should accept this as her fate and move on otherwise it will become hard to live under the same roof. Seems like Zainab daydreams a lot – that I had established in the earlier episodes. Now, given the neend ki dawa (which was in the bottle that apparently contained poison), she is dreaming again! Anyhow, dream is all she can do for the nikkah between her and Shahzeb takes place. Mubarak – not!

This has to be the first time I have seen a bride do what Zainab did on her wedding night and change into plainer clothes than she wears even on a normal day! Shahzeb is still dolled up and so she presents him with his moo dikhayi gift haha, and gives him a free ticket to remain in touch with and continue his relationship with Alisha. Wah! Even though I had found Zainab’s one sided love a bit dramatic, to put it mildly, I could not help being amazed how she showed up with a cup of tea in Jahanzeb’s room and claimed nothing had changed. Yes, she may still love him and may not be happy about the nikkah but well she is married now and to be openly saying she will love Jahanzeb and profess her love to him time and again – did not still well with me at all, I am sorry to say.

Which brings me to a thought that has been niggling my mind. The whole set with the diyas near the pool and the dramatic feature image of the woman in white with the dupatta covering her face and then now this theme – of being married but still professing her love to another man and allowing her husband to continue his own romance brings on a whole Indian movie touch to it. I had felt the treatment of this drama was different and I had put it down to the colourful and aesthetically pleasant set but now I hope this train of thought of living and let live while remaining married does not go down the road it seems to have. While I feel Jahanzeb is a bit of a coward, although I agree that living in that setup neither he nor Zainab could muster the courage to speak up in front of Bari Sb I still respect that he understands things can not be as they were earlier and presses upon Zainab to make peace with that too.

Dilawar and Sikander are still at loggerheads with each other where Sikander feels Dilawar is being a fool and that ‘Bari Sb ki fitrat mein hai dassna, dass kay he rahay gi’. Sikander knows Bari Sb well and it appears he is not wrong in his judgement of her either for that is her plan to make sure Dilawar’s grandchild does not make an entry into this world. The promo of next week’s episode promises to be a happening one – if none of it is merely a dream, that is! While Zainab’s character is annoying me a little now, I felt Zarnish Khan acted really well when I could feel her helplessness throughout the wedding and her frustration when she woke and realized she had not died.

What did you all think of this episode? Please share your thoughts.

Kunwal Javid

If only Zainab would stop daydreaming. Like seriously, stop! The opening scene of this episode made me think it may be a dream but the scene was so long that I soon ditched the thought and said bravo! Jahanzeb finally speaks! And what flowery words he actually utters! But no – it was just Zainab being Zainab again. Sigh. Bari Sahab tells Zainab how grateful and humbled she is that Zainab stepped up to save Jahanzeb’s life but that she will not hand Zainab over to Sikander and his clan and has something up her sleeve. The ‘something’ turns out to be Mannat’s baby – Sikander’s heir. Bari Sahab also temporarily transfers all of Zainab’s property in her own name and news of this is delivered to Sikander via our desi Charlie Chaplin.

We are ‘treated’ to more of Shahzeb’s Dear Diary conversations to Alisha in this episode. Alisha mein kuch nahin kar saka. Alisha I am helpless. Alisha today Bari Sahab scolded me. Uff! Shahzeb wants out and Alisha wants to begin a revolution – without actually moving from her home. It should seem frustrating but it is funny how everyone just gives Shahzeb the shut up call. He tries to talk Zainab into refusing the marriage to Dilawar and she throws him the ‘education taana’. Bari Sahab does the same time and again. Shahzeb wants to leave the village and Alisha wants him to stay put and make changes but did she not earlier ask him to leave and marry her and stay in the city? Ah, but the desire for justice burns strong in Alisha’s heart. Poor Shahzeb. Oh and cherry on the top – Bari Sahab has started to suspect that Sikander is using Shahzeb to bring her down. Itna pivotal role play kar he na lay Shahzeb!

So Bari Sahab offers Mannat’s child – Sikander’s grandchild as truce. I could not help feel for Mannat though. Although Bari Sahab claims to love her but I have still not come to terms with how she agreed to her marriage to Sajjad in the first place and now this. To separate a mother from her baby is nothing less than cruelty. And Bari Sahab being a mother should understand that! Dilawar has been fuming over Sikander’s half baked plans to avenge Sajjad’s death and is overjoyed to hear of an heir but more than an heir, Sikander craves the lands he feels are rightfully his. He and Dilawar do not see eye to eye over how to deal with Bari Sahab.

Bari Sahab is ruthless. We had established that. She loved her own fiercely. I had no doubt about that. But her confidence has grown since she has managed to sway the panchayet with calling off the wedding by offering Sikander his heir instead and she crosses the line by calling in the doctor to abort Mannat’s child – without Mannat knowing. The lengths this woman would go to in her hatred for Sikander is really beginning to amaze me. She does not want to end the feud and given that Dilawer is still thirsty for Jahanzeb’s blood and she has two grown sons who would be very easy and happy targets for already furious Sikander and Dilawer makes me wonder at Bari Sahab’s sanity, greed and ego. She wants Mannat to be rid of her baby and desires to have her married – again. A favorite in our dramas is the statement shaadi gudda guddi ka khail nahin (granted Sajjad was no gudda) but Bari Sahab is surely treating Mannat as a doll to do with as she pleases!

It is intriguing watching how Bari Sahab’s mind is working, churning out one plan after the other without any regard for anyone’s opinion. I wish we were shown the scene when Dilawar and his family are told about Mannat’s pregnancy. Who tells them and how? I also really wish Jahanzeb would speak up – like yesterday! What was with the vow he made in his prison cell? To declare his love to Zainab once he is released. Why will he not say anything – to Zainab, to Bari Sahab?! The preview for next week shows Bari Sahab arranging a match between Zainab and Shahzeb – I hope someone, anyone will speak up and stop that from happening but I have no expectations from anyone from the haveli. Maybe Alisha? Let’s see.

The scene between Jahanzeb and Zainab at the beginning of the episode was nicely done, both acting wise and dialogues, but ruined when it turned out to be nothing more than a daydream. It is interesting how Bari Sahab being a woman has no qualms in stating what she wants but expects the women of the younger generation to be mutely obedient. Will Zainab be engaged / married to Shahzeb or will Alisha save the day? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Kunwal Javid

Produced and directed by Moomal Productions and Fahim Burney and written by Saima Wasi, Erum Wasi and Edison Idrees Masih, Laaj airs every Saturday on HUM TV at 8pm.

Laaj is the story of two feuding families in rural Punjab. We are introduced to the family of Bari Sahab (Asma Abbas) and her two sons Jahanzeb (Kamran Jillani) and Shahzeb (Mirza Zain Baig). Zainab (Zarnish Khan) is Baris Sahab’s dead sister’s daughter and has lived with Bari Sahab since her mother died when she was little. Jahanzeb has been married earlier to Meena and has a daughter Mannat (Iqra Aziz) who has been raised primarily by Zainab after Meena’s death.

Sikander (Nayyar Ejaz) is Bari Sahab’s dead husband’s brother and the two have been at loggerheads with each other over the family property and lands. Sikander feels Bari Sahab has been unfair and has not given him his due share in the family jaidaad. He lives with his son Dilawar (Saleem Sheikh), Dilawar’s wife and his grandson Chooza, I mean Sajjad. In a gesture of goodwill to mend the relations between the two families Mannat is wed to Sajjad.

Sikander apparently had underlying motives behind agreeing to the marriage and suggests that Bari Sahab transfer a certain land in his name or face Mannat getting divorced to which Bari Sahab opts for the latter. Overhearing Sajjad make fun of Mannat after the divorce, Jahanzeb in a fit of rage has Sajjad murdered. Sikander vows to make Bari Sahab’s family pay but he wants her to suffer and we do not know as yet what he has his up his sleeve.

Zainab has been in love with Jahanzeb since umm, forever and never misses an opportunity to tell him that. He keeps telling her he is not interested but she keeps harping along the lines of ‘ishq kiya hai, love me or not I will annoyingly, obsessively, stalkerishly (my words, not hers) love you till I die’. Mannat is in love with Shahmeer, a young man from the village who is not as well off as Bari Sahab’s family is and works for her family. The two are in love but feel, rather believe nothing can come of their love as Bari Sahab would never agree to such a match.

Let’s not forget Shahzeb – the educated, younger son who is a misfit amongst the family and their fueds. He is interested in Alisha (Sabeeka Imam) but has not yet had the nerve to broach the subject of marriage to Bari Sahab. Mirza Zain Baig is very unimpressive in Dillagi but as the educated misfit he seems to be doing a decent job – or maybe the flashy waistcoats have diverted my attention from his acting! I wonder if this couple has much to offer to the story beyond the flashy waistcoats and Sabeeka Imam’s duck mouth pouts. At the end of the latest episode, Alisha has shown up at Shahzeb’s haveli, Zainab is flinging herself for the zillionth time at Jahanzeb and he has rebuffed her advances for the zillionth time, and Bari Sahab comes upon Mannat and Shahmeer meeting alone.

Why am I watching Laaj? I am not entirely sure. The set, the scenes, the clothes are all very colourful and visually pleasing. Zarnish Khan is a good actress although I find her accent fluctuates from being normal to more village like. Kamran Jillani as Jahanzeb has impressed me if I am very honest for his expressions, his accent, his body language fits his role to a T. Another person who seems to have fit into her role like a glove is Asma Abbas as Bari Sahab. With her big eyes outlined and the severe black clothing and the constant hukka, she does look intimidating. The constant hukka does remind me of the trains cartoon my son used to watch and I wonder if she needs to be a Chuggington in every scene but oh well. The actor playing Shahmeer is truly bechara, and Iqra Aziz is sigh, Iqra Aziz with her only acting skills being limited to eyes narrowing and widening a centimetre and the same with her lips. A clogs-less Iqra Aziz however is refreshing to see!

The storyline itself. I tuned in knowing this was a story of zamindars and fueds but I was pleasantly surprised to see that these ‘angry people’ did more than just shout and get angry and beat each other up. Although Bari Sahab and Jahanzeb are shown to be short with the driver or the women working in the house at times, but then the questions about Shameer’s mother’s health and sending his father to the city for a medical checkup show they are not heartless. I like Bari Sahab’s relationship with Zainab too when she tells her that the haveli people should be scared of her and not Zainab. I do wonder though why Zainab has not told Bari Sahab she loves Jahanzeb. I also wondered at Bari Sahab not thinking of wedding Zainab to either of her sons but that was clarified when she says to the rishtay wali that she does not want people to think that she kept Zainab in her home for greed of her jaidaad and feels she must marry outside the family. Jahanzeb is often seen to be looking mournfully and talking to his dead wife’s picture which shows he must have loved her a great deal.

I found the age differences hard to figure or relate to at first and I suppose by the fifth episode I just got used to it. But what confused me was Jahanzeb saying to Zainab to think about their age difference as if there were a huge gap. Then Zainab looks hardly much older than Mannat, but she raised her like a mother. So if Zainab is that old, then why has Bari Sahab not gotten her married, despite her protests that she does not want to wed but surely she would not have a 30 something niece sitting at home and not worry about her marriage? Kamran Jillani could possibly pass off as a father of a teenager but suggesting he is much older than Zainab did not make sense.

I find Zainab type characters in our drama hard to link to real life. Does a woman really become like that that she is constantly declaring her love to responses of constant rejection and carry on with a smile on her face content that she has done her duty to love the man of her life with all her heart – heart accepted or not, be damned! She does give in to frustration I agree and sometimes yells at Jhanzeb or has a meltdown but I almost gagged at the conversations she and Jahanzeb often have such as when she tells him ‘Zaida ghussa na kia karein’ and he asks ‘kyun’ and she says ‘Aur pyar aata hai’….uggh!

The story so far is not outstanding and maybe Laaj would not be on my top dramas list but despite the loopholes, it is the acting so far and the fact that I am waiting for the ‘punch’ in the storyline which makes me feel I may keep wanting to watch it. It does have a filmy touch to it and all the jhumkas and bangles clanging all the time got a bit much for me. The promos show that Jahanzeb will be arrested but I wonder where the story goes from there. Recommended watch? Yes, if you have the time and want to watch something where the acting does not make you wince and the characters are not so cliché. I am not gushing (obviously) but I am not entirely put off either! How many of you are following Laaj and what do you think of it so far? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Kunwal Javid

“Birth is nothing without virtue, and we have no claim to share in the glory of our ancestors unless we strive to resemble them”. Our identity not only defines who we are but where we’re from; our bloodline gives us a sense of belonging. If it weren’t for our lineage, what would set us apart from each other? We take pride in our history, our family names, our backgrounds- and why shouldn’t we? They entitle us to bragging rights- thanks to the various stories passed down from generation to generation with claims of superiority. Hum TVs latest Saturday night offering, Laa brings together Momina Duraid (producer), Sarmad Sehbai (writer) and Farooq Rind (director).

Laa ka matlab hai nahin; yeh nafi ki pehli manzil hai. Daniyal Malik (Meekal Zulfiqar), our charming and carefree hero, chaandi ka chammach laikey paida hua hai. Daniyal is the only son of the affluent Tareen (Qavi Khan) and his wife, living in Lahore and traveling to the USA after completing his MBA- wahan bachiyyan phasaata phiron ga. He spends most of his time with his friends- Shazy, Tutu and Jimmy placing pointless bets and doing a one-up on them. Enter Naina (Sadia Khan), the daughter of his father’s friend Razi (Naeem Tahir) and his wife Zainab (Seemi Raheel), who have come from Karachi to Lahore to finalize a suitable match for her. It is imperative that they find a kattar Syed zaada although Naina wants to escape from the hasb aur nasb.

Daniyal encounters a stranger, Naimat Khan (Rehan Sheikh) who was recently released from prison- the details of his crime are unknown but a quick flashback reveals he had a daughter, Ameena who he loved fondly but he was cautioned by a powerful zameedarni (Rabia Noureen) and soon afterwards, his precious Ameena died. Did Naimat serve a prison sentence as a result of seeking vengeance? Naimat hints that Daniyal may not be who he thinks he is- a Malik. Daniyal dismisses him as a nobody and walks away. Little does Daniyal know what’s in store for him in the not-so-distant future.

Naina is a strong-headed girl who falls weak to Daniyal’s charm and declares her desire to marry him. Naina thinks she’s had an epiphany ever since Daniyal took her to the Saaeen Baba and got a taweez for her. Her parents try to dissuade her while Daniyal smugly shares stories of his latest conquest with his friends. Naina was afterall, nothing more than a shart for Daniyal. While Naina’s mother turns frantic, her father decides to talk to Tareen and Daniyal overhears their conversation which speaks about his adoption. Daniyal loses his identity in that split second and his world changes. He clearly tells Naina that he was never serious about her and turns her down.

Laa is off to a promising start and has the same feel as Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahin– the last interesting drama I watched on HUM TV. The background score is brilliantly composed by Sahir Ali Bagga and the title track has a sufi theme. Laa delves into the concept of spirituality and brings forward the discriminatory practices of society that distinguish one zaat from another. Meekal Zulfiqar has made a brilliant comeback and looks conspicuously handsome- this role seems tailor-made for him. Sadia Khan is pretty but she has a long way to go; for the moment her acting is sub par. As for the remaining actors, they haven’t made their presence felt or maybe I’m too busy focusing on the male lead to notice anyone else. What do you have to say about Laa?

P.S. Laa was booked by Fatima but due to unforeseen circumstances, she couldn’t review the first two episodes. I am covering for her until she returns thus the delay. She will be reviewing it regularly once she’s back.

Yours in watching,

Kanwal Murtaza

Drama serial Laa has to be the only play of recent times that ended at episode 13, not that I mind that but I can’t help but question why plays like Mujhe Khuda Pe Yakeen Hai, Mausam, Izteraab, Ahista Ahista and many like them are dragged to the limit even when there are some major flaws in them and a play like Laa which may not have been a masterpiece but was certainly better than many other plays that are currently on air had to be ended so quickly? The OST of the drama is mesmerizing, it literally completely disconnects you from the world around you. Sarmad Sehbai’s poetry has a depth which touches your soul, Sahar Ali Bagga composed the song equally brilliantly and Javed Bashir’s voice is spellbinding but the entire OST is not available anywhere online. If Laa did not have enough viewership, it could easily have been shifted to a weekday the way Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Miley was but somehow the producers decided to end it sooner than many viewers expected it to.

Anyway, coming to tonight’s episode, I have to say that while I am happy for Daniyal and his parents but many pieces of the puzzle didn’t quite fit in. Firstly, I did not expect someone like Naimat Khan to forgive Dilawar and Dai Maa so easily. He lost his daughter and many years of his life because of Dai Maa. His sole focus for more than half of his life was planning his revenge but I guess he missed out one detail which was that he could only take the gadi from Dilawar if Daniyal co-operated with him. It was quite apparent right from the onset that Daniyal was not the kind of person who would be interested in money or status but somehow Naimat Khan did not see that. The way he let Dilawar Khan go was unbelievable. There was absolutely no need for the writer/director (whoever is willing to take the responsibility) to make a hero out of Naimat Khan! He should have shot Dilawar! He always had a soft spot for Daniyal therefore I wasn’t surprised when he let him go.

I understand that Daniyal did not want to cause more misery to his parents but one visit to his birth mother for whom he had given up everything would not have hurt. Hina could have gone to see her son since she was willing to give up her life for him, the letter alone was definitely not enough. If Daniyal said all those things to Hina in person they would have had more of an impact. Daniyal’s gift to Laila was sweet and I think that particular track was wrapped up nicely. I always found the romance/ relationship between Daniyal and Naina very powerful but the way Daniyal smiled when he saw Naina even before she told him anything was rather strange since he should have still been in the same state of mind in which he was before – lost and depressed! The direction of this particular episode was very weak because some of the very strong moments were either not shown or were lost because of the imperfect timing but it was good to see that Daniyal’s journey did not end at a sad note. All the letters were beautifully written because they conveyed everything in a few lines.

Overall Laa proved to be a gripping play that kept me glued to my seat primarily because of its fast pace and a different plot. There were some episodes that were directed so beautifully that watching 40 minutes of Laa was like watching a mini film and there were some which simply left you wondering how Daniyal kept on hopping from Lahore to Karachi and back! Farooq Rind could have done a much better job if he paid attention to minute details. The over-dramatic romance between Daniyal and Naina however actually fit in perfectly in the story because of the kind of spiritual bond that these two individuals shared. The biggest strength of Laa was that I could easily connect to all the characters big and small. Another aspect of this play that made it interesting for me was the way the focus always remained on the actual story and the way all the different tracks were interlinked. The characters were intriguing and the way their stories unfolded was even more exciting. Most of all it was refreshing to see Mikaal Zulfiqar playing a different role. It is always a pleasure watching Rehan Sheikh on screen. This time around he was simply brilliant as Naimat Khan. Khalid Malik proved to be the perfect choice for playing the chooza seth. Sabreen Husbani’s perfect portrayal of Laila made me feel for her. Qavi Khan is another actor who never fails to impress me, I could always relate to Daniyal’s father’s feeling for him more than how his mother felt. Sadia Khan of course was the weakest link in the play but I must confess that I was expecting even worse from her because her performance in the telefilm Devar Bhabi was even more disappointing than her acting in Laa. I must say though that although it was great to see Laila Zuberi on screen after quite some time but there were times when she went overboard; I expected a much better performance from her. Laa could have been one of the best dramas of this season if the director paid more attention to detail and the final editing of the play. The strength of the play lied in the mystery element in the narrative and a unique storyline. Sarmad Sehbai may not be happy with the final product but the fact is that even with the weak direction, his script managed to engage many viewers..

Laa was not perfect but it was most certainly one of those plays you enjoy watching and reviewing. I would like to thank all those readers who read the reviews regularly and were kind enough to share their opinions under the reviews.

Fatima Awan

This was another powerful and engaging episode of Laa. Every episode reveals something new about the characters in the play and the story is progressing slowly but steadily. Dilawar thinks that his wealth and status in the society would be enough to make Naina his “slave” forever but Naina’s answer to his proposal is Laa!! Naina may have let her parents decide who she was going to marry but she is not going to let her future in laws decide the terms and conditions under which this marriage will take place. I absolutely love Naina’s character; she is not swayed away by cast, social status or any of those things. She is liberal but spiritually enlightened. Dai Maa naturally wants a farmabardar bahu and not one who has a mind of her own. Dilawar is blown away by Naina’s beauty and he knows only too well that once she is married to him, he will manage to have his own way. This marriage does not mean much to him, he already has someone in his life who he considers his companion. Also, he is clearly one of those men who look at women as objects which they want to own and use according to their own wishes.

The way Dai Maa interprets everything that Naina’s father has to say to her said a lot about the kind of person she is. Dilawar knows how to manipulate Dai Maa and right now nothing means more to him then ensuring that Naina becomes a part of his life soon. The conversation between Dilawar and Dai Maa about Nazar ki raqam went to show how this drama is touching on different topics and is showing ways by which people like Dai Maa and Dilawar use people’s ignorance for their own benefit.

Not much happened with respect to Daniyal’s track in the first half of the episode but all that happened in the second half more than made up for it. Daniyal finally shares his secret with Laila and Naina also finds out the truth. Now Naina has absolutely no reason to go ahead with her marriage with Dilawar but the question is that does she have a choice? It is good to see that Daniyal’s parents are shown in every episode for some reason or the other. I am glad that they are not completely out of the picture and the entire development of Daniyal finding out about his past has been handled intelligently.

The preview of the next episode left me with a lot of questions; Is Daniyal Dilawar’s brother? Will Naina and Dilawar get married? Was Laila worth confiding in? Until now Laila seems to be a good person at heart. Sabreen Hisbani is doing very well in her role and this character is very different from what she has done already. Mikaal Zulfiqar owned his character as usual. Sadia Khan’s acting is not perfect but somehow her character has grown on me and I am actually finding the connection between Daniyal and Naina very relatable. All the senior actors are doing a commendable job; Rabia Noreen in particular has nailed her character as Dai Maa. I was blown away by tonight’s episode of Laa as usual particularly because I can totally connect to the characters and happenings without even making an ounce of effort.

Fatima Awan

Aqlan shaklan wale keetay ishq ne kamlay jhalay…..Love comes when you least expect it; Daniyal did not go out looking for love and winning Naina’s “love” was nothing more than winning a foolish bet. Just when Daniyal’s life has taken an about turn and he wants to focus all his energies on something entirely different his heart aches for Naina. No amount of reasoning can change the way he feels. Seeing Naina right there in front of him gives him a chance to plead his case but Naina is probably too scared of being hurt again so she is not willing to give him another chance. Sadia Khan may not be a brilliant actress but the on screen chemistry she shares with Mikaal compensates for her weak acting.

Naina may pretend to be content with her engagement but the fact is that she has a special connection with Daniyal; a connection that pulls her to him, a special feeling of attraction that cannot be explained but can only be felt. It is this strange and perhaps spiritual connection between these two individuals that makes this love story different and appealing. I would give full marks to the director for portraying it brilliantly in this episode in particular.

On the one hand Dilawar seems like a very genuine person when he is with Daniyal and on the other hand his views about marriage and the way he tries to convince Dai Maa to sign those papers went to show that there is more to his personality. Khalid Malik has done very well in this role so far. Dai Maa’s conversation with Dilawar reflected in a very clear manner the difference between the two generations. Dai Maa’s comment “tuu maa ke purze purze krke plazay banana chahta hai” made me laugh but it showed how she felt about moving to the city and changing her lifestyle.

Laila’s views about love were very interesting; will Daniyal be the person who changes the way she feels about falling in love? I can’t wait to find out! Just when Daniyal starts questioning Naimat Khan’s intentions, he “distracts” him by telling Daniyal that Dai Maa asked him to kill Daniyal but when he didn’t comply his daughter was killed as a punishment. It is not going to be easy for Daniyal to find out the truth but I have a feeling that his journey is going to make an engaging story. Dilawar’s engagement with Naina did not come as a surprise at all but the surprising part was Daniyal’s reaction. I was not expecting him to react like this. The first scene between Naina and Daniyal was very intense. In my opinion, tonight’s episode belonged to Mikaal Zulfiqar all the way. This episode was fast paced, touching, well written and very well directed. It was the best episode of Laa so far. I am in love with the OST of the play and the way it was played in the background in tonight’s episode was spot on.

The preview of the next episode showed that Dai Maa wants the marriage to take place soon but Naina is still not sure if she should go along with this marriage. Will Naina go ahead with this marriage? Does she have the option to call the marriage off now?

Did you enjoy tonight’s episode just as much as I did? Do share your thoughts about this latest installment.

Fatima Awan

The mystery element of the play along with the fact that for a change the central character in the story is not a female but a male and the story is not about a love triangle or about marital problems is what makes this play stand out in the crowd. Having said that I must admit that this may not be the kind of play that will hit a home run with the masses mostly because of its overall outlook. If the lighting and colors were slightly more alluring then it would have been a perfect package.

Daniyal is determined to find out about his background. When you find out that your whole life was a lie all of a sudden, some people have a difficult time coming into terms with the truth and they decide to go on with life pretending that they don’t need to know the truth but most often they react the way Daniyal did. He appreciates everything that his adoptive parents did for him but he cannot rest until he finds out about his roots. Daniyal’s entire personality has changed ever since he found out the truth. The carefree man who was full of confidence has been replaced by one who is lost and feels a great burden on his shoulders which will only be lifted when he finds out who his real parents were.

Dilawar’s character is a very interesting addition to the play. Dilawar and Laila both are not the usual characters with feudal backgrounds which we see on screen. Dilawar is a very likeable character and the way Laila helped Daniyal was either because she is a genuinely nice person or because she also wants to find out why Daniyal is looking for Peer Murtaza Shah…we will find out soon enough. The conversation between Laila and Dilawar about that piece of land he wanted went to show that Laila isn’t as “enlightened” or soft hearted as she appears to be.

Naina finds it very difficult to forget Daniyal but her mother is bent on getting her daughter married in an uncha khandan. The way Naina’s mother compared damaad and bakra was outrageous but then those lines portrayed her thinking perfectly. The turn of events in tonight’s episode were very intriguing indeed. Daniyal and Naina’s paths will meet yet again or maybe not! Will Naina end up getting married to Dilawar? She is definitely not the kind of girl who will let anyone else make such an important decision of her life but you never know.

I felt for Daniyal’s adoptive parents all through tonight’s episode. The actress playing Daniyal’s mother has failed to impress me with her acting, her dialogue delivery is very filmy. The story is unpredictable so far and the drama is moving ahead at a very good pace. I really like the OST; it is different and appealing but the background music can be a little too melancholic at times. It is good to see Mikaal Zulfiqar playing a different character. I am not a big fan of Sadia Khan ever since I watched her perform in Devar Bhabi but I must say that her acting in this serial is much better. Her performance is definitely not power packed but there are no glaring flaws in her acting either. In my opinion she needs to emote more.

Do share your thoughts about tonight’s episode.

Fatima Awan