Eek, eek, eek! So Saira gets married to the man who is still in love with her older sister, married and divorced that sister and that sister still pines for him. Eeek!
Ebad’s kidnappers finally let him go and I am not sure if the whole scenario of Ebad dashing to get to Saira was meant to make some sort of impact but it only made me laugh. Throw in the zalim samaaj in the form of the very annoying rickshaw driver and Ebad certainly did not stand a chance. He reaches Saira’s house only to find that she and Sufiyan are now wed. I do wonder why he bothers going to her house though – he only ends up being thrown out each and every time. But hey, full marks for persistence!

Ebad thankfully managed to go beyond the ‘meri baat tau sunnain’ that you would expect in such a scene and does yell that Ashraf was behind his kidnapping but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Later, Ashraf’s father does say to his wife that he believed Ebad because Ashraf was certainly capable of pulling off such a stunt but felt it would not be wise to admit that in front of all the people gathered there and feels Saira is better off in her phuppo’s house anyway.

These episodes also introduced a new character – the shirt. The strange pinkish purple shirt that apparently Khadija had so ‘lovingly’ gifted Sufiyan and he so ‘lovingly’ treasures and only wears it to remember her but does not wear it for long in case ‘daagh na lag jaye’. I did sit with my heart in my mouth (sarcasm dripping here) when he wore it to go out to dinner with Saira and I kept thinking what if he dropped some food on the shirt! Horror!

But seriously – Saira and Sufiyan. Not only does it feel weird that they are together given that Sufiiyan still loves Khadija but then this constant ‘dukh’ sharing was very odd. So what happens next? They share their heartbreak with each other which will bring them closer and one day become soulmates? I did however feel that Saira is beginning to be a bit put off by Sufiyan’s constant parrot like repetition of his love for Khadija and maybe that is a good thing for if they are married now and meant to make it work then maybe things would move forward. I know the circumstances and the relation seem odd but I am of the opinion that if two people are married then at least try to make it work and get on with it rather than make each other and themselves miserable.

Another development in these episodes was Ifrah’s pregnancy. It amazes me each time – these people who without any medical test reports, any sort of examination wholeheartedly declare their diagnosis and begin their celebrations! Incredible! Well, Ifrah and Hammad are indeed expecting a child and I do not know why but I sort of hoped Ashraf would show a bit of compassion, a bit of interest. But he was as petty as I have ever seen him with refusing to have the mithai, the ‘no milk left for my chai’ comment and then stepping over the stuffed toy. I keep thinking he will relent at some point, such as at Saira’s rukhsati or when he hears of Hammad’s khushkabhri but this man is rigid.

Ebad has left for the U.S and is out of the picture – for now. Six months lapse and Hammad has passed his exam and is leaving for his training after which he will be able to take Ifrah and move to another city. Instead of Hammad moving, I do wonder why Ashraf does not move out. His entry into the house, from room to room is so obviously such a killjoy for the entire family that it would make sense if he left!

I feel now that we have established Ashraf is a completely horrid person who has messed up enough lives, it is time for payback time. I do not want to see Ashraf stoop further for I feel he has done enough. The pace of this drama has been decent enough so far so I hope not a lot of time is wasted on the Saira-shirt-Sufiyan track anymore!

I can’t help mention how lovely I thought the house looked lit up at the wedding. I understand the houses are not meant to be shown as big modern houses but the layout, the furniture and even phuppo’s house with that odd desk Sufiyan sits on in the middle of nowhere seem a bit strange but I did really like how pretty the lights were! Noman Ejaz has been amazing from the first episode and I can not imagine any other actor who could have carried out his role with as perfection as he has! His expressions, dressing, body language, accent – spot on!

What makes me tune into Bhai each week is also the unpredictability. I suppose Ashraf will be made to pay eventually, he will realize how wrong he has been (or will he?) – but I just keep trying to guess what would happen that would change things because enough ‘big’ events have happened already! Khadija’s divorce, Ifrah marrying Hammad, Saira’s near death, Saira married to Sufiyan and now Ifrah expecting – and Ashraf only becomes even more bitter!

What did you all think of these episodes? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

So Bhai finally ended and what a last episode it was! Shibli returned and when Ashraf confronts him, Ifrah shoots Ashraf and then Shibli and then herself.

Nah, just kidding.

Ebad returns and proves his innocence and sincerity and Saira asks Sufiyan for a divorce which he happily gives because now Khadija is married so she gets divorced too and all the lovebirds are reunited.

Nah, just kidding.

Ashraf is shot and dies and Ifrah rejoices at finally being freed of him forever. However, she and her mother continue to live in Ashraf’s house.

Nah, just kidding.

Shibli returns and Ashraf hunts him down and ‘presents’ him and a gun to Ifrah asking her to shoot him for he had caused her so much pain. Ifrah refuses saying the law should deal with him. Shibli manages to free himself and shoots Ashraf who ends up in the hospital. Ifrah then realizes how she can not live without Ashraf and cries and prays for him and he survives. And they live happily ever after.

Seriously, not kidding. That really did happen. I had predicted Ifrah and Ashraf being together in the end and even Shibli’s return and Ashraf being shot but the way the whole 20 minute episode played out was so unconvincing and unreal it was as if the cast and director and maybe even the writer had had enough of the drama themselves!

The pain and emotions that Ifrah seemed to be going through sitting and crying at the hospital praying that ‘Ashraf ko kuch nahin hona chahyay’ seemed to appear out of nowhere. Her reminiscing about the times when Ashraf tried to woo her before she married Hammad also seemed so out of place. It would have been a bit more convincing maybe if she thought of the moments he was gentle and kind to her after their marriage. The coverage of their time together after marriage was so little that I could not relate to her despair over Ashraf being hurt and possibly gone from her life. I could however relate to her mother’s rant about how they would be ‘sahara-less’ again for I had suspected all along that was maybe her primary reason for urging Ifrah to marry Ashraf haha!

Rabab and Khadija get married before the shootout and man what strange dressing I could not help noticing. That has remained the problem with Bhai, the strange interiors and although I understand a different way and standard of living is portrayed here I do feel the director could have portrayed all that minus the tasteless decoration of rooms and then the brides’ outfits.

Anyways, I am glad Bhai is finally over. What had started as an outrageous, even funny at times, yet interesting drama went spiralling down a dark dark alley and hit rock bottom. Then things begin to perk up with everyone’s lives being sorted again and then it is as if everyone got tired and threw in an ending which was meant to please the viewers but had there been less episodes dedicated to all the evil and sadness Ashraf wrought in his family’s lives and a few more on how he worked to build his relationship with Ifrah after marriage and how she recognized his efforts and begun to melt a little then the transformation of the shrieking crying Ifrah to the I-can’t-live-without-Ashraf but again crying Ifrah would have been a bit easier to digest.

Whether Ashraf deserved his happy ending or not – I leave you all to decide  How many of you watched the last episode? What did you think? Having the actors say a few words at the end was a nice and different way to end but sadly did not help in changing my opinion of the drama. Please do share your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

I found these two episodes quite difficult to watch. Not just because of the episodes themselves but also because I could not find Saturday’s episode anywhere until Sunday evening and then the print was quite awful. My complaining aside, there was not much development in these episodes except Ifrah’s eyes have dried up and all that hoarse screaming has taken a toll on her vocal chords for she barely spoke and when she did it was not very loud!

Ashraf takes ‘180 degree transformation’ to a whole new level. Hammad’s death has opened his eyes, yes we get that and although it is great to see him trying to be a good guy now, it is a bit much to stomach at times. He goes again to Saira to ask for forgiveness and she finally does except when she is talking to Sufiyan later she says she has forgiven Ashraf but not ‘dil se’. What?

Better late than never. Yes, I know. But really, Ashraf? Matric exams at this level and point in his life? I was going to switch off my laptop if he said to Jawad that he planned on asking Ifrah to teach him but thankfully he is not that crazy. Saira agrees to teach Ashraf and I could not decide whether their tuition scenes and Ashraf’s ‘mein nay homework nahin kiya’ was sweet or cheesy or bit of both or none of either and just plain absurd! Nouman Ejaz did look funny though when he licked his thumb before turning a page.

So in my teens I read loads of romantic novels and watched plenty of movies – and then I grew up. Hence, Sufiyan’s constant ‘tum mujh say naraaz ho’, ‘tum meray saath khush ho’, ‘mein kitna lucky hoon’ is getting a bit odd for my liking. I mean, Saira looks content, looks happy with him – what’s with the soppy questions?! Don’t get me wrong – I am all for romance. Rabab-Jawad, Ifrah-Hammad, even the new Ashraf’s brooding one sided ‘lurrrrve’ I can take – but Saira-Sufiyan? Not their biggest fan.

Everything seems to be working out in Ashraf’s household. Khadija is to be married, Rabab is to be rukhsatified, Ashraf is taking more interest in work and education, Sabiha Khala looks very comfortable in the new home and Ifrah seems to have given up on life. Do I sound exasperated with this drama now? Yes, I am. It is quite evident that Ifrah and Ashraf are destined to be together and I wish they would wrap up the drama now with 35 episodes on air already and every possible madness having been shown. I have a horrid feeling Shibli will return and bas I do not fancy seeing him or any violence he may have to offer.

I am wondering if anyone is really following this drama anymore and should I bother to continue reviewing it? Kindly share your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

So I had said last week that I did not want an Ashraf – Ifrah union and Munir Bhai thought ‘leh, mein vadda hoon ya eh kuri’ and to put me out – he announced the date for Ashraf and Ifrah’s nikkah! My reasons for not wanting this marriage to happen are not because she was Ashraf’s bhabhi or that I do not believe Ashraf has changed and wants to only be good to Ifrah. My issue is with the depth of hatred Ifrah has for Ashraf and how firmly she believes he is to blame for Hammad’s death that for her to embrace this decision or marriage and then be able to move on seems far fetched. I know these kind of marriages are not uncommon but I am only thinking every time she sees Ashraf would she not remember him standing on the roof while Hammad bled to death. Anyways, that is just my opinion – Ifrah may eventually feel differently. And oh yes, this is after all only a drama and fictional characters so maybe I should keep my peace!

So, after having thrown one tragic event after another at us like a bad hailstorm, the writer has decided it is time for the sun to come out now. Ashraf begins to crawl out of his dark place and sets out to make amends and ask for forgiveness from all who he has wronged. I was not surprised at Saira’s reaction to Ashraf’s apology for it could definitely not be easy to forget all that neck wringing, the beatings, the opposition to her education and then the horrendous game he played out on her wedding day. Khadija, however seems to have a softer heart and I found her scene with Ashraf so touching I actually cried. He is, after all her brother and when he said darti hai mujh se? bura lagta hoon? and then asked if she would cry as much if he had died in place of Hammad, I had to wipe away my tears. The actress playing Khadija and Noman Ijaz played out that scene beautifully in my opinion.

So, 1 (Khadija)- 0 (Saira), next stop Rabab and Jawad. When Ashraf rings Jawad and says I want you to marry my sister I could not help thinking if I were Jawad I would be like umm, which sister this time Bhai? Thankfully, Ashraf does not have anything up his sleeve and wants Rabab and Jawad to be married, seeing as that is what they both want too.

We all know Ashraf was in love with Ifrah and it did seem that he never stopped loving her. But this concern he shows for her and then telling his mother to go easy on her made me wonder is this because she is his brother’s widow or because of his love for her? I did conclude to myself though that his reasons for caring about Ifrah were because he is still in love with her. Seems like my psychiatric career really is just waiting to take off to a flying start because we find Ashraf sitting and pondering over the same. Why does he care so much about Ifrah? Because she is Hammad’s widow or because of his ehsaas e jurm? Or, he then wonders, is it because he has always loved her and that is drawing him to her? Bingo!

Saira and Sufiyan’s love story has begun. That’s all I have to say about them. Good for them. Can we move on now please?

Rabab and Jawad. I know some of us thought they were not a good match and I do not know why but I find them to be sweet together. Both simple, undemanding, minding their own business sorts.

I am getting a bit lost with the timeline in this play now. Hammad dies and Ifrah’s parents come back to Pakistan and stay with her a while and then her father leaves and dies. Ifrah loses her baby and time passes and the family seems to be moving on but Ifrah’s mother is still in iddat but Rabab and Jawad’s engagement is to take place. How much time has passed between Hammad’s death and now? From Ifrah’s state it appears not long but then nobody mentioned her iddat when asking her to attend the engagement. And yes, I did notice Ifrah’s mother’s huge earrings. Oh well, saanu ki!!

I had anticipated the idea of Ashraf and Ifrah marrying might come up at some point but did not expect it so soon. Ashraf’s father feels confident that he will be able to convince Ifrah to marry Ashraf. Not sure how profound his logic was when he said to her that he realizes she will not be able to give the place in her heart she has for Hammad to anyone else so then in that case why not marry Ashraf? He further clarifies by saying that he is sure Ashraf will be able to keep her happy. Munir Bhai is either very wise or delusional.

I loved Noman Ijaz in his scene with Khadija and also when his voice breaks when he tells Ifrah that he did not kill his brother. This man is such an amazing actor, he is the reason I started watching this drama and the reason I am still watching it now.

I could be wrong but then I suppose now Ifrah and Ashraf will get married and there will be the usual tantrums, huffs and puffs and ‘my shohar is my shohar’s khooni’ (uff!)– during which Shibli will make an appearance again (sigh) and Ashraf will rescue Ifrah from him, who will then swoon and realize Ashraf is the mard whose sahara she needs to survive. Or maybe she will turn on Ashraf and help Shibli kill Ashraf and then go totally loony herself? Aha! Maybe I should have teamed up with the writer too – God knows unn ka influence mujh par ho gaya hai! Yikes!

How many of you are wondering if the darkness is over or if there is yet more to come? Or have you stopped wondering at all? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Haye, so where do I start? Last week, a reader commented on how much misery there is in this drama, how one tragic event after the other occurs and while I did not deny the fact, I still thought Bhai was working for me. But these four episodes left me feeling almost physically sick with the depths of misery and despair being portrayed here!

Hammad’s death, in my opinion should have been the pinnacle of tragic events. It was shocking enough, the death itself and the way it came about. Ashraf too was shocked out of his madness and that should have been enough. But, no. I gaped at the introduction of this Shibli character (Shafqat Cheema). What in the world is Shafqat Cheema doing here? And then it clicked what had been niggling me all along – Bhai should have been a film, a movie – not a drama serial. When I saw him in his banyan dragging I -don’t- know- what heavy stuff along I thought Mamma Mia! Now what! I have never watched any of his films, ever! And after seeing him in Bhai and the ugliness of his role – I am glad.

So, it seems Shibli has a bone to pick with Ashraf. Shibli used to work for Ashraf’s father and when he fell ill, Shibli tried to take over his business and assets. He is however bullied into stepping back by Ashraf who was also redeemed in his father’s eyes and how he became in charge of the family business. Shibli finds with Ashraf locked up, this is the perfect opportunity to settle the score with him.

The whole Ifrah-Shibli scene was so awful and distasteful I could barely make my listen to whatever he was saying to her as I moved my earphones away. I could barely bring myself to watch it – let alone listen to the screams and what they were yelling about. Was it really necessary for Ifrah to be shown to go through all that? When he kicked her, I really felt physically sick. So Ifrah has lost the baby now too and Shibli has run away and can not be found anywhere.

Hammad’s death has left me confused now. The constant ‘ Ashraf nay dhakka nahin diya’ and ‘Hammad ka paoon phisla tha’ has left me confused too. Were the two not linked together? Ashraf did not push with the intent to push down the roof but well he did push, did he not? And the push did throw Hammad off balance so yes he slipped but are the two not linked together – without laying the blame on Ashraf or Hammad. Anyways, seems like Professor Sb was as confused as I am and dropped charges against Ashraf and he is released from jail.

Writer nay tau Professor Sb ko bhi nahin chora. Ifrah and her mother are truly truly alone in the world and in danger as Shibli is still on the loose. Bas, to establish this the writer threw in the awful Shibli character and scene and wrote off Professor Sb. I get Ifrah’s grief and also how people react in grief and I was relating to it but her confrontation with Ashraf seemed so bizarre the way Maha Warsi was shrieking. Grief makes you do crazy things but Ifrah is an educated girl – seeing her yelling ‘tu’ and shrieking hoarsely and then when she pushes Ashraf it seemed like she was going to collapse in his arms when he was holding her hands and I thought what the hell?!

I do not know what to make of Ashraf’s feelings for Ifrah. Even in jail he was recalling the moments when he first met her. I can not blame him for his feelings for if I am being fair he did fall in love with Ifrah before Hammad came in on the scene. So it is not as if he developed feelings for his ‘bhabhi’ – rather his lady lurrrve ended up being his bhabhi. But after Hammad’s death, hhis concern for Ifrah is not in the light of a bhabhi. He acknowledges her grief and how wronged she feels, he mourns the death of Hammad but his feelings and concern for Ifrah are purely his own.

Ashraf’s mother has channeled her grief into hatred towards Ifrah. Well, maybe not hatred but she believes Ifrah has cursed the family and has only brought misery ever since she came into their lives. However, I find this change came about after Ifrah loses her baby. I could totally relate to her relief over having Ashraf back home and Ashraf has returned a subdued Ashraf making it even easier for his mother to reach out to him and take care of her first born who she almost lost too. His parents seem to believe Ashraf is not responsible at all for his brother’s death whereas his sisters feel differently. His mother’s behaviour while sad, is not new. Now that the final link with Ifrah has also been taken away, she wants nothing to do with her.

So really what is left now? Ashraf trying to win over everyone’s hearts. Although to be honest, he has shown no concern for his sisters since his return. His only concern is Ifrah and finding Shibli. Does he really intend to kill Shibli when he can lay his hands on him? How would that help? He would end up in jail again – but hey, he would have avenged Ifrah’s ‘honor’. Uff – I hope this is not the way this drama is progressing now.

While I could relate to Ifrah’s grief earlier but Maha Warsi’s constant screaming and wailing is beginning to give me anxiety now. Thankfully there was very little of Saboor Ali in these few episodes. I actually missed Noman Ijaz in the earlier two episodes and it only reinforced my belief that this drama’s saving grace really is Noman Ijaz. The subtle changes in his character and how the harshness has slipped from his personality for now is totally believable.

Suspense, murder, mystery, thrillers – I have no lain dain with them. I prefer light, easy on the mind and romantic stuff. Bhai is getting so dark now. The twists and turns were still watchable because the pace was fast and I felt adventurous watching something different but I felt like I literally had to shrug off all this misery from myself after I watched these episodes! I wish the director and writer had turned this into a movie instead of a drama – God knows it has all the masala with gundda bhai, beatings and shouting in the family, brothers falling for one woman and then one brother dying because of the woman and then uggh, Shafqat Cheema!!!! I hope this drama gets wrapped up in a few more episodes now and please I will not and can not digest an Ifrah-Ashraf union. I hope it does not happen. My apologies, Ashraf!

On a lighter note – what’s with these baby named gunndas in our dramas?! There’s Dabbu in Mera Yaar Miladay and then when you hear the name Shibli you think this:

But you get to see this:

Not nice!

Is anyone still watching this drama? Please share your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Hayeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Ashraf ai ki kitta tu nay?! We all kept thinking something huge had to happen to jolt Ashraf out of his madness and well, here it is! One reader had commented on an earlier review that Hammad might die and Ifrah would think Ashraf was responsible so I would not be very honest if I said I did not expect something bad to happen to Hammad but I was really shocked that it did happen and the way it happened!
For all of Ashraf’s ‘Hammad would steal everything that belonged to Ashraf or Ashraf had a right to’ we learn from their last conversation that Hammad would go to his older brother after everyone had gone to bed to offer him whatever they had fought over. I did snort though when Ashraf says yeah well you have come empty handed this time and I thought what the hell? Was he supposed to bring a heavily pregnant Ifrah and dump her on Ashraf as a peace offering?! Anyways, Hammad truly believed his brother was not evil and wished he would give himself a chance and show how good a human he could be. I also got the feeling that he craved for Ashraf to make peace not just for the sake of the atmosphere of the house but because he really loved Ashraf, despite all the hatred Ashraf seemed to show to Hammad.

When he tells Ashraf he will go away and take his wife with him and never show face again I thought maybe something would happen to Hammad when he leaves for training. No way did I expect him to fall off the roof!! Literally!! True, Ashraf did not push him with the intent to push him down and kill him but as far as facts go, Ashraf DID push him and that push DID send Hammad down to his death so jitna bhi we say Ashraf did not mean to – he still was responsible. It does not help matters that Ifrah saw him when she looked up and their father witnessed the push.

I was quite interested in Ashraf’s reaction. When Saira had ‘committed suicide’ and lay in the hospital fighting for her life he was still Ashraf – angry and feeling no remorse or worry that his sister may die. That was when I thought that he really does hate his family and is beyond feeling any love for them. But his shock, the tears, the expressions show he is shaken by Hammad’s death and probably more so because he is being held responsible for it.

I have to admit, I shed a few tears in that episode. I never thought I would say this but Maha Warsi really made me feel for her character. A young widow, expectant mother and when she says to Ashraf ‘meray bachay ko yateem kar diya’ I thought, haye, the kid who is not even born yet – and already without a father! The whole scene of her hugging that teddy however was pointless and I do not know why it was such a long scene. True, teddy was important because it was part of their last conversation but it did not make much of an impact – the scene between teddy and Ifrah, not poor teddy itself! Saboor Ali’s wailing was cringeworthy and when she yelled ‘Allah Allah’ I literally winced. That hoarse shouting did not work for me at all – I just wish Sufiyan ki kahin transfer ho jaye and he takes Saira kahin boht duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuur!

Noman Ijaz was flawless as the older brother grieving for his baby brother – but not being to do so openly. I liked how the father does not turn against Ashraf yet. It is only natural that having lost one son he was not going to say to all that Ashraf was responsible and should be hanged. Likewise when the sisters are mourning Hammad and Rabab says we have lost one brother and she did not want to lose the other, I could understand how the feelings of the family are divided. On the one hand, they knew Ashraf hated Hammad, heck Ashraf did not waste a single chance to express his hatred so it was so easy to believe that the fatal push was intentional. However, on the other hand, Ashraf is family, and I could also understand how they did not want him to hang especially as it is not as if Ashraf is doing a celebratory war dance over Hammad’s death and seems to be totally devastated himself.

Revenge is sweet, maybe bitter sweet, but here revenge took matters into its own hands and dealt a blow so intense I do not see how Ashraf will ever be able to redeem himself in front of his family or ever escape the burden of what his actions resulted in. He may repent, grieve, beg Ifrah’s forgiveness but I do not see how he will ever be able to shake off the image or the guilt of being his brother’s murderer, even if all of them ever forgave him.

However, Ifrah has channelled her grief towards her own revenge. She is seeing red now and will not rest till she has justice – and Ashraf hangs. Ashraf is locked up in prison, facing his own demons. I wonder if from now on the drama will focus on Ifrah’s revenge (aakhir woh nikli auraton ki Ashraf – first he was bent on revenge, now her) which will finally lead to Ashraf being sentenced to death. Or will he be released from prison soon and then turn over a new leaf?

How many of you watched these episodes and shed a few tears like I did? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Whoa, whoa, whoa!! I had heard of ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ but Ashraf Bhai nay tau auraton ko peechay chor diya hai!! What madness ensued in these episodes!

 
Ashraf had vowed that if he did not get the ‘love of his life’ he would move heaven and earth to make sure none of his siblings were happy in love too. He manages to convince his father that it is in the best interest of the family that Saira is wedded off to Jawad. Jawad is reluctant but lacks the courage to be able to stand up to Ashraf. Saira however managed to say no at the time of nikkah, drawing strength from Ebad showing up at that moment but Ashraf sends him and his parents packing – again!

You know, I feel there should be another category in these drama awards nominations – top ‘thappar’ receiver and the top two neck- to -neck nominees for that would be these two sisters – Sajal and Saboor Ali. The way Saira has been beaten up, slapped repeatedly on the face, neck wrung like a duck – it has truly been excessive in my opinion. I do not understand why it had to be shown so many times and to such lengths! We get it, Ashraf will beat up Saira at the drop of a hat – must we see it happen repeatedly in every second episode.

Anyways, egged on by Ashraf, his father Muneer Ahmed begins to feel that maybe the only honourable thing to do is take Saira’s life. I sat there agape watching Saira gulp down the milk which he had poisoned and when he stood outside her door listening to her begging for help and dying I thought okay, this is the point that he wakes up and realizes it was a bad dream – but no! I only snapped out of my stupor when my daughter chimed in with ‘see mama, she does not want to finish her milk either’. Kids – I thought she was busy watching her cartoon on tv rather than peering into my laptop! Saira does however survive (surprise surprise!).

Quite a lot of screen time was focused on Muneer Ahmed ‘bhatkofying’ in the streets after his murderous act which at one point to me seemed to drag. I waited to see the moment when he sees Saira again after she comes home for he seemed to lack the courage to face her but I was so disappointed. I am not the sort who jumps up from her seat yelling ‘wah wah’ whattay dialogue – but I did expect something a bit more emotional, a bit tear jerking than Saboor sniffling and saying ‘aap meray maalik hain Aba’. Uff!

 
Muneer Ahmed begins to change now – taking a stand for his daughters especially Saira. I found this change in him convincing though because he was always trying to stop Ashraf from hitting his sisters and his wife does say to him that he has a soft spot for Saira. By no means was he justified in doing what he did, but I liked how after realizing what a grievous sin he almost committed, he goes about making an effort to change things for his daughters. I really felt the impact of that stare he gave Ashraf when Saira comes back home from the hospital and then says to him ‘ bas kar day’.

Meanwhile, Rabab and Jawad are playing out their own romance. I had spoken too soon when I said Rabab doesn’t say much or her role does not have much to offer. She proved me wrong! Her mouth opened and then the words just kept coming out. I had hoped Ashraf would not react the way he did when Jawad told him he wants to marry Rabab – but deep down I suppose I knew he would do just that.

 
Ashraf, Ashraf, Ashraf – this man’s hatred knows no bounds. I felt such an urge to be able to get into his head and rewire his brain. He is so angry, so indignant, so convinced that his way of thinking is so right that he does not seem to understand that there is not a single person in his family who agrees with him, not even his father now. I thought he was truly fond of Jawad but the way he keeps throwing the ‘hamaray tukron par palla hai’ makes me wince although I am so glad Muneer Ahmed gave him the shut up call when he said that he was not raised on anyone’s ‘tukras’ but was raised in his own phuppo’s house and that was that.

The two goons, Mr Colgate and Mr Leopard, that have kidnapped Ebad must have volunteered for their roles. Their scenes and acting were truly strange.

This ‘shaadi zaroor honi hai’ regardless of who or what in our dramas is getting a bit nauseating. Marriage has truly become a joke and everyone in this family is playing their own game, trying to achieve their own means but then phuppi makes the master of all moves to which Muneer Ahmed adds his own touch! How could she suggest – sorry, force Sufiyan to marry Saira when he and Khadija had been in love and yes divorced now but what bad taste that he be forced to marry the sister of the woman who is still in love with. And then Muneer Ahmed sends Ashraf off to call Jawad but it appears he is doing it to get him off his back and he is all for Saira marrying Sufiyan with Saira also weepingly agreeing, with Khadija’s blessing. What a loonybin really!

These episodes were engaging I have to admit. I watched them wanting to know what happens next because I think that is what is the best aspect of this drama that it is not predictable – right down to the tech savvy English speaking kidnappers! Ashraf’s phrases did throw in a few comical moments which were a welcome distraction from the otherwise dark scenes of Saira’s almost death. The term ‘love pond’ that he threw at Hammad and Ifra really made me laugh as did when he says to Jawad when he hears Ebad and his parents have come with the rishta again that ‘mein zara unn ki shampoo kar aoon’. His nicknames for Saira (choosni) and Hammad (duddu) could actually pass off as endearing from an older brother except he seems to really hate them.

I really hope Saira does not get married to Sufiyan nor to Jawad. Not because she does not love either of them but because her sisters love them and vice versa! Awkward!

Noman Ejaz is such a versatile actor. He has portrayed Ashraf perfectly – whereas I did not hate him as much earlier when he was trying to woo Ifra, I really can not but help be aghast at how he is going all out to make life miserable for his family. Salman Shahid is also a great actor although I wish he did not have to speak the way he does. I realize it is because he has had a stroke and that is also the reason Ashraf has more control but I still wish his speech was not so slurred. It is truly difficult to understand him at times.

On a lighter note to detract from the intense and sometimes dark moments these episodes offered, I thought I would mention how I noticed that the couples Ashraf is bent on breaking or has already broken really did seem to be ‘made for each other’. The ‘surmas’ (Rabab and Jawad), the ‘please come beat us up’ (Saira and Ebad), the ‘lanky ones’ (Khadija and Sufiyan) and the ‘lipsticks – or maybe to add some Ashraf-ness the ‘laal bulliyans’ (Ifra and Hammad).

No wonder Ashraf feels so complexed – for if he were to find someone for himself that would be similar to him it would be someone like those below!

It is chaotic, loud, messed up, at times depressing – but Bhai is entertaining I have to admit. Have you all been watching Bhai and these episodes? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Woweeeza! Ashraf, you cunning old witch you! Okay, well not entirely cunning but whatever the reason behind him changing his mind at the time of nikkah he did promise Ifrah he would say no and she, and we believed him! We had been wondering last week if Ifrah and Ashraf will get married and although I did believe they would I had thought it would be due to Ifrah giving in to pressure from her mother and Ashraf’s father – I sure as hell did not expect her to ask Ashraf to say no and fall prey to the game that plays out!

As expected, Ashraf’s mother is not thrilled with the announcement her husband makes. She gradually changes her stance when Ashraf asks her to and when she realizes that no matter how she feels, Ifrah is once again to be her daughter in law. I have to say I really like how her husband tells her to think of Ifrah as a daughter and to treat her well.

Words of wisdom galore in these episodes by – Sabiha Khala and Jawad. Sabiha explains to her daughter that agar tum nay Ashraf se shaadi na ki tau ussi Ashraf ki biwi tumhein dhakay day kar iss ghar se nikal day ge. Wah wah. I would like to think Ifrah’s mother has only her daughter’s welfare at heart but well it is clear Ifrah hates Ashraf and with good reason and yet she has forced her into this nikkah with emotional blackmail and odd reasoning. Seems like she has landed herself a 2-in-1 package for Ifrah lands a husband, Sabiha khala lands herself a home. I understand these are two women alone in the world and I do not want to sound harsh and critical for I do in a way understand where she is coming from especially with that wretched Shibli still on the loose but is this really the only solution? Maybe encouraging Ifrah to bring herself out of the deep depression she is sinking further into and move from that neighbourhood to wherever they came from, work, do something!! Anyways, maybe it is the actress playing Sabiha khala as well who does not seem so convincing in her role to me that makes me feel that way.

Ashraf promises Ifrah he will say no at the time of the nikkah but asks her not to say no for it would make her look bad in front of everyone and he did not want that for her. She agrees, saying she does not want to hurt her mother. But if he doesn’t say no, she will poison herself and die. Hain? And that would not hurt her mother then? Uff! With Jawad’s words of how Ashraf’s ‘dilli khwahish’ is within reach and that Ifrah will forget her anger soon so he should go ahead with the nikah, Ashraf says yes and Ashraf and Ifrah are pronounced man and wife! Oooo la la!

I would have loved to see Ifrah and Ashraf’s first meeting after the nikkah. Was my initial thought. Except when I saw a month later that she is still spitting venom and crying buckets with her hair strewn all over the place – I thought ah well. Yeh he kuch hua hoga. Ashraf is shown to be wondering after the nikkah if he has made a mistake since he had promised Ifrah something and did the opposite but oh well, too late now. Ifrah is still crying and her mum is still trying to tell her how lucky she is and Ashraf’s mum is still eavesdropping on their conversations! Seriously, don’t Amma jee’s ‘gauddas’ (knees) hurt with all that clambering up and down and listening in on these mother daughter conversations?!

Ashraf has managed to buy a new house for his family – in Ifrah’s name. Ifrah comes up with a solution to her troubles – how about Ashraf leave her and her mum in this house and take the rest of his family and himself and move into the new one?! Genius! (Not). I mean, now that she is married to him and it definitely does not look like she has the option of going anywhere then maybe try to accept things and at least try to move on?

Can I please share what I think will happen now? There will be lots of Ifrah spewing venom at Ashraf and Ashraf ‘hurting’ inside and then Shibli will reappear and Ashraf will save the day – whether he dies doing so or not I do not know. But I will not be surprised if that does not happen for if there is one thing about this drama it is that it is quite unpredictable. I know Ashraf was despicable but it appears that time heals and his family seems to be accepting the change in him with even Saira being happy at his nikkah. I wonder if Ifrah will finally forgive him and grow to feel anything other than hate for him.

I loved Salman Shahid’s acting in these episodes. His joy at the new house and hearing Ashraf and Ifrah are spending time together etc was very natural and real. Noman Ijaz’s facial expressions when Ifrah tells him she hates him and wants to be left alone actually made me feel for him. But what is with these desi heroines in our dramas that smear lipstick all over their faces in distress??! I would get all worked up and anxious when our gori heroines in the angrezi movies would scream and throw and smash plates etc in anger and I would think haye, now they will have to clean all that up so what was the point?! And our desi sisters tend to scream and promptly rub bright red lipstick all over their faces till they are left looking like wild vampires on a lucky night out!! Enough!

Are you shocked that Ifrah and Ashraf got married so quickly and how the marriage actually came about? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid