Parizaad’s journey continues to be engaging and heartfelt. Tonight’s episode was beautifully put together; showing the main protagonist’s shortcomings and strengths with the utmost precision yet again! It has only been 7 weeks but I am already more invested in this story than any other in a really long time. A great deal has changed in Parizaad’s life and through it, all the viewers have seen different versions of him. A beautifully etched-out character translated in the most poignant manner on-screen; Parizaad will be remembered for a really long time for all the right reasons. This was another one of those episodes which took me completely by surprise. Lubna’s character turned out to be the complete opposite of her first impression. Meaningful conversations, brilliant performances, and amazing camerawork make Parizaad the only drama right now I truly look forward to watching and discussing. Ahmed Ali Akbar’s performance was superb as usual; this should be counted as one of the best performances in Pakistani dramas ever!
New Friendship, Old Inhibitions
When I watched the promo of this episode, I got the feeling that Lubna was perhaps one of those rich spoiled brats who would probably end up making fun of Parizaad! She turned out to be someone who saw Parizaad’s soul through his poetry and was actually fascinated by him. Parizaad and Lubna’s scenes tonight were a treat to watch since they did not just introduce Lubna’s character but also showed how shy and awkward Parizaad was around her even when she made him feel so comfortable. As someone who was never accepted by most people around him and was continuously trying to fit in, Parizaad’s inhibitions make so much sense! While he does not shy away from sharing his poetic verses with the world, he is not too keen on being around people even when they welcome him. After Nasaaz, Parizaad has a new person in his life who believes in him. Interestingly enough, he made his first true friend because of common interest and knack for poetry, and this time around too Lubna extended her hand of friendship mostly due to Parizaad’s poetry. It seems as if his poetry isn’t just another side of his personality but it is the most important interest which will perhaps determine what turn his life takes in the near future. There has been constant stress on how gifted he is right from the start and now Lubna introduced him as one of the best. Even now the experience he had with Naheed continues to be his ‘inspiration’ while penning down poetry.
Right from the start, Parizaad was honest about the visible differences between him and Lubna. Even though he is shy and well aware of his ‘shortcomings’, Parizaad is always eloquent. He wins people over with his words, even when he is not reciting poetry; his conversations are a true reflection of his actual personality. You would expect someone as shy as him to hold back while talking to someone but Parizaad does not do that, perhaps because one thing he is confident about is his intellect and how he puts his feelings into words. This part of his personality makes him an even more appealing character. He also enjoys attention and praise; in this episode as well, there were at least 4 scenes in which he enjoyed the attention he was getting.
At the party, he knew he was a misfit but he turned up. Even when Noman made the offer, Parizaad did not just refuse but left with a remark that you would normally not expect from someone like him. He has a strong side to his personality as well and it is this eloquence that makes all his scenes more interesting. Lubna’s track is also quite interesting; I want to know more about her. She also seems like a misfit and is constantly pushed around to do things she’s not comfortable with. The move was done against her wishes and her mother also keeps a check on who she can be friends with. Mashal Khan acted well in this episode and I warmed up to this character instantly.
Saeeda’s Track
Saeeda’s track also took an unpredictable turn. We were all expecting her to be happily married but now her husband is pressurizing her just as much as her mother-in-law. The brothers and the bhabhis are not willing to give her the share and are also hiding a big secret! So far Parizaad was not too ‘involved’ in everything that was going on since at the end of the day this was going to be his brothers’ decision. Now that he heard what kind of a situation Saeeda is facing first hand and then he also has the ‘offer’, he might be tempted to sell his poetry to help Saeeda out. I am waiting to see if and how that happens because I cannot even imagine Parizaad taking such a step. But then everything that has happened so far has been quite contrary to my expectations therefore it is impossible to predict what turn the story will take. There must be a solid reason why Saeeda’s track is being given so much screen time. It will definitely impact Parizaad in some way, I am waiting to see how that will happen.
Final Remarks
While Parizaad himself continues to be the star of the show, every new character brings with it something new and unpredictable. With Lubna’s entry into the story, Parizaad’s life has taken yet another different kind of turn. Watching this drama is like reading different chapters of a person’s life who is continuously experiencing something new. I have a bad feeling that this might turn out to be another bitter experience for him. The possibilities are endless! Parizaad’s dialogues about love and hatred tonight completely won me over. The writer Hashim Nadeem has penned down the most beautiful dialogues for Parizaad in particular. It is evident that this character is really close to his heart. I missed Bubbly Badmash tonight and wouldn’t want Lubna to exit the story too soon.
Did you watch tonight’s episode of Parizaad? Share your thoughts about it.
Apt review!
I agree, this SHOULD be counted as one of the best performances in Pakistani dramas ever. Ahmed Ali Akbar has outdone himself and I am SO GLAD he got to play this role.
I really liked the execution of the party scene and the theater play scene. However, at the same time, I kind of feel like they have rushed the trope of him being poet. They should have at least shown us Parizaad’s work being published in the college magazine when he was in college or him taking part in college mushaeras.
Why did Lubna just enter the class Parizaad was in when he was reciting his poetry, she is not his class mate. They could have set their first meeting in a different way, as he was made responsible for Urdu section of university magazine and was also being made part of arts and sports week, maybe she could have met him through these two things, instead of just randomly going and sitting into the class he was.
Also idk why but I still feel like Mashal is not the one for this role. (I imagined the character to be someone like Sonya Hussain).
At start I used to really live Saeeda’s chracter bcz through her Parizaad had at least some support in his house and was not all alone, but now I just feel like that track has been added to give us the usual saas/bahu/bhabhi saga in the background. The sudden shift in Saleem’s attitude also didn’t sit well with me, esp when he was introduced as a nice guy and just in previous episode he was saying that he likes Saeeda’s support in this tough time.
Anyways, looking forward to the next episode.
Another well written review by you Fatima. Honestly, I never liked Mashal but loved her in this role! Finally she is doing a different role. Ahmed Ali Akbar deserves that award more than anyone else. Your first title in the review is an example from of not only your writing but also creative skills. I got the feeling from the promo of the next episode that Lubna will disappear more quickly than Bubbly. Parizaad is the best drama on tv right now. Everything about it is fantastic including your reviews. I did not find anything odd or not convincing in this episode. Thank you for the timely reviews
No matter how the episode is, your reviews are a joy to read. You write so well and with feeling, fully understanding the nuances and conveying them so well! As for this drama – don’t expect the ladies to last long as Hashim Nadeem is fond of showing men around whom there is a merry go round of ladies :-) (I have read his other work). But yes, Ahmed Ali Akbar delivers one of the best performance I have ever seen on screen. The way he assays this role – from the sheepish grin while talking to Lubna, his VISIBLE decline in confidence while walking around the new institution – it’ s there in his eyes! The way he utters ever sentence not just with his voice but with his eyes and movements – outstanding. I will never get comfortable with his makeup (there are other ways to make someone look ordinary rather than this racist device), but the drama remains outstanding. Bonus points for absolutely gorgeous cinematography.
Nice review, Fatima. It was a great episode especially with the poetry he recited and you did cover all the aspects of the episode, even noticing how many times he enjoyed the attention. I like the episode as it shows further journey & exploration of Parizaad in the present world.
I enjoyed whole Play theme involving Lubna. Mashal Khan did excellent job throughout. His dedication to the work & attraction to Parizaad because of his poetry was good to watch. I like her choice of Play as Othello to be made for Urdu audience and the way Urdu poetry wrap up as closing notes, was marvellous. The poetry was actually the word of dying girl where she says to the boy that I know you love me still but I can’t trust the world around you and what you did to me is justified but don’t hate me but do remember all the good time we share. What an excellent Othello climax, Bravo. FYI, Othello is famous Shakespeare novel where the boy kills his girlfriend because one of his close friend make him suspicious that his girlfriend is having affair with his another friend, which was totally false allegation.
Regarding another couplet in this episode was, “kyun jaun Rangrez ke pass tum to siyah mein bhi jachti ho, karne do unhe singar tum saada mein bhi sajti ho.” Too good. Though he wrote it referring to a girl, but it does suits him also very well.
However, There were some lose talk which troubled me like, Lubna was too dedicated to win the first prize & she won because of the poetry, but very casually she said to Parizaad during the walk. I mean, I was expecting her to look out of Parizaad with prize in her hand or saying the prize winning speech as dedicated to my writer/Parizaad. Another scene, she says to Parizaad that I throw party in your honour, but it was not the case. She did not introduce him with everyone or at least to few people except Nouman, which is because he bumps while they were talking. Anyways.
However there was another side of Parizaad shown while he struggles with words for the play, he lightens up a cigarette. Looked like his body language is starting to get better comparing shyness & reserve, but in next scene in the college while talking Lubna, he still play with the bottom part of his coat or shirt, looks low confident guy again. Anyways, I love the drama very much, it’s direction, his acting and dialogues, all superb.
What a great drama ,after so many years I am watching a drama
which has the charm like the old ptv dramas. What can i say about the Ahmad Ali what a great actor, I did not reorganize him in the beginning as I only saw him in Ahde wafa and he has nailed it .I am short of words to describe how great he is. What a treat to watch and others in this drama. Congratulations to the director and whole team. Pakistani dramas are still the best and Parizad has proved it. All the complexes he has its like my own story ,coming from a middle class family I was also shy and was not comfortable in the parties. The scenes of the party were the best. Thanks Fatima ji for your detailed review. Thinking of the
next episode already.
Rampi Singh