Raqs-e-Bismil Episode 23 Story Review – Finding Zohra

Raqs-e-Bismil is losing its charm with every passing episode since most of the scenes are being unnecessarily stretched. Only a few weeks back, I was continuously appreciating the writer and the director for keeping the scenes short and interesting but things have changed drastically in that department. Some of the tracks in the story have also stopped making sense altogether. I never warmed up to Saranga’s character therefore I find his ‘heroic’ endeavors uninteresting, to say the least! A lot of screen time was dedicated to giving Sheheryar a befitting ending and there was some development in Zohra’s track as well. The most important development was Sakina taking her bud dua back but I did wonder how she found out about Moosa’s current situation. The flow in the story was disrupted a few weeks back because of which the emotional connection is just not there anymore. Ahmed was given special importance in this episode, I am wondering why?!

Meaningless Stretched Conversations

There were so many meaningless conversations that were dragged to the limit. It was as if someone was reading out the details from a novel! This episode opened with Moosa and the gang discussing Zohra’s disappearance and everything they had learned in detail. Much of what they discussed was repetitive and the viewers learned nothing new from it. The brainstorming session ended with the decision that they were going to go after Sheheryar before they start searching for Zohra again! The decision came as a complete shock to me! This led to yet another stretched scene which ended with Sheheryar getting a thappar and Saranga and gang winning over Zohra’s ‘sarparast’!! The fact that Sheheryar did not get the money he wanted from Laila seemed like a decent punishment and a good ending to the track.

All of a sudden Zohra and everyone related to her is the biggest victim. Considering the fact that Anaa has been running this ‘business’ for so long, it is highly unconvincing the way she is so over-dependent on Moosa. Does she have no other contacts? If she held Zohra so dear, why did she sell her off and severed all ties with her? This track has stopped making sense altogether! We have Dil Na Umeed Tu Nahi on one hand which is truly depicting the bitter realities and on the other hand, we have Anna Ji who is ‘missing’ the girl she sold and wanted nothing to do with yet she expected her to be happy! This entire situation is as unrealistic as it gets!

Raqs-e-Bismil Episode 23 Story Review – Finding Zohra

Overall as well, Zohra’s track has been written so badly. In the beginning, she came across as an intelligent and strong-headed woman but ever since she got married, her character and the journey have gone completely off track! While Zohra could not even walk a few steps earlier, after being given an extra dosage she was up on her feet and able to run away in this episode! The writer definitely wants people to wonder whether Zohra will live or die – I wish I cared more for her but I honestly don’t. As of now, Zohra is more of an ‘idea’ or an ‘ideal’ than a person! All thanks to the writer, who did not etch out this character properly. Even if this was a one-dimensional character, it would have been better but for now, Zohra seems like the only character without an actual personality or even a journey! Since Moosa’s entire struggle has been for this woman, she should have been a more powerful or at least interesting character. Right now, she is like ‘sleeping beauty’ who is waiting for her prince charming to come save her.

Laila was yet again foolish enough to take a step all on her own without thinking things through! Laila is yet another character whose sole aim in life is to get Zohra back. Quite literally, most of the characters in the drama are running around looking for Zohra and the entire situation is a bit comical now! Faizee and his wife’s conversation was another lengthy and boring one in this episode. I am wondering if there was an actual reason why the conversation at the shrine which focused more on Ahmed was given so much attention. Will Esa die? There must be a reason why this conversation was shown. Any guesses?

Final Remarks

I have lost all interest in Raqs-e-Bismil at this point. I hope that it ends soon before all the tracks become even more meaningless. It is unfortunate that writers have to stretch their stories unnecessarily in order to meet the demands of the production houses, channel owners and in doing so they lose track completely! It is pretty evident that Hashim Nadeem was not too keen on stretching the story. Everything was fine a few weeks back and now not much makes sense! Raqs-e-Bismil is being sponsored by so many leading brands therefore there must be pressure on the channel to stretch the drama which is why everything else has taken a backseat. The cinematography was definitely on point in this episode and the camera work was impressive too but that did not make up for the unconvincing and stretched storyline. Imran Ashraf continues to be phenomenal as Moosa, this will always be considered as one of his best performances. However, I would love to see him in a different role next time around since he has done a lot of rescuing in his recent projects.

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

Fatima Awan

Fatima Awan has been a part of reviewit right from its inception. She feels very passionately about Pakistani dramas and loves discussing them in detail. An enthusiastic writer, thinker, and political scientist, constantly trying to look beyond the obvious. Full-time mom.

17 comments

  • Episodes 20+ karna zaroori hai kiya jab koi kahani 20 episodes se pehaly hatam hosakti hai to aaj kal producers and channel wale q nahi kartay?
    Waisay me ne hashim nadeem k Buht sare dramas daikay howe hai like ishq zaehnaseeb un ka har drama last me apni charm lose kar jata hai…
    Bachpan me jab hum ptv pay dramas daiktay thay to only fews dramas aisay hotay thay jo 20 cross kar jatay..
    Aaj kal k producers aisa q nahi kartay
    Kahani jitni hi short q na ho 20+ lazmi karna hota hai inko

    • I agree with you! Ye pehli baar hei ke mei Hashim Nadeem sb ka koi drama review kr rahi hu is liye abhi tk dekh rahi hu otherwise if I look back tu I always stopped watching his dramas after a certain time because they do go off track and get repititive.

  • Yes, we have had enough stretching of this drama…please show the ending and get it over with.

  • Hey Fatima!Your review was more entertaining than the last 5 episodes!Completely hilarious 😂 this drama has become a circus
    DNUTN is worth watching

  • Fatima Ji,

    This drama has lost it’s way and spiraled out of control.

    Certainly appreciate all the effort taken by you to continue reviewing the drama….. speaks volumes of the commitment shown…. professional all the way indeed.

    In hindsight, it would have been nice to see your reviews on Raqeeb Se and Dil Naumeed Toh Nahin.
    Request you to give us a brief review on DNUTH, if possible…..
    TV One and PTV have sprung a surprise….
    Even a few years ago Dumpukht was a successful drama on A plus…. The Hum channel management, specially Sultana Appa and Momina Ji should start looking for quality, instead of pleasing sponsors….. They did not mess up with Raqeeb Se, written by Bee Gul Ji and people have appreciated this drama all over the world…..
    Thank you so much for reviewing…. looking forward to more…..
    Thank You and Regards,
    Ketan

    • Hello Ketan, long time, no see. Good to hear from you.

      Thank you so much for your continuous support, means a lot. I hope and pray that Raqs-e-Bismil ends soon so that I can write something about DNUTN, it is a gem. Yes Dumpukht was one of my favorites. I feel airing Raqeeb Se’s double episodes per week was not fair since that drama was so amazing that it took an entire week to absorb one episode. They did do their part in messing up the experience!

      You’re most welcome, keep reading and commenting.

    • Totally agree; I was about to say the same thing: it was a decent finish for Raqeeb Se (a gem and a masterpiece). DNUTN is another nice surprise – every episode is worthy of your time. Very disappointed in ReBismil and KAH3. Making mockery of religion, piety, mazhars etc (which is shirk in Islam anyway). Sorry, this is how I feel at the moment.

  • I agree with you, but Raqse bismil is 100 times better than Khuda aur Mohabbat, Raqse bismil is a unique story , and Mahi is suffering bcz of no reason,

  • Well exactly it was boring and meaningless total piece of shit .Now it should end as nothing left in the game now. I think the writer has lost what he actually wanted to penned down lol.

  • Thanks to your reviews, I had stopped watching this show. This happens when writers had to stretch a drama just to please the producers, but skilled writer always make convincing developments to the story. Aur story ko umdagi say barhaanay mein waqt lgta hai. To waqt unecessary dialogues likhnay mein lgatay ho woh iss par sarf kar lo, thorhi brainstorming karo phir dhng ka likho. Otherwise wrap up kardo ya fast paced episode ka pace km kardo. Bohat kych kia ja skta hai agar niyat sahi ho to.

    • Javed actually the thing is that the production houses always ask the writers to write extra scenes – just in case. Aur jub ye saray extra scenes hi kahani mei daal diye jatay hei usay drag krne ke liye tu aisa hi hota hei. Lekin aap ki baat se mutafiq hu, writers kum likhe takay at least akhri chand episodes ka ye hashar na ho. Yes, true kiya tu ja sakta hei.

  • Your honesty is commendable especially because as a regular reader of these reviews I know how much you were into ReS. You’re absolutely right sister, the story has gone haywire! They should end it.