Absence

I apologize for my lack of posts this week.  Masha'Allah, my sister had a healthy baby boy and I've been busy helping her this week.  =)  Leaving today and will make up for it!

But I do have to say that I made time to watch Kankar this week - beautiful episode and the preview for next week's episode (which I assume is the last) left me very emotional.

Shakk was also very good this week, as usual.  The story isn't fast-paced, but it's so endearing and natural in all aspects - direction, chemistry, acting, story.....very good.  I can't do anything but sing the praises of this show so far.  Let's hope it continues on this path!  =)

Happy watching!

Himmatwala

Directed by: Sajid Khan

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tamanna Bhatia, Paresh Rawal, Zarina Wahab

Released: 2013

Verdict: destroy every copy – horrible – bad – whatever – flawed but enjoyable - good – great – amazing

When I reviewed the famous (and overrated as hell) 1983 Himmatwala some time ago, I expressed a thought that any remake can only be better. I am not going to eat my words. At least not entirely. It is bad, quite bad actually. Maybe even as bad. But worse it is not. And frankly while it deserved severe criticism, I don´t think it was as horrible as critics made it sound. I don´t think they even try to be fair when it comes to Sajid Khan, who has never been their favourite thanks to his overconfident attitude that understandably rubs them the wrong way (me too, but he has yet to insult me personally.) In the end Himmatwala flopped – very much deservedly, but at the same time it is not the worst film of the year by far – something many have been trying to prove.

There are things that are different from the 1983 film (I don´t want to say „original“ since I am not sure it was „original“ - more like a remake of something too) and there are things that remain untouched. Unfortunatelly the elements Sajid Khan decided to keep are often what makes the whole movie seem regressive instead of initiating an avalanche of nostalgia among 30+ audience. And so a wife has to stay with her abusive husband, because you know – family honour! And evil women wear mini-skirts, so when they suddenly shift to sarees you realize they mended their ignoble ways. And an attempt at morally „right“ approach towards rapists may be understandable from a certain point of view, but again it is just violence and violence only. Threw in a gay joke or two, just to be sure you are funny. And if the audience did not get it, make it really obvious, that you are making fun now. 1-2-3-laugh!

I was glad that Ravi (Ajay) did not suffer from a memory loss, unlike his predecessor, and I liked how they changed his identity. Unfortunatelly Ajay Devgn may be a great action hero, but his attempt at comedy don´t go well. He is, much like Jeetendra, too old for the role, and if not that he is definitely too old for his heroine. Tamanna Bhatia, whom I really like and adore, have been making waves down in the South, but she is yet to make her mark on Bollywood map, and for her sake (and the fangirl in me who is ready to love her) I hope her next Hindi venture will offer her more scope. She does well in her small role, her expressions are delightful and she dances beautifully. Paresh Rawal in ridiculous get-up is not funny. And Zarina Wahab as the new-age suffering Maa has nothing on epic crying Maas of the past.

That the film is over the top, ridiculous and just full of loopholes goes without saying. Sajid Khan is hated by critics also because of making most ridiculous movies that, as many feel, are made to mock their intelligence. But my peeve against Sajid is a bit different: I don´t think he is a good story teller. Even simplistic, silly cinema can be worth your money if it keeps you entertained, but not this. Himmatwala is an example of lazy filmmaking, trying to ride the masalla wave, that, however, can only end up in a blind alley after a while.

The marketing line of „80s will be back“ did not lie, but who in the world wants Bollywood 80s back? It is actually quite depressing to think that 30 years have caused a very little progress in the minds of some people (quite a few people – Himmatwala may have fopped but it still earned around 60 crore). Oh - if you really want to see a hand-to-paw combat with a tiger, I recommend to watch the „rascalla“ scene from Om Shanti Om over this.

Roti

Directed by: Manmohan Desai

Starring: Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Om Prakash, Nirupa Roy

Released: 1974

Verdict: destroy every copy – horrible – bad – whatever – flawed but enjoyable - good – great – amazing

Once upon a time, there was a little boy from a slum, who had to slog and yet went to bed hungry. And seeing all the injustice in the world he became a criminal to ensure his survival. Two lines that could start describing about a million Indian films. Some used it as a background idea, many used it as the main motivation of the characters. Some were brilliant and some did not work, and even though Roti has apparently been appreciated at the time of its release, I don´t think it deserves to be anywhere near the top when it comes to a list of such films.

After escaping from jail and being considered dead, Mangal (as Rajesh is called) decides to lead a different life. He ends up in a small mountain village, where posing as a friend of their son, he finds a shelter with blind aging parents, acquires the position of a teacher in the school, romances Bijli (Mumtaz), saves prostitutes and turns everyone „human“ (because who better but a guy running froma a police for that job, eh?)

How to dress when you are wanted killer on the run, lesson 1.

Rajesh Khanna wearing hippie shirts and awful mullet tried to persuade me he is both a wanted criminal and Jesus in second incarnation. Needless to say he looked unconvincing as the first and annoyingly pretentious as the latter. He did not act badly, but apparently the magic of Rajesh Khanna for whom the girls were writing letters in their own blood does not work on me. I felt rather bored throughout, which is largely to be blamed on a script full of things I have seen a million times, and the never-ending message that resonates through Indian films since the beginning till today - about corrupt society and innocent children turned criminals. But Mangal is not just a small-time thief or a Robin Hood. He is a killer - and people are also killed because of him, without him ever caring. The story is told without getting some kind of emotion from the viewer, and the most engaging action is the God-intervention starring monkeys.

How to dress when you are hiding from the police in the woods, lesson 12.

This is the first time I saw Mumtaz (well, not really true because I saw her previously in Suraj, but there she was just in a supporting role and completely lost in the awesomeness that always shines around Vyjayanthimala), and I liked her well enough. She had some spunk, even if at times her character was an annoying chatterbox. However a heroine whose only purpose is to fall for the hero, no matter how prepostrous the whole thing is, is yet another fail the film has. And sadly, she doesn´t even have a song that would be worth mentioning it. Oh no, all the songs are social-waking opportunities for our criminal-Jesus.

I understand why these films were and are still made. Because reality has not changed. But some films seem to be made just to be preachy, and end up being more of a boring lecture (with lack of logic involved) than an emotional experience that would actually make one sit back and think for a while, if not get up and doing something. Roti doesn´t do enough to justify the ways of Mangal. He keeps having passionate speeches about hunger and stomachs, but sorry, dude, you´ve been a healthy adult for long enough now and still you would choose stupid fight resulting in killing someone, then having people shot because of your pompous escape from the gallows... and I am supposed to feel your pain more then theirs?

I lost a leg because of you, wanted murderer, but even though I am aiming at you, I will not shoot you. On the contrary I wil let you run along with best wishes because when you crippled me you skillfully lied to my blind parents so they took you in. And they think you are a great guy.

The film needed a better editing too, as some bits seem to be left out (or I again got a copy with scenes cut). What starts as a tale of a hungry child ends in an amazingly unbelievable climax with burying your enemies under an avalanche, racing ahead of a police dog with Mumtaz on your back, having yet another damn long speech after being shot in the heart (and you blood evenly spilling into the part of Mumtaz´s hair – which totally beats the famous Mujhse Dosti Karoge sindoor scene), as the blind parents and their one-legged son obviously manage to hurry up (and be quicker than police and gundas in their cars) to mourn over you.

*SPLASH*

OMG I have your blood in my hair. I have never been happier. 

I´m dying.

I´M DYYYING!!!

Not fair! I also had a speech on increasing gas prices and globalization!

Khoya Khoya Chand - Episode 13

Some dramas just go from good to bad to worse.  Such is the progression of Khoya Khoya Chand.

I thought this drama would be about a couple getting over their past loves and coming together to create a happy family (Sohai & Ahsan).

NOPE.  This drama is a disgusting, bewakoof twist on Hum Aapke Hain Koun!  Except.....Jija ji didn't have the hots for Nisha in HAHK.

What the HELL was this episode about?  Aarib fell in love with Angabeen.  Then she died.  He has a baby.  His parents suggest that he marry Ahmereen (who he always loved).  THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU SPILL YOUR GUTS ON THE WEDDING NIGHT!  And that too, in such a STUPID manner!  Now he came off looking like a lafanga!  So ridiculous.

I don't know why I'm watching this show still.  Please don't ask.  I don't know the answer.  My brain feels like brain masala right now.

Sari Bhool Humari Thi - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

While on air, this was my most awaited show each week.  Wednesday and Thursday quickly became my favorite day of the week, just because I'd get to catch "Areesha" (Aiza) and "Abrar" (Affan) together.  The ride wasn't horribly long - 24 episodes in total, adding up to 12 weeks.  That's considerably shorter than most shows, since it aired twice a week as opposed to the once-a-week slot.  Did I love the show overall?  Did it deliver?

Well, here's the thing:  Aiza Khan played the lead.  Danish Taimoor played the villain.  Affan Waheed played the hero.  Watching this show, I was not satisfied with the way screen time was dished out.  One would assume Danish Taimoor was the sole hero with the amount of screen time he received.  If anything, when "Subhan" (Danish) turned bewaffa and got married, I was overjoyed that I would finally get to see Affan & Aiza's relationship blossom.  No.  No sir.  Instead, we saw a grieving Areesha.  We saw Mariam's antics of running away and a failed attempt.  We saw Subhan's father pass away.  We saw Taayi Ami mend her ways.  We saw Nauman become the ideal son.  We saw A LOT.  YET.....we still saw very little of ABRAR.

Abrar sent his rishta - when on earth did Abrar realize he was in love with Areesha?  Areesha and Abrar were never given the proper amount of screen time together for the audience to actually fall in love with this pairing.  I was always left wishing for something more.  So as a viewer, I feel as though I was robbed of the very thing I was watching the show for.

HOWEVER, I did like the show overall.  The characters were well developed and there weren't any dull, uninteresting moments.

On to the last episode:  Once again, Danish Taimoor was in the limelight unnecessarily.  We saw Areesha thwark his attempts to reconcile, we saw Subhan's wife overhear the conversation and rip into Subhan - we also saw Subhan disowned by Nauman.  For a villain, this character received more than his share of screen time.  Unnecessary footage.

We also witnessed Abrar & Areesha finally get together - in a mildly unsatisfying way with Areesha saying that she just wanted "a nice guy" (how about incredibly sweet, romantic, loving, devoted....wake up, girl!  This guy is perfect!) - and get married.  The marriage scene was cute and did leave me with an overall happy feeling.  I just wish things had been carried out differently.  ALSO, it would've been cute to see how Abrar's super-innocent mother and Areesha got along.

Overall:  I enjoyed the show thoroughly and am sad to see the show end.  It had a lot of potential and could've been carried out a little longer to focus on the Abrar-Areesha story.  I'm now looking forward to another out and out romantic drama with Affan & Aiza in the lead roles!  =)

The Burning Train

Directed by: Ravi Chopra

Starring: Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Jeetendra, Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh, Danny Denzongpa, Simi Garewal

Released: 1980

Verdict: destroy every copy – horrible – bad – whatever – flawed but enjoyable - good – great – amazing

Choo choo! This ride gave me quite a few surprises. Firstly, I was a bit skeptical about a film with a title basically giving away the whole plot. Secondly, the post-Sholay action films are not always my cup of tea. And finally there was Jeetendra listed among the cast, which so far has always been enough to turn me off a movie completely. However in the end curiosity got the better out of me and I ended up not only enjoying the this speeding and flaming journey, but even spent a whole day thinking about it and singing the songs from it in my head.

A mix of masala and American catastrophic genre, The Burning Train may not be completely original when it comes to situations it chooses to show, especially as the big tragedy starts, but at the same time it manages not to feel wanna-be-ish. It starts like a standart Indian masala – since childhood Vinod and Ashok were the best of friends, brushing aside easily angered Randhir (and being actually quite assholes to him for no reason), and the relations remained unchanged even after they grew up into Vinod Khanna, Dharmendra and Danny Denzongpa respectively. After being pushed out from a little train by Vinod, after being rejected by Parveen Babi in favour of Vinod, as well as being rejected as a supervisor and creator of a new luxury train in favour of Vinod, Randhir decides that enough is enough and once the ambitious „Super Express“ is launched with great fanfare, he has a way to sabotage the train and thus taking his merciless revenge. Soon enough Super Express is racing through the countryside with no breaks. And to ensure the film title is accurate, somebody leaves the gas running in the kitchen.....

From the beginning of the ride we are one by one introduced to quite a few people and couples, each having a little story of their own to told – a pregnant woman, a smuggler on the run and a detective going after him, a newly-married couple, a teacher supervising little kids...... Most notable among them being none other than Ashok and Seema (Hema Malini), who have once upon a time planned a wedding, but all went wrong and they drifted apart, and then there is also a thief Ravi (Jeetendra) hoping to rob the runaway bride Madhu (Neetu Singh).... As the film progresses, everything that can go wrong does, to the point one asks themselves what are the chances.

Flaws in logic bugged me. It is great that we have heroic men willing to take a risk, but why in the world would you not try and lessen the possibility of killing yourself? Why, when they first decide to climb on the top of the train in order to reach the locomotive, don´t they normally walk to the first boogie right behind it and THEN climb out? Not only safer, but also lot quicker, and would have spared us the whole burning drama. I guess our heroes had the logic blackout for the sake of the film not to be called „Speeding train“. This was not the only instance when I had to roll my eyes and accept that movie logic is not even a distant cousin of real life logic.

Super Express has more than an impressive starcast. There are so many well -known faces it was impossible to list them all above. From Dharam and Vinod and Jeetendra, to their three girlfriends and Simi Garewal singing religious songs with bunch of kids and many, many more. Everybody does their job well (except for Hema Malini, who just fails to impress me yet again, but thankfully has not much screentime), nobody really overshadows anyone and the many pieces of the star puzzle fit nicely together. As I have mentioned, I was properly shocked by actually liking Jeetendra. I don´t know what happened to him later in the 80s, that he became was utterly boring, bad and ridiculous, but here he was watchable enough. Makes one wonder what it was that kept the filmstars so much without ego, because there is no way one could pull off three major male and three major female stars in one film casting coup today.

The Burning Train has a great thrill and tension factor. The pace is even and not slowed down by the songs (brilliant album overall – meaning you remember them all after just one listening!) or emotional scenes. There is not time to loose as the fire gets nearer, and so the filmmakers do not loose it – something that is not always considered an option. One only wishes there was more shown about our villain Randhir, then again I suppose we are not supposed to feel for him, no matter how unreasonably awful our heroes had been to him.

Just another Monday

My Mondays are fairly slow with dramas, since only two of my shows air.

Ek Kasak Reh Gayi - Episode 18 & 19

And the selfish dad of the CENTURY award goes to Rania's dad for being an A-class douchebag.  Separate  your daughter from her lover because you don't think she should be focusing on marriage and "disappointing" you.  THEN when she tries to commit suicide, grab her ALREADY MARRIED ex-boyfriend and emotionally blackmail him into marrying your (now stupid and psycho) daughter.  FABULOUS.  I think my brain cells just died.

On to episode 19 - it was eventful, to say the least.  Sheharyar married Rania, Paras found out she was expecting, Paras ALSO found out Sheharyar married Rania, Paras's mother passed away, Paras left Sheharyar (without telling him about his child, I presume) and is now living with her daughter in her mother's home.  Sarmad and Sara moved away (because Sarmad dislikes Paras and she moved back home) and now his parents dote after Paras' daughter.  VERY eventful, yet somehow still mildly uninteresting.  Let's see what happens.

I still find that I want to hit myself for picking up this drama again.  =/

Halki Si Khalish - Episode 21

I love that Khurram & Rabia are back together and happy.  The scenes between them were really endearing this week.

On the other end, does Rania ever learn?  I felt nauseated watching her antics this week - a car?  How did she afford a car?!  Suddenly Aamir has a job, so she wants a mansion, a car, servants....what is this?  She hasn't won the lottery!  I feel terrible for Aamir and feel as though he's going to find someone else in Dubai.  I'm not sure how else this can go.  Rania is clearly never going to learn.

The mystery of Khurram's mother is stretching a little thin now.  I think it's time she makes her appearance.  The bonding between Papa and Khurram this week was really sweet, actually.  It's nice to see how much respect Khurram has for his father, even if he feels stifled by him.

That's about it!  Happy watching!

Drama Update: November 2013 Edition

Dramas I'm Currently Watching:  November 2013 Edition

Obviously when I'm watching this many dramas, I'm enjoying some more than others.  Haha.  So for your convenience, I've ordered the images (and the list) in order from my personal favorites to my least favorites.  And, as you can see, the 2nd to last image includes two FORTHCOMING dramas, which I'm really looking forward to.  And the LAST image includes REJECTED dramas - dramas that I was watching at one point, but have since completely discarded due to SEVERE lack of interest.  Haha.  Here we go!

Shakk (or Shuk or Shukk) - Regardless of how this drama is spelled, this is currently the best drama on air.  Only four episodes in, but it has kept me wanting more each week.  The acting is PERFECT, not only by the 3 main leads (Sanam, Adeel & Ayesha), but also by Shamim Hilali and all the other supporting actors.  I'm really interested in seeing where this story takes us!

Saari Bhool Humari Thi - While I'm not getting the Affan-Aiza love story I've been longing for (in the way that I want it, I mean), I can't complain.  The development of the relationships and the way other relationships have changed is so natural that I'm really loving every minute of this show.  It's now on episode 23, so I'm dreading the nearing end.

Kankar  - Does this show even need an explanation?  This is the show that has been talked about for the last few months non-stop.  But honestly, I'm unsure as to where this storyline is headed.  Will Kiran get her happy ending?  Or is this show's purpose to display the importance a family plays in a successful marriage?  Will Kiran, once again, be the victim of an unhappy marriage?  These questions are agonizing as a viewer, but it's keeping me hooked!

Halki Si Khalish - If nothing else, this show has been consistent.  There have not been any ups and downs, moments of interest, moments of boredom.  It has been, overall, an enjoyable watching experience.  It's nice to see that Khurram is showing signs of change and that Rabia has some hope towards a happy marriage.  On the other hand, this week, I thought Rania would finally change and learn to love and appreciate Aamir....but by the end of the episode, she was back to her old tricks.  We'll have to wait and watch to see where this story goes!

Mujhe Khuda Pe Yakeen Hai - Honestly, I don't know how much longer this story can be dragged out.  We get it.  Narmeen accused Arham of something he didn't do.  He's be-kasoor.  Now Arham is married to his ideal life partner, while Shayk is stuck with horrible Narmeen.  What to do?  Um.  Get Shayk divorced and throw that psycho Narmeen out!  The acting from all 4 main leads is commendable.  But the story feels like it's stuck in a repetitive rut.  I'm still interested, but the question is....for how much longer?

Meri Beti - This is another show where I'm left wondering how long it will remain interesting and how long it can go on?  Sabreen's character is now married with two children with her husband.  Little Iraj (who was SO ADORABLE) has now grown up into a pre-teen and is happily living with Amma, not giving much importance to her "Aapi," who clearly forgets her birthday often, now that she has two more children to worry about.  The storyline is interesting and it'll be something to watch when the truth comes out.  Waiting to see!

Meri Zindagi Hai Tu - This show has dropped down to this spot, because I am really not loving the Maya Ali angle.  When a little girl knows that her "Nazo" has been engaged to Aman all her life, how can she suddenly develop a crush on him?  It's actually quite nauseating.  And sadly, I can see that it's possible that Nazo will give up her right over Aman to make Meeno happy.  I'm not looking forward to watching this.  That said, the Ahsan-Aiza chemistry is adorable.

Kabhi Kabhi - Soni is a terrible character and so is Araiz's mother (Bushra Ansari).  At times, I feel like "Amma" is warming up to Eeshal...but as soon as I can absorb that thought, Soni jumps back into motion, brainwashing Amma against Eeshal.  It's sickening.  And meanwhile, Araiz just sits back and lets his crazy family get away with it all.  One has to admire the character of Eeshal and how nicely Mehwish has played her role.  She's very lovable.  This drama also really shows what a great pair Ahsan & Mehwish make.  Special mention to Aly Khan for doing a great job as Rehbar.

Aasmanon Pe Likha – Qudsia’s family is annoying.  Aaliyan’s family is annoying.  Qudsia tends to get annoying.  Aaliyan is generally annoying.  Natasha has annoying qualities.  I’m left wondering, after each episode, if there’s anyone on this show who ISN’T annoying?  The only mildly normal character on this show is “Daadi.”  Regardless, I’m interested in seeing how Qudsia & Aaliyan’s attitude towards each other will change.  THAT is what’s keeping me holding on.

Darmiyan – I feel like nothing is happening….but something is happening.  I feel like I watch the same episode every single week for the last 2-3 episodes.  I don’t understand why Nida is jealous of Raheel & “Aleena” so randomly.  Nothing has really happened!  But I’m holding on – this cast is just too good to stop watching.  And I’m sure once the real drama starts, it will be great again.

Khoya Khoya Chand – Dear Hum TV, If I wanted to watch a Hum Aapke Hain Koun rewind, I would watch Hum Aapke Hain Koun.  However, at least Hum Aapke Hain Koun gave us some really sweet scenes between Bhaiyya and Bhabi before “offing” Bhabi.  Here, we were CONTINOUSLY jipped of love scenes between Araib and Angabeen.  I’m not even sure how those two managed to conceive a child!  =/  When Angabeen and Araib FINALLY seem to be working towards having a happy life….OOPS.  There she goes!  Now we’re having to bear witness to Ahmereen being possessive of Araib and Angabeen’s child.  Good grief!  The child’s father is alive!  Give that child back to him!  And why on EARTH are Angabeen’s family members acting as if “Titli” is their property?  She belongs with Araib and his family!  This drama has infuriated me.  I’m not actually sure why I’m still watching……

Qarz – Saqib Bhai and Bhabi are out of commission.  Bhabi needs to keep Saqib on life support so he can come out of his coma.  Faisal Bhai wants to take him off life support, so Aiza comes to the rescue.  SUDDENLY, bhabi realizes her mistake, because Aiza is the only one who is supporting her.  The reaction was too quick.  That aside, the show is still interesting.  I hope Saqib comes out of his coma.  On the other hand, Aiza and Sufiyan’s love story is as dead as it was in the beginning.  When on earth is Aiza going to stop being a jerk?  =/  Anyways, still moving forward and I’m still watching, so I guess that’s saying something.

Ranjish Hi Sahi – After a tepid initial two episodes, episode 3 became mildly interesting with Maya Ali’s character and a potential love interest.  Faisal Rehman and Samiya Mumtaz are brilliant actors, but they are being given very feeble dialogues to work with.  Also, the storyline is not coming across as a strong one.  I’m not sure where this drama is headed, but I hope it picks up soon.  The cast is really great.

Aisey Jalay Jiya – Directed by Angeline Malik :  that was enough for me to pick up this show.  YES, despite Soniya Hussain’s involvement in the show, because we ALL know how  I feel about Soniya Hussain!  The first episode was very heavy.  I was screaming by the end.  Since then, I haven’t had the courage to watch the 2^nd episode.   The first episode was great, but like I said, very heavy.  So go into this knowing that it’s a very serious drama.  Unfortunately, I went in looking at the above picture, thinking it’d be light-hearted.  WRONG.

Ek Kasak Reh Gayi – I wrote an episode review about this on my blog yesterday, but I’ll write a short snippet here.  I dropped this drama.  I’m not sure what possessed me to pick it up again, but I did.  Now I’m stuck.  Mekaal & Sanam have great chemistry as Paras & Sheharyar and that’s what’s keeping me going here.  Otherwise, this drama is nothing short of Ekta Kapoor nonsense. 

Numm – Ohhhh, ho ho ho ho ho.  WHERE do I start?  WHY am I watching this?!  I don’t know!  Wait, yes I do!  Fawad Afzal Khan.  That’s it.  Otherwise, this drama is honestly the worst drama I’ve seen in a long time.  YES, this is worse than Ashk!  Oh my.  I don’t know how I get through each episode, but I have so far made it, somehow.

That’s about it.  I’m EAGERLY awaiting Mohabbat Subh Ka Sitara Hai and Pyaray Afzal, both pictured above.  Both dramas look great, one being written by Umera Ahmed and the other being directed by Nadeem Baig!  J

Also pictured are my rejected dramas:  Mere Humrahi, Kadoorat and Sannata.  These dramas had taken a turn for the unbearable and I am officially unable to even attempt to watch these shows.

That’s all for now! 

Happy watching!

Ek Kasak Reh Gayi - Episode 17

I had initially abandoned this drama after the first 5 episodes.  Something about it felt so "been there, done that."  However, once I saw the ads for an episode with Paras and Sheharyar getting married, my curiosity got the better of me and I had to pick it up again.  So now I'm watching this overall dissatisfying show again, because I am incapable of making a decision and sticking to it (the decision of abandoning this)!

I have to say that the highlight of this show is the Sheharyar-Paras relationship.  Their quirks, their anger, their affection - it's all very realistic in the sense that they feel bound to each other, despite the problems in their lives.  I like that.  The character of Sheharyar is well-written.  I liked his anger towards Bia when he realized she lied to Paras about his health.  I liked his apology to Paras and his guilt for trapping her in the situation.  Even now, Sheharyar has all this nonsense going on, but never has his mind gone to "I need to leave Paras and get back with Rabia."  This is a refreshing change from the douchey male characters we're generally subjected to in Pakistani dramas.  I like the writing for Mekaal's character so far.

Now the negative.  I can't stand Rabia.  When the show first started, I felt all sorts of sympathy for this girl.  Her father was terrible, she loved Sheharyar so unconditionally and she was torn between the two men in her life.  However, after her re-appearance, I have no sympathy left.  Why is she so needy that Sheharyar says he needs to go to work and she's telling him he needs to stay with her?  WHY?  What kind of normal girl is this?  Also, she needs to understand that she was the reason Sheharyar had that push to get married, so she can't try to re-enter his life now.  It's infuriating.

Also, it's hard to take someone seriously when they dress like this:

BUT not as infuriating as Rabia's FATHER constantly calling Sheharyar to come over and help him with Rabia.  He told Rabia to leave Sheharyar on his own, so he should be able to handle her on his own too!  It's a shame that this old man doesn't understand how inappropriate his requests are.  Selfish to the core.  Likewise, I think it's time Bia stood up and slapped Rabia across the face rather than listening to her nonsense and humoring her.  How long can a person play these games?

Anyways, so far, I'm  holding on for the Sheharyar-Paras relationship.  I like how understanding Paras has been after finding out about Sheharyar-Rabia.  But I hope that Sheharyar doesn't do anything stupid to mess all of this up.  After all, we're only on episode 17 - we still have at least 4 episodes to go where Sheharyar OR Rabia OR her father OR Bia OR Paras can RUIN everything.  =P

Happy watching!

Asey Jalay Jiya - A Heavy Beginning

I'm not a fan of Sonya Hussain.  Those of you who follow me on Tumblr, as well as here, might have seen that I dropped Mere Humrahi because of Sonya.  I also was driven mad watching Mere Harjai, again, because of Sonya.  Clearly from this picture, you can see that.....dum dum dum.....Sonya Hussain is in this drama.  SO - What prompted me to start this drama in particular?  Well, of course the #1 thing that attracted me to this show was that first line under the title:  "Directed by Angeline Malik."  That's ALL I needed to see.  Angeline Malik is associated with quality, at least for me.  So of course, I was overjoyed that she was directing a new drama.  Second.....just look at the picture.  You look like you're going to be treated to a sweet, nice love story.  OK, maybe a little drama, considering the title, but overall, something nice.

Boy.....was I wrong.  About the latter, not the former!  The drama is off to a great start quality-wise AND acting wise.  So far, Sonya has done a good job of not irritating me.  Also, the supporting cast is great so far, including Behroze Sabzwari, Samina Ahmed, Imran Aslam, etc.  However, for a first episode, it was HEAVY.  Towards the end, I found myself bursting into tears at the atrocities displayed, crying for Imran Aslam's wife (can't remember the actress or the character's name).  Despite that, it will be interesting to see whether the rest of the episodes have as much shock value as the first and whether the quality of the show will be able to match up to that of the first episode.  It will also be interesting to see how Sonya enters into Imran Aslam's life when they're clearly from different worlds.

So far, so good.  Happy watching!

Aunn Zara - The Last Episode

These days, it's rare that a drama ends and the viewer screams "WHAT?!  The last episode?!  ALREADY?!  This needs to be longer!"  Extremely rare.  However, with Aunn Zara's last episode (episode 19), I was shocked when I realized it was, in fact, the last episode.

The credit for this goes to the writing and the direction.  Faiza Iftikhar and Haissam Hussain both deserve to be applauded for their work on "Aunn Zara" as writer and director respectively.  The pace did not falter at all.  There were a few episodes in between that gave off the impression that nothing really happened, but these episodes thoroughly developed the characters, their thoughts, their pain, their emotions.  This was the greatest strength of Aunn Zara.  Hussaim Hussain did his best to keep the flow of the show smooth and continuous without any lagging periods.

In theory, Aunn Zara was a comedy.  But if you look beyond the "face value" aspect, Aunn Zara was so much more.  Every character, from Daadi, Phupi, Ami, Aunn, Zara, Jamshed, Dada Ji......neither character was perfect and ALL, despite their outward disposition, carried their own share of emotional scars and skeletons.  Again, brilliant writing at work here.

I loved everything about this show.  It's hard for me to write a sensible, coherant review, because my feelings towards this drama were the complete opposite.  I wanted to tear my hair out every time Aunn pulled a stunt.  I wanted to slap Zara every time she neglected Aunn.  I wanted to punch Jamshed and Phupi for rejecting their rishta the first time.  I wanted to slap some sense into Daadi and Ami for not recognizing that Aunn was headed on the wrong path.  But despite all of this, I grew to completely love all of these characters.  They were over the top and wacky, but realistically so!

Overall, the episode wrapped up beautifully without any loose ends and leaving me wishing for more.  I can only hope and pray for a sequel.

If you've missed out on this drama, I am envious of you, because now you will be able to enjoy it from episode 1 - 19 without any interruptions!

Aunn Zara.....I will miss you.  :(

Happy watching!