Naraaz - Episode 7 Update and Recommendation

I know, I know. It's been a while. Sorry folks. Life is moving at the speed of light and sometimes it's just easier to enjoy a weekly episode then to stop and try to write a review...However, we set out for a cause and review dramas we shall! So today, let's talk about Naraaz...

Airing on ARY Digital - who let's not forget has a stellar record of taking great storylines and then shooting them to heck - Naraaz is the story of Azlan (Faisal Qureshi) who is a self-made success story. He's a stock broker that has made a fortune trading stocks and has quite the opinion of himself. Azlan is married to Fariha (Sara Khan), and I, for one, would love to find out how these two hooked up because whereas Azlan is an egotistical jerk, Fariha comes from a middle class background and has a good head on her shoulders. They also have a son, who in spite of Azlan's shameless spoiling has turned out a good boy. 

The story begins when Azlan makes a crazy investment in stock that fails, leaving him bankrupt and at the mercy of halaat. And this is where we find ourselves at this episode: Azlan unable to pay rent on a small apartment is being forced to move in with his in-laws. And he is not liking this one little bit...cue all kinds of dialogues about ghairat...

Ok, let's move on to the episode, and I'll fill you in on any additional details...

Let's start with this biggie: Fariha has just found out that she has a brain tumor. The doctor hasn't declared it fatal, but has told her she has to start treatment pronto. Will Fariha tell her family and Azlan or will she sacrifice her life and stay silent (because if your husband is broke it makes so much sense to just die?!)? **Spoiler Alert: The OST does not provide much hope that Fariha will get a happy ending...**

Fariha's parents are nothing if not sincere. However, no matter how nice they are, Azlan always manages to twist their words and read something negative for himself in it. It's sad really, but a beautiful detail that this drama has managed to capture about damad-mehka relations. 

*Sigh* No, Fariha, no! Bad Fariha!

Drumroll - let me introduce you to Fariha's bitchy elder sister, Sara. She couldn't stand Fariha when she had money and she can't stand her now that she doesn't have money. You can just imagine Azlan's reaction to her barbs. #CueTheFireworks

Meet Asad - Azlan's one and only sincere friend. He has stuck with him through his downfall and has helped be the voice of reason. Asad's wife is nice too - but her over enthusiasm about Aazar is a bit concerning...

Honestly - the parents, especially Fariha's dad, are such amazing characters you just want to take them home and claim them as your own. Once more, we see the susar accepting the nuances that are hereditary amoungst Pakistani damads and counseling his wife on how best to deal with the situation. 

😫 Waaah! She was this close to telling him the truth!!

Because Sara thinks from her butt and not her head, she has decided that while her nand's wedding is taking place, it's the perfect time to go stay at her mehka. Seriously? Seriously?!

This is Aisha - Azlan's ex-coworker and close pal. It's pretty obvious that she's in love with Azlan, which is probably why I have the urge to strangle Azlan and Aisha when he is sweet to her but uses Fariha as a punching bag for his frustrations. 

Honestly, calling her the sister from hell is an understatement! 

Jobless, homeless, sheesh bedless, laykin Azlan ka ego khatam he nahi hokay de ra. #RealityCheck

Alrighty...now that we're all up to speed about the going-ons of this drama, let's talk about some pros and cons...

The biggest issue for me, right now, is the logic behind Fariha not telling her family or husband that she's sick. Hello. Money or no money, ilaaj tu karana hei na? It's not just me, right? 

The second biggest issue, is the lack of attention to details like how dolled up Fariha (and her mom) always are, and am I the only one who noticed the accessories? Let me present my proof, exhibit A:

Fariha's like 200 karat diamond, Azlan's Apple Watch and iPhone 6 Plus (which he pulls out at a dhaba and it doesn't get snatched. Like, for reals?) Do theen mahinay ka flat ka kiraya tu sirf phone aur watch baich kar nikal aata. 

If you can get past these issues, the drama ranks high on my watch list these days. The storyline is different, Faisal Qureshi is at his best and Sara Khan is meeting him head on. Also, the chemistry between these two is phenomenal (which I find unnerving when I think about the age difference...but, I digress...). Lastly, the child star playing Aazar is such a wonderful addition to the cast! He's cute as a button and I love watching his moments with his nana abbu. 

Do leave a comment below if you're watching Naraaz too!

Mohabbat Aag Si - Episode 13 Update

The entertainment value of this drama is just off the charts! Iffat Omer is phenomenal as Aapa Ji and she's, quite frankly, stealing everyone's lime light. Sarah Khan, after an unforgettable *cough cough* performance in Alvida, is back with her throaty-romance voice and her performance is also worth a mention. So let's go ahead and talk about what's going on until now...

With each episode we learn a little bit more about Aapa Ji who has more than just a few skeletons in her closet. In front of everyone but Sharifa (more on her in a second), she presents the front of a God fearing, humble, naik-namazi, head of the household. But here are just a few of the stunts she's pulled in the past few episodes:

1 - Religiously forcing Samia to drink the nakli 'dum' kia hua doodh. 

2 - Faked an assault by Saba's mom. 

3 - Made Samia cook 8kg of zarda out of spite. 

4 - Forced Samia to give all her gold to her so that she can get it exchanged for new jewelry for Saba (effectively not having to spend a single dime on her barri.)

5 - Installed cameras outside of Saba and Wajahat's room to make sure they don't consummate their marriage. 

Having said that, no matter how evil Aapa Ji is, from her flashbacks we know she used to be a happy-go-lucky young girl. 

Aapa Ji also has fits of depression and in those instances Iffat Omer shines because she takes this evil woman and makes her complex, sad, a victim of a yet to be reveled injustice in her past that robbed her of the right to live as she pleases. 

Also, whereas I started out thinking she was a heartless sister, in the latest episode she gives her jewelry to her brother to help him pay off his debts and to invest in his store. The same jewelry she refused to give to Saba, but instantly handed over to her brother. Maybe she did it to cover up her taking Samia's jewelry, but I think Aapa Ji is smart enough to have come up with an excuse if she wanted. Regardless of her cruel quest to keep her brothers childless, she possess a selfless love for them that makes me empathize with her. What could've happened to her to lead her to create this façade of a person?

If there is anyone who knows Aapa Ji's every secret, it's Sharifa. She's an easy character to dislike - cos she spends 99% of her time spying on other family members and tattling on them - but her devotion to Aapa Ji is unquestionable. From a flashback we learn that Sharifa has been with Aapa Ji since childhood, so she has basically spent her whole life as an accomplice to Aapa Ji. Her eagerness to meet the security camera boy is quite concerning...

Enter security camera boy. Played brilliantly by Imran Ashraf, he comes across as those creepy kaam walay jo khamakhaee free ho jatay hein. He shamelessly flirts with Aapa Ji, and she enjoys every second of it...but guess who has a crush on him? 

Yup. Shareefa. Something tells me this love triangle will not end well...

Not much is happening with these two: still no baby, still drinking the poisoned milk like clock-work, still lots of groveling and apologizing, over nothing, at Aapa Ji's feet. Samia is so seedhi it makes you want to hit your head against the wall. However, it looks like she might be getting smarter after a few recent events that have left her unsettled. 

Last, but not least, we have the newly weds. Aapa Ji has Saba figured out from day one. She spins a tale of having a dream where Saba and Wajahat can marry, but if they do it then one of them will die. I have just two questions here:

1 - If Saba isn't going to fall for the 'dum kia hua doodh' stunt, then how did she fall for this?

2 - Not only did Saba fall for it, she has also been convinced to share it with no one outside the family. Not her parents. Not her friends. 

So...this couple walks around frustrated and having one too many lingering glance scenes...

Since these two cant be alone together, Romeo comes up with a plan...

For real. These are actual dialogues...

Lucky for us, Saba is beauty and brains. At first she's all Aapa Ji is so awesome...but as time is passing she seems to be able to see right through Aapa and her manipulative ways. Of course when she tells her husband, he doesn't respond very favorably at all.

In spite of her little impromptu James Bond routine, Saba fails to catch Aapa Ji red handed and the husband is having a hissy fit over his wife calling his sister a liar...

And then finally, this awesome showdown occurs where the two heavy weights throw down the gauntlet. Saba knows Aapa Ji isn't what she claims to be and Aapa Ji knows that Saba knows.

Let the games begin...

Mohabbat Aag Si - Intro

I just want to start by saying to the reader that suggested this drama:

To the family member (who shall remain unidentified but you are welcome to make some guesses...) who told me about the drama by giving away all the story...you really suck. This drama would've been more fun if I didn't know who the villain was. But, no worries. For the readers that haven't watched it, I would strongly suggest, don't read anything that gives the story away until you've watched the first episode. It'll be more fun that way. 

So, anyway, seriously -- I was totally missing out on this thanks to a non-existent internet. Now that that issue is resolved, I'm like an insatiable drama watching machine attempting to turn myself into a blogging ninja. You know, as a way to make up for the long period of silence. (Side note: For all wanting to see how Dil Ka Kya Rung Karun turned out, I'm going to pick that up again. Like, any second...)

Let's go ahead and meet the characters...

Aapa Ji: The perfect picture of virtue that gave up her jawani to raise her two younger brothers that not only dote on her, but practically worship the ground she walks on. 

Shareefa: The gossip-monger household help aka Aapa ki chayli. 

Brother 1 (Sharafat) and his wife (Samia): Married for three years and longing for a child. He's a paragon of virtue and she's Allah Mian ki gaain. So far Aapi Ji's dum kia hua doodh has not helped with fertility... 

Phuppo: She doesn't own a hair-straightener...and seems to possess no warm fuzzy feelings for Aapa Ji. Hmmm....

The fact that this drama had eavesdropping going on in the first half of the first episode is reason enough to expect awesomeness. 

Looky looky - it's a secret love happening between Samia's phuppi's daughter (Saba) and Aapa's younger brother (Wajahat). 

So, besides this just mentioned love affair, the infertile couple, and the phuppo-batheeji issues, you must be wondering "What's the big deal?" Well, I present...

Exhibit A: These reactions to the Bhabi experiencing some vomiting. Father-to-be thrilled, Maasi fake smiles, and Aapa Ji are-you-kidding-me. Aapa Ji, zara takaluf mein hi khush ho jateen. 

Exhibit B: Aapa Ji's non-conventional sleepwear. Yup. She gives new meaning to sleeping beauty. 

So, the question is, why is Aapa Ji making sure her bother doesn't become a father? And why is she sleeping dolled up? One episode in, I am fascinated by the characters and can't wait to see secrets being revealed. 

Having said that, my next question is, how fast can I possibly catch up on all the episodes aired so far?