PS: I’m not happy with the screenshot but it was the best I could do. I haven’t brought my headphones here (I’m in Pune) and can’t watch the usual way (on my android phone) so had to watch on laptop and it wasn’t behaving nicely.
A new drama by Umera Ahmed. That’s all I want to say.
Writer: Umera Ahmed
Directed by: Saqib Khan
[Source: ARY Digital Official website]
Dar-e-Nijaat Episode 1 Written Update And Review
Intro
The episode begins with a very long montage of Zamil and Zaryab’s relationship via social media photos and videos because that’s how normal relationships these days are. The montage ends with the proposal video.
We then see a monologue by Zamil: To be or not to be, that is the question. It was again quite long. I noticed some issues with Nameer’s diction but I guess he was trying to mimic theater acting and that’s how it goes. What do I know? Never watched theater plays, and never read/watched Billy Shakes completely. Anywho, this monologue tells us that Zamil is mentally disturbed, probably easily depressed, and overthinks. Being a certified overthinker myself, I could kinda relate to him. We don’t know what depresses him so much.
Inciting Incident
Zaryab is trying to connect Zamil, failing which, she grabs her car keys and off she goes. Kishwar Jahan sees this, isn’t too happy and calls Haseeb. Haseeb might not like this late night call, but he still entertains his mother, because that’s what the kids should do. Shamsa, however, being a bahu and all, isn’t obligated to show any such conduct towards her saas. Phone off kar ke sona, she tells her husband.
Zaryab arrives at Zamil’s house, waking up Nafeesa, who isn’t too thrilled about the late night visit. Zaryab doesn’t listen, of course. Zamil is alright, Zaryab is not. As it turns out, Zamil has failed to get good enough grades to get to Harvard whereas Zaryab has gotten in. I don’t relate to it, I always fail to understand it: the craze around ivy league colleges. I mean… Most western YA/NA novels/web series/movies are around this: FMC and MMC trying to get to ivy leagues and not getting to same college or getting to same college and then drifting apart. I didn’t know it’s such a craze in desi people as well.
I can think of only one such couple (who vehemently denied being a couple) from college; their entire final year was to prepare for an admission in some uni in USA. Essays, letters, borrowing money to show enough bank balance because they need to show that they can survive they stay in USA. The girl was in my class studying CS, the boy in adjacent department ENTC.
She would tell me how difficult it is to study in USA, that many people share a tiny apartment, often boys and girls together and take 2-3 part-time jobs to survive. I used to think (never voiced my thoughts, I was stupid but not that stupid):
Bahen, itna mushkil hai toh ja kahe rahi ho?
I checked her out last year (because I don’t stay in touch but I’m good at stalking) and the couple (now married) are running a small software startup firm. So I guess some good came out of their education? Although, my younger cousin who studied in Nagpur also has a small software startup firm, so I can’t really say it’s because of USA education. Bas guts chahiye hote hain job chhor ke startup karne ko. Main kabhi nahin karne ki.
Anywho, looking at Zamil’s state, Zaryab decides that she would also not join Harvard. I couldn’t help but notice that she is more obsessed with Zamil than he is. Mera sab kuch bas tum hi ho, she says.
The Fuss
The parents try to lie but Kishwar Jahan knows that Zaryab wasn’t home but had gone to see Zamil. She isn’t happy how these two are so close without any rishta and nor am I, not that anybody asked. Shamsa, Faryal etc think that Kishwar Jahan is a bit much; Haseeb agrees but he doesn’t want to hurt his mother, either. Haseeb is a good son I suppose but a spineless husband, hyper-modern father and a confused person.
I’m not going to repeat that this dude Farhan Tahir plays Saba Hameed’s husband in Bas Tera Saath Ho and that’s just… Okay… I need to calm down.
Hyderabad Side
We meet Abu Bakar who recites Quran (soothing, calming), and his mother Khushbakht who is also very nice. She gets a call from some girl, who asks about Abu Bakar and then hangs up, worrying Khushbakht. Abu Bakar doesn’t take it seriously.
Kishwar Jahan is Khushbakht’s aunt (door parey ki, I’m guessing). Kishwar Jahan asks Zaryab to call Khushbakht, Abu Bakar picks up the call… Some shennanigans… Abu Bakar is polite… and he speaks proper Urdu, yani ki English ko bhi “angrezi” kehta hai.
Speaking of English, this drama is like 50% English and it reminded me of early Umera Ahmed novels. She was the pioneer of mixing English in Urdu novels, like not just a word or two, a big chunk, and this one has surpassed whatever previous % was. English mein bana dena thha I guess?
This is two days late than the
cast and
episode 2 and
episode 3 but that’s how my mind works and my schedule allows me, so…
Salaam!
~~~
Until we meet again, check out my books on Amazon. You can subscribe for Kindle Unlimited for free for the first month, just saying 🙂
Shabana Mukhtar
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