The episode begins with two parallel tracks in present and past, introducing Noori, her family and her teacher Amma Jannate.

In the first episode itself, we see a glimpse of the arrogant side of Noori, her mother works as a maid and her siblings collect garbage to sell. She doesn’t eat someone’s jhoota, doesn’t wear someone’s utran, doesn’t feel like working for others.

Amma Jannate teaches Arabic to kids and is a strong woman who lives on her principles, and does everything in her capacity to please Allah. She mentors Noori, correcting her mistakes, scolding her for her boasts and wrongdoings.

She, however, respects Noori’s decision to work and earn respectfully, arranging a job for her in the city. Noori arrives at the city with dreams in her eyes and ambitions in her heart.

Qudsiya and her family treat her well. An amazed and dumbfounded enjoys being treated like an equal, a human being.

Sahir, the shopkeeper, is assuming her to be just another girl who would fall for his charms. And who wouldn’t? He is so handsome!

The parallel tracks in confusing. For example, she reaches the city and then we see her working in the factory, followed by the scene of her first day at the factory when she meets Sahir.

A picture is worth a thousand words. The exposition that took a lot of time in the novel, was covered quickly in the first episode.

New Characters Introduced

Noori – the protagonist

Amma Jannate – Noori’s mentor

Qudsiya – Noori works at Qudsiya’s husband’s factory

Rani – Qudsiya’s maid

Sahir – The handsome shopkeeper

Best Scene

When Noori eats food in her new home. She is like a kid in a new world – the clean water glass, the house itself, everything amazes her.

Performance

This is the third time I am watching Iqra Aziz. I don’t like her personality in real life. She seems loud and arrogant to me, I may be wrong. Her acting in Suno Chanda was fabulous, although a bit loud. Although it has its good moments, Suno Chanda 2 disappointed me as a series,  especially Iqra Aziz as Jia had nothing much to offer. She was either crying or yelling.

In this, her getup, her wig etc try to create a good visual representation of a village girl, but the way she talks gives her away. Ushna Shah in Alif, Allah aur Insaan and “Lashkara” has done a fabulous job of changing her tone and body language as well.

I have seen Syed Jibran in two telefilms and two dramas and I admire his acting skills. He doesn’t disappoint in this, either.

Differences from novel

Amma Jannate’s role is just as strong and prominent in the novel. The persona, however, was more soft and humble. Zaib does a great job, but her personality doesn’t match with the mental image that is engraved in readers mind after reading the novel.

On a side note, Zaib reminder me of Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep) in the devil wears Prada.

What do you guys think about this episode?

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Shabana Mukhtar