Mitti De Baway Episode 2 Written Update and Review

Salaamu!

1. Change is the Only Constant

It baffles me that the faces of main characters change so much in 16 years. I mean, sure, we do undergo changes over the years but chehra hi badal jaye, aisa?

That been said, Aena Khan is sooooo good as young Bilqees. Her accent, her mannerism of a carefree girl with a devil-may-care-attitude…spot on.

2. The Flashback

I have my biggest grouse with this part of the story. Bilqees is NOT a nice person. I mean, in the first episode I talked about Bilqees ordering the assassination (I like that word) of Baala. That was nothing compared to what she did to Baala in this episode, especially after pretending to be in love.

If you don’t want spoiler, stop now. I’m going to summarize what happened and then I begin my rant.

<summary>

So, Baala couldn’t meet Billo once because his mother died. Billo is like: fitte munh, forget him. Several days later, Baala learns that Billo is getting married, so he goes to meet Billo. Billo and her friend mock Baala, and even laugh at Baala’s mother’s death, which even Phatan doesn’t like (perfect depicted by lovely Samia Mumtaz). Baala still meets Billo, Billo humiliates Baala, mocks his humble background “tu hai kaun, marasi?”, sends laanat LITERALLY, and leaves.

Does Baala go back?

Not really. He breaks into Billo’s room, angry. There’s a war of words and insults.

Billo: Tu badla lene aaya hai na, le le.

This hurts Baala more than Billo’s previous “tu hai kaun, marasi?” He launches into a monologue of how much he respected Billo.

Baala: Tujhe hath laga kar main napaak aur ghaleez ho gaya hoon.

Baala spits on Billo and leaves.

</summary>

<rant>

Both Billo and Baala did wrong but Billo’s words, acts and ideology made me roll my eyes so hard. Scratch that. I didn’t roll my eyes. I questioned her character. First, she laughs at Baaal’s tragedy, then she mocks him openly to his face and finally her words “Tu badla lene aaya hai na, le le”… What did that mean? Her modesty meant nothing to her because she was getting married in a few days. Her ego… Her arrogance… Her privilege… She has absolutely no regard for anyone. Typical of her age, and perhaps will show us how her character grew from there to caring a lot about a lot of things. More in next section. Props to Aena Khan for portraying this character so well.

Baala was no saint in this story. Coming to a girl’s room whom he claimed to respect, why? But he still kept in check, didn’t do what Billo instigated him to do, and his words weren’t as harsh as hers. But it does tell us who he was in 1980.

When the flashback ended, we see Mahira Khan rubbing her face, wiping the invisible spit, washed her face looking desperate. The scene reminded me of Muamma when Jiji would get ready, apply lipstick, put attar and then wipe it all as she’d remember her husband’s abusive ways.

</rant>

3. Establishing Character

We meet Iqbal’s other brother (Aslam?) in this episode. He’s in town although Iqbal suspects the main intent was to “meet some kudi” because Iqbal caught Aslam in front of a girl’s college. Nausheen and Aslam are kind of an item.

I’d like to take this moment and admire how observant Iqbal is (establishes character really well) and can sense the smallest of things. Later, when Aslam admits of liking someone, and things are about to “progress”, Iqbal talks to Aslam. I particularly liked how Iqbal tackled the sensitive situation. That small scene packed so much: Iqbal’s efforts to wash off his older identity, he doesn’t even allow Aslam to think of their past; how delicate these matters are, and that a girl’s father is the wali and without wali’s permission, shaadi has no meaning. We could see the hesitation on Aslam’s face. He’d probably not be as mature as Iqbal was at a very young age. I’d like to see the conflict surfacing.

Billo sends her FIL to check on Peer saab, gets ready and goes to Baala’s shop. How did she know that he has a shop or where it is? Don’t know. Speaking of, when Baala heard Billo’s name, how come he reacted as if he’s learning of his presence in the same neighbourhood for the first time? Abhi tak kaha thhi Billo? So, long story short, Baala takes Billo to the upper section of the shop, and without wasting a minute, Billo warns Baala. In summary, she tells Baala to not open the pandora box that was their past sixteen years ago, made him promise and what not. From “I don’t give a damn” to “please don’t ruin my life”, sixteen years have brought a lot of change in her, I must say.

Also, another interesting angle is that Iqbal has promised to stay away from Bilqees’ life, and now he’d have to ask for Biqees’ nand ka rishta for his brother. Will he yield to this conflict? Will he break his promise or break his brother’s heart? Interesting point at which the episode ended.

Review

I don’t have much to add as a seprate review section. Except, maybe share how y’all feel about this drama? Too hyped? Too many big names?

Shabana Mukhtar