“Laapata” is a show that came across as “decent” at first, but is proving itself to be a quality show as it progresses. Starring Ali Rehman Khan, Ayeza Khan, Sarah Khan and Gohar Rasheed in lead roles, the story has been written and directed by Khizer Idrees. Following the lives of three cousins, Falak, Shams and Geeti, this drama truly does represent the youth today and the different directions in which they are headed.
In episode 12, we realize Daniyal (Gohar Rasheed) is not what he seems – which is something which we’ve been tuning in to for a while. Falak (Sarah Khan) has a discussion with some women at a party where they talk about Daniyal’s last wife and rumors of her being murdered by Daniyal. While Falak brushes this off in anger and leaves the party, she is concerned by the accusation. And it’s clear that she should be, considering Daniyal is visiting his psychiatrist – and lying to him – about his past problems with mistrust, suspecting his close ones of lying and the problems associated with it. Did Daniyal actually murder his wife? That’s not clear, but based on his house help’s reaction after Daniyal finds a picture of Shams and Falak, it’s most likely that he did. What’s great about Falak’s character, and has been consistently, is that she will not take any nonsense from anyone. So when Daniyal, in anger, slaps Falak for lying to him, she gives it right back in an applause-worthy moment. Falak is not going to take abuse sitting down and Daniyal is shocked by this. Later, the two are seen discussing and Falak, true to her pure nature, apologizes…..but is met with a statement from Daniyal that is problematic – that he isn’t God that he will forgive her.
On the other end, Shams (Ali Rehman Khan) is struggling to put his life back together and be a good son to his parents, who have endured a lot in his absence. He has a sweet conversation with Geeti (Ayeza Khan) who wants to marry him – but he states that it’s not that easy to let go of a lifetime of memories with someone else. He’s not ready to rush into anything, rather he just wants to focus on his career. He gets a job and is immediately met with trouble in the form of a co-worker – but will Shams’ time in jail come in handy here? Geeti is a troublemaker as always, but she’s a character who really spices things up and is fun to watch.
Falak and Daniyal’s relationship has become a really interesting point of “Laapata,” particularly because Falak isn’t a woman who will take abuse lying down. She has worked too hard on herself to allow a man to put her under his thumb – and she is seen pointing out his hypocrisy in the promo next week when he continues suspecting her and she asks him about concealing his first wife. Sarah Khan is simply brilliant in “Laapata” and her character is truly an empowering one. Ayeza Khan’s Geeti continues to be a light-hearted one that brings a smile to the face – despite the fact that we, as viewers, know that something very sinister continues to lie there. Ali Rehman Khan is a natural in his role and he’s doing a wonderful job portraying the turmoil Shams is going through upon his return and how he wants to change himself for the better. Overall, “Laapata” is really a show that started off slow, but is only getting better with each passing episode.
