“Aitebaar” has been criminally ignored in the ratings race but has been a quality work of entertainment throughout its run so far. Starring Zarnish Khan, Ali Safina, Syed Jibran, Arez Ahmed and Areeba Shahood Alvi in prominent roles, the story has been written by Maimona Aziz and directed by Nadeem Siddiqui. Unfortunately, even good products can hit roadblocks and that’s where “Aitebaar” currently stands with a horribly disappointing twenty-seventh episode.
“Aitebaar” is all about trust and honesty, depicting how relationships change when either of the two exit the building. When Pari (Zarnish Khan) and Hamza’s (Syed Jibran) marriage failed, it was due to Hamza’s lack of trust. However, at present, Pari and Babar’s (Ali Safina) marriage is in a rocky place and it’s because of Babar’s growing mistrust in Pari……which is entirely due to Pari’s consistent dishonesty. In Pari’s second marriage, both honesty and trust have left the premises – and the reason for it is nowhere in sight!
In episode 27, Hamza is blackmailing Pari into giving him access to Hareem by telling her he’ll reveal the truth to Hareem. The logical thing to do would be to go home and inform Babar of the threat. But Pari does no such thing, rather she continues her homely duties as if nothing has happened. Meanwhile, Babar and Naveen (Areeba Shahood Alvi) are now at loggerheads. Naveen embarrasses Babar by calling a company meeting to discuss Babar’s decision to give some of his shares to Pari – a decision which should have remained between the siblings. It’s Naveen’s emotions that push her to react this way. Honestly, anyone can place themselves in Naveen’s situation and empathize. She is in a horrible place. However, most would not sacrifice their brother, sister-in-law and niece for a man who openly states he does not love her. Naveen is gradually becoming a pawn in Hamza’s hands….and this is sad, because Naveen was once a strong woman, though always emotionally weak.
Pari continue to ruin her own life by calling Hamza to discuss things with him and, again, refusing to mention it to Babar after arriving home. Babar, unfortunately for Pari, was there at the same time and saw the two together. But logically speaking, why wouldn’t Babar have stayed to listen in on the conversation so he could confront Pari – or clear his doubts? Regardless, Parisa has now become her own worst enemy, caught in lie after lie. And for what? Why is she lying? She already tried this “protecting” game and it ended with Babar in the hospital? When will she learn her lesson? Or is this a lesson she has to learn after she loses a loving, supportive partner?
The show, honestly, has begun to drag and much time is wasted on Bilal and his scheming mother (Huma Nawab). Neither character should have any connection to this storyline at this point. Why are they so hell-bent on destroying Parisa, as if she has done something to them personally? It’s bizarre. Do they not have anyone else in their lives that they can fixate on? Now, in the upcoming episodes, we see Parisa’s sister-in-law joining the duo in plotting, as if she has any leg to stand on. This woman hasn’t interacted with this family in years, so how have the sisters harmed her in any way? Along with her, Asfand’s (Arez Ahmed) father also returns next week to object to his relationship. This is what one calls having villainous characters simply for the sake of stretching the show. These are, to put it bluntly, “Star plus vamps.”
Overall, the quality and the message behind “Aitebaar” is still good. Ali Safina’s character and performance blows us over each week and Zarnish Khan is doing a good job as well. Arez Ahmed is also making a mark. But everything else needs to fall back into place or “Aitebaar” runs the risk of turning into something it was never meant to be – a dragged out mess with an overabundance of villains.