Now airing on Mondays and Tuesdays, “Aulaad” offers twice the drama on a weekly basis. Telling the emotional story of parents and how they are failed by their three sons, “Aulaad” is a tear-jerker. Written by Syed Ameer Ali Shah and directed by Aabis Raza, “Aulaad” stars Mohammad Ahmed, Marina Khan, Hassan Niazi, Sunita Marshal, Nabeel Zuberi, Furqan Qureshi, Humaira Bano, Minsa Malik, Qudsia Ali, Hina Javed and others. Last week, we saw as Moni (Qudsia Ali) fell ill in the asylum and passed away tragically, leaving the family in tatters.
In episode 21, Khurram (Hassan Niazi) and Bilal (Nabeel Zuberi) are at the cemetery when Adnan (Furqan Qureshi) calls, on his way, and is furious that the family buried Moni without his presence. While Khurram tries his best to handle the situation with maturity, it doesn’t take long for Adnan to begin pointing fingers, placing blame precisely where he, along with viewers, believe it belongs – on Bilal. The two visit Bilal, which leads to a fight between Adnan and Bilal. What’s so unlikable about the Bilal character is that even now, after Moni’s death, he does not have any shame to even accept his part in Moni’s death. While Khurram does his best to keep Bilal’s “parda” by asking the brothers not to fight, Adnan is right in saying that Moni’s death occurred because Bilal sent her to the asylum. If anything, in this episode, there’s only one character who truly realizes the ramifications of his behavior – and that’s Khurram. Unfortunately, Khurram’s world is turned upside down when, after he decides to turn a new leave, he’s arrested in a case of fraud.
The overall theme of “Aulaad” is one that should be appreciated, one that teaches the importance of parents and giving back to those who have raised us at a time when they now need us the most. However, “Aulaad” comes into an irritating zone in this episode, essentially preaching the concept of “karma” within this life for mistreating one’s parents……in a way that’s completely irrelevant. With Khurram’s son saying he will grow old and leave his father, this should have been sufficient enough “karma” for Khurram, realizing how his actions will also impact his own future through what he’s teaching his son. Instead, the story takes a loopy turn with Khurram, who is wholeheartedly ready to make up with his parents and rectify his mistakes, being arrested at his place of work for a crime which he hasn’t even committed. What sort of karma is this? This is not the sort of message that should be sent through a show and somehow it does not sit well with the viewer.
Still, there are some wonderful performances in this episode, specifically those from Hassan Niazi and Nabeel Zuberi. Hassan Niazi is an underrated actor and is horribly underutilized and in this episode, as Khurram realizes his mistakes, Hassan Niazi gives a brilliant performance that leaves the audience in tears. There’s no argument in Nabeel Zuberi playing the most unlikable character of the show as Bilal, but it’s difficult to not feel for him in this episode as Bilal breaks down after his brothers turn on him. Now that Roshna (Mina Malik) is aware of Adnan’s lies, how will her words affect Adnan? And are Adnan’s “crimes” really as bad as Jalal (Mohammad Ahmed) believes – or is there redemption for him on the horizon?