Aulaad Episode 8: Furqan Qureshi, Mohammad Ahmed and Marina Khan Give Emotional Performances

“Aulaad” has drawn in Pakistani drama viewers and how with its emotional story of parenting and the challenges that come along with it. Focusing on an elderly couple and their children, “Aulaad” shows the many challenges parents face in Pakistani society, even well after their children have grown up. 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 and Humaira Bano.

Episode 8 continues the track it’s been focusing on, which is that of evil Muskaan, her even more evil mother and Bilal (Nabeel Zuberi). With Bilal now in the hospital and recovering, Khurram (Hassan Niazi) comes home to help with Moni – and is informed by Adnan (Furqan Qureshi) that Bilal is in the hospital after trying to commit suicide. Khurram’s reaction is interesting, because he’s the most “heartless” of the three sons (though that’s debatable with Bilal), but it’s clear that Khurram’s problem isn’t that he doesn’t care, it’s that he has an ego larger than the moon. His ego, which appears to be something he’s inherited from his father, does not allow him to visit Bilal in the hospital despite the fact that he is genuinely concerned for him. One really does feel for Afreen (Sunita Marshal) and the kids more than anything, because they are suffering for something they didn’t have a hand in.

As Bilal recovers, Jalal (Mohammad Ahmed) and Zakiya (Marina Khan) make the only choice they believe to be feasible for the sake of their child’s happiness – to sign their home over to Muskaan. Knowing that their sons will have a problem with this, particularly Khurram (Hassan Niazi), the two make the decision to keep that information hidden and only reveal it when necessary. Through this entire mess, despite the fact that Farwa is an “adding oil to the fire” type of character, she’s not wrong in her criticisms of Jalal and Zakiya’s actions. This directly affects Adnan and Farwa’s life, considering they live in the house that’s up for discussion.

Adnan is, essentially, the only truly “good” son here. And while it seems he’s being taken for granted, there’s a wonderful dialogue that Zakiya utters when Adnan complains – that one doesn’t expect their obedient son to sacrifice, rather they are proud that they never have to ask him to do what’s best for them. And it’s true, Adnan bends over backwards for his parents and their happiness, at least to the extent he’s capable of. But here, Adnan is not willing to bend, because he’s unable to swallow the idea of living in a house owned not by his father, but by Muskaan. Logically, he’s protecting his parents here as well, ensuring that their financial future is not signed away to the wrong person – and Muskaan is definitely the wrong person. Unfortunately, Bilal does not see things this way and seeing his thoughts, it’s crystal clear that he’s not “evil,” rather he has been terribly brainwashed by Muskaan and her mother. One wonders why his family even let him visit them when they are such terrible women?

Furqan Qureshi is the star of this episode – and has been for the last few episodes. Part of it is his performance, which is as dependable as always, but it’s also the fact that Adnan is the most lovable character on the show (at least so far). Another sweet character is the one of Moni, not particularly because the girl portraying her is a good actress, rather it’s because of the special relationship Moni shares with each character on the show. Whether it’s her sister, Bilal, her parents, Adnan and even Khurram, Moni is close to the hearts of the entire household and shares sweet moments with Bilal and her parents in this episode. One cannot ignore Mohammad Ahmed and Marina Khan, the duo that holds the entire story on their shoulders each week with their heartbreaking performances. Overall, “Aulaad” is that kind of show that feels like emotional blackmail, getting the viewer painfully invested in these characters and making them want to stick around until the end to see their ultimate happiness – even if the path there is going to be incredibly painful.