Azmaish Episode 21: Samreen and Rohan’s Marriage Hangs in the Lurch

“Azmaish” is a show where, despite watching week after week, it’s incomprehensible where the story is headed. What is this show about? Is it about bad parenting? If so, then yes, it’s absolutely successful in its storytelling, telling a story of not only a terrible father in Tufail (Shahood Alvi), but also a terrible mother in Laila Wasti’s character. It’s difficult to decide where to even begin tackling the chaos that this show has become. Starring Kinza Hashmi, Yashma Gill, Fahad Sheikh, Minsa Malik, Shahood Alvi, Furqan Qureshi and Laila Wasti in lead roles, the show has been written by Sameena Aijaz and directed by Fajr Raza.

In episode 21, the focus surrounds Samreen (Minsa Malik) and Rohan’s (Furqan Qureshi) marriage…..rather, their non-marriage. Phupo (Gul E Rana) has visited Tufail repeatedly, begging for Samreen’s hand in marriage, however, Tufail remains the husband, father and brother from hell. Despite the entire family rallying around Tufail, including Shiza (Yashma Gill) and Rafay (Fahad Sheikh), Tufail continues to hold a grudge and refuses. Finally, Rohan himself grows frustrated with the situation. He refuses to marry Samreen flat-out and agrees to marry Nimra (Kinza Hashmi), despite loving Samreen. Is there any logic to Tufail’s behavior? Absolutely not. He is simply a horrible individual who sets out to destroy every person in his life. He has destroyed his wife and Nimra with his terrible attitude. He has destroyed Shiza and Rafay’s life by forcing them to get married. And then he set out to destroy Samreen’s life by making the match between Rohan and Nimra. And of course, the world should work according to him, so now, after Samreen falls ill, he decides it’s time to get Rohan and Samreen married. But Rohan is, ultimately, Tufail’s nephew and holds the same traits – he remains stubborn and refuses to marry Samreen.

The problem with this story is that with the exception of Nimra, Rafay and Phupo, every character is unlikable. While we feel for Samreen and Rohan, can we really overlook what a nasty sister Samreen has been to Nimra? Can we ignore Rohan’s stubborn behavior in rejecting Samreen now? Of course, Shiza and Tufail are the absolute worst, as is Nimra’s mother for marrying into this toxic family and forcing her daughter to endure this abuse. And then we come to the romance – where is it? The romance is supposed to be between Rafay and Nimra, but Nimra calls Rafay “Bhai” quite comfortably and is completely unaware of his feelings. It’s a one-sided, undeveloped romance in a show where the possibility of this happening seems entirely unlikely – though it’s the relationship these two deserve. “Azmaish” is not only an azmaish for its characters. It’s an azmaish (trial) for its viewers and their patience level.