“Azmaish” is a show that is far from being a stress-buster – rather, it induces stress with its plethora of angry characters – and yet, it sets forth to depict how bad parenting creates complicated adults. “Azmaish” stars Kinza Hashmi, Fahad Sheikh, Yashma Gill, Minsa Malik, Shahood Alvi, Laila Wasti, Furqan Qureshi, Gul E Rana and others in prominent roles. The story has been written by Sameena Aijaz and directed by Fajr Raza.
Tufail (Shahood Alvi) is such an ugly character, it’s difficult to do anything but want to smash the television screen in when watching him in action. If an individual cannot accept a wife and her child as his own, he should not marry a woman with a child. He is not only emotionally and physically abusive towards his wife (Laila Wasti), but with this episode, he shows how openly abusive he is towards Nimra (Kinza Hashmi). He humiliates her, declaring she isn’t worthy of a good proposal from a good family, as she’s the daughter of a gambler. He repeatedly throws it in her face and her mother’s face that she’s not his daughter, not his blood, and therefore, isn’t worthy of a good marriage. What kind of human being does this? It has been Nimra and his wife who have been caring for him post his illness and managing everything and yet, this is how he treats them. Has he forgotten how his beloved Shiza humiliated him only days earlier? One would’ve thought this would’ve been a learning moment for him, a moment that would turn his attitude around and soften his demeanor towards the good people in his life – but no. He is an even uglier character than one could have imagined. Quite honestly, it would be great if he were killed off as a character – his daughters deserve it and his wife and Nimra deserve better than to have him in their life.
The highlight of “Azmaish” is the character of Basit, played by Fahad Sheikh. Basit is now married to Shiza (Yashma Gill), the spawn of Tufail and a regular chip off the old block. Shiza is Tufail, but five times worse, enough that even Tufail acknowledges that she is out of control. Shiza has been forced into marrying Basit (which is an illogical marriage in itself), but Basit refuses to take Shiza’s nonsense sitting down. He fights against her decisions, accepting her “ghar damaad” condition only to protect Nimra and her mother. And with further taunts and fights headed his way, he stands firm, proving his worth to Tufail through his work and dependability. Shiza’s antics are now being noted by Tufail, who is realizing his daughter is not wife material and is seen defending Basit. This is not to say that Tufail doesn’t think Basit beneath him – he himself plots and conspires to keep Basit under his roof, refusing to allow Shiza to move into Basit’s home. But Basit is more intelligent than Shiza or Tufail imagined, finding the ability to maneuver things in his favor as well. What’s interesting is that while Samreen (Minsa Malik) has been seen as equally as bad as Shiza in the past, she’s far more likable than Shiza as she’s seen convincing Shiza to accept Basit as her husband and is seen being rather kind and respectful to Basit. Samreen has feelings for Rafay (Furqan Qureshi) – but will there be trouble here? Will Rafay somehow end up sending a proposal for Nimra instead of Samreen? This would send Nimra’s problems into overdrive.
“Azmaish” is a frustrating show and it’s difficult to watch so many awful, manipulative characters under one roof. But Fahad Sheikh’s Basit, Furqan Qureshi’s Rafay and Gul E Rana’s character are positive ones on this show that give hope to viewers, relieving the notion that everyone here is absolutely mad. The chemistry between Fahad Sheikh and Kinza Hashmi is great, but one has to wonder how Nimra and Basit will ever get together?
