A show like “Bebasi” should have everything going for it, especially looking at its talented lead cast, which includes Ali Rehman Khan, Khushhal Khan and Alizeh Shah in lead roles. The trio is supported by great actors like Anoushay Abbasi, Farhan Ali Agha, Nausheen Shah and others, while the story has been written by Aliya Bukhari and directed by Barkat Siddiqui. Unfortunately, “Bebasi” suffers due to poor writing with its lead characters behaving in completely unpredictable, unnatural ways.
In episode 15 alone, we see Ahmer (Ali Rehman Khan) promising Nadia (Anoushay Abbasi) that he will divorce Ifrah (Alizeh Shah), his wife of “force.” Let’s just pause here and discuss this plot – nowhere in the wedding debacle was any pressure put on Ahmer to step in and save the day. Ifrah’s father, as nasty a man as he is, never could have even envisioned this happening. Ahmer did it by choice – it was not “zabardasti” and, if one pauses to recall, Ahmer mentioned to his manager that Mahrukh (Nausheen Shah) will be really upset by this act. Ahmer married Ifrah to spite his sister and to be rid of his commitment to Nadia. So why, then, has Ahmer suddenly begun acting as though he wants to marry Nadia and has suddenly realized his appreciation for her? He decides to tell Ifrah he wants a divorce – and then backs off when he realizes his factory workers will be upset by this decision. Then, after taking Ifrah to the mall to shop, he suddenly finds himself happy with her. How? Because her dupatta landed on his arm in the car and then, later, a sales lady complimented Ifrah. This is all it takes for Ahmer to “fall in love.”
Of course, Ifrah is a real piece of work herself. She constantly makes these over-the-top statements, as if we as an audience don’t remember the environment she grew up in. Ahmer asks her why she’s drinking water from the tap and she says “aam” (ordinary) people drink from the tap…..except Ifrah was only “aam” for approximately 3 months before getting married to Ahmer, otherwise growing up in the lap of luxury. So what would she know and why is she acting as though this is “normal” for her? Why is the writing so inconsistent?! Meanwhile, we can’t help thinking about how disloyal Ifrah is as a human being, throwing Sahir (Khushhal Khan) aside as though he never really mattered while the poor guy is planning his return to her. Ifrah had other options – she could have happily married Sahir while working independently without her stepfather or biological father. This is an upper class, educated girl. Why are we still writing helpless women like Ifrah?
“Bebasi” is exhausting, there isn’t any other way to describe it. Each week, declarations are made that this will be the last review for this show – and yet, here we are. Some shows are not enjoyable to watch at all, but somehow lure us back in.