“Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet” is a love story along the lines of – well, Romeo and Juliet. This isn’t a story we haven’t seen before, whether it be in “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” and “Ram Leela” in Bollywood or “Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri” on Pakistani television last year. And yet, “Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet” manages to create its own story and its own space with its treatment, characters and situations. This is a tried and tested story, sure, but it’s fresh in its own way. Starring Hamza Sohail and Iqra Aziz in lead roles, the show also stars Shabbir Jan, Khalid Anum, Raza Samo, Zainab Qayyum, Shaheera Jalil Albasit and others in a story written by Parisa Siddiqui and directed by Fajr Raza.
In episode 18 takes on a slightly “lighter” tone with Friya (Iqra Aziz) helping the building women in organizing a Shab-E-Baraat function, which is always organized by Channo (Atiqa Odho). The rivalry between Channo and Friya heats up, causing Channo to sabotage Friya’s plans. Fortunately, Channo’s husband, Agha Ji (Tauseeq Haider), explains where she has gone wrong and sets out to help Friya, along with Jojo (Raza Samo). This track is genuinely enjoyable to watch and Atiqa Odho is a joy in this role, along with Tauseeq Haider who plays mediator in a humorous way. Channo and Agha Ji both have different backgrounds and the two will certainly play a part in helping Farhad and Friya, guiding them based on their own experiences.
Meanwhile, Farhad and Friya’s married life hits a few bumps as Farhad struggles with his new job and the expectations versus reality. With his degree, he expected a high-paying job immediately without any experience and did not realize how he would have to slog. In his downtime, he chooses to relax with his friends – which does not sit well with Friya. This is a highly realistic aspect of a marriage and while it’s not enjoyable watching our leads fight, the way the fight has been written and the way with which the two make up has a sweet, realistic touch. Life isn’t as easy as playing house and our duo is quickly figuring this out – but respectfully, allowing us to cheer them on.
The family has slowly begun to seep back into Friya and Farhad’s life, beginning with his mother’s visit. Unfortunately, that ended badly, but it serves as a reminder for audiences what Farhad left behind. He was his mother’s emotional support, a typical story in our society where husbands are emotionally abusive and sons are forced to pick up the slack. While we feel his mother’s pain, is it fair for Farhad to sacrifice his love for that reason? It’s an age-old debate whether eloping is acceptable in Pakistani society and it’s one that continues today.
Farhad also comes face-to-face with his father at the Shab-E-Baraat event, which creates an awkward moment. Shabbir Jan is such a fabulous actor and his performance in this scene reminds us of exactly that. Karim is a father who has never shown emotion, but his way of showing love has been through creating a business for his son and wanting his son to have that immediate success without having to see struggle in his future. Farhad, on his part, wants a different lifestyle and while he doesn’t want the family business, all he has ever wanted is his father’s love and support. Both are hotheaded and unwilling to bend, but Hamza Sohail and Shabbir Jan have enacted this scene with so much conviction.
Shaheera Jalil Albasit is a revelation of an actress since “Razia,” but quite honestly, watching her being abused in this show yet again is not pleasant. She is a talented actress who deserves more. We have already seen her play an abused wife in “Razia.” We know she can do it well. Please give her something new and challenging. The characters of her mother-in-law and husband are such that we hope they have the absolute worst thrown in their direction in the end. The entire cast is doing a great job keeping their characters interesting and the writing and direction is top notch. With Shaggo and Hamid’s wedding coming up, will Friya and Farhad manage to move back into Friya’s family’s good graces?