Dour Episode 9: Azfar Rehman Gives a Stellar Performance As Abaan

“Dour” not only has an interesting, talented cast, but also comes with a mysterious, thriller-like story.  Starring Sania Saeed, Azfar Rehman, Hina Altaf and Ali Abbas in lead roles, “Dour” has been written by Saji Gul and directed by Mazhar Moin.  The story follows Asma (Hina Altaf) and her family, a family that struggles to make ends meet.  While life is difficult for Asma’s family, Asma finds support in Romaan (Ali Abbas).  However, Romaan’s mother, Mrs. Ehtesham, has ulterior motives that may destroy Asma’s life.

The problem that tends to arise with plot points like this is that they force the audience to suspend all sense of logic.  Romaan has been at Asma’s beck and call since the day he met her.  He has been her knight in shining armor of sorts, a man who is there for her before she even has to ask.  That’s exactly why the current “twist” does not make any sense in the “real world.”  Romaan discusses his family background with Asma, laying it out there for the sake of transparency, telling her that his parents passed away when he was young and Mrs. Ehtesham (Sania Saeed) took him in as a son.  Asma is unfazed by this, as money has never been her goal.  However, Mrs. Ehtesham uses this to convince Romaan that Asma’s family has rejected him in favor of Abhaan (Azfar Rehman), as Romaan doesn’t get a share in property.  Considering what a strong relationship Romaan and Asma have had of trust, why would Romaan even hesitate to pick up the phone?  Has Asma ever seemed money-minded to him or ever made any indication that finances are important to her?  Romaan doesn’t waste more than 24 hours mourning the “loss” of his love, moving over for Abhaan to happily step in.  Through a series of bizarre sequences that would never occur in real life, Asma finds herself engaged to Abhaan while thinking she’s marrying Romaan.

The basic foundation for the upcoming storyline is weak and this is why it’s difficult to get on board entirely with “Dour.”  A strong foundation for the story is necessary and that’s where the past few episodes have been lacking.  That being said, the performances are excellent.  Azfar Rehman is brilliant as the hot-and-cold Abhaan, a man who fluctuates between feeling sorry for himself and lashing out at others for his condition.  Hina Altaf is refreshingly sweet and confident as Asma, a girl who comes from undesirable circumstances, but knows how to fight not only for herself, but for her family.  Ali Abbas is sweet as Romaan, though his character’s actions have taken “sacrificing” to a different (unlikable) level.  Then there’s Sania Saeed, who is always a fabulous actress.  Mrs. Ehtesham is an  over-the-top character and more than a little unlikable (with a murderous past), though one can imagine Sania Saeed took this role to have a bit of fun with it.  Overall, “Dour” continues to have potential, but the current turn of events have presented a tale that isn’t completely digestible.