Some shows may rake in high viewership numbers, but offer little in terms of quality content. “Fitoor” is one such show. In the initial episodes, the storyline at least seemed interesting, supported greatly by Wahaj Ali’s acting skills as Hamza. However, ever since Hamza’s (hopefully short-term) departure from the canvas, the show has taken a nosedive in regards to the storyline, which has fallen into the cliched love triangle trope. Written by Zanjabeel Asim and directed by Siraj Ul Haq, “Fitoor” stars Faysal Qureshi, Hiba Bukhari, Wahaj Ali and Kiran Haq in lead roles.
In episode 15, Dilnasheen (Hiba Bukhari) has decided it’s time to win her husband over to her side after (finally) realizing Mehmal (Kiran Haq) is not-so-discreetly trying to worm her way into Haider’s life. Haider (Faysal Qureshi) is pleased seeing his young wife finally showing him some attention, but Haider – who was once likable – is slowly showing his true colors, still hung up on his ex-love and so viewers are aware of what’s to come. While Dilansheen appears to be winning the “battle” at the beginning of the episode, catering to Haider’s every whim and showing him how “gharelu” she can be, Mehmal takes this as an open challenge and decides she’s ready to “fight” for Haider. Her love for Haider appears to be less about love and more about claiming what she sees as her own property – the property being Haider. Mehmal fakes a leg injury and spends time with Haider as he takes her to the hospital, taking that moment to confess her feelings for Haider. The rest of the episode focuses on long, drawn out stares between Mehmal and Haider in the hospital with Dilnasheen waiting for Haider at home. Haider may have been a “good guy” at some point, but the games he is now playing speak volumes about his character. When he arrives home, not once does he check in on his wife and decides to eat dinner with Mehmal. Why? His words discouraging Mehmal do not match with his actions, so what’s the point of spouting the words? If he is determined to follow Mehmal and neglect his wife, who is actually trying to make the marriage work now, then what’s the point in the sham?
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These storylines become frustrating only because we’ve seen it too many times on television where a man is “caught” between two women. In reality, he is not caught between two women, he’s allowing himself to be caught between them. It appears Haider’s mother will kick Mehmal out of her house in the next episode. Why didn’t this happen on the 2nd or 3rd day of her arrival? Considering Mehmal and Haider’s relationship, everything about this arrangement was inappropriate and Haider himself should have realized that. But no, this “good guy” is enjoying the sandwiched attention from both ladies. If the last two to three episodes have done anything, they have established Haider as an unlikable character – which is tragic, because he started off as a very likable one. At this point, this show is simply begging for the return of Wahaj Ali to infuse some life into this repetitive storyline.