“Fitoor” has turned into relationship musical chairs, a show about the premise of how forced marriages can go wrong. This is a show that is a TRP churner and not only has a great cast, but also a wonderful OST – and yet, there’s a lot left to be desired in regards to quality content. With a great team behind it, it’s somewhat disappointing to see how the show is playing out. Written by Zanjabeel Asim and directed by Siraj Ul Haq, it stars Faysal Qureshi, Hiba Bukhari, Wahaj Ali and Kiran Haq in lead roles.
In episode 16, Dilnasheen (Hiba Bukhari) has grown weary of Haider (Faysal Qureshi) and Mehmal’s (Kiran Haq) relationship, particularly being aware of their history. She discusses it with Haider, telling him that if the love were one-sided, she could overlook it. She gives Haider time to figure out where his priorities lie. Dilnasheen is generally a timid, childish, silly character, but in this episode, her words and her actions with Haider are surprisingly mature. She realizes that she cannot win this fight against Mehmal if she is the only one fighting for her marriage. Haider’s mother, played by Ismat Zaidi, realizes that Mehmal is creating problems for Dilnasheen and Haider and takes an applause-worthy step, doing what Haider has been unable to do – removing Mehmal from the house. Now, while the action itself is justified, the technique is not. Considering the lavish wedding, is there not one single family member outside of Haider’s family who Mehmal can rely on? Kicking Mehmal out should not mean she and her daughter are left literally standing on the road with no place to go. Mehmal may be conniving and manipulative, but she has ever right to leave her husband if it’s an unhappy marriage- and this is where the dialogues spouted by Haider’s mother come across as uncomfortable, shaming a woman for leaving her “home.” Of course, Mehmal contacts Haider and he comes to the rescue, as is expected. Can we take a moment to discuss how the adults in this show do not take pause for even a second before spouting adult conversation in front of a 4 year old child? Mehmal’s daughter is privy to all the information regarding her mother chasing after Haider. Mehmal, Dilnasheen, Haider’s mother, they do not consider the mental health of this young girl for even a second.
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Since Hamza’s (Wahaj Ali) departure from the show, the intensity has been removed from the story. There is little to root for, because Dilnasheen lost her own love and has now been forced into a marriage where she’s having to watch her own husband pine over his lost love. This irony is not lost on Dilnasheen, who points it out to her own (hypocritical) mother. Of course, her mother (Saba Hameed) doesn’t bat an eyelash before telling Dilnasheen that a man’s mistakes are excusable, but a woman’s are intolerable. It’s nice to see that Dilnasheen’s mother is a consistent character – an absolutely atrocious, horrible woman. She doesn’t have anyone to truly stand up for her, which is why she’s stuck in this house, watching Haider and Mehmal make eyes at each other. Why would Faysal Qureshi take this role? And yet, “Fitoor” is that addiction that keeps us coming back for more. But what will be the outcome of this mess?
