“Fitoor” is a show to look forward to each week. Written by Zanjabeel Asim and directed by Siraj Ul Haq, it stars Faysal Qureshi, Hiba Bukhari, Wahaj Ali and Kiran Haq in lead roles. This is a drama that, so far, has a perfect balance of emotion, desirable melodrama and good performances. Last we saw, Hamza’s family attacked Dilnasheen’s family for Hamza’s disappearance.
In episode 5, Dilnasheen now faces the wrath of her family for the chaos created by Hamza’s family. What’s infuriating about this scenario (and yet not unrealistic) is how Dilnasheen’s (Hiba Bukhari) family treats her love for Hamza as a crime. They’ve already labeled her love for the man as an “affair,” a word that has negative connotations. But to make things worse, Dilnasheen’s family treats her as a criminal rather than the victim of Hamza’s family. Yes, Dilnasheen and Hamza are in love and they have been exchanging messages and voice notes as any couple would – but what is so wrong in their words? “I love you” and “send your parents for the proposal” and promises of marriage are the highlights, so what is so offensive about these conversations? Dilnasheen is not only beaten ruthlessly by Yawar (Kamran Jillani), practically strangled by him had his wife not stepped in, but her mother (Saba Hameed) openly curses her, wishing she hadn’t been born, wishing she had died in the womb and other such nonsense. It’s difficult to watch stories of “good families” who cannot be there for their daughters in time of need. At this point, Dilnasheen is not only nursing a broken heart, she has been attacked by Hamza’s family, questioned by the police, humiliated by the police AND her family……this woman is the victim here, not her brother who tearfully cries about his “humiliation.” It’s difficult to digest. That being said, it’s also something that happens more often than not in South Asian families, so it is certainly realistic.
Hamza (Wahaj Ali) is a genuinely good guy, a man committed to Dilnasheen, and it’s unfortunate for him that he did not realize how his family would react. Still, the way he behaved without informing his family was rather immature and it’s his immaturity that created this situation, even if it was unintentional. Had he behaved with more sense and took a time-out while informing his family, Dilnasheen and his relationship would not be in the tatters it currently is in. Is there any logical way for their families to reunite and arrange their marriage? It’s out of the question. Wahaj Ali is so endearing and lovable in this role as this honest, committed and yet passionately jealous lover.
Through this chaos, Haider’s (Faysal Qureshi) family has officially proposed for Dilnasheen and the proposal has been accepted (while Dilnasheen is being beaten by her brother, oh the irony). Haider is quite pleased with the proposal, though he’s seen thinking about his own heartbreak over Mehmal (Kiran Haq). Mehmal, on her part, is seen thinking about Haider as well. She is broken-hearted in her own marriage, mistreated and cheated on by her own husband. Of course, people learn to appreciate what they have when they no longer have it – and Mehmal now appreciates Haider and uses him as an ego-booster, knowing he continues to love her. But now that he’s marrying DIlansheen, will she continue to get that love and appreciation from him?
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All the performances in this show are great from the lead actors. Faysal Qureshi, Kiran Haq, Hiba Bukhari and Wahaj Ali are all bringing forth their “A-game,” giving it their best. Despite some seriously over the top situations and frustrating moments, this is a fast-paced, interesting show with great performances and an interesting premise. How will the show progress? It’s fairly predictable, but will be great to see it unfold.
