“Khaie” entered the dreaded dragging phase in recent weeks, a phase often credited to hit Geo shows. In an effort to cash in on ratings, Geo tends to add heavy flashbacks to drag out their shows, a move which may increase finances, but diminishes their final completed product and its quality. While the past three weeks of “Khaie” episodes (6) could have been condensed into one week’s worth (2) – and that’s probably exactly how it was shot -, with the 2nd last episode, the show returns to its original, gripping, action-packed format. Written by Saqlain Abbas and directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain, “Khaie” stars Faysal Qureshi, Durr E Fishan Saleem, Khalid Butt, Uzma Hassan, Laila Wasti, Osama Tahir, Shamyl Khan, Shuja Asad, Mah E Nur Haider and others in prominent roles.
Episode 28 is not only action-packed, but sees the death of four central characters within this episode. Bareera (Laila Wasti) has always been a “lamb” of a character, one who is too soft for her environment – and unfortunately, she never manages to prove otherwise. In her gullibility, she is manipulated by Zamda (Durr E Fishan Saleem) to help Badal (Osama Tahir) escape. This results in Badal killing not only Bareera, who was simply caught in the middle, but also his real goal – Barlas (Shuja Asad). While the family is mourning this death, Zamda knocks out one more opponent, the man responsible for it all, Duraab Khan (Khalid Butt). It’s here where we are reminded of who Zamda was and how this all began – but does it justify all this death? Duraab is suffocated by Zamda, adding one more body count to pile. The lives of this family have been torn apart, only one male heir left standing – Chanaar Khan (Faysal Qureshi) himself.
Badal Khan is the hero of “Khaie.” This is a man so enveloped by the injustice around him, he devoted himself to eliminating the source of that injustice – even after the woman he loves abandoned him in the fight. Osama Tahir, take a bow! What an excellent performance in a great role.
When “Khaie” first began, Barlas was innocent and sheltered – however, with the fear of losing his love, Apana (Mah E Nur Haider), anger crept into his personality. Did Barlas love Apana? He absolutely did. But was Barlas ruthless with the choices he made, particularly with killing Pamir? He absolutely was. Shuja Asad performance as Barlas is excellent, a character who represents how easy it is for lines to blur in the realm of good and evil.
Uzma Hassan and Faysal Qureshi are simply brilliant in their performance this week, mourning over the body of their young, just married son. This is Faysal Qureshi at his best. He forces the audience to grieve with him, making us forget that his character is a brutal murderer.
Durr-E-Fishan Saleem has been given the role of her career and she is doing complete justice to it. The most important aspect of this story is Zamda’s evolution. At present, Zamda is focused, unwavering in her revenge, not even reacting to the death of Badal, a man who swore his love to her and carried out her revenge for her. Zamda has turned into her terrorizers. They lost their humanity years ago and now, Zamda has lost her humanity. But how far will Zamda go? Chanaar Khan deserves death, but once she has eliminated Durrab Khan’s family…..what will she do? How will she look at herself in the eye? Or will Zamda go on to terrorize others the way Chanaar Khan and Durrab Khan once did? It remains to be seen how “Khaie” ends, but it’s certain that the finale will be an action-filled, memorable one. While many are upset at how many “innocent” characters have died, this is the point of the story – as generational feuds continue, innocent family members are killed.