“Laapata” has been gaining momentum week after week, bringing the current storyline to an exciting point. Starring Sarah Khan, Ali Rehman Khan, Ayeza Khan and Gohar Rasheed in lead roles, the story has been written and directed by Khizer Idrees. While the team did a great job of keeping the “real” story under wraps, Gohar Rasheed’s Daniyal has arrived as a real surprise package, playing a complicated character that is the clear-cut villain of the show.
In episodes 15 & 16, Falak (Sarah Khan) is hiding in Munira’s house, plotting her escape back to Karachi. Unfortunately, Munira’s husband informs Daniyal (Gohar Rasheed) about Falak’s whereabouts and he lands up at their house, ready to attack. This scene is a shining moment for Gohar Rasheed, though he’s had several in the past few weeks. The viewer can really see the instability within this character and his desire to take lives – he does not value human lives unless they are doing exactly what he wants them to. However, Falak is not one to take abuse sitting down and knocks Daniyal out before making her escape – and Munira and her husband choose to abandon Daniyal there and leave for their own village. This leaves Daniyal “missing” and the police discover the house abandoned with the front door open. Will Falak become an immediate suspect in Daniyal’s disappearance – and later, murder? Or will Daniyal make a comeback at the least expected moment?
Back in Karachi, Shams (Ali Rehman Khan) and Geeti (Ayeza Khan) are finally developing a relationship. Shams is focusing on his career while also completing his education and Geeti is preparing to be a good wife. While Shams is still deeply in love with Falak, he tries his best to be loyal to Geeti. And honestly, the sequences between Geeti and Shams actually have the audience somewhat rooting for their romance, particularly because they seem to think in the same way. And just as Shams begins to move forward, Falak arrives back home – which will certainly bring Shams right back to square one, because he has never forgotten Falak.
This is an interesting point for the story, because while Falak is technically married, she is leaving that relationship behind – whenever she manages to tell her family the truth. On the other end, while Geeti and Shams have been forming a bond, Shams even wrote a poem for Geeti with Falak in mind, so we recognize that his heart is still with Falak. And Geeti, who has been at her best behavior lately, is always only a step away from slipping into her manipulative state. Each actor is giving their best, delivering strong performances. While Gohar Rasheed may currently be stealing the show as the unstable Daniyal, Ali Rehman Khan plays Shams in a natural way, a character who has endured a lot of grief, but holds it all inside. Sarah Khan is brilliant as the strong Falak who keeps her fear concealed. And of course, Ayeza Khan is the life of the show, keeping things upbeat and happy despite playing a grey character. Special mention to the storyline with Falak’s sister, husband and sister-in-law. This scene only goes to show that while we may not understand the behavior of another, their reality is always different from what they present. Overall, “Laapata” has been an enjoyable journey through the lives of individuals with different approaches towards life – and only seems to be getting better.