“Mushk” is a winner for Hum TV, a story that’s being unanimously loved by its viewers. Written by Imran Ashraf and directed by Aehsun Talish, the show also stars these men in prominent roles along with Urwa Hocane, Momal Sheikh, Osama Tahir, Zara Tareen and many others. With a strong ensemble cast, “Mushk” tells a story that is interwoven between man different characters and tracks – and successfully so. Episode 14 left off with Roshni in a brothel while Mehak sends Adam to retrieve her. This is where episode 15 picks up from.
While Zulekha (Zara Tareen) may be seen as a negative character, it is her husband’s actions that have pushed her to this point. Zulekha is seen breaking down after reading Saqib’s (Raza Talish) letter, realizing that he has sold her daughter to a brothel. Zulekha may seem rigid and hard on the outside, but inside, she is still a soft, loving mother and in this moment, she is not crying for her “izzat,” rather she’s crying for her daughter’s fate. While one may feel sorry for her helpless husband (Hassan Ahmed) for a moment, Zulekha quickly brings us back to our senses and reminds us that it’s the anger towards his behavior that Saqib is taking out on Roshni. Zara Tareen performs very well in this episode.
Guddi (Urwa Hocane) generally tends to be a brash, loud, almost villainous character, but she is also a mouthpiece for viewers at times and in this episode, she does exactly this. While Mehak (Momal Sheikh) is busy reassuring Dada Ji and Zulekha about Adam arranging Roshni’s return and caring for her little baby, Guddi shows her the mirror. She informs her that Adam’s phone has been off for five hours, taunting her for not calling herself when he’s on a mission Mehak sent him on. In this scene, it’s starting to become apparent that Guddi may seem selfish, but she is fiercely protective of those she cares for – and Adam is one of those people. Urwa Hocane is a treat to watch in this complex role.
Adam (Imran Ashraf), in true hero fashion, visits the brothel to save Roshni (Sehar Khan). And while it may initially seem as though Adam will walk away with Roshni, and a tag-along, and leave the brothel unscathed, this does not happen. Adam is attacked from behind and he and both girls are tied up in a room. There’s a great moment between the “kotha” Maalkin and Adam where, after Adam asks the maalkin if she doesn’t understand right and wrong, she replies that “ghairat” and the concept of right and wrong disappear in front of need and hunger. Both she and Roshni’s tag-along share their tragic stories, bursting Adam’s slightly naïve perception of “ghairat” and the world around him, realizing that he has had a sheltered life that is much different from what these women have been through. Still, one cannot help feeling frustrated at Adam’s naivety, being so innocent as to create a one-man rescue mission without any backup. Now caught, he also asks this new girl to help untie him instead of Roshni, a girl he knows and can actually trust. Of course, one cannot complain too much, because this angle does give the scenario a realistic feel as Adam does not come in swinging and does not single-handedly make his escape, rescuing two girls in the process. Imran Ashraf has done a fabulous job and truly looks like a hero as Adam, even if Adam is a hero that gets caught.
Last, Muqaddar Khan (Aehsun Talish) breaks the news to his daughter about her nikkah to Shayaan Shayaan (Osama Tahir). His wife (Natasha Ali) looks on, tears in her eyes at her daugher’s fate while the little girl looks on in bewilderment, happy and yet confused as to why her mother is crying. It only enhances the sense of tragedy as one sees the innocence that is being put into a situation not meant for her. Shayaan has now been coerced into marrying his young cousin. He looks at his Mamoon and asks him how he will face God after everything he has done. Muqaddar Khan calmly replies that he will tell God he fulfilled his duties by marrying off an of-age girl, leaving Shayaan speechless with his logic. This is a line many use to excuse their inappropriate deeds and yet, it’s one that is difficult to refute as their minds cannot move past this belief system. Osama Tahir, Aehsun Talish and Natasha Ali all perform their roles well, leaving an impact despite only having a total of 5 minutes of screen time in this episode.
Mushk Episode 14: Urwa Hocane’s Guddi Sets Out to Entrap Dr. Rana
“Mushk” continues to leave viewers on their toes. This time around, the show leaves us hanging with Adam and Roshni still being held and we are left wondering how they will escape, especially considering their partner-in-crime will betray them. The entire cast is doing such a great job, there is little to complain about. If anything, the character of Mehak is the weakest link in that she is selfish and unlikable despite Momal Sheikh doing a good job playing her role. It’s difficult to sympathize with her, that’s the greatest problem. Otherwise, “Mushk” continues to ride a winning streak in terms of story and content, leaving us waiting for what will happen next.