After weeks of a story slightly off-track, “Parizaad” has picked up once again. Even in its off-track weeks, “Parizaad” still managed to reign above the rest in terms of content. Starring Ahmed Ali Akbar, Yumna Zaidi, Mashal Khan, Saboor Aly, Ushna Shah, Paras Masroor and many others, “Parizaad” has been written by Hashim Nadeem Khan and directed by Shehzad Kashmiri. Last week, we saw that after Behroze’s (Nauman Ejaz) death, Parizaad has now inherited his fortune, stepping into an entirely new life.
Now attending parties and events as a guest of honor, Parizaad (Ahmed Ali Akbar) is reunited with Laila (Mashal Khan), now Mahapara. The moment Laila and Parizaad lay eyes on one another, they are both overcome with joy to find someone from their past lives. Mahapara is now divorced and working as an actress (and escort) and continues to be miserable with her life. Parizaad, being as chivalrous as ever, steps in to help Mahapara in any way he can, but most of all, by offering his continued friendship. Mashal Khan has really made her mark with this role and has played Laila/Mahapara with sincerity, her pain and grief written on Mashal’s face. Considering it was Lubna’s mother who pushed Parizaad into this life, towards his riches, it’s gratifying to see them come face to face.
If there’s any part of “Parizaad” that doesn’t feel authentic, it’s the way in which Parizaad amassed his fortune. As such a straight-and-arrow, genuine and sincere person with principles, Parizaad earning money through a life of crime feels like the “wrong” path for such an individual. Still, one can imagine, after looking at the way Parizaad’s family is behaving, that this may become his very reason to give it all up? Now fighting over Parizaad like piranhas, he will now have a different problem to deal with. Was money ever the ultimate goal for Parizaad – or was it simply acceptance? That acceptance is something he has only found in his sister, Saeeda, which makes their reunion all the more heartwarming. Saeeda has been waiting for Parizaad’s release and is overjoyed to see her brother, not only alive and well, but in good fortunes. This is one character who has always wanted the best for him. Both Ahmed Ali Akbar and Kiran Tabeer make the greatest impact in this episode with their short two-minute scene at the very end before the episode comes to a close. Overall, “Parizaad” continues to win hearts not only with Ahmed Ali Akbar’s genuine performance, but also with the performances from the story’s stellar supporting actors.