“Parizaad” is a show that’s difficult to praise, as there’s simply so much to praise in each episode. The show stars Ahmed Ali Akbar as the title character, supported by Yumna Zaidi, Saboor Aly, Ushna Shah, Ahmed Taha Ghani, Adeel Afzal and many others in a story written by Hashim Nadeem Khan and directed by Shehzad Kashmiri. “Parizaad” has been winning audiences over since episode one and with only two more episodes left after this week, it continues to ride a high wave of praise.
In episode 27, Parizaad (Ahmed Ali Akbar) continues to fight his demons – both externally and internally. We see him come across the businessman who bought his poetry and it’s in this moment that he realizes how the tables have turned and he is now in the position of power. And yet, that power is beginning to pinch at him in a way, making him realize how he has changed as a person. Is Parizaad still the innocent man he once was? Are his humble, down-to-earth ideals still the same or has he been swayed by power? These are questions he has slowly begun to ask himself….without truly asking them.
Of course, Na Saaz (Adeel Afzal) finally gets his happy ending with his marriage and we see an emotional moment between Parizaad and Na Saaz. Parizaad declares that he’s always late in matters of love – but is he? Have we determined that Annie (Yumna Zaidi) loves Sharjeel or is Parizaad simply jumping the gun in his insecurity? Mahapara/Lubna (Mashal Khan) is also there to send Na Saaz and his new bride off on their honeymoon. Both Adeel Afzal and Mashal Khan have been wonderful in their respective roles and have truly made an impact.
It’s when Parizaad, who has already ordered the hit on Sharjeel, goes to Annie’s show where he finds himself grappling with himself. Annie holds him in high regard and it’s his humble persona that has always won her over. Parizaad realizes that Sharjeel means a lot to Annie and that his love is meaningless if he’s stripping Annie’s happiness away from her for his own selfish desires. Fortunately, Parizaad calls off the hit right in time, saving not only Sharjeel’s life, but also saving himself from a guilty conscience.
What’s important to note here, again, is that Parizaad is so complexed about himself and his appearance that he cannot imagine that Annie loves him – and he believes that even if she does, she will not love him any longer one she regains her eyesight and sees his face. Insecurities can push us to such an extent that we are unable to see the good in ourselves and cannot believe anyone else would be able to either. However, it’s in Parizaad and Annie’s final scene together that we are able to recognize that Annie truly does love Parizaad and Parizaad is doing wrong not only by her, but also himself in breaking away. This moment is heartbreaking, watching a tearful, hesitant Annie searching for words to make Parizaad go with her – while Parizaad looks for words loving enough to pass on his care while also forcing up a boundary.
The performances of both Ahmed Ali Akbar and Yumna Zaidi truly blow the audience away in this episode. There is nothing but praise here for both actors in their presumably final sequence together – or is it? It seems as though Parizaad is ready to set off for his quest towards enlightenment, a journey of soul-searching. And while we, as viewers, desperately want Parizaad to find happiness in the world and prove that hard work and a kind heart can give one the world…..this doesn’t seem the path the finale is heading towards.
