“Prem Gali” is a weekly treat, a show that viewers can watch while relaxing, a show where they can truly enjoy themselves. And yet, “Prem Gali” is not a comedy – rather, it’s a light-hearted show that touches on many different social issues and imparts some wisdom upon its audience while still entertaining. Starring Farhan Saeed, Sohai Ali Abro, Saba Hameed, Uzma Hassan, Shamim Hilaly, Qavi Khan Waseem Abbas and others, “Prem Gali” has been written by Faiza Iftikhar and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed.
Joya (Sohai Ali Abro) and Hamza (Farhan Saeed) immediately realize, in episode 26, that things are not as simple as they seemed in their heads – and they aren’t as happy as they thought they would be. Worried about their families and their physical/mental health after their escape, Joya and Hamza find themselves in their first argument as a couple living alone. Joya also begins to realize the inevitable – she misses Prem Gali. Hamza and Joya are pampered members of their own households, being only children/grandchildren and are doted on, so while the idea of living alone and away from their families was great in theory, they struggle with even simple things like making breakfast for themselves (though Hamza is much more self-sufficient than Joya in this regard). This is made worse when Joya finds the letter from Shireen (Saba Hameed), explaining why she was angry over Hamza’s job and who Manzoor actually is. Understandably, this leaves Joya floored, wondering what she should do next – and how to handle the news of her father trying to make a comeback in her life.
Meanwhile, the family back home struggles with the news as the neighborhood sets their tongues wagging about the couple’s “escape.” It’s wonderful to see the one-on-one scenes of these family members comforting and consoling each other. Whether it be Mussrat (Uzma Hassan) offering support to Luqman (Abdullah Farhatullah) as he blames himself, Haatim (Wasim Abbas) offering words of love and comfort to Dada Ji (Qavi Khan) or Rahat (Shamim Hilaly) telling Shireen to stop blaming herself, these sequences are all so realistic and well-enacted. Of course, Qavi Khan is so lovable as Dada Ji and his dialogues truly touch the heart, but Wasim Abbas shines this week as well, along with Abdullah Farhatullah and Uzma Hassan. This cast is just brilliant and their performances are what gives this show that feeling of “home,” the feeling that this could be our own families.
Shireen does what she does best, placing blame on the man she considers responsible for everything bad that has happened in her life – Manzoor (Javed Sheikh). From where we stand, Manzoor genuinely seems like a good man who removed himself from a marriage where he felt burdened by suspicion and accusations. However, this week Shireen, in her moment of venting to Manzoor and blaming him for Joya’s disappearance, finally admits that she’s only possessive of those she loves and is scared of losing. Manzoor is left thinking about how he waited his entire life in hopes to hear that she loved him.
This is a difficult situation for everyone involved, whether it be Manzoor and Shireen or Joya. Joya has suffered the most at the hands of her parents, being robbed of her father’s love and being a “victim” of her mother’s obsessive love. But Shireen and Manzoor have suffered in their own ways as well, Manzoor being robbed of his daughter’s love and Shireen raising a child without a husband. Everyone involved does a great job of acting in this episode, particularly Joya during the scene when she lashes out after finding out Hamza has invited Manzoor over for dinner. Hamza, of course, is unaware of Manzoor and Joya’s relationship, so this causes a war of words between the couple. Overall, “Prem Gali” continues to be a show that keeps viewers hooked with its realistic presentation of family dynamics and emotions. Next week’s episode will really take off with Joya and Manzoor coming face to face.