The journey of “Kabli Pulao” has been a beautiful one, one which has heavily focused on the internal feelings of its lead characters. The story of Haji Mushtaq (Ehtashamuddin) and Barbeena (Sabeena Farooq), two individuals from entirely different backgrounds and even age groups, navigating their life together after being thrown into marriage. While the two have grown to love each other with a sincere, sweet kind of devotion, things become incredibly complicated when Baraan (Abdullah Farhatullah), Barbeena’s first husband, makes a return from the “dead.” Starring Mohammed Ehtashamuddin, Sabeena Farooq, Abdullah Farhatullah, Nadia Afgan, Munazzah Arif, Adnan Shah Tipu, Haseeb Khan, Saqib Sameer and others in prominent roles, the story has been written by Zafar Mairaj and directed by Kashif Nisar.
In episode 17, Mushtaq is now in a rage, feeling he has been duped by Barbeena and Baraan. While Baraan tries to plead and explain that Barbeena is innocent, Mushtaq is unwilling to listen, asking Baraan to take Barbeena with him. Ironically, it’s finally Shamim (Nadia Afgan) who not only pleads Barbeena’s. case, but also talks sense into Mushtaq. Shamim is the very definition of love, a woman who is so deeply in love and dedicated to Mushtaq that she is willing to accept Barbeena as his happiness – even at the risk of being alone herself. Unfortunately, while Mushtaq comes around and realizes the error of his ways, Barbeena has already left on her own, rejecting both men.
The dilemma that “Kabli Pulao” puts its viewers in is one that’s emotional. Each individual will look at the scenario from their own lens, their own viewpoint, making the choice that’s “right” based on their own world view. However, when it comes to relationships, is there ever a “right” or “wrong,” particularly in this situation? Barbeena, could technically go with Baraan, saying he is her husband or stay with Mushtaq, saying he is her husband. Is either option wrong? it would just depend on the perspective. Unfortunately, in this episode, despite Mushtaqs anger later being revealed as being just for show, a way to distance Barbeena from himself to push her towards Baraan, Mushtaq’s behavior does create a crack in the visage of Mushtaq’s kindness. Mushtaq loves Barbeena and this cannot be refuted – but he is a human being with flaws. However, is it acceptable to hurt the one we love so deeply even if we believe it’s for their own good? Why couldn’t this have been Barbeena’s moment of choosing? Isn’t it her right?
In the end, the character we most feel for is Baraan, who is wonderfully played by Abdullah Farhatullah. Baraan is a man who should be dead, but he survived through years of torture with the hope that he would be reunited with his wife, his love. He comes home to find her now married to someone else – and is constantly told by Barbeena that she wishes he had died. If Baraan had been a bad person, this moral dilemma would have been easier, but it’s the fact that he is willing to let Barbeena go for her happiness and is accepting of her new husband that makes him such a lovable character. Of course, Ehtashamuddin is incredible as Haji Mushtaq, a character who we have grown to love over the past several weeks due to his kindness. Sabeena Farooq is endearing as Barbeena, the role of a lifetime for her as an actress. And of course, we cannot mention performances without discussing Nadia Afgan, who has won our hearts as the complicated Shamim. Would the realistically “easy” fit be for Barbeena to go back to Baraan and Mushtaq to wind up with Shamim? Probably. Is that what the story will do? Most likely not. Regardless of how this story ends, with the last episode airing next week, we are rooting for all the key players involved and hope for a happy, positive ending.
