To say that there has yet to be a bad episode of “Kabli Pulao” would not be a stretch. Each episode has paved the way towards the storytelling, allowing for the characters to move and grow. Episode 12 is no less, bringing our lead characters to a happy place – and then bringing them face-to-face with an obstacle from the past. Starring Mohammed Ehtashamuddin and Sabeena Farooq in lead roles, the show also stars 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 13, Mushtaq (Mohammed Ehtashamuddin) and Barbeena (Sabeena Farooq) have a heartfelt discussion over the insecurities Mushtaq is feeling, forcing him to realize that his feelings are not Barbeena’s fault. Just as the two make up, Asad flies into a fury and leaves Hajra. Though he eventually comes back, the scenes between Hajra and Asad show that at times, our insecurities do not come from our romantic relationships – rather, they are weak because our foundational relationships are weak….the ones with our parents.
As the episode moves forward, we head into heavy territory. Ghaffar (Saqib Sameer) and Qayyum (Adnan Shah Tipu) arrive at their doorstep, requesting Mushtaq to return home to satisfy Ilyaas’ request in order to have Zakir released. Obviously, Mushtaq is furious, his family’s problems continuing to haunt him even after he has left them behind to live peacefully. He says some words of anger and when Qayyum and Ghaffar leave, they meet with an accident, causing Qayyum’s death. This makes for a miserable scenario with not only Mushtaq losing his brother, but also a wife losing her husband, a daughter losing her father, a sister losing her brother…..there is simply grief all around. Amidst all this grief, Mushtaq is burdened most by the knowledge that Qayyum left in anger, believing Mushtaq let him down. This guilt is eating him up inside and he goes to seek refuge in the one person who will support him – Barbeena.
Unfortunately, Barbeena is currently going through a whirlwind of emotions herself. Arriving back at home for the funeral, she is immediately greeted by a familiar face – Baraan’s (Abdullah Farhatullah). Barbeena is in a state of confusion after seeing Baraan, full of questions she wants to ask him. With the two surrounded by death and chaos in a full house, it simply isn’t possible. Barbeena understands that she needs to be there for Mushtaq and does her best to comfort him in a robotic, dazed way, as she’s in an entirely different zone herself. Sabeena Farooq nails it this week, taking Barbeena through many emotions all at once. Mohammed Ehtashamuddin does an incredible job as well, particularly in his breakdown scene at the very end, Mushtaq devastated by his brother’s death – while his wife is consumed by thoughts of her past suddenly appearing in her present.
This is an excellent episode overall. Action-packed and emotional, it allows for the entire cast to perform. Nadia Afgan does a great job as Shamim grapples with her own grief and how Mushtaq’s family holds her responsible for Qayyum’s death. Shamim is a misunderstood woman and it’s tragic to see how she put her entire life on hold for a family where she doesn’t actually hold any value. Now with Barbeena and Mushtaq back at home, it will be interesting to see how they adapt. Will they remain back with Mushtaq’s family? One would assume he would step back into Qayyum’s role to care for the family, which would have him working directly with Baraan. How long will it be before he realizes this young man is his wife’s….husband? We’re now in a complicated arc of the show and it’s only getting better each week.