“Neem” is the journey of two individuals and their struggles, which will ultimately connect their paths. Starring Mawra Hocane, Ameer Gilani, Syed Jibran, Arsalan Naseer, Manzar Sehbai, Rana Majid Khan and others in prominent roles, the story has been written by Kashif Anwar and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri. In the past two weeks, the show has taken on a slower pace, leaving audiences frustrated. However, with episode 15, the show appears to be making progress once again.
While Zymal made the choice to get Shazil and Maryam married for the betterment of their future, doing what she thought was the “right thing,” she’s now realizing the consequences of her actions. It takes a big, selfless heart to give up a loving, committed husband for his own sake. Of course, Shazil is not worthy of this sacrifice, a man who chose to lash out at Zymal instead of console her at her weakest moment. Regardless, Maryam and Shazil are now married and Zymal is left to grapple with her feelings. Zymal has always been a professional, a young woman committed to her career and the betterment of those around her. Unfortunately, the turmoil Zymal is experiencing in her personal life is now trickling into her professional life. She finds herself lashing out at her students in anger and when she realizes what’s happening, chooses to walk away. We all have moments where we feel like failures in our workplace and Zymal is having her moment. The way Mawra Hocane performs this scene and the following scene with Manzar Sehbai, her professor, is heartfelt and shows Zymal’s vulnerability at that point. She is genuinely alone with no one to rely on – except her professor, who has become her confidant.
On the other side of the world, Ashhad (Ameer Gilani) and Faisal (Rana Majid Khan) discuss how to move forward regarding the issue of Camilla. Ashhad stays firm that he will not give her any money, even if that involves paying all the money to a lawyer or even leaving the country and moving back to Pakistan. Ashhad is pure hearted and while this may be a questionable move, he refuses to pay a woman who is blackmailing him. Ameer Gilani is performing these sequences with sincerity while Rana Majid Khan plays the perfect, supportive friend. However, at this point, this story needs more scope to grow. Ashhad has not accomplished much in life on his own terms. It would have been great to see him as an accomplished individual, but his situation just remained muddled – and now his world at home has crashed as well, unknown to him, with Asad (Shamyl Khan) in jail and Amjad in the hospital in a tragic state.
The scenes with Karamat (Syed Jibran) are growing a bit tiresome, though Jameel (Hassan Shah) has emerged as one of the brightest talents on this show. Jameel may have his own selfish motives, but the hatred in his heart for Karamat is enough to satisfy us as viewers and cheer him on. Jameel is a perfectly grey character and we’re rooting for his success – and the downfall of Karamat.
Overall, “Neem” has picked up greatly this week with some meaningful scenes. We must make peace with the natural pace of “Neem” and recognize that this is not an action-packed show. It’s necessary to reframe the mind and just enjoy the journey – and this week’s episode is an engrossing one. “Neem” is back on track.