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Udaari presents a new way forward for victims of abuse

Udaari presents a new way forward for victims of abuse

Parents play a big role in helping their children heal, and Udaari presents a strong mother who does just that
Updated 10 Aug, 2016

The success of Udaari proves what an honest script, fantastic direction, and equally competent acting can do for a TV serial.

Writer Farhat Ishtiaq deserves a round of applause for her nuanced script and decision to keep glamour at bay, while director Ehteshaam deserves equal praise for presenting the said script with such dignity.

To speak of a topic as sensitive as child sexual abuse is definitely a risk; a risk I’m so glad and grateful that team Udaari took.

A recap: When Imtiaz rapes Zaibu the second time and that too when Sajjo is in the house, she musters the courage to murder him and then takes a bus to Sheedan's house in the city. She realises that had she believed Meeran when she complained of Imtiaz's harassment, Zaibu would have been safe from him.

Sheedan immediately takes them in, forgetting Sajjo's past behaviour. Meeran suggests that they change their names and appearances, so no one will be able to find or recognise them. Sajjo and Zaibu are now Tahira and Komal after Meeran gives them a makeover.

Sajjo, after settling Zaibu in a school, works with the Kashf Foundation to get her catering business going. Zaibu adapts to this new environment quickly and while she is winning trophies at school, she refuses to socialise with her peers and still has nightmares. She still can’t sleep alone or in the dark.

The missing link

Here, I wish the concept of therapy had been introduced. Even presenting this topic was a bold step, but I think had therapy been included as another step to recovery for Zaibu, it would have gone a long way to show the audience that therapy doesn't have to be taboo either; that it actually can help victims of abuse and impact their lives positively, especially kids.

Sajjo and Zaibu are one resilient mother-daughter duo
Sajjo and Zaibu are one resilient mother-daughter duo

But I also commend the way Sajjo and Sheedan have been portrayed as mothers. Mothers who are fiercely protective of their daughters and couldn’t care less about ‘zamana kya kahega ya ab kya hoga’ ('what will people say?). I’m so glad Sajjo didn’t just sit at home like a victim. Instead, she not only made sure her daughter got an education, but also became financially independent so her daughter looks up to her mother for courage and support.

On the Meeran, Milli, Arsh, and Haris front, Meeran seems very comfortable with her new friends, especially Arsh and is enjoying her life as she should. Milli and Harris went to London to get a degree in music and Milli ends up marrying there. Arsh and Meeran clearly have feelings for each other, but of course Arsh’s mother has to play the role of ‘zaalim samaaj'. She doesn’t at all like Arsh hanging out with Meera due to her family background.

A few years have passed and Arsh is now a successful corporate lawyer, Meeran is even more successful and touring the US for concerts, Sajjo’s business has really expanded and she has hired neighborhood women to help her. Arsh and Meeran, even after all of these years, have feelings for each other and neither is married.

A role model for mothers

Let’s talk about Sheedan and what a real mother looks like. She isn't educated, but is more literate and compassionate than people with degrees. She supports her daughter in her music career and never once did she give her trouble about hanging out with Arsh or school her on ‘log lya kaheinge.’

As a mother, she definitely wants Meeran to get married and that is absolutely natural. I love how she is fearless and it is because of her that Sajjo has the confidence to go on with her life. These are what I call ‘tiger mothers,’ who protect and support their daughters against all odds. We absolutely need to see more of such strong women and mothers on TV.

Bushra Ansari plays the role of a lifetime as Udaari's Sheedan
Bushra Ansari plays the role of a lifetime as Udaari's Sheedan

What is even more admirable about Sheedan is that she also raised a son who respects women. He tells Zaibu that he knew what had happened to her; that he heard her screams and saw everything.

All these years he knew that, but never once did he treat Zaibu badly. His sister is a household name and a famous singer, but never once did he misbehave with her and bring ‘ghairat’ into it. Here is a son, who has always looked out for his sister and supported her, even during the Ilyas episode. Sons and brothers like him are what real men are made of.

The big reveal

In the last episode we learn that Imtiaz is alive - shocking!

Some Malik saheb rescued him and took him to the doctor. He now works for him and takes care of his illegal business. Imtiaz sees Sajjo at a bakery where she does her business and follows her home. Zaibu goes to the gate and her worst nightmare comes true.

Sajjo leaves Zaibu at Sheedan's for her own safety and Imtiaz has the police arrest Sajjo. Ilyas sees this in the news and tells his mother that her sister is alive and this is a great opportunity for him to get close to Meeran (even though he has been married for 4 years). He tells his mother how rich Meeran is and asks doesn’t she want to enjoy all of that too?

Urwa and Farhan prove their acting mettle in Udaari
Urwa and Farhan prove their acting mettle in Udaari

Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed (minus his unnecessary ponytail) have really surprised me in their roles; I really can't imagine anyone else as Meeran and Arsh as they are fantastic. Urwa’s dialect never changes and she is consistent in her performance throughout. Both of them are brilliant.

Ahsan Khan as Imtiaz is mostly brilliant. That he took this role when other actors didn’t is commendable. But...

But there's a problem

My problem with Ahsan Khan is the memes about his character he keeps sharing. Whether it is the Eid one, the Coca Cola pilade one, or the Jeena one, when he is on TV, I can't take him totally seriously now because I remember the memes. That completely defeats the purpose because seeing Imtiaz on TV — that he should serve as an example to us.

I have already written about this, but it seems like the actor isn’t taking this seriously. He should be condemning these memes, not encouraging them. Playing the character and giving a percentage of your paycheck to help victims is absolutely commendable, but you also need to believe in the character and take the situation seriously, not condone it or promote it.

Would we be laughing at memes of real rapists and child molesters? Do you really want your son/brother wanting to be Imtiaz? What is more disturbing is the fact that team Udaari is promoting all of this!

As to Bushra Ansari and Samia Mumtaz, nothing I say will do justice to their work. They are beyond anything I could say in appreciation of their acting, so I won’t even try.

Again, Udaari is a product of a brilliant script, equally brilliant direction, and fabulous acting on everyone’s part. If not for the promotion of Imtiaz’s character, this would have been a brilliant project helping to draw attention to an extremely dangerous situation.

Comments

Naqad Aug 10, 2016 02:03pm
Kudos to the writer, director and producer of this serial...they have done an excellent job to educate people about child and spouse abuse! Bushra Ansari as usual has kept her standards of excellence, and Samia Mumtaz deserves an Oscar for her performance!
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fairy Aug 10, 2016 03:22pm
its a brilliant drama, superb acting by all except the grown up ejazz.
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Khwarizmi Aug 10, 2016 03:30pm
Ina, watching this show right now and have seen 15 episodes. It kept me awake the whole night for two straight nights now. I hope the next episodes are equally interesting.
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Madhusudan Aug 10, 2016 05:31pm
@Khwarizmi i have seen all 18 episodes. Good drama.
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Aamer Aug 10, 2016 05:54pm
i wasnt able to watch this drama but the little i did just loved it.
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Anum Aug 10, 2016 06:34pm
Thats the big problem. With Imtiaz's character, they have made all this evil seem really attractive. I was very happy seeing him done but hes back and seems to be enjoying life even more so its just been presented as charming to young wannabees. Director should take this into account, they have made a point and now should focus on showing a really bad end to his character to discourage others
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Fahad CAN-PAK Aug 10, 2016 08:17pm
All actors are brilliant with their best performances EXCEPT the old Ijaz (who is not doing justice to his role) He should see how the young one was doing the acting and maybe try to imitate hi at least I can try to do so why can't he....He is simply very plain (just reading the script lines without any emotion or any accent....... I came to know that he is real brother of Urwa( come on don't rope in your brother in acting when he doesn't even try to act. This is injustice to this superb drama.
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Jawad pakistani Aug 11, 2016 01:43am
What a drama series....I simply love it.
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anne Aug 11, 2016 03:54am
As a victim of abuse i totally agree with the article. I think our society needs to learn between flavorful and tasteless abuse. Memes based on Imtiaz's character are example of classless humor, and highlights the fact that we still haven't taken the issue of abuse seriously.
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Imran Khan Aug 11, 2016 04:13am
Excelent, Excelent,Excelent Serial after decades and deserves all awards
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Raju Aug 11, 2016 07:50am
Excellent script and acting!!
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SANA Aug 11, 2016 11:18am
Applause for all team of Udaari! Excellent performance of Ahsan khan, Bushra Ansari and Saima Mumtaz,. All well performed, beyond the expectations of viewers and did not frustrate their fans as usual.
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apakmuslim Aug 11, 2016 11:49am
We need some dramas/mimics representing the abuses experienced by the minorities. Those silent victims being taken advantage of.
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Ijaz Aug 11, 2016 02:35pm
Simply put: the best drama serial ever to be aired on Pakistan Television history. I disagree with the author's comments on the character of Imtiaz. I think Ahsan Khan plays it beautifully and it is easy to forget the emotional strain this role takes on him and the other characters including the brave girl who plays young Zebbo. Well done all involved
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iuhuq@ol.com Aug 16, 2016 02:36am
Ahsan Khan has acted brilliantly like Bushra Ansari and others have also done a commendable job.Farhat Ishtiaq still has good control over the script Ahsan Khan was here in USA and made an appearance at Pakistani Physicians meeting on Aug.6th just to show his face In his brief appearance he did make a light comment about "Meri Shehzadi" Some one has to tell him that it is in poor taste and offensive
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