22 Qadam – Fari’s Spirit Shattered, Yet Soldiering On, Junaid Refusing To Engage, But Will Amo Return Soon?
22 Qadam is like a canvas painted with the 4 seasons of the year. The narrative takes a deep dive into the trauma of human emotions as they undergo regret, pain and a coming to terms with life decisions. From a light-hearted, jovial Fari, we see a broken heart, abandoned dreams, and a spirit that is close to failing itself. But can she climb out of this bleak winter to welcome spring yet again?
Fari’s Broken Spirit
Fari’s fans certainly hope so. And we trust her resilient spirit will not fail her! Yet the journey is a tough one. Did Fari really deserve this treatment by Amu and Junaid? Amu’s husband would have treated her the same even if the marriage had happened on schedule. Amu might be angry at Fari but why is she punishing her father? 22 Qadam dives deep into living with the regrets of our decisions and tragically, yet most importantly, fearing to ever dream again.
It was a heart-breaking episode as we saw Fari giving up everything, every dream, and life, shattering her spirit, becoming someone that is really not her. She not only has to live with the regrets of her decisions, but she also has to go through seeing her father’s health deteriorate every day. Fari’s father’s health is probably suffering even more, as he endures Fari giving up on her dream and being punished for dreaming it, but he feels helpless, unable to help out. Fari must remind him of his own Fate, how he spent his life on the wheelchair, giving up on his dreams.
Uplifting Liza!
We are loving Liza’s character. She is staying true to herself, practical, pragmatic and non-emotional when the situation requires it. Instead of pitying Junaid, she treats him as an adult, saying it as it is and not giving into his emotional outbursts.
Junaid’s Silence
Perhaps the reason Junaid refuses to engage with Fari is because he doesn’t want her sympathy, he doesn’t want her stuck with him when his future is questionable right now. But he also misses her when she doesn’t show up. It was so moving to see that Fari shows up every day. It made us heavy hearted and feel for her immensely. His reference to his life taking on the mood of a sad painting was apt and poetic at the same time.
Junaid also represents so many of us who refuse to compromise and accept less than what they had dreamt of. He refuses to walk if he is not able to run and play cricket, he refuses to compromise or accept any less than what he wants.
Meray Wajood Ki Tasdeeq Kardo
Alas when Ragra-11 gets their dream offer, it is too late, and they don’t have a team that can play… Utterly sad moments in the episode – when Fari repeats: “Meray wajood ki tasdeeq ker do” to Amu in her letter. When she awakens at night, saying it has been 183 days since I spoke to you Amo… the moment breaks our heart, and we cry with Fari. The dialogue: “Meray wajood ki tasdeeq ker do” is so powerful, so relatable for all who have been ignored by their loved ones, who feel left alone or abandoned by those close to their heart.
Amo’s Truth
Is Amo in a state of dilemma, shattered by what marriage to a man who didn’t want her, really means? Is she too broken to admit her decision was wrong, or is she just punishing herself for rushing into a decision with zero rationality and loads of emotion?
We hope Amo will respond to Fari soon and manages to climb out of the mess she’s landed in. We hope her story has a happy ending somehow, and we can’t wait for her to be reunited with her family. Amo represents many young women who have been duped into marriages that were doomed to never work. We hope her story can send out messages to many parents and families to think many times, investigate thoroughly before signing away their daughter’s life and Fate!
Fari’s Resilience
Despite the fact that we see Fari broken, giving up on her dream and giving into her regret, guilt and remorse, even in her darkest moments, Fari shines as a beacon of hope. Attempting to help her ailing father and not losing hope, reading about music to soothe his soul, repeatedly trying to contact Amo and then deciding to write her a letter, and also, visiting Junaid every day, come rain or shine, sitting away from him, yet hopefully, reassuring him with her presence, giving his anger time to heal itself, is the Fari who never gives up.
It is, in fact, resilient souls like Fari who give us their most powerful messages in the darkest of times. Do you agree? Tell us if you know such a soul, drop a comment below to give us your take on the latest episode of 22 Qadam!
