The 2nd episode of Razia left us with some more light bulb moments. Here are our 5 favorites…
Express Entertainment’s “Razia” is a mini-series aimed to empower and motivate with a reminder that anything is possible when you dare to dream big. The TV serial is both written and directed by the acclaimed Mohsin Ali, also known for penning memorable projects “Gunah” and “Dunk” It is produced by Hina Aman and Kamran Afridi and stars Mahira Khan, Momal Sheikh, Mohib Mirza, Parveen Akbar, Kausar Siddiqui, Shaheera Jalil Albasit, Kaleem Ghori, Arman Sami, Kashif Hussain, M.Saqib Rajput, Shahzad Mallick, Akbar Islam, Daniya Kanwal, Samina Nazeer, Abeer Na, Fajr Sheikh, Esha Usman. The limited series airs on Express Entertainment, every Thursday at 8 pm.
Razia returned with a 2nd episode and audiences are commending not just Mahira Khan’s heartfelt narration but also little Razia’s acting being seriously impressive, giving a remarkable performance. Audiences are also praising the writers, directors and actors for crafting this masterpiece that artistically mirrors society’s flaws and challenges. While being beautifully portrayed with all the punchlines hitting the core it also resonated with many. Hasn’t every girl once in her life at some point said: “kaash mai larka hoti” There have been nothing but praises for the episode till now.
Here are 5 times Mahira Khan and little Razia shone through in the episode:
1. Reality Of Society Fearing A Little Girl Daring To Dream
In the 2nd episode, Mahira as the narrator touched upon choti Razia kay baray baray khuwab, agay barhnay kay, jeetnay kay.
But at the same echoed society’s sentiments towards a little girl daring to dream; “Bigar gaye larki, ajj khuwab dekh rahi hai, kal ko haq mangay ge. Taubha tabah larkiyan aisay thori karti hai, sar par char jaye ge. Ajj cycle chalani hai, kal ko apnay liye koi larka pasand kerlia tou? Sab choro, jaidaat mai barabar ka hissa mang lia phir?
It’s amusing how the dreams and choices she is rightful of is a feared rebellion for society who only wish to herald the call for her to cultivate a say yes attitude specially because her father and future husband’s ‘izzat’ is attached to her. (We wonder when will girls stop being a walking, talking, breathing display of izzat) Mahira shed light on society shamefully, oops we meant successfully managing to making little girls hate their gender, wishing to be a guy instead owing it to the restrictions, unfair rules and prejudices. Making you realize how being a girl is a crime.
2. Little Razia’s Inquisitive Rebuttals
Little Razia has barely reached her tweens but is being told she is now too grown up to play outside, ride a cycle and for that matter even step outside. “Larkian jab bari hojati hai tou bahir khelnay nae jati.” Just like any young girl whose dreams are snatched away one fine (random day) she questions what changed: “bilkul bhi bari nahi hue mai, ek inch bhi, sab wese ka wesa he tou hai kal jesa, phir q bara kar diya mujhe?” She doesn’t understand it, how has she suddenly grown up? She just wanted it to be a bad dream.
Many other girls embark on the same journey still in today’s society when fighting for their basic rights, questioning society’s moral codes (the ones that exist solely for girls) turns into being considered as arguing. Why do girls have to be the ones having to “make do” with society’s rules? When Razia’s mother, Zohra (wonderfully played by Momal Sheikh) gives her a lesson on “ganday aur ajeeb log bahir” and girls having to be protected from them, little Razia’s genuinely inquisitive rebuttal “Amma, tou wo ganday aur ajeeb sai log larkon ko kuch nahi kehte kia?”, hits instantly, forcing us to re-consider society’s conditioning while managing to make us chuckle.
3. The Matter Of The Chicken Leg Piece
Then comes the matter of the infamous chicken leg piece being specially saved for her brother and father. Even if she likes it, it doesn’t matter, being a girl and a ‘bari behen’ on top of that she owes the chicken leg piece to her brother. (We agree with Mahira in wanting to know; what special powers does a leg piece have for males?) Another supremely witty yet naive (and rather unintentional) comeback was from Razia asking her mother if all chicken legs are meant for little brothers and if she is saving one for Abba too, does that make her mother an elder sister to her father? Truth be told, we let out an unexpected laugh. It was funny, adding a light feel to the story line keeping its grasp at questioning our ridiculous beliefs.
4. Forever Deciding If A Girl Is Too Young Or Too Old As Per Our (Society’s) Convenience
One moment, Razia’s parents tell her “bari hogai hou, bahir nae ja sakti” and the next she is told: “Bachi hou, apni umar say bari batay nae kero” Her reply: “Kya hou mai, samajh he nae araha…kabhi bachi hou, kabhi bari hou..ek dafa bata day” is met with a slap by her extremely misogynistic father…a slap felt by not just the character on screen but even by most, watching on the opposite end.
Why are we keeping little girls in a confused space? Robbing them of their self-assurance, unshakable confidence and their compass in life? Will we ever let them grow to be sure of their abilities, decisions and choices? To be their own person? Are they ever viable to live for them selves? The father’s slap was another hard hitting moment, reminding little Razia and echoing society’s pov about how girls are weak, and “haq mangnay aur zindagi apni asoolo pay jeenay ke ijazat nae hai.”
5. Little Razia, The Problem-Solver
Little Razia being a problem solver was another light hearted yet mentally stimulating moment in the drama and we honestly let out a giggle when she told the police men: “Uncle, wo na bahar buhat ganday aur ajeeb sai log phir rahay hain, ap unko pakar k band kar dain, ap tou police walay hain na!”
Her conversation with the police officers was so innocent, funny yet one we all might have been itching to have. Aren’t there times when many of us, really are so done with the restrictions imposed on us, thanks to the ‘buray log’ out there in the world and just want some one, to for once deal with those bad people instead of telling us how to live our lives? Well, Razia might have kind of done it for us.
What part was your favorite from last night’s episode? How are you liking Razia so far?
