6 points that prove Express Entertainment series, Razia is upping the game of Pakistani dramas in all ways!
A brilliantly written reality, Express Entertainment’s Razia has proved to be soul-stirring, thought provoking and cleverly enacted so far. The story hits home. Razia speaks the heart of many women and young girls who might not be fully aware of their rights. Every episode is packed with pure entertainment and is acing its rather true to life depiction of how we blatantly dismiss the dreams of a young girl and break her spirits in society.
Razia’s childhood friend Mannu visits her with the good news of her 1st position in the Intermediate board exams which should have been a cause for celebration, but the news just ended up making her life more arduous. Razia’s brother Ali sees her with Mannu on the rooftop and (you guessed it) flies into a fit of rage, drags his older sister down by her hair, screaming his lungs out about seeing her with a guy. (We will never understand why the sight of a girl standing alone, out in the open with a guy, really just another human is so scandalous)
Attempts At Honor Killing & Razia Saved Thanks To Gas Load Shedding
Razia’s father instantly rushed to the scene, knife in hand, (to defend his fragile honor), but right then, they are unexpectedly interrupted by the entourage of a media team eager to cover Razia’s academic achievement. Although this media interruption saved her life, her dreams of studying further have been crushed now – Salim and Ali proceed in resorting to mastermind Razia’s murder, in the name of honor killing with a bewildering scheme to turn on the gas valve in the kitchen – a brutal, cold-hearted scene depicted the harsh reality in a dark comic mode, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer. It was a quirky moment, where audiences could for once, be relieved for the gas load shedding.
Razia’s Story Wonderfully Penned By A Man From a Girl’s Perspective Proves, Men Too Are Commendable
Furthermore, Razia’s story sheds light on the rights of women without portraying men in the inevitable negative light – ending the debate of men vs women right there! The writer-director of Razia, Mohsin Ali has written a beautifully nuanced script and directed it with astute sensitivity, unpacking the finer layers that lie beneath a young girl’s struggle to live her dreams. Razia is a wakeup call for everyone, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl. The story aims to re-condition our mindsets, letting go of what we have so far normalized in our lives, re-examining the obvious, to let girls live their lives (and achieve their dreams) and to facilitate them in breaking free from society’s archaic confines.
It is no small wonder that often, it’s not just the men but also women who limit other women from living full and fulfilling lives. The challenge is more holistic and less gender based. Razia is brought to us by a man who is highlighting a woman’s perspective and oh, so meticulously and astutely.
Dil Sheher Ka Raja, Mannu!
To top it all, Mannu too, Razia’s childhood friend and the one who facilitates her journey, is a man – his character shines through like a beacon of hope in Razia’s turbulent future. We also see an integrally supportive male figure in Razia’s life, her friend; Mannu, who has tried his best to be there for her, to get her a cycle, source her the college admission form and even give her hope just when she is about to give up. He shows us how, in a world full of ghairatmand mard, you could and should be, a Mannu.
The song in the episode, Dil Sheher Ka Raja pays an ode to how ‘Mannu Ek Dil Sheher Ka Raja’ has been there for ‘Ek Khuwab Ke Sheher Ke Rani’ celebrating the choti choti khushiyan and endearing bond Mannu and Razia share together. Mannu’s heart is broken but even now, more than his broken heart and unrequited love, he worries for Razia. What would have happened to her?
Young Razia, Shaheera Jalil Bears Resemblance To Deepika Padukone
Shaheera Jalil is stealing the show with her power-packed yet nuanced performances and seems like the audiences are crowning her as Pakistan’s Deepika Padukone. Her expressions, body language and dialogue delivery are bearing uncanny similarities to those of the Bollywood superstar. One can see the making of a rebel. (There is even love pouring in from across the border). It’s not just a resemblance but audiences say that even her eyes and expressions match right onto that of the Bollywood star. Some are even calling her a spitting image of Deepika’s younger self.
Momal Sheikh’s Subliminally Sublime Acting
Momal Sheikh’s performance as Zehra is sublime. Her character though is subtle, meek, always choosing to stay silent, unaware of her rights, yet her performance as Razia’s mother is powerful. Why? Because, perhaps, many young women can see themselves in her silent subjugation? Momal has incorporated a vacant gaze in Zohra’s demeanor, an acceptance to her destiny, written much before she allowed her dreams to take flight. She understands Razia’s misfortune but thanks to society’s conditioning and fearing her husband’s wrath, quietens those burgeoning questions in Razia’s mind (and her own). Momal conveys a strong visual performance with impactful yet subtle dialogue delivery.
Mohib Mirza’s Versatile Performance
Mohib Mirza as Salim is raw, unfiltered, impactful and does justice to the questionable and varied character that is Razia’s father. Mohib is able to add subtlety, subtly to Salim, his character’s quirkiness and wit are successfully depicted through intermittent bursts of outrage mixed with habitual disregard for Razia. He balances the viewpoints of the character in each situation so well, making sure to not over do it, and the focus from the message is never swayed.
Are you enjoying Razia’s story? Is it one you can easily relate to? What are you liking best about Express Entertainment’s limited series?
Credits:
The TV serial is both written and directed by the acclaimed Mohsin Ali, known for his famed written projects like “Gunnah” 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.
