Here are 5 smart come backs from Razia that awaken in us, a rebel. Find out which ones!
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 it’s rather true to life depiction of how we blatantly dismiss the dreams of a young girl and break her spirits in society.
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.
The dialogue’s in the limited series are sharp, hard hitting and packed with a punch. Many that leave you wondering, questioning and reflecting within. Echoing and questioning the archaic, amiss, negative conditioning of society. These 5 dialogues are no ordinary dialogues, these are simply one of the very few and mind awakening ones we have heard in Pakistani dramas in a very long time leaving us speechless. They challenge society’s conditioning, the hypocrisy and unfair treatment of the female gender. And you need to think a little more about them, here’s which ones and why:
1. “Band Demagh Aur Jhoothi Ana Kay Qaidi Hai Wou!”
While her mother claimed she should be thanking God she was not killed, Razia urged her mother to realise she hasn’t committed a sin, she hasn’t done anything wrong. Pleading her mother to understand how her brother and father are entrapped in their own confined mindsets as they scramble and resort to violence to keep their fake, fragile ego’s satisfied and well maintained, also for society’s approval.
She is so right when she continues to tell her mother what else does she expect of them? Resorting to violence, creating havoc over the scandalous sight of a boy and girl helps them maintain the upper hand, society has bestowed them with. Razia’s frustration, hurt and agony could be felt through her words.
Isn’t it so true? We keep constraining girls, restricting, limiting their lives just because some of us and many around them continue to have a closed minded approach and fake egos we want to protect? Along with doing everything to make sure she doesn’t learn her rights, or turns to rebel.
2. “Bas Thora Sa, Izzat e Nafs Ka. Meray Kaprou ko, Khanay Kou Farz Nae, Bojh Jan Kay Ada Karnay Ka”
When Salim tells Razia, “Kapra, makan, khana sab tou dia hai. Konsa haq mara hai?” Razia makes sure to tell him: “Bas thora sa, Izzat e Nafs Ka. Meray Kaprou ko, Khanay Kou Farz Nae, Bojh Jan Kay Ada Karnay Ka.”
It makes us wonder, is that all what a parent’s responsibility towards a daughter entails? Does the parent have no part in helping the daughter to realise her dreams and turn them into realities, protect and try to see, her spirit is not broken because that is what will propel her to fearlessly succeed in this world? It makes one realise providing food, shelter and clothes is literally the bare minimum and the basic right but if parents think, that is the most they can do for their daughters because after all they are just destined to end up at another house, that’s just sad and will continue to leave them broken and powerless.
3. “Amma, Yeh Dar Nae Rahay Ga, Kay Koi Bhi Kabhi Bhi Thapar Maar Kay Ghar Say Nikaal Day Ga.“
Razia’s mom Zohra asks Razia: “Kya Milay Ga Parh Kay?” Razia fights back: “Amma, Yeh Dar Nae Rahay Ga, Kay Koi Bhi Kabhi Bhi Thapar Maar Kay Ghar Say Nikaal Day Ga.”
The dialogue from Mohsin Ali and Razia’s delivery, hit hard as we realised the bitter truth behind the words. Razia is the story of so many young girls around us. They are forced to kill their dreams and discontinue their education because of limited resources, family permission, living in remote areas or simply being married off early. All that is if, they are even provided access to education in the first place… you know be able to set themselves on a path that will help them soar high. Education is undoubtedly the way to a girl’s economic, societal and personal freedom and value in society. It has the power to save them if ever, a day comes when they fear where they live and who they live with. It has the power to be their safety net.
4. “Tou Ganday Ajeeb Say Log Larko Kou Kuch Nae Kehtay?”
When told she is now grown up albeit being only a child, she is continued to be told, being a girl, she should stay home because she is not safe outside. To which she asks: “Tou Ganday Ajeeb Say Log Larko Kou Kuch Nae Kehtay?”
Hmm, actually a great question we all should be asking, just like Razia. Why is all the restriction, fear and confinement in place for girls? Do boys have some super power of being immune? Are they safer? Then why cant we be given the same safety and security that is afforded to them? Do we have a label of sorts on our heads and backs asking to be unsafe?
5. “Hamesha Kehtay Hain Bari Hou Jao, Ab Keh Rahein Hai Chotay Bhai Ko Sath Lay Jao. Ab Kya Yeh Khayal Rakhay Ga Mera?”
Just like many of the great dialogues in the drama, this one too helps depict society’s hypocrisy which if one can be honest is plain funny. When being lectured on servitude and being an exemplary daughter and sister she is grown up enough but when going out, she needs a male to accompany her, even if he is a child to protect her – the same boy who she has to serve, protect at home and care for.
How will that 6 or 7 year old boy be able to protect his pre-teen/teen sister? Can somebody please explain the practicality and logistics behind this because we too want to know how? Does that make any sense to you?
What other dialogues did you think were powerful and hard hitting from the drama, Razia?
