To put it simply, ‘22 Qadam‘’s recent episodes have left us in awe. To traverse through painful and devastating scenes with so much sensitivity that the viewer can feel the impact from their television screens is no easy job, yet the team of Green Entertainment’s ‘22 Qadam‘ has excelled in doing so.
The recent episodes were filled with heartbreaking things, to say the least. Our main protagonist, Fari — played by Hareem Farooq — is in a state of turmoil as she blames herself for her sister’s wedding fiasco and for putting Junaid — played by Wahaj Ali — in danger.
The latest episode of the drama highlights the characters’ turmoil, particularly emphasizing their passion for cricket. Delving into the lives of individuals fervently pursuing this passion, the narrative unveils the hidden realities and challenges they confront behind closed doors. It portrays the adversities and sacrifices endured by those striving to follow their dreams. For instance, Amber, Fari’s sister, grapples with an abusive marriage in Germany, while Junaid battles mental distress following his accident.
Junaid and Fari’s stirring interaction
The scene in episode twenty-seven, where Fari reaches Junaid’s house and finds himself trying to kill himself, with a knife in his hands, was executed exceptionally well. The moment truly shattered us into fragments. Fari’s heart-rending act of consoling Junaid while seated beside him on the floor depicted her misery and guilt and Hareem’s body language spoke volumes about the anguish and the overpowering sense of helplessness felt by the character she is playing.
Simultaneously, Wahaj’s portrayal of Junaid was done so well that we could feel how he was in a state of agony, both physically and mentally. Wahaj once again left us completely impressed as he voiced his heartbreak. And of course, it goes without saying, his heartfelt confession to Fari, declaring his enduring love despite their hardships, stood as one of the most well-executed, substantial scenes that we have seen on television over a long period of time.
The scene’s beauty lay in its raw, unfiltered emotional depth. Both Wahaj Ali and Hareem Farooq delivered performances of immense intensity, completely immersing themselves in the scene. It portrayed the harsh reality that life doesn’t always adhere to our plans and revealed the depth of human vulnerability. Looking forward, we anticipate both the characters’ journey of overcoming these struggles.
Amber’s journey of getting out of a toxic marriage:
Often, we see female characters on television being in abusive marriages. This concept has been reiterated repeatedly and it has desensitized the audience to some extent. However, the execution of Fari’s abusive marriage was, in our opinion, executed well in ‘22 Qadam‘. They portrayed the agony she was in one phone call, where we saw bruises on her face. What’s commendable is that the makers did not stretch this plot and while highlighting a social issue they have instantly offered a way out, as we see that Amber will return back to Pakistan. Seeing female characters taking the initiative and standing up for themselves is a great precedent to set.
‘22 Qadam‘ manages to strike a balance between entertainment and showing the viewers a real depiction of the challenges, one faces in life and the conviction needed to overcome those obstacles. All in all, the theme on which the drama rests as well as the cast has left us impressed.
