Staying true to its signature style, Green Entertainment‘s ‘Jeevan Nagar’ weaved a well-thought-out last episode that remained consistent with all the other episodes. Like many of Kashif Nisar’s directions, ‘Jeevan Nagar’ was no different as it unmasked the horrible realities of societies while giving a ray of hope in the last episode. The episode was packed with entertainment and social messages.
Set in the fictitious town of ‘Jeevan Nagar’, the drama discusses the plight of people in that society which resembles with everyday problems of a common man. The centre of the drama and the place ‘Jeevan Nagar’ is Babbar Shah, played by Sohail Ahmed, a figure standing as a barrier between corrupt individuals and the innocent residents of his locality. This unique town emerges as a focal point for crucial societal concerns frequently overlooked, including identity crises, social class disparities, and gender stereotypes.
Unveiling secrets, underwhelming reactions, and power-packed performances in Jeevan Nagar’s last episode
The last episode of the drama concluded in a manner that aligns with viewers’ expectations – it had sufficient plot and tension to keep them engaged, yet it avoided an excess that might have made the conclusion feel rushed.
As the drama approached its conclusion, the direction was well-executed, leading to a satisfying resolution. Laali Guru, also played by Sohail Ahmed, embarks on a guilt trip, recognizing how his greed and inaction contributed to the downfall of Jeevan Nagar. He expresses remorse for the chaos he unleashed upon the town.
The conversation between Neelo — played by Saqib Sumeer — and Laali Guru evoked strong emotions, shedding light on the challenges faced by transgenders and the corruption prevailing in society.
Simultaneously, Babu — played by Syed Atif — has his eureka moment, connecting the final dots and extracting a confession about the murder of Babbar Shah, leading to his replacement by Laali Guru, which ultimately caused chaos in Jeevan Nagar.
Munni, played by Rabia Butt, on the other hand, remains steadfast in her mission to give a voice to Jeevan Nagar residents. In her speech, as she addresses all the residents, she urges them to give up their weapons and be the driving force that makes Jeevan Nagar a place to live in. Of course, the entire speech was very important, and her action of refusing the crowd from chanting her name to switching it with Jeevan Nagar was symbolic of the fact that it is the people who can collectively make a society deserving to be lived in and make it worth it.
The drama heads towards its conclusion as it is finally revealed that Laali Guru disguised as Babbar Shah in Jeevan Nagar. That scene could have been way better executed at that point. The announcement of Babbar Shah’s death to the entire Jeevan Nagar community was a very pivotal scene where they realised that they had lost their leader; instead, the audience saw a very underwhelming reaction from the public. This was also noticeable in Rabia Butt’s performance, who in this moment gave a very underwhelming reaction on hearing the man’s death whom she had affectionate and loving feelings for, with her face covered with her mouth.
Lastly, we also see Billa getting the revelation that Palaster, played by Iftikhar Ahmed Usmani, is his father who abducted and raped Billa’s mother, who is eventually saved by Babbar Shah. Hearing this, Billa goes on to kill Palaster. We liked this interesting revelation as it was poetic justice, with Palaster being killed by his own son and Billa having to suffer from the remorse of betraying the man who treated him like a son.
Performances
The drama thrived on outstanding performances that did justice to the well-crafted script. The standout performer was, undoubtedly, Sohail Ahmed, who once again mesmerized us with his portrayal of a dual role. His depiction of Laali Guru in Jeevan Nagar serves as a testament to his comedic prowess and satirical talent, staying true to his comedic roots. His impeccable timing and skill in creating captivating characters are evident, infusing humour into the drama while addressing crucial societal issues.
Babbar Shah emerges as a stern and unwavering figure in control of the town. His interactions with various characters reveal the depth of Sohail Ahmed’s performance, seamlessly transitioning between compassion and strictness. The intricately layered nuances of both characters highlight Sohail Ahmed’s unique ability to bring depth and authenticity to his roles, making his contribution to Jeevan Nagar truly commendable.
Rabia Butt, portraying Muni, once again delivered an exceptional performance, showcasing fearlessness in her role. Her versatility shone through in various scenes, portraying different facets of the character in the drama. From standing up for her beliefs to establishing her presence in ‘Jeevan Nagar’, her interactions with Babbar Shah demonstrated a teasing yet assertive demeanour. Rabia Butt, with her elegance, was a perfect fit for the role, and she undeniably did justice to it.
Saqib Sameer, portraying the antagonist and a two-faced character, also brought justice to his role, infusing the drama with a fiery element. Syed Atif, as Babu, successfully won over the audience with his portrayal of a simple character as he pursued the truth.
The drama boasted a stellar cast, including Noor ul Hassan, Khalid Butt, Kashif Mehmood, Tahira Imam, Kinza Malik, Ismat Iqbal, Aamna Malick, and others.
Brilliant Storytelling and Societal Reflections
Written by Awais Ahmed, directed by Kashif Nisar, and produced by Imran Raza and Qaiser Ali, the drama stood out for its brilliant storytelling. The subtle messaging and social commentary on issues that plague society, along with the disruption caused by corrupt leaders, were well-elaborated. Instead of keeping it completely literal and spoon-feeding the audience, the makers opted for metaphorical messaging, which was executed greatly.
As the audience, we would have wanted nothing better than the return of Babbar Shah in an ideal world, but his death was a realistic conclusion. This also highlighted the significance of unity in society and emphasized the importance of eliminating evil from society.
A big credit for this goes to Kashif Nisar, who has once again become the magician he is and has successfully brewed a fictitious land with its own characters that kept us hooked for months.
What could have been done better?
Many viewers couldn’t help but express their annoyance when the drama got stretched in the middle after Laali Guru replaced Babbar Shah. The audience was left in suspense as to whether Babbar Shah would ever return, however, the truth was revealed too late for the audience and frankly that too lacked good execution. We hoped that the drama would have concluded earlier to save it from repetition, which is likely to result in the audience losing interest with time.
