Zindagi Gulzar Hai Episode 21 Review: Heaven to Earth in a matter of miles….

Sigh! Honeymoon period is officially over for Zaroon and Kashaf and the blissfully happy couple who were wrapped in each other post marriage, has taken a hiatus forced upon them by their respective jobs. As we enter the ‘not so smooth sailing’ phase of their relationship, Zindagi Gulzar Hai pleasantly surprises us by keeping the episode crisp and grounded and very much in tandem with the brilliance of the earlier episodes.

My favorite books are those I have savored every page, every line, every word of and the last few episodes of Zindagi Gulzar Hai remind me of the same. While the romance of the previous weeks takes a backseat in the latest episode of ZGH, every word, every scene tells us something of value, giving us a rare insight into the complexities involved in a long distance marital relationship, family dynamics, and most importantly, into the natures of the lead pair. Certain aspects of Zaroon and Kashaf that came into light this week, is a revelation that might create issues, serious ones, in the upcoming episodes.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder and the mind more restless….

Initial phase of any relationship has both the parties putting up ‘their best foot forward’. You are getting to know each other and are like two people out on their first date, nervous, excited, dressed up, eager to please, wearing smiles, hiding frowns, listening more, talking less – a blissful state to be in. Alas, once this phase is over, and you have reached a sense of balance and have pegged each other enough to become comfortable, slowly the masks wear off, smiles slide and you are no longer afraid to show your frowns. Distance speeds up this process where your minds see what you want to see instead of letting your eyes and heart guide you.

The charming Zaroon, the Zaroon who repeatedly confessed to Kashaf about how much he would miss her, was quick to get caught up once he was away, which is normal for any man getting back to a bachelor life, however temporary it might be. Kashaf who was used to Zaroon’s pampering took his words of missing her, tad too literally and probably imagined him sulking (and missing her/calling her/wooing her over phone) in one corner of his apartment. When the image shattered, she instantly reacted the way she knew how – to shut off. The scene was adorable no doubt and personally it brought back (many) memories. I can vouch for most of us married folk reacting the way Kashaf did and I couldn’t help grinning and silently applauding the team of ZGH for such a natural portrayal of events – believable and relatable.

Never go to bed angry….Communication is the key to a successful marriage….

Rules rules rules! Zaroon was quick to lay down rules; uninterrupted communication being the first rule and it was evident that he took the mature route and the scenes where he gently pried until Kashaf opened up about something that bothered her, showed that Zaroon was serious about his rules. This rule will be seriously tested in the near future as per the precap.

Because that’s my responsibility towards you…..

This scene was picture perfect; expressions, dialogues, the setting, everything was au naturale. It is wonderful to see a couple argue so decently, without raising their voice, no histrionics on the woman’s part, just statement of facts. How often does this happen? It can and it should. Between two adults, two equals, this is the kind of argument that takes place. I loved the fact that Zaroon, faced with Kashaf’s firm refusal to take the money, does not back down and reminds her of his responsibility towards her.

But I miss you yaar….

Rootna manana is one of the most adorable things in a marriage. Is any relationship especially marriage complete without it? Zaroon aces at the manana part and Kashaf is an expert at rootna..what a jodi!! 🙂 I am sure no one would have missed noticing the change in Kashaf’s attitude – from a sakt officer to a softer sahiba right after the phone call from Zaroon. He sounded like a lost puppy pleading to return to his comfortable abode.

Someone please hand over a trophy to Fawad Khan just for his voice modulation during the nightly phone calls. He is awesome in those scenes and I cannot help but blush and wish I did not feel like a heel for listening in on a couple’s conversation. I have to remind myself that I am watching a drama, and that those scenes were shot for us to see, not blush and look elsewhere. Sanam Saeed is awe inspiring, the way she has lived the role of Kashaf Murtaza.

Mother’s invaluable advice often becomes an inner voice……

Kashaf was not witness to a happy marriage while growing up and neither has she savored close bond with her father’s side of the family to know the workings of maintaining relations with her in-laws. Her mother Rafia plays the advisory role in guiding her daughter in the ways of keeping the communication lines open with each member of her new-found family. Kashaf’s phone call to Sara on her birthday was cute and well played making us see a different side to Kashaf. Infact Sara was pleasantly surprised that her brother talks about her so fondly and so often. Sara is easy to please, but her mother-in-law not so much.

Ghazala’s preconceptions about class distinctions have blindsided her to overlook Kashaf’s true qualities. I have to hand it to Kashaf for handling the insult with her head held high and without any dramatics whatsoever. Her self-respect is invaluable to her and when that is questioned, she breaks down but is strong enough not to let it turn her into a disrespectful daughter in law. I hope Ghazala keeps her numerous misconceptions aside and takes a good hard look at her daughter-in-law and gets to know her for what she is. She needs to take a leaf out her son’s insight into a person’s personality.

A special mention to Zaroon for handling the matter sensitively, ask any married man caught between the devil and the deep sea, it is almost impossible to come out unscathed.

Past revisited…..

A simple act of tightly gripping a steering wheel with jaws clenched says a lot about a man’s emotion. Zaroon acted, reacted nonchalantly when he met Asmara on the driveway. Cool as a cucumber on the outside, one could feel his emotions churning inside at the encounter. A visit to the past reveals that their relationship did not end mutually as hinted to Kashaf by Zaroon. It was indeed Asmara who called of the relationship while she threw a grave accusation at him of wanting a puppet instead of a wife. A hard blow to a man’s ego, it is not surprising that the insult still affects Zaroon. Would that revelation be the reason for him to go out of his way to prove once and for all to himself and to others that he is not the person Asmara believed him to be? I would love to know your views on this.

Precap for Episode 22

All bets are off when a man’s gigantic ego is hurt. The charming Zaroon vanishes into thin air when he comes to know about Osama’s proposal to Kashaf and an angry, suspicious, unreasonable (and intolerable according to Kashaf) Zaroon takes his place. Oh the triangle just became a quadrangle with Kashaf confiding in Sir Abrar. Oh the mess we make of our marriages when we involve a third person! Can’t wait to see the sparks (of a different variety) fly in the next episode for Kashaf is not the kind of woman to shyly lower her eyes to the ground when a man raises his voice against her.

Neeraja Unni

Reviewer, Talk Soap

You can reach me on
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/neeraja.unni05
Twitter – @neeru05
wattpad – http://www.wattpad.com/user/neerunni– You can read my first fiction ‘First Kiss & Broken Promises’ (first draft) on wattpad – http://www.wattpad.com/story/7688804-first-kiss-%26-broken-promises