The latest episode of Ahmed Ali Akbar and Saboor Aly-starrer Parizaad has been a topic of discussion for all the right reasons. The recent episode discusses, rather spectacularly, how society deals with gender fluidity. Aly plays Bubbly, who now identifies as Dilawar, has been found by his parents after he had run away from home earlier in the show. Parizaad (Akbar) brings Dilawar's parents to Guru's house and tries to mend their relationship.
What goes on to show is commendable. The writer, Hashim Nadeem and director, Shahzad Kashmiri are lauded by the audience for their subtle take on gender fluidity and how one comes to own their identity.
Once reunited with his parents, Dilawar tries to make his parents understand his reasoning for eloping, where he discusses how he couldn't conform to society's notions of genders. While Dilawar's mother resorts to taking the blame of the said 'confusion' of her then daughter to herself, Guru interjects, divulging, "No, it isn’t your fault. The world is full of people who are divided into two people. And it is only one or two people who have the guts to address this torment inside them." He added, "Society treats it like a curse rather than a sentiment or a perspective. And our family tells us to treat it as sin and hide it.”
A clip of the said episode has gone viral on Twitter, with many praising the drama serial for tackling many social issues.
Mindblown that this is being tackled on Pakistani TV amidst the sea of scheming mother in law and sad divorcey shows. How has PEMRA not slapped it with a ban yet??
— Ozymandias (@OzymandiasPdf) October 26, 2021
Kinda cool that Paki TV is finally acknowledging the presence of people other than cis men/women 🎈 https://t.co/64ZikcrFLq
Absolutely mind blown by this scene in Parizaad which speaks of being two spirited and queer.
— Tooba Syed (@Tooba_Sd) October 26, 2021
Please don’t @ me telling me what’s problematic in the drama I know all of that yet I believe this is just so phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/yZhhoEJQtq
it is, #Parizaad has handled so many social and emotional issues that plague our society so sensibly and sensitively. Moreover it also shows how to be inclusive in all situations. I love it. Must must watch
— Fauzia Yazdani (@yazdanifauzia) October 27, 2021
What! That is powerful! I’m surprised this exists in the first place given the stereotypical scripts of most TV plays! Is this a new serial?
— Wajiha Ather Naqvi (@tribalgulabo) October 26, 2021
Pretty ground breaking actually. Bravo https://t.co/xIXJsN3Otl
— Sadya Sid (@maverika) October 27, 2021
Watch this drama. A very elegant script, evolving in a beautiful way https://t.co/Mc80jf2maF
— Marium Chaudhry (@MariumCh) October 27, 2021
Today’s episode was so powerful. https://t.co/KFZgV1FP1i
— ملنگ (@serastragedy) October 26, 2021
I did not want to highlight how this show handles conversation on queer identity so wonderfully because I'm scared of PEMRA, but now that it has been highlighted, please watch Parizaad. https://t.co/Q7Suew0m4x
— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) October 26, 2021
Just here to add that Hashim Nadeem wrote this drama and the source material for it and he's from Quetta!! Born and raised! And works there as well. Super proud of him. (Yes he has written problematic hypermasculine texts but this drama deserves all the hype it's getting). https://t.co/PBX2dHKZaf
— Rabia (@damselindupatta) October 26, 2021
EVERYONE PLEASE WATCH THIS PLAY. I BEG YOU. https://t.co/X3wyXUTnEX
— Aimun (@bluemagicboxes) October 26, 2021
This clip is a must-watch. They have managed to discuss such a taboo subject so tactfully and brilliantly.
— Ali (@Bhuut_) October 27, 2021
Hats off to the team! https://t.co/yrElX6rsfd pic.twitter.com/20SRdaAoc9
It certainly is refreshing to see a script written eloquently about issues other than your quintessential saas-bahu plots. It's high time Pakistani playwrights discuss imperative topics surrounding gender identity.
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