Pakistan : The critically acclaimed drama series Laapata starring the amazingly talented Mirza Gohar Rasheed originally aired on Hum TV, and is currently streaming on ZeeZindagi for Pakistani drama fans across the border.
Laapata revolves around the lives of three characters from the same household. Falak, Geeti, and Shams navigate their personal and professional challenges, with their lives intertwining in unexpected ways. Falak’s journey as a badminton player is marked by her unwavering dedication to the sport, despite facing numerous obstacles. Geeti’s rise as a TikTok star brings a fresh and contemporary element to the drama, highlighting the impact of social media on modern lives. Shams’ transformation from a gambler to a millworker is a testament to the power of redemption and personal growth. The story truly develops with Daniyal’s entry into Falak’s life, adding further intrigue, and making Laapata a gripping watch from start to finish. Gohar’s character is not just a boss but a catalyst for many of the pivotal moments in the series. The interactions between Daniyal and Falak are charged with tension and emotion, adding layers of complexity to the narrative, and showcases Rasheed’s exceptional prowess as an actor.
Two particular scenes stand out as a testament to Mirza Gohar Rasheed’s acting prowess; the first is the disturbing ‘to be or not to be’ solo scene that was a complete improvisation as Mirza immersed himself into his character, a quote that the actor murmured to himself and the drama’s director approved. The second scene was the viral ‘slap scene,’ where Daniyal’s split personality comes to fore and he slaps Falak. Instead of languishing into the sea of yet another slap scene, this one went viral as Falak slapped her husband right back, and threatened to break his hands with an accusatory finger pointed in his face. The violence being reciprocated equally by both genders although non-desirable, demonstrates the treatment of the characters as equal and nullifies misogyny. According to Mirza’s perspective, although he abhors such violent scenes, he clarifies that the primary reason he took on the troubling character of Daniyal was to show that brave women like Falak who challenge such oppressive behavior do and can exist, and hoped that such empowering scenes would give women hope to become empowered themselves.
Fans of Pakistani dramas are thoroughly enjoying Laapata on ZeeZindagi, especially to see the haunting dual personality of Daniyal as Mirza Gohar Rasheed uninhibitedly unmasks the villainous side of his character, and without whom this gripping drama wouldn’t have been the same.
