I feel creating a sequel, especially for Legends is always a bold attempt. Audiences tend to compare the product with the prequel. This masterpiece has completely kept its high expectations. It is equally beautiful when compared to its legendary previous part “Tumhari Amrita” starring Mr. Farooque Shaik and Ms. Shabhana Azmi.
In the twilight of his career, Zulfiqar Haider is shaken out of his wits by letters of a woman Soniya from France. With her malicious accusations and meticulous quest, she creates an upheaval, shaking his languorous life of content. She holds him responsible for her mother’s exodus from her life.
She is a virago, brought up by a drunken French man, Andy, who also responsible for her prejudices towards her mother and Zulfi. She raves, rants over him in her letters, though his replies are always humble and cajoling her. When he comes to know that she is the daughter of Amritha, with whom he had a beautiful relationship, initially he finds too difficult to accept, as he is unaware of even her existence. For Soniya it turns out too late before she realizes, he is not the malefactor.
This is the second time I am coming across Siddique’s work. His brilliant work has driven me to happen his fan. He had created magic through Love in “Tumhari Amritha”. Here again he created a wonderland through “Hatred”. I would call it one of the best modern classics.
She is a bubbly, poise, sweethrobe on Indian celluloid. Can anybody forget “Patiyala ki maharani” telling “Don’t mind” in Sarfarosh? Obviously not! As a matter of fact “Aapki Soniya” is her debut on stage, but she proves that she can make a big here too. Well done adorable sonaliji!. Sonali Bendre has worked hard on her diction and the results are obvious; she does not fumble over Ghalib’s couplets or Siddiqi’s metaphors. As she admits, she has learned Urdu for this drama.
Shaikh’s talent, meanwhile, is an inevitable conclusion. Siddiqi claims, he is the reason for this sequel to happen. He stands firm behind the script holding it up with his perfect intonations and his rich voice. It’s more than a buffet watching him modulating his voice. See him addressing Soniya as “Bibi” with reverence, “Beti” with love and “Ladki” in annoyance.
After “Tumhari Amrita” it proves, Urdu can spread out to larger audience, yet I feel Urdu can be ‘con’ of the drama. We younger generations are simply novice to Urdu. And again, very different from conventional drama, this may not appeal to the mass. It was evident when I overheard two guys cribbing while coming out of the theatre, “This is the most boring play ever I have watched”
Siddique’s bold attempt is a huge success. Even this has a long way to go like its prequel “Tumhari Amrita”. Come and enjoy the show, with its unique style, rich script and excellent presentation.