Is Javed the monster who’s wrecking his family’s mental health? I ask, in an accusatory tone. “Not really”, quips Omaira Rana. “I would like to stand up and defend Javed” he says. And defend he does.
Javed in drama Pinjra is the parent who believes vehemently that he’s doing everything right. He’s parenting by the book, but what he doesn’t realize is that maybe, some chapters need to be rewritten, or maybe, scrapped altogether? That’s just the ‘woke’ parent in me attempting to make sense of the very set-in stone parenting model propagated by the very authoritarian Javed, played by none other than Omair Rana. And so, here I am, trying to make sense of a character I would gladly shake and bring to his senses, but then Omair explains to me that there’s more to Javed than meets the eye!
So go ahead and read more on the parent who’s sending chills down my spine in a drama that resonates with parents and, I feel many young people too!
Pinjra is breaking new ground in desi parenting conversations. Do we give up total control like Wajiha, do we loosen the reins, but just a bit, or do we hold on tight like Javed & Khadija. For those watching, it’s a stark reminder or wakeup call that things might not be all that simple in our parenting model, for others, it’s a throwback to our childhood, and still for others, Javed is the monster we feel is wrecking his family’s mental health.
But no, hold on there, responds Omair Rana, who plays Javed with resounding clarity. “I would like to stand up and defend Javed” he says. And defend he does.
Javed is a darker shade of grey. I personally don’t like black or white characters. E.g. He does go back to Abaan. He’s explaining that we care about you, that it’s not out of spite. He’s leaving a crack in the window to show the softer side and that is out of fear, that the child is an extension of him.
I asked him if Abaans’s parents are a prime example of how Not to parent? Not really, says Omair, not really letting go of the positives in Javed. “I’m sure Javed and Khadija have done something right. They are not all black and white. For example, the affection between them, and the understanding to help each other out. I hope that the drama has triggered conversations and that’s one step we’ve taken.”
Was it hard to take on the role? I persisted. Still not totally convinced as the image of a sobbing Abaan & a tormented Azaan cross my mind.
“It wasn’t very hard, Because the subject is very close to my heart”, discloses Omair. He draws parallels to a similar grey character he had taken on earlier – “Same with Sarwar in Pyar Ke Sadqay. No one is born a Sarwar. We as a society raise Sarwars, we create Sarwars. Then they meet a tragic end. We have to see our responsibility as parents. Farooq Rind and I, created a backstory for Sarwar which made him the way he was with his mother, etc. etc. “
Aah, so now I get it. Javed’s backstory will be unravelled soon. And there we meet the grey hero yet again – always a delight. Omair has a knack for playing the character we first learn to despise and then, he throws us a curved ball by delayering the dark realms from where he drew strength.
But no spoilers here as Omair lets on a bit more about Javed’s fate – but don’t worry, for the sole purpose of not spoiling your viewing pleasure, I’ll keep it to myself.
Just that … and here he reveals:
“There is a moment that will come, it’s superbly disturbing, an OCD moment, the fear of losing control, in which Javed opens and shuts the door, very deliberately. I can’t reveal more. When it comes, you’ll see it. I can’t say more.”
Psst…he did say more, and it sort of, made me feel for Javed, just a tiny bit, but I have to watch it play out before I hand him my sympathy vote, so we’ll keep that one for the screen.
Nudging him just a bit further, my curiosity getting the better of me. I ask:
Javed doesn’t raise his voice or get physical, but he controls his family with an iron hand. Do you think Azaan or Khadija might rebel later on?
“So, we didn’t start off Javed as an extreme character as we wanted the audience to connect with Javed”, explains Omair. “Else the audience will not associate with him; we want people to associate at some degree with him.” And the rest…you’ll have to watch!
Read between the lines. When questions are left unanswered there’s probably more to the plot and I just can’t decide whether it’s Khadija or Azaan who’ll be the rebel here. I’d say Azaan, but I’d like it to be Khadija. Perhaps because I’m a woman & a mother and I want her to save the day? Or perhaps, I feel that it is more Khadija’s right & place to step in as a parent and assert herself. And partly because, that would be her character arc and I’d really like to see that happen!
And with that, I move on to the child actors. The trio that’s turning out a spine-chilling performance, the gut-wrenching kind.
“They are great, wonderful kids”, responds Omair. “Our interactions on and off the set were great. I’ve always had input from them. I would never direct a co-actor, even a child unless …” his voice trails off as he recalls with a chuckle “Yeah, I did help Abaan on his assignment with Macbeth. ” I treat them as professional fellow artists.
I turn the conversation to him now. You also pursued the Arts, and you’re a guy. So, how hard was it to convince your parents?
There was no overt restriction on me, reveals Omair. When I came to Pakistan from Dubai to Lahore, I didn’t get the opportunity to continue with drama, music. My father did say once or twice, choro yaar yeh kya kaam kar rahe ho, but then I told him, you made a profession out of a hobby, photography, so why not. Now I tell people to take on humanities even when they are in a different field because it helps in all fields.
Speaking from experience, Omair offers, if a parent decides the future of a child based on his career and potential matrimonial matches, then it’s hard. We need to look at the child and see his possibilities, e.g., when I picked O’level drama, the school gives us the subject groupings which might not make it possible to opt for my choices. So as a system sometimes we don’t facilitate a child’s extracurriculars.
So, tell me more, I swerve the conversation back to Javed. Anything positive we missed about him? Or something you feel could be highlighted?
I would like to stand up and defend Javed based on what we’ve seen so far. There is a structure in the household, where the children see the father is taking the lead generally.
“And not only his wife, Javed also involves Azaan in his decisions. So, he is giving Azaan his due, he does go to Abaan and talk to him about his hostel life, is that enough, maybe not, but he does do something.” Omair makes a case for his character.
But can the Javeds amidst us ever change? Or do they need more assertive wives? Is Khadija’s lack of confidence to blame for the way he is? I decided to throw some light on his better half.
“All Javeds can change”, responds Omair, with measured optimism. “Their ability to reach within themselves, reflecting on their behaviour, why are they behaving the way they are, our ability to reach out to them, maybe they need to re-evaluate their paths with their children. Are they trying to fulfil something lacking within themselves. Unfortunately, traumatic incidents can help change people, so far Javed has not changed despite Abaan’s suicide attempt.”
Omair goes on to explain how Javed can be supported:
A stronger spouse can help, who knows how to deal and collaborate with the partner. School, society can help, watching a drama like this can help. Other people within the household can help.
And finally, to sum it up, I couldn’t help asking the one sensational question. After all, Javed is always stepping out alone in the evenings, his wife tending to the kids at home.
Is Javed having an affair? Why do we even feel he’s having one when there’s no such hint given in the story so far. (But many people watching mentioned that to me, that he’s probably having one)? Would you like to shed some light on this one?
Omair responds with a chuckle and a quote from Sigmund Freud. “The dream is the (disguised) fulfilment of a (suppressed, repressed) wish.” A lot of digest readers here who are used to the story taking a predictable twist, but so far, no, I don’t see Javed having an affair!
And we’ll let it rest folks, till next week when Pinjra creeps into our lives again, caging not only the children, but us too, in its very dark depths – parenting is, after all, not to be ever taken lightly!
