Haalim (Episode 12)- Review by Shoby

Haalim (Episode 12)- Review by Shahbaz Ali Naqvi

Yvonne: Where were you last night?

Rick: That's so long ago, I don't remember.

Yvonne: Will I see you tonight?

Rick: I never make plans that far ahead.

Casablanca (1942)

Life, my dear friends, is all about deducing results from the choices made by us. In fact, life, on the whole, is merely the end-product of the choices that we make in moments. The winner is the one who not only makes a choice, but also stands firm to endorse the decision and take as a gentleman, whatever emerges, as an outcome. Fateh made a choice and his decision effected not only him but also the lives of two other sides of the triangle. Taliya Binte Murad and Adam Bin Muhammad... I am no one to comment, whether the decision was right or wrong but only time will tell, if Cassandra Clare's saying come true or not. “In the end that was the choice you made, and it doesn't matter how hard it was to make it. It matters that you did.” Cassandra Clare- City of Glass.

Talking about Kingmakers, now this personality, no matter to whom you are referring, is a must read character. If you think, kings (and modern day PMs & Presidents) rule the states, then you are too wrong. There is someone, who plays all the games in House of Cards to make someone the king. I would like to quote you a real life example of Mr. David Axelrod (campaign manager of ex- USA president Barrack Obama). You read on the history and you will be surprised to know that not only Obama was the one, who used to seek political advice from this person but he also served as the political adviser to another ex-president Bill Clinton. This is the power of a king-make. And here is my prediction, as far as king-making spree is concerned in Haalim. No, no dear, please have a patience and read on the complete review and then I’ll tell you, what is my  take on Haalim’s connection in this king-making chapter.

Starting of Sultan-Saaz was a Nemrah Ahmed's signature style of writing. Well, if someone would have thought that she has given us not the right dose of information regarding how Fateh spent the penultimate moments of the midnight (middle of 16th & 17th July) in modern KL, Nemrah this time starts up with the same story. Chorna itna asaan hota hai kiya... Kiya marney se pehley koi kisi ko chorney ki khuahish ker sakta hai...

Grieved Fateh, trying to look strong & positive seems to be struggling a lot with his inner self, when he was just cruising to the edge to face, what he destined for himself. Regrets, are the only by-product of our each & every action. Leaders have to take decisions, the tough ones... But who knows, what they have to go through in their personal capacities while making the decisions, especially when it comes to make a choice, which is apparently effecting not only you but few others, who become an important part of your life. Needless to say that Fateh, we all know, by his nature is one of those type who firmly believe on the saying that I don’t take right decisions, rather I take a decision and make it right.

On the other hand, still in a state of denial, Taliya Binte Murad is finding it hard to recover from the shock of her life. I don’t know, why this stupid emotion called love always interrupts the smoothly ongoing life cycle. She was good, in fact much happy, playing different avatars and living a life with a dream of becoming a princess with a castle up on a hill but when she actually achieved what she has dreamt off, the ultimate results were not very favorable. The primary dilemma is, Mujhey Van Fateh se muhabbat ho gai hai Daatin... and Aap nahi jantey Fateh sb, Zaalim or Behis aadmi se shaadi oonchey iradon wali larki ko kaisey maar deti hai.

Reason behind all of this sadness is, when you lose credibility, you lose your worth and this is what happened with Taliya. But as the mentor is always there to motivate you, right at that very moment, when you have lost everything, even your self-confidence, Zulkifli appears and gives her a lesson for the life. Bulandi pe baney mehal tak pohanchey ke liye koi saaf sarak mojood nahi hoti...

Let me give you my take on this very interesting character who always come in little cameos in this mystery thriller called Haalim. Zulkifli, to me, is one of those characters who was a master in the field but never got praised (read recognition) for his ever amazing skills. But he, as a mentor, has put all of his energies in making his protégé a prodigy of sorts. And whenever his student needs a session of counseling, he is there to help him.

Coming back to the track, the best hallmark that I love in the character sketch of Taliya is her getting herself adjusted according to the modifications in the circumstances. Sticking true to the label of a con-artist, she easily & very quickly switches the mode. So, instantly getting over the sadness & regret part, she has quite literally done well to leave behind, what has lost, Taliya Murad is now focused on the target in hand. She is all set to achieve what is yet to be undiscovered. Well, the destiny gives you chances to rise up above the sky and if you tap the moment, you be emerge as a winner. Nevertheless, focus on this universal truth, Dil ALLAH ke Hath mein hotey hain...  The conversation between Zulkifli & Taliya and this one statement reminded me of our K-Pop addict, love struck Hanna with ancient saints of books. (Namal)

Times come, when you need someone as neutral as he could to share some moments, you never want to share with anyone else. There, you try to find a breather, an open window in the environment full of suffocation, a companion upon whom you can put your trust quite blindly. Fateh needs to recall the once-forgotten incidents (Malaca journey) so the interesting twist to the tale is here, Fateh contacting Haalim and both of them discussing some personal & professional issues. Much for our interest, this time around, we saw Haalim seeking advice from Fateh. Are we witnessing some weakness of the two strongest characters of the novel??? Thumbs up Nemrah, on successfully making us realize that all these super heroes are not always master of the play. Moments arise, when they act like normal human beings. Circumstances affect them too and there is no harm in accepting, at times, that yes, we are also a part of this 8 billion population.

Just like many of the times in Namal, we have that adrenaline rush moment at Asra's auction. Haalim played the game again and a narrow escape for Asra was put on cards. Meanwhile, Nemrah never ignores the personality traits of any character. Adam uttering the slapstick in fear, Main kesey maan lu ke aap khazana dekhtey hi mere sir pe kudaal nahi maar dey gi... successfully managed to bring a smile on reader's face.

Fateh is all set to contest the upcoming elections and looks like all is still not well with Adam & Taliya. To increase the frustration on their part, pity to know that the long cherished & much struggled hidden treasure is not present, where it was buried.

This episode was the first, after a long Malaca journey. With the end of first part of Malaca's episode (saying first part, because I have a strong feeling that the three will again visit the old Malaca in some part of the plot), Nemrah Ahmed was amazingly spot on, while shifting the gears from Malace to KL. See the power of her vision, she can make you visit the old castles, streets & jungles of Malaca and through her words, she can also make you instantly fall in love with modern architecture & ambience of KL.

The story is progressing well but I don't know, why I feel, the inner script is stretched intentionally by the writer. It remains to be seen where the story will go ahead from here. With Fateh struggling with his personal relationships at home courtesy Ashar's selfish moves and Asra's favoring her brother, he has to focus on his political career, while keeping an eye on Taliya the problematic child, who is all set to become a body-woman. In the meantime, Taliya is gearing herself up to reinstate the lost credibility, the lost worth. And please don’t forget a very integral part of the story. Adam’s marriage with Fatima is in trouble but looks like he doesn’t care much. Who cares, when you are already in love with someone as strong & as dominating as Princess Tasha.

And now time has come to reveal my prediction regarding king-maker in Haalim. After observing the dreams of Taliya Murad (both old & new ones), I have concluded that Taliya is going to be the kingmaker for Fateh and this will be done courtesy some assistance by the third part of the trilogy (i.e. Adam). If Fateh has to achieve the prime power in the politics of Malaysia (in Haalim), he has to consider & respect his newly appointed body-woman… Stay blessed friends… Bye Bye

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