6 Questions Pakistani Dramas Made Us Ask On Age Gap Between Couples, A Girl Facilitating Her Partner’s Career & Amicable Breakups! Read more to know why, though these narratives seem like any other Pakistani drama story, there’s more beneath the surface!
Sometimes, the glamour behind the project makes us forget that the narratives it carries might be giving subliminal messaging wrapped in star-studded appeal. While it might be hard for fans to go beyond watching Zara Noor Abbas emote beautifully onscreen or Haroon Kadwani matching her performance, for Neelam Muneer fans to see beyond the star power and for Imran Abbas followers to just be glad they have a chance to see him back on screen, we spot some thought provoking messaging woven into the narratives of some Pakistani dramas narratives – Jhoom and Ehraam e Junoon.
So, take a moment to ignore the star power and read the story behind the story. Here is why these narratives deserve a second thought:
1. Is The Boy’s Side Always More Demanding? Materialistic In-laws Alert!
Not necessarily. And this one’s NOT okay by the way btw!
It’s not just the boy you marry, but sometimes, even girls are materialistic about their susraal– case in point: Khawar & Sajeela Ehraam-e-Junoon.
We have heard stories of how it’s hard for girls’ families to amass jahez and how they end up suffering the demands of unreasonable in-laws – from demands for a new motor bike, car to gold ornaments and the list is endless. But sometimes the case is reversed as well. Girls or the girl’s family might exercise undue pressure on the groom, urging him to get a more high paying job, a better home, lifestyle etc which is often delivered in subtle terms.
Whereas Khawar and his family are blunt in their demands towards Nadia’s family, Sajila is more strategic. She urges Shani’s sense of responsibility and guilt towards fulfilling his family’s needs and wants – the result is the same – a relationship based on material pleasures. Shani’s family, on the other hand, is not really demanding anything at all from Sajila’s – point to note, by the way, good people need a spokesperson!
While many can relate to Nadia and her family’s dilemma, many can also note the silent guilt trip that many young husbands and fiance’s undergo when their wives dream big, especially in single income families where the guy cannot survive on a simple income if the demands keep coming.
Perhaps Sajila turning towards taking on a job (and Nadia as well) could lessen the burden? We hope the narrative gives us some answers too.
2. Can A Girl Help Facilitate Your Career, And is It Okay?
Yes they can, and that’s okay!
Girls can also help a guy progress in his career and why it’s okay? – case in point: Ehraam-e-Junoon
While the narrative does show that Shanzay likes Shani, she seems to want him to do well only to help him improve his lifestyle and get ahead in life. Audiences can argue that she has an ulterior motive, but the premise still applies, the drama has shown a first where a girl is helping out a guy financially and it doesn’t have to be met with shame or embarrassment from the guy’s side.
It is important to note here that Shani did have the necessary qualifications and just needed a lucky break in life. Before you negate the premise, do shut your eyes and think for a moment, had it been a guy helping a girl selflessly, would we have been okay with it? So why not the other way round.
Narratives like Ehraam e Junoon serve a purpose – they make it easier for future narratives to pick up this story and fine tune it to add more variables, tell a different story yet with a similar underlying theme, till audiences watching don’t feel it’s a new concept anymore! In other words, the story normalizes what might have been an anomaly and an exception in society!
And that’s why this first take is so very significant – it opens doors for many more Shanzays to attempt doing a good turn and many more Shani’s to accept it without letting their “ghairat” come in the way! Very soon, the practice will not be frowned upon, and that’s okay!
3. Is It Possible To Keep A Civil Relationship After Divorce?
Yes we can, and that’s okay!
Divorced couples can have an amicable relationship and why it’s okay – case in point: Jhoom
When Aryaan’s dad meets his estranged wife, it could have been in hostile, toxic conditions. It could have been hard for the two of them to let go of their ego and think what’s better for their son, but that didn’t happen – thankfully. Jhoom is one of the very few narratives that has shown this positive relationship between a divorced couple and we’re so glad to see that the script chose maturity over sensationalism or unnecessary toxicity.
Other dramas can take a page out of this one.
4. Can A Younger Guy-Older Girl fall In Love?
Yes she can, and so can he, and that’s okay!
Age difference between couples, even when it works the other way round is okay – case in point; Jhoom
Dr. Maryam is older than Aryaan. She is mature, self sufficient, financially independent and following a promising career without having a man in her life. That itself is a first in many Pakistani dramas. But we’ll come to that soon. Add to that, falling in love with a younger guy and normalizing the relationship is, all about story telling and performances. Audiences have caught on to this narrative because both Zara Noor Abbas & Haroon Kadwani have come together to give great onscreen chemistry which has led to an endearing love story.
Age difference between couples has been outlined in previous narratives yet it is a theme that needs to be shown repeatedly in multiple storylines in order for audiences to accept it, not judge it, and even find it appealing. Jhoom is doing all that to the point that audiences have already forgotten that there is an age difference between the two, and isn’t that what we want in real life too? That age should not be a barrier to romance!
Well done Jhoom, here’s to many more narratives that help push this one in multiple new ways!
5. Is Anger Management Even A Thing?
Yes it is and that’s okay too!
Anger management is an issue and needs to be addressed with therapy – case in point: Jhoom
Our hero Aaryan struggles with anger management, has been institutionalized, his random meltdowns have a reason mostly, just that he flies into an out of control rage (which he’s trying to control btw), and he acknowledges this problem. The role of Professor of Anger Management played by seasoned actor Usman Peerzada drives home the point that people do need to seek help if their behaviour crosses a point that they cannot control all by themselves. This message in itself is so relevant as it negates the angry young man hero we have often seen played out in our dramas.
Do we need men to be more accepting towards a behaviour that needs attention? Yes, and women as well. It would be great to see future narratives addressing the problem in both genders and mapping out real solutions. For now, Aryaan has changed the game by showing that mental health matters and those with a history often find it hard to integrate into normal life due to society’s fears, lack of awareness and prejudices. This was aptly highlighted when Aryaan struggled to obtain a job due to his mental health history.
6. Can She Do It All Alone?
Yes She Can, All By Herself, And, It’s Okay!
The new era in Pakistani dramas is here, where a female lead follows a full-fledged career & is financially independent – case in point: Jhoom
Wouldn’t it be great if Pakistani dramas mirrored real life heroines – fully fleshed out female characters participating in public life as doctors, engineers, architects, lawyers, Tech specialists and more? The time is now as more and more women join the work force, we need to portray them in inspirational roles so that audiences watching might see a Dr Maryam lurking somewhere inside themselves!
It’s great that the plot switch has moved to incorporate young people who can see themselves onscreen. Pakistani female doctors make up 50% of the work force in the medical profession and that’s saying a lot. For this segment to be represented onscreen in meaningful ways makes for narratives that hit closer to home!
And that’s why Pakistani drama narratives are changing ever so subtly, to incorporate the pressure points and views in our society that need a shift in perspective. Tell us which narrative you loved best and why!
Jhoom and Ehraam e Junoon are a project of 7th Sky Entertainment. Starring Zara Noor Abbas, Haroon Kadwani, Javed Sheikh, Zainab Qayoom, Sidra Niazi, Haaris Waheed, Noreen Gulwani, Erum Akhtar, Haroon Shahid, Farhan Aly Agha, Ahmed Majeed Agloria, Reham Rafiq among others. Jhoom is written by Hashim Nadeem and directed by Ali Faizan.
Ehraam e Junoon stars Neelam Muneer, Imran Abbas, Nimra Khan, Mahmood Aslam, Ismat Zaidi, Maira Khan, Zainab Qayoom, Saqib Sameer, Aadi Khan, Birjees Farooqui, Farah Nadeem, Kinza Bukhari, Mirza Rizwan among others. It is written by Jahanzeb Qamar and directed by Syed Ramish Rizvi. The projects are produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi.
Both dramas air weekly on Har Pal Geo.
