On the one hand, one feels bad for Mannat and how Murad still doesn’t have an ounce of courage to take a stand for their relationship and do all the right things, but on the other hand, we feel angry at her for blindly following her heart, totally ignoring the red flags and compromising on her self-respect because she is in love.
Itrat Is Not Doing Enough
Itrat was also a disappointment. Despite feeling for Mannat and realising how the sisters were also responsible for ruining Mannat-Murad’s relationship, Itrat failed to take a stand for Murad and raise a voice for him, or advise him on the right thing to do. In fact, she seemed to have reconciled with the fact that Murad was getting married to Sitara.
While the sisters and Razia Sultana really frustrate us, Azra and Athar come across as a fresh breath of air. We absolutely loved them for genuinely feeling for Mannat and Murad and making an effort to give them a chance to speak to each other without either of their families being involved.
Dilemma Of Couples In Joint Family Living
Although the thappars have done major damage and the return of Mannat to her susraal becomes questionable, the drama succeeds in highlighting how sometimes, all that a couple needs is time with each other, away from family pressures and interference, to figure out differences between them.
Murad is probably the king of red flags. In fact it won’t be wrong to say that red flags are dropping indiscriminately; right, left and centre as he walks. He has agreed to marriage with Sitara, then he completely forgets this and doesn’t even tell Mannat about it. On top of that, despite saying that he really loves Mannat, he is still not taking a stand for her, or doing anything to bring her back.
Flashback Alert!
The two episodes were fully loaded with flashbacks which completely spoilt the viewing experience. With a story that has caught so much attention, we wish drama makers would not succumb to the temptation of unnecessarily increasing episode count by adding flashbacks.
Domestic Abuse & Undermining The Cause?
While there are many interesting and relevant points in Mannat Murad, but one thing that the drama needs to be careful about and avoid repeating in future, is the fact that just because Mannat responded to a slap with a slap, they are both even now, and they can forget the entire episode and move on – nothing can do greater injustice to the cause of domestic violence than this ideology.
Why did Murad strike Mannat in first place, what was the reason, can anything justify a man hitting his wife? All these questions have to be looked into. By merely dismissing the thappar, and through the act of Mannat also hitting Murad back, we are further undermining its impact. We request, hope and wish that this messaging should be removed in edit in the coming episodes.
Marriage Is The Answer To Everything!
As in the story in every other drama and often in our society, the solution to all of life’s problems is marriage. Both Baray Bhaiya and Razia Sultana believe that a 2nd marriage will solve all problems. Interestingly, they completely ignore the part they have played in bringing Mannat and Murad to this point. Hammad is still safe and is being a friend with Mannat but poor Sitara is the collateral damage.
The drama is written by Nadia Akhtar, comes to life under the skillful direction of Syed Wajahat Hussain. Produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi’s 7th Sky Entertainment. The stellar cast, features Iqra Aziz, Talha Chahour, Irsa Ghazal, Noor ul Hassan, Uzma Hassan, Ali Rehman, Tipu Sharif, Faiza Gillani , Mizna Waqast, Ali Safina and others.
