It’s that time of the week again. Your week in Pakistani dramas just wrapped up and as we recap the episodes that gripped us, Pakistani dramas just got a whole lot intense with Mann Jogi taking top intensity slot, followed up by Jafaa and then, Noor Jahan? So let’s dive in to dissect the week in dramas that was!
First up, Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum: two couples face off at home
Mustafa’s trials are just beginning but oh we love the way he takes it all in his stride. Or does he? Is it his way of keeping things inside, him not reacting to Adeel telling him off over his new job, or is it because he really and truly considers himself unworthy of anything more?
And why is Adeel even bothered with what or how Mustafa earns? Does he see him as possible competition? You bet. Sidra unravelled a bit of that when she sang praises of Sharjeena and Mustafa on how well they tended to their sick father – praise Adeel felt was only reserved for him, the earning member of the household.
Sharjeena’s protectiveness for Mustafa is heart-warming. She is that guardian angel we all want Mustafa to have. Rubab’s insecurity fired by her friends insensitive chatter made us squirm for a bit. Have we overheard or been a part of such conversations? Perhaps a bit too in your face, as expected by a Pakistani drama narrative, yet the conversation hit Rubab where it hurt. Her landing at Adeel’s, suitcases and all was an amusing sight though. Adeel mian you better have her coffee ready early morning.
Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum turns interesting as the two couples face off at home.
Case in point: It was great to see Mustafa tell Sharjeena that the house belongs to his dad and Adeel and Rubab have as much right over it as they do. KMKT is handing out a balanced narrative and we thought we couldn’t fall more in love with Mustafa, but here we are, clapping his every move!
2. Zard Patton Ka Bunn: Always Spot On!
Spotted: the first whispers of love in Meenu’s heart? It’s fun to watch the haazir jawaab Meenu turn clueless and speechless as she ponders over her heart fluttering, tormented state of mind – that thing called love that poets and writers have attempted to define over the ages! Dr. Nofil continues to cajole Meenu into being tutored by him again. We think her fluent shayeri stirred a few emotions in his heart too. The interaction between the two where he ends up tying both her hands was comical and cute, offsetting the seriousness of the rest of the narrative.
Meenu’s brother diagnosed with Hepatitis was a painful revelation. Yet his story educated the masses yet again, on the dangers of injecting oneself with used, unsterilized syringes and the prevalence of the same in our society.
Nasreen and Rani’s story shed light on the helplessness of the poor who struggle to find justice in a system that caters to exploiting the poor and assisting the influential to evade justice. This completes the cursed circle of child labour, where families cannot dig themselves out of the hole and the privileged use their helplessness to protect their misdoings and crimes. Nasreen’s courage will set an example for many more families who have children like Rani, sent off to work, robbed of their childhood and often, fail to receive justice even in death.
Zard Patton Ka Bunn is sending out critical messages through Pakistani dramas that is both entertaining and educating at the same time!
3. Mann Jogi scores high on the suspense meter!
Oh dear, Ibrahim and Aliya are in a fix! Did they just try to con Shabbir from having his cake and eating it too? If Aliya wanted to just leave Shabbir, why could she not have just walked away after the divorce? Why the whole Halala charade? What are we missing?
The story turns intriguing as there don’t seem to be any papers documenting their Nikah. Shabbir is out for their blood and his mother is throwing shades of how and why men like Shabbir are brought up to be the toxic men they become in society. She is a passive aggressive mother in-law type, the most lethal kind, who drive women like Aliya into despair, especially when she explains to her that he is so elevated as to tolerate you with another man and then ready to take you back after that too.
We wish Aliya’s bhabi trope had been a bit less toxic – a need of the hour in today’s dramas, to set the stories apart from cliched narratives. Anyway, it remains to be seen how Ibrahim fails to make it back to the mosque and instead, stays on with Aliya.
After all, that is the story, right? Mann Jogi scores high on the suspense meter!
4. Ishq Hua: Your filmy Sunday watch
A tale of love is about to begin. And it’s about to be: move over Bahar as Tabrez takes over the lady he’s picked out for you. The story is fast-paced and injected with some comical bits to keep it engaging. Episode 3 certainly turned up the interest factor as Minsa makes it back to Tabrez’s adda. The sheer population of testosterone around her makes her feel uncomfortable and yet, Komal Meer is coming into her own as she reveals Minsa’s outspoken personality, unafraid to say it like it is.
A bit less filmy on the interactions might make the drama a subtler take on romance, but we guess that’s not happening as Ishq Hua has set the feel for a larger than life representation of all emotions – anger, romance and humour.
It remains to be seen how Bahar and Tabrez will take their relationship forward with Minsa in the middle. Ishq Hua can be your breezy (filmy) Sunday watch.
5. Noor Jahan’s world is about to flip!
Oh dear Noor Jahan, you are in a fix! Four daughters in-law under one roof, and each one has a bone to pick with you. The power (and wrath) of women who unite against another woman is about to be unleashed. But more than that, the story is showing the women positivity that is so uplifting to watch. Especially Safeena and Sumbul’s story.
Safeena is coming out as that balanced character who could have been bitter and toxic, but shows a level of maturity, reflection and positivity yet to be seen in most female characters in Pakistani dramas – so two thumbs up for her. Sumbul is on a journey and we hope she sees the light at the end of the tunnel, helped on by Noor Bano, the torch bearer.
Maha surveys the “messed up’ dynamics of the Noor Jahan household and is barely reeling from the experience. But how can she respect a man like Safeer? Is she back merely for the sake of her son or, is she still, really in love with Safeer? Hard to believe for a woman who has revealed a hugely empowered side to herself.
Noor Jahan is balanced on the edge of a narrative that’s about to turn Noor Jahan’s world upside down. Oh boy, how will her sons bear it all with her, or will they, eventually turn against her too?
6. Jafaa: Can love solve everything? Even mental health issues in a partner?
Should Deebu meet Moiz? Is it enough that she wants to honour her nikah commitment or does she need to be clear on her heart as well? After all, the Nikah was forced right? And do we want a drama to show us that parents are, eventually right in forcing their daughters’ hand in marriage? Or, do we feel that Numair shown as the obviously better choice is the solution to all young girls falling hopelessly in love?
However Numair not sticking up for Deebu against his mom was quite disappointing. He did turn a tad toxic there when he insisted Deebu is in love with Moiz and should leave him, a bit of a departure from the Numair we know. Personality quirk or scripting error? You tell us!
On the other side, is Zara trying too hard to take over as a therapist for Hassan’s mental health issues? Let’s hope she manages to escape before the going gets (tough)er. Her decision to stay and never leave Hassan was a bit naïve. However, let the narrative navigate that one for us.
You can do anything for love, but not necessarily THAT – message for all girls, to be learnt by Zara the hard way most probably? Tell us what you think. Can love solve everything/ Even mental health issues in a partner?
7. Gentleman: Rehmati’s Episode & Munna’s Clean Gangster Goals!
The love confession, Rehmati’s torment and Munna’s promotion to the biggest bhai in town marked the episode. Oh and how can we forget Faaris mian’s dark designs – the real Gentleman in the game has left Rehmati far behind.
Faaris gives us real life feels where a person says one thing but engages in darker deeds behind the public eye. His evil ways can be covered by his perfectly eligible bachelor career and wardrobe, not to mention English accent. But will Mifra allow him to win? She does have a soft corner for Zarnab no doubt and wouldn’t like to see her hurt. Or, has she created a monster now, one who cannot be reined in anymore?
Zarnab and Iqbal Munna engage in an unrealistic love conversation where he reveals he is a gangster but a good one, whose heart is in the right place. Pray tell us how a good gangster operates under the protection of corrupt politicians? And just by not taking a life, how can one still keep one’s hands clean? Zarnab seems to have bought the story though, so we hope the narrative shows us the way in future episodes. How Munna cracks this clean gangster role is a mystery indeed.
And finally, Rehmati pining for Zarnab’s duas and tiffin service in the hospital was an amusing sight indeed. Adnan Siddiqui played that one well. Is he out of the running now? Or still a force to be reckoned with?
Dilbar amuses and shows over and over again why he is, after all the trusted confidante everyone needs looking over his shoulder. He surely saved Munna’s life and deserves all the love!
And that’s it on Week In Dramas folks! Tell us what we missed and drop us a comment to tell us what you loved best or worst on the Pakistani dramas landscape this week!
