Did you catch Ibrahim holding on to Aliya’s dupatta, then turning towards her when he saw that the fan needs fixing? Did you see Aliya tell Anita that he can’t be left alone, he knows no world outside the masjid? Sometimes, stories don’t have to be in your face to push the envelope, they can be Aliya and Ibrahim in disguise!
The Story Picks Up
The story picks up this episode as Aliya and Ibrahim are about to be caught but are then saved. It is in the telling of the story, the ups and downs navigated throughout the episode, the “phew” moments that bring audiences right to the edge, only to heave a sigh of relief, knowing the couple has been saved, yet again. From Shabbir holding a gun to Yousuf’s head, to Ibrahim being found out in the bathroom, one would think these two had their fair share of “too close for comfort” moments, but all is (thankfully) safe in the Aliya-Ibrahim camp so far.
It was interesting to see the story move in natural progression as the hostel warden, about to hand them in, realizes the couple could be of use as an extra pair of hands, and hence, exploited the situation. Dramas often show forced situations which are not necessarily believable but in this case, the plot shifts made it seem but natural that these two found a safe space in exchange for manual labour. Anita too, after nearly losing her job, was saved – a kind soul no doubt, and an actor who is already winning over fans. Sheherzade Noor Peerzada essaying Anita has demonstrated in her short time onscreen, that her performance will engage viewers in coming episodes no doubt.
The Art of Storytelling
Mann Jogi has mastered the art of telling episodic stories where each week, we get a story from start to finish that reads like the chapter of a book – new characters are introduced, the old ones etched in our minds already, and the new, add to the storyline, keeping viewers invested in the story of Aliya, Ibrahim and Shabbir. It is also great to see the good vs evil balance or rather positivity of Yousuf, Anita and Aliya and Ibrahim balanced by the sinister Shabbir and his mother with a greyish tint in Aliya’s brother and bhabi.
It was interesting to see that Shabbir revealed the truth about the divorce with Aliya’s brother and bhabi overhearing the entire conversation. We hope they will refrain from assisting them further in locating Aliya. In fact, they should help keep her safe from these two. A journey of characters will certainly transpire, as is the case with all Zafar Mairaj scripts and despite the gradual progression in the narrative, audiences have caught on to the vintage feel which is the power of good storytelling and execution, courtesy Kashif Nisar (could we expect any less), and sensitively layered characters.
Maulvi sahab filing a false FIR alleging theft was a disappointment indeed, Did he really think Shabbir would take his life if he didn’t? Or, was it just his own nervous nature and lack of backbone that made him take this route? However, much as we would have liked him to do otherwise, perhaps his character is a true reflection of many people who give in to pressure, unlike Yousuf who stood his ground and protected Ibrahim and Aliya – a subtle, yet deep message indeed!
A Love Story In The Making?
Finally, are we waiting for our hero and heroine to form an emotional connection? For those who are not aware, these two already share a silent thread as they anticipate each other’s needs – Aliya instantly telling Anita that Ibrahim cannot live alone as he knows no other world except the mosque and Ibrahim, turning to her as the final word on their life decisions. It’s interesting to see that between the two of them, Aliya seems to have taken on the role of protector, and decision maker, knowing exactly what to do, how to save them from sticky situations, and Ibrahim, trusting her to take the lead, supporting her however she needs his support.
Now if this wasn’t a love story in the making, tell us, what are we missing?
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Catch Up More On Drama Gup With FUCHSIA
Mann Jogi is a drama directed by Kashif Nisar and written by Zafar Mairaj. It is produced by Sultana Siddiqui. The cast includes a star-studded ensemble featuring Bilal Abbas Khan, Sabeena Farooq, Gohar Rasheed, Asma Abbas, Adnan Shah Tipu, Saad Azhar, Tahira Imam, Syed Tanveer Hussain, Shehrezad Peerzada, Chaudhary Muhammad Usman, Jannat Asad, and Shabana Qureshi. It airs, every Saturday on Hum Tv at 8 pm.
