Tan Man Neel O Neel: Unafraid To Erase The Cobwebs In Our Mind
Tan Man Neel O Neel is a story that is perhaps, the jewel in the crown amongst currently on-air Pakistani dramas. We mean, where do we get to see a young girl Tik-Toking her way into stardom, supported by the elders in her family, singing a vintage song, a set of parents who support their children to continue a career in the Arts, a conversation between a mature married couple deprived of an affectionate relationship, a father-daughter confrontation that gives a new spin to fatherhood responsibilities, and hidden in between all the plot lines – a secret that is about to be revealed in sweetly ironic ways.
For all these reasons and more, not forgetting Moon and his challenges, Tan Man Neel O Neel’s latest episode also hit the mark. And here’s three standout reasons why:
1. Father-Daughter Conversations
When Rabi tells her father that Kami threatened to push her off the roof, something seemed to shake him out of his self-inflicted inertia. The confidence a girl has that her father will ‘be there’ for her, the need to feel that confidence, even in a girl like Rabi who seems super sure of all her moves, was perhaps brought home with this revelation to Ehassan. Rabi goes on to tell him that she wants to introduce him to Sonu, a prospective marriage option, and why her father’s silence seemed to eat at her inside. Previously dramas have shown us fathers divided into two opposites, black or white characterizations: ones who are communicative and loving, or others who are forbidding and strict. But this is father is lost in his own world. By allowing Rabi to follow her own path and not censure her, he feels he has aided her path, but silence alone is not an answer to good parenting – communication is, as rabi makes us all realize.
Rabi in Tan Man Neel O Neel not only fights for herself, but perhaps, also for her mother who has lived a life deprived of physical affection from her husband.
Which bring us to our next point.
2. Ehsaan and Mehnaz Conversations
It is hugely refreshing to see scripts steering away from lead pair romance to also shed light on mature married relationships. We often see our parents and grandparents sharing a relationship devoid of affection, let alone passion. Yes, we mentioned passion. Who’s to prevent a married couple, regardless of how old they are, to share affectionate moments that not only build strong communication between the two but also show their children a bond that celebrates married life through the years. Mehnaaz is a woman, not too old to crave affection, (the need for which is ageless by the way), but also, feel deprived when she doesn’t receive it. Women in her era have chosen silence over bitterness, some stay ever hopeful as Mehnaaz and yet others, in order to keep busy and not feel the disappointment of a loveless marriage, bury themselves deep in random household chores. But Mehnaaz chooses to stay positive and the bond between her and Rabi shows how daughters too, can help their mothers realize that marriage is work, even at this stage in life. And that one must never stop trying with an honest partner, which we hope Ehsaan is.
Tan Man Neel O Neel essays a rare moment when the couple reaches out to each other, their limited dialogues and silence speaking volumes with expressions that said it all. Both Naumaan Masood and Nadia Afgan performed their heart out in this scene, and it was a prize watch!
3. TikTok and Social Media Trolling
For young girls like Rabi, who sang a heartfelt rendition of the song ‘Baaton Baaton Mei’n on social media, it is not always easy to continue on the road to social media success. Kami reveals the mindset that women must stay away from this world if they are to keep their ‘reputation’ and self respect intact. Kami’s words might come as very negative because he too, is a negative character in the story, but his perspective is one that many amongst us might share. Keeping away from social media means keeping away from unnecessary public attention and trolling. And being present on social media means asking for trouble.
People like Kami blame the social media user and not the public for their negative comments. And again, Tan Man Neel O Neel is a breath of fresh air when it transgresses generations to show that young people like Kami can have a regressive mindset too and that older people like Rabi’s uncle and parents can be progressive too.
One might think this is a minor add in the script, but the characters point to a much greater, thought-provoking change – when Rabi says, “read the positive comments too” – subtle messaging such as what these characters deliver is just what we need to shift the narrative in years to come.
Tan Man Neel O Neel is not afraid to address the cobwebs in our mind – habits and perspectives that have become ingrained in a society that must unlearn the judgements placed on relationships, social media users and parenting.
The story is delivering fabulous performances from the entire team and if this one is not on your watchlist, you’re losing out on a gem that’s well worth your while. Start watching now!
I’m intrigued to see the storyline about Rabi’s father and his connection to Samia Mumtaz’s character. Everyone seems to secretly be cousins. Nauman Masood plays a lot of great sympathetic characters so I love to see him in dramas. Nadia Afgan and Samia Mumtaz are wonderful in every role.