The 15 Unnecessary But Necessary Reactions I Had When Watching Biryani

Biryani the drama, not the dish, is on slow burn; from the story of Meeran and Nisa’s families to the college interactions, mamoo’s shenanigans and now, the official invite at home which makes the relationship more ‘official’, was it just me or did a million thoughts zip through your mind when you watched these two onscreen? A million will be stretching it and I see the eyeroll, so let’s cut it down to 15 doable yet necessary observations that need to be said on the latest Biryani episodes 11 and 12!

Meeran and Nisa are locking eyes in ways that we never thought imaginable, well, because Pakistani dramas are yet to evolve with the romance track. But is Biryani putting a new twist on romance? And before I dive into the romance, these are also my thoughts:

1. When we see Karachi in Pakistani dramas, we see – Frere Hall in the backdrop, definitely, romancing the sea (and each other) at Sea View, yes, for sure but… do we catch a drive through Landhi, Jodia Bazaar and Ranchhor Lines? Aha, that’s a first, and should connect audiences who felt Karachi is also about them. I felt happily gratified with the mentions. Now all I need is Azizabad in the frame to come full circle!
2. When Rashid bhai saw that selfie of Nisa on his phone, did y’all think what I did? Why is Nisa sending her selfie to him? But no, clever research told me the selfie appeared on a family chat group of which Rashid bhai was a part.
3. But on that selfie note, did y’all think what I was thinking? That Nisa might have sent that selfie to Meeran? And a part of me was happy that she didn’t. Which part of me was that, not sure. But it was the part that did not want a young girl to throw caution to the winds and felt that girls, despite being madly, inescapably, head over heels in love, still need to NOT throw caution to the winds.
4. When Nisa opened the door wearing her father’s shirt, and Meeran enjoyed the vision, blowing her a kiss, it was kinda cute and I wondered why collar shirts aren’t a thing. Why did I always wear a T-shirt over a shalwar as prime lounging attire, I mean, is Nisa about to change all that?
5. When Nisa told Tanvir, she’s never been in love, because when you’re in love, you can’t lowkey say anything at all, made me understand her dilemma. Say less and we understand, and Biryani knows how to do that.
6. On that note, the scenes where Gul Mehar recites Amjad Islam Amjad’s poem and a love story blooms right before us, in college corridors, in between library aisles and on the streets of Karachi, one wonders how words penned on paper can come alive so beautifully and relatably. Kudos to the makers for giving us this moment!
7. Falsay ka juice, rasmalai, kasturi, biryani – for once, I wasn’t satisfied with my cup of chai and needed someone to bring me a plateful too. The drama is really zoning in on its title and it’s just not fair that we live in an era when biryani can’t be cooked instantly just like a cup of chai.
8. When Rashid bhai told Jannat he plans to marry Nisa, what part of the conversation did he not understand earlier with Nisa when she sat him down and told him she doesn’t want to marry him? Consent is a thing and he’s not reading any part of the message!
9. That flashback when Nisa thinks of Meeran playing with her dupatta, she offering him the towel to wipe his face, one felt the feels jump straight out of the screen into our living room. The performances from both Khushhal Khan and Ramsha Khan were top notch!
10. And on that note y’all saw Meeran’s expression when he saw Nisa in wedding attire in the library. And Nisa looking equally uncomfortable, trying hard to concentrate, asking Meeran to look away. Oh my, the thoughts that flitted through one’s mind – these two have a chemistry going onscreen, and sensual just has a new onscreen couple.
11. Throwback to the first episode, my mind does that by the way, flitting back and forth between the episodes, why didn’t Meeran tell Gul Mehar anything about Nisa? Is it because this new realization of love was too close to his heart, and finally, this meant so much to him that he couldn’t even share it with her? Or was he in denial mode, which didn’t last too long. But I’m glad there were more conversations with Nisa than Gul Mehar in this week’s episodes.
12. How these two went through a journey of love – awareness, excitement, denial and then, acceptance, was beautifully mapped out in both episodes.
13. And how Nisa didn’t truly embrace the feeling till her mother and mamoo invited Meeran over at the house. It was almost as if she needed them to approve before she went ahead with unleashing the rest of her heart, following it, lest she get hurt or lose her inner, rational girl.
14. When Nisa tells Meeran her father died in a mobile phone robbery, the story about her wanting to leave and settle abroad hit home. Why she often gives up and why she looks for greener pastures beyond her home country, to find peace and a future that’s worry-free and relatively safe – a troubled girl with big city problems, waging a war everyday to survive and win.
15. Why Meeran didn’t wear a helmet??? Was it reel life imitating real life? Young boys often don’t wear a helmet when on a bike though they must, but why Nisa was so worried about him reaching home, driving slowly but not a word on the missing helmet – was it just me or did you feel it too?

And that’s it folks. My 15 Unnecessary Yet Necessary Reactions on this week’s Biryani episodes! Tell us what you missed and where our thoughts matched?

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