The narrative is simple, clean, and uncomplicated yet grabs you in its first 30 seconds. ‘Aik To Tum Aurtain’ is an under 12-minute short film that pulls in its male and female audience at the get-go. But as Madiha Imam aka Zeba & Usman Mukhtar aka Faheem revealed their story onscreen, I sat watching with, ahem, my better half, we both nodded our heads – “this is YOU!” We both uttered simultaneously, little did we know what transpired next.
The short film delivers a simple message – Men are a melting pot of emotions in Covid but … women are there to help if you let them. Compartmentalizing their behaviour and blaming them for all your problems is both unfair yet, reflective of reality at the same time.
Tum market gayeen theen? Seriously? Itna kharcha, itna kharcha! Kuch bacha hai keh sub kharch karke aa gayee ho? Complains Faheem.
The lines hit the spot as both men & women have heard the anthem multiple times. Women are unable to comprehend the seriousness of a situation, to realize that we need to cut back on finances (feel men)– how can she sit there, so cool, and calm and together while my world falls apart? Every man has thought this multiple times when going through the bills and Faheem’s frustration, anger, and rage were aptly mirrored by Usman. As aptly as Zeba’s (Madiha’s) cool, calm, patient response.
You see, women are used to playing calm when the spouse is ‘losing it’. Because, that’s how they’re wired? The drama showcased, on a subliminal level that men expect women to take their wrath and their predictable outbursts at the world.
Manta hoon mein frustrated hoon … kabhi kabhaar tum pe ghussa nikaal deta hoon. Responds Faheem, in a split second guilt retraction, knowing fully well he’ll do it again, and she’ll take it again.
Zeba’s response to most situations was equally relatable to the thousands of women watching: Aap upset thay is liye mein ne aapko nahi bataya.
Women are not only used to calming their male partners but they have been conditioned not to react when the other one is all charged up. Is that good or bad? I argued. It’s bad because men expect it. So they feel they can let loose whenever they want. And because, how will this man learn to respect her, to treat her with care and regard (notice it’s not just about love). The film played it subtly, we never doubted he loved her or cared for her. The scenarios depicted merely showed how a man and woman respond under pressure and how it’s not really fair for the woman to have to deal with this explosive situation in the house, always playing the peacemaker, especially when, she’s not even to blame.
Aik To Tum Aurtain is a clever take on husband-wife dynamics, especially in a covid household. You might feel that the film is a tad dated, as Covid just ended (or so we think) but the story will resonate with many married couples and in fact, hold up the mirror to their lives.
To me, it did not matter that Zeba came out the winner, or that Faheem was mistaken and unnecessarily critical. That was the narrative and the ending had to justify the plot. To me, the story is critical in understanding the attitudes men adopt towards their wives – that of a partner who is oblivious to their pressures or worries, who can be criticized or nagged at any time, who is a punching bag for all their frustrations and who will calmly stand by them and absorb all the punches because, who else can they turn to?
It’s about respect! Respect in a relationship, towards the other sex, your partner, it could even be a woman handing out the same treatment to a man (something we can talk about on another forum maybe).
“Agar tum socialize na karo aur ghar pe betho toh in sab cheezon ki zaroorat nahi pare gi ” is perhaps the crowning mindset that most men will nod their heads to. Men believe that women must sufferalong with them in their misery. And that this suffering must be depicted outwardly for them (the men) to appreciate it.
What men like Faheem or women (as I said, roles could be reversed) must understand is that, by offering you a cool, calm partner, she is helping you heal, and find a soothing place to recover. You don’t need two of you in the same home now do you? “Tum aurton ki tasallian” was a dialogue uttered by Faheem that relegated wives, again, as uncomprehending passive human beings just because they are not displaying the same intense emotions as you are.
My Slight Reservation About The Narrative?
I felt Zeba didn’t need to redeem herself towards the end, although, yes, that in itself was a lesson learnt for many men, and perhaps men need a stark lesson in order to drive home a point?
A spouse must be respected and trusted that she’s trying her best, full stop. Especially and even if she is not adding to the family income. She might be expending the income thriftily or, she might be cutting corners without the husband knowing of it. She does have your best interest at heart you know, it’s all about trusting her intentions.
But at the same time, the film messages husbands to deal with conflicts in a less inflammatory and more calming manner rather than letting off steam every time they feel stressed. Watching yourself up there on the screen can be a lesson in self awareness, and the film did that beautifully, with carefully scripted dialogues in just under 12 minutes!
And then again, despite my reservations, the film might be driving home a very significant reality – that women might only be fully respected in a relationship when they are able to help financially, able to add to the family income and not just spend it?
There is a point in the film where Zeba replies: Mein tumhaare paisay bacha rahi thi. Not sure if the “tumhaare” was coincidental or put there on purpose as the claim to the family income often becomes the husband’s if he is the sole breadwinner? Zeba’s contribution and faheem’s change of heart (and tone) underlined this point in bold headlines and perhaps, that’s an eye-opener for many young women, that you don’t have to possess an MBA or MBBS degree to do your bit, you can be a Zeba too. You will not only be playing your part but also garner respect from your better half!
In other words, ‘Aik To Tum Aurtain’ is, after all, a lesson in life, not just for men, but for the women too!
The short film has been directed by none other than directorial maestro Nadeem Baig. The camera angles and movement made us feel we were very much a part of the Faheem and Zeba household. It is a challenge to shoot a narrative indoors, restricted to a few rooms, but the execution here was on point, purposely minimalistic, and hit the right spot! Penned by the prolific Faiza Iftikhar with a storyline from Noor ul Huda Shah, need we ask for more? Both Madiha Imam & Usman Mukhtar have carried performances with a sensitivity that will resonate with a large audience. Safe to say, fans are rooting for them to appear together again onscreen for more projects. ‘Aik Toh Tum Aurtain’ is currently airing on the SeePrime platform and we highly recommend you watch it!
