And the curtain draws on a series that might have just been about Ms. Marvel worldwide, but for Pakistanis, it held an entirely different meaning, in the universe, or in fact, many, multiverses!
Representation Matters
From feeling the pain and trauma of 1947 to comprehending the meaning of her name Kamala in Urdu to wearing a local Pakistani brand Rastah and owning her Pakistani identity throughout the series, Kamala Khan aka Iman Vellani along with the makers and the entire cast pulled together to give this one an authentic feel and proved yet again that representation matters – the more subtle, the more effective.
Whether it was Kamala’s parents accepting and appreciating her powers, or her mom, sourcing her a new suit, Ms. Marvel just found a home in our hearts, not only because her superpowers helped save the day, but because the people she represented on a personal level, found a voice through her.
Nakia began to own her place in the mosque, she found a voice amidst all the mosque uncles who might have made her feel she wasn’t cut out for the calling. In her quiet, yet self-assured manner, she eased into the mainstream to amplify the voice of many young girls who don the Hijab, more from choice than force and who aspire to actively participate and have a say in the activities of their community. Despite her intermittent appearances, she made a mark where it was needed.
Onwards to Bruno aka Brian aka Matt Linz, the trusted friend every Desi has. He was reliable, ever-present, and ever happy to participate in all Desi activities – how many young kids would nod to that one – I believe quite a few. More power to all the Brunos who step out of the crowd and blend in, not stick out, or stand out for their individuality. Here’s to you all and the friendships you have helped create and endure.
Kamran aka Rish Shah – we will see more of you perhaps, in the Marvel movie. Yes, we got wind of that one if you caught the post-credits cut. The battle between good vs evil continues and who else could step up to the conflict better than Kamran. But has Ms Marvel lost her heart to him? We’re not sure, but there’s enough there to keep us guessing.
Changing The Narrative One Scene At A Time
Perhaps the most endearing moment was the father-daughter interaction up on the rooftop. The setting spoke to me as it did to many more teens I’m sure. I recollect a time in my teen years, going up there, on a late night ‘friends chat’, but never with a parent. And that is how Ms. Marvel is changing the narrative – by letting our parents take a leap of Faith, indulging in, and inviting conversations with their children, seeking them out in their comfort zones, attempting to understand them, yet educate and mentor them at the same time. When Kamala’s father says he’s scared for her, but happy too, you get the drift.
Representation just ticked another box when Kamala’s dad explained what Kamala means in Urdu – “Wonder, Marvel”, he explained. How poignant was that! It’s all in the name, they say, and at that point, I wanted to give a shout-out to the makers for reflecting on the nuances of the Urdu language and connecting the dots.
But it was perhaps in the male cast that Ms. Marvel walked the woke talk for me. You see Kamala was bound to shine, but when we noticed that it wasn’t JUST about her that we really sat up and paid attention.
It was heartening to see that the men in Kamala’s family carried supportive rather than merely dominating roles – a track we have seen repeatedly with Asian men so thanks for the refreshing change! From the bearded Aamir who looked out for his sister, respected her wishes, and supported her throughout the narrative, to Hasan aka Fawad Khan who ‘believed’ in the love of his life, no questions asked, to Kamran who assured Kamala that he understood what ‘Ammi’ means and also struggled to battle evil despite being Najma’s son. Her father perhaps won hearts for his quiet, supportive presence in her life – a throwback to the Hulk costume in episode 1 – endearing and embarrassing are two sides of the same coin often enough!
Rastah Makes It To The MCU
Kamala sporting a Rastah T-shirt in Episode 6, kind of like the icing on the cake for Pakistani Marvel fandom and why not! Notice there was so much going for the series and I haven’t even mentioned the Marvelous Mehwish Hayat, Fawad Khan, Samina Ahmed before the screen and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy behind the lens.
Note Of Appreciation For Iman Vellani
A word on young Iman Vellani who did a splendid job as young Kamala, If the role fit like a glove, this was one. The universe conspired to cast you in your dream project and boy did it succeed!
That is why I say, Ms. Marvel was a team effort, where everyone pulled together to give it their utmost.
Wishful Thinking?
If there was anything lacking, or amiss, it was perhaps, in not being able to film in Karachi. Bearing that in mind, the sets were kept as authentic as possible. A note on ‘the identity crisis that is not’ – it could have been avoided, if you know what I mean. Read here for more. However, the series did such a fantastic job at representation that I’d like to omit the one-off’s’ as just that – ‘a one-off’.
The Music Department Takes The Cake
More credits? I say the music department outdid themselves on playing the tracks that resonated with young and old – from belting out Eva B, Hasan Raheem, Justin Bibis, Ali Sethi, Shae Gill, and yes, Ko Ko Korina twice over, to debating over SRK’s best movie yet, we celebrated the likes of Farhan Akhtar, Zenobia Shroff and Mohan Kapoor playing alongside a Pakistani cast – heaven for creative liberty!
Shout Out To The Screenwriter
Appreciation for screenwriter and Ms. Marvel creator Bisha K Ali who outdid herself in ‘matters of representation!’ (Yes, pun intended). And this is the primary reason Ms. Marvel is being lauded in desi circles and Pakistan in particular – from showcasing local brands to musicians to artists to the way of life in the expat Pakistani-American community to mirroring the youth caught in a diaspora of universes – desi and American, Bisha has aced her game. So much so, that I’m onto her other work and podcasts presently, a mind so brilliant and committed to authentic storytelling needs to be heard!
If we weren’t already drooling over the series we get a glimpse of more to come.
Is there a Ms. Marvel movie on the cards? You bet – Captain Marvel just entered the show, and the universe, yet again! What’s to come next is anybody’s guess but Ms Marvel, it ain’t over till it’s over and you just got a whole new band of followers from Pakistan following you into whichever Universe you pick – just lead the way, the world and beyond is your oyster, and we just get to live in it!
Ms. Marvel featured an ensemble cast including Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Rish Shah, Farhan Akhtar, Fawad Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Nimra Bucha, Samina Ahmad, and others. Directed by Belgium filmmakers of Moroccan descent Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Indian-American director Meera Menon and Pakistani-Canadian journalist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy,
