Kabli Pulao – Welcome to a new world Pakistani drama viewer, we hope the change in narratives persists into 2024!
While many popular Pakistani dramas have garnered viral views and fan love through mapping out gripping narratives, one ingredient stayed disappointingly similar – the honor of a woman and how rapidly our hero, totally smitten in love, falls for the age old twist in the tale – spotting her with a male colleague, friend, or ex and coming to a hasty conclusion about her intentions.
She, in turn, turns her world upside down to convince him that he’s mistaken, but oh dear, the script has been written and the story must go on, till they both suffer in silence (we suffer too, btw, the unsuspecting viewers), till our hero finally learns the truth, but not before humiliating our heroine, often turning her out of his house or worse still, breaking up with her for an extended period of time, while the “other” woman gets a platinum chance to try her luck at him, yet again!
Kabli Pulao changed all that. And here’s why we think so. Take note.
Shift In Male Narratives
It is laudable to note a shift in male narratives as both Baraan & Haji Mushtaq chose trust over doubt for the woman they love. Haji, in his desire to let go of Barbeena for her true love, (not because he doubted her, as we discovered towards the end of the episode), and Baraan, in protecting her honor and feeling anger towards Haji for doubting her. “Aisi aurat ko toh sar pe bithaana chahiye” he utters emotionally, instead of pointing a finger at her.
After watching countless male driven narratives where husbands doubt their wives, suspect them of wrongdoing without listening or believing their side of the story, it is great to see a drama negate those stereotypes. And what’s wonderful is that, it’s doing it with characters that are not seemingly modern, woke or liberal in mindset, in fact, they do not even inhabit urban settings, the seemingly more liberal mindset of society. Both Baraan and Haji are orthodox, conventional men, raised in an environment where men lead the relationship power dynamics. But it is in the quiet strength and dignified demeanour of Barbeena that they find respect, and moreover, the power to believe in her innocence and purity, against all odds.
And just like that, one story at a time, the makers and cast of Kabli Pulao have changed a narrative that has guided our television prime time for the longest time.
Social Dos And Don’ts Of Conservative Society
It is even more creditable to the storytelling that Kabli Pulao imbibes all the social dos and don’ts of conservative society, yet the character of a woman such as Barbeena shines bright, above reproach or doubt, showing us that strong women do have the power to make the right choice, but if we cast doubt on their intentions or actions, we are, in effect, insulting them and their self-respect.
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Barbeena – Self Respect Above All Else!
So just as Baraan and Haji Mushtaq prove exemplary men, Barbeena too, has shown the light to many women, that they must value their self-respect above everything else – be it duty or love. Her final act of leaving Haji Mushtaq (whom she didn’t know at the time, was doubting her on purpose, and more out of love), was just that – it was Barbeena claiming her territory as an upright woman, one whose actions and intentions have always been pure and above reproach.
Barbeena might not hail from a liberal background, or even hold a degree in higher learning, but it takes courage, not a college degree, to realize that your self respect takes precedence above all else. She was willing to stay with Haji Mushtaq up until her cast doubts on her intentions and character.
And that, dear readers, is how it’s done in signature style, shifting the male hero narrative, not one, but two heroes at a time! Welcome to a new world Pakistani drama viewer, we hope Kabli Pulao is not a standalone project but the shift in narratives persists into 2024!
