Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi aired its first two episodes last week, shedding light on a health condition that many find hard to address – Dementia. But what’s different about the story is the type of Dementia – Frontotemporal dementia or FTD can affect people at a younger age. Ramsha and Ali are a happily married couple with a shared tragedy, the trauma of which, they still deal with everyday. But that’s all going to change as Ali is depicting early onset signs and symptoms of Dementia.
The drama starts off in a light mood and one instantly relates to a happy couple feel as Ramsha, baking her cakes and Ali, playing the doting husband and advertising professional, paint the picture of the perfect happy family. These two married for 10 years seem to be on the same page in life, with no dark clouds on the horizon.
But the story is about so much more, and the team has made it very clear, letting us know that the drama sheds light on a challenging health condition – FTD, which Ali is possibly afflicted with already, but the diagnosis is yet to take place.
Frontotemporal Dementia or FTD is a progressive condition that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in behavior, language difficulties, and impairments in executive function. Research has shown that head injuries, especially those involving significant force or repeated trauma, can increase the risk of developing FTD.
And on that note, we discover that all is not well in the Ali-Ramsha camp as both are estranged from their families, Ramsha, not in touch with her parents who did not seem to agree with her choice of life partner, and Ali, from his, perhaps due to reasons we will soon discover. His brother Imran who is quite toxic and does not see eye to eye with Ali, could be a big reason for this estrangement as well.
But it is their earlier trauma of losing Dua, their daughter, in a car accident that is eating away at the couple’s peace of mind. That, coupled with the family’s separation from their parents throws a dark shadow on the story, preparing us for worse to come. Will the car accident be a reason for early Dementia onset for Ali from a head injury sustained in the car crash? We’re not sure but the story will unfold more in future episodes.
Both Zara Noor Abbas and Zahid Ahmed have already slipped into character and despite the tragedy we know they will encounter soon, it is their relationship, a certain bond they share, that tugs at the heart strings as one fears the road ahead will be a rocky one no doubt. The onscreen chemistry is great to watch and both actors are performing at par. Zahid has come into his own with the advertising man, semi formal outfits bordering on boho chic but not quite, and Zara with her colourful yet statement pieces is adding to the overall vibe of a young housewife with a home business – attentive, well-groomed and devoted to her family. Together they make a happy couple, with the dark clouds hovering above them that only us, the audiences know about so far.
The story gives us frames from Adnan Sarwar in the director’s chair with attention to detail, from Ali’s presentation at work to Zara’s cake baking and delivery schedules, from workplace to kitchen, the screenplay leaves nothing out. Camera angles focus on expressions and emotions – a big part of the storytelling. Even as Ali meets his brother and flies in for a day visit, but yet refuses to come in and chat with his mother, one can note the air of sadness that hangs in the air between the family. Is Ali already displaying signs of FTD? In his rational, seemingly unemotional reactions towards his mother? FTD symptoms can be misread as normal human emotions, forgetfulness or simply, overwhelmed with too much to do in life and thus, one might not suspect the onset for quite some time.
With scripting by Rida Bilal, we expect the story will unravel into a spiral of human emotions, each one touching a chord with viewers – expect some tears and heart tugging moments.
On the other side, Ramsha’s family is equally affected and even as one wonders at the battle of egos between familiies, there is a feeling of helplessness one undergoes at the futility of it all. Why waste time and life’s precious moments keeping away from each other when life can be cut so short in an instance – just like Dua’s was in the acident. When Ramsha’s mother says the same, that she doesn’t want to take this bitterness to the grave with her, but leave it behind in this world, one gets it – because one is aware of the impending doom that awaits them all as a family.
It is sad to see Ali’s mother asking him for her daughter’s tuition fees but still blaming him for the estrangement – one of life’s relatable moments that many in the audience might have resonated with.
With telling symptoms that something is wrong with Ali’s health, one suspects the drama will first spiral into denial from Ali’s side at least, till a final coming to terms with the condition and how a young wife and mother like Ramsha, who has zero family support, deals with her husband’s dementia.
But more importantly, Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi also seems to be shedding light on our familial ties, relationships we take for granted, or issues that tie us down in every day life rather than holding up the bigger picture – why we cannot learn to appreciate and treasure the people who mean the most to us? And why does it have to be a fatal illness that nudges us out of slumber?
Ramsha and Ali’s families are about to find out the value of human relationships.
Although the drama leaves an impression in the first few episodes, one is still left wondering why Ali’s family is not talking to him still. Why does Muqaddas, Ali’s sister say that they weren’t fair to him, why Ramsha’s parents are still not meeting her? 10 years is along time for families to stay away from each other. Why does Ali’s mother hold a grudge against his wife?
Will all these misunderstandings fall away as their respective families realize the extent of Ali’s illness? Will the families draw closer, albeit, illness and tragedy teaching them the hard way what love and togetherness couldn’t?
Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi promises to be an intense watch with some gripping performances. The drama has aired its first two episodes so far. Not for the faint-hearted, but certainly for those who value a story with meaning and takeaways. This one seems promising.
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Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi is written by Rida Bilal and directed by Adnan Sarwar. It is a project of Alpha Productions aired on Express Entertainment. The cast features Zahid Ahmed, Zara Noor Abbas, Mohammed Ahmed, Faizan Sheikh, Noreen Gulwani, Rubina Ashraf, and more.
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