Two dramas are showing second marriage, and audiences are fine with it. In fact, many of us are enjoying the romance.
What’s questionable is that in both cases the drama shows the first wife to be at fault, which justifies the second marriage for the male protagonist. Both dramas skip the point that a husband also has certain responsibilities and should be able to stand up for what is right or admit his fault.
Both Baala and Shehryar fail to do that. Baala cannot see Zarina’s pain and anguish. Shehryar, despite being so educated and in love with his first wife, fails to take a strong stand, stop his family from harassing her, or say no to a second marriage.
This is how normalising works. It isn’t a drama telling us second marriage is right. It’s the story making it feel reasonable, romantic and even inevitable, while the first wife is quietly written as the reason it had to happen.
Compare this with Aap Ki Izzat. When Beena did something similar (her husband, Tabish, was actually cheating on her), many in the audience questioned her and said that no matter what, she shouldn’t have done it.
Beena was judged for what she did. Baala and Shehryar are forgiven for what they failed to do. The rules were never the same for men and women, and our dramas are now writing that into the script.
Do you think our dramas hold husbands accountable the way they hold wives accountable? Share your views below.
