If toxic tropes needed to be flipped in 2024, Noor Jahan just did it. Not with the saas bahu narrative, but with the sisters in-law, all bound together in a joint family, not by choice, or by birth, but merely, through marriage in the same household. Where women supporting women is not a favourite tale for Pakistani drama scriptwriters, Noor Jahan just decided to do it differently.
Noor Jahan fields four women who are coming together, (well, at least three of them are), unfortunately, against a a fifth, Noor Jahan herself, whose persistent torment has made them all draw closer to each other.
Positive Vibes
When Sumbul lays her head on Safeena and cries her heart out, we see a supportive, elder sister role in Safeena, who tries to make Sumbul see the errors of her previous ways. Safeena could very well have turned smug, enjoying Sumbul’s pain with a toxic sadistic streak as she felt she had drawn even for Sumbul’s previous behaviour, where she attached herself to Noor Jahan to seek her favours. But Safeena, more compassionate, socially secure and mature, and also, not the toxic bitter trope we’ve seen mirrored in earlier narratives, does not take advantage of Sumbul’s misery. Instead, she comforts her, and even turns to Noor Bano to help her out.
It may be said that dramas reflect real life situations and relationships. They also reflect real life positivity – a story that’s seldom played out because it doesn’t seem to get the traction sensationalism and toxicity garners. Well, here’s drama that’s balancing both with great aplomb. The views are coming in and the conspiracies are going strong as well as the uplifting bits – the empowered women, rising from the ashes is one such plot point that audiences are certainly enjoying.
Maha Surveys the Noor Jahan Dynasty
Maha’s entry into the Noor Jahan household is an intriguing turning point. Where all the stories so far have kept viewers invested, from Murad and Noor Bano’s journey to Safeena and Hunaid’s passive-aggressive, yet sensitive relationship, Maha and Safeer were on the side lines, and just as viewers thought they’re done with this bit, Maha returns to give Noor Jahan the air to her throne!
One would think Maha had had enough of the Noor Jahan dynasty but then Noor Jahan being her regal self, manages to talk Maha into bringing her grandson home. For all those wondering why Maha would do this, when she was, in fact a totally independent, self sufficient young mother, it is perhaps, to give her son his rightful inheritance and also a father, whom, one would argue has little or no spine?
On another note, one wonders why any wife would fall in love with a character such as Safeer who has not been able to stand up for his wife, oscillates between Sumbul and Maha and does exactly what he’s told to by his mother. Safeer shows no sense of compassion for Sumbul and also, not much for Maha (unlike Hunaid, who, though all for his mom, does give us some caring moments with Safeena).
Joint Family Dilemmas
The fact that Safeena feels cheated out of a baby nursery are examples of how it’s the small things in life that eat away at joint family living. Safeena’s sense of being wronged is rightly placed and Hunaid, like any husband who dances to the tunes of his mother, would rather not be bothered by the details or pick another battle till he absolutely has to.
For now, it is Sumbul’s story that is taking centre stage and we hope she is able to help herself climb out of the misery that she’s feeling. Can she take a chance at working again? And who will support her in this attempt?
It is interesting to see that Noor Jahan fails to learn from past experience. She’s making more enemies than friends and Sumbul is a great example of how she could have used the family dynamics to make sure all her daughters in-law do not team up against her.
However, that seems to be about to transpire and if her empire falls, Noor Jahan might just have herself to blame, eventually.
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Noor Jahan is written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Musaddiq Malek. It is a project of Six Sigma Productions. The cast features Saba Hamid, Ali Rehman Khan, Kubra Khan, Ali Raza, Noor Hassan, Alina Abbas Shah, Hajra Yamin, Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, and others. The drama airs every Friday & Saturday at 8 pm on ARY Digital.
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