Romeo Weds Heer – A Hit or a Miss?

Drama serial Khaani gave us a hugely popular onscreen joree in Feroze Khan and Sana Javed, not just in Pakistan but also in neighboring India. Their popularity as a much-loved onscreen couple led to their next drama serial “Romeo Weds Heer”. Directed by Anjum Shahzad,  who is the name behind popular serials like Mora Piya, Mirat-ul-Uroos, Rang Laaga, Khuda Aur Muhabbat, Mera Yaar Mila Dey and most recently Khaani. It is fair to say that expectations are very high from his new serial “Romeo Weds Heer”. However, unlike previous dramas, RWH uncovers an entirely different side of Anjum Shahzad. 

The drama serial has aired only 4 episodes so far, but it’s already hugely popular with viewers. This overnight success aroused our curiosity and we decided to give RWH a watch. Here is what we think:

RWH Delivers an Appealing Setting:

RWH is a funny, light-hearted story of two college students who can’t get along and are expected to fall in love soon. ‘Opposites attract and fall in love eventually’ is its central theme. Feroze as Romeo and Sana as Heer, study in the same college but are polar opposites in every possible sense; from their personalities to family background, you won’t find anything common between these two other than their contempt for each other.  A misunderstanding leads Heer to think that Romeo played a prank on her in college. And that’s how their story begins…

The college setting, showing the two studying, their obsession with pranks and trying to get even with the other, their complete oblivion to the world around them, delivers a young, fresh and energetic feel to the story. This is a far cry from the serious, mature and depressing themes that are generally followed in Pakistani dramas.

The Characters are Engaging

RWH presents Sana Javed in a fresh avatar of a bold, moon-phat, brash young girl, who is not scared to aim and throw her shoe at a boy. Feroze portrays a slightly silly, spoilt, rich mama’s boy.

Romance mixed with Comedy is a Formula for Success

The romance and comedy is what we are all really craving, so when your two favourite actors come together to share screen time on a vastly popular theme (romance and humour), you catch yourself ignoring the minor lapses in production and taking in the big picture.

The comic situations draw you in and take you away from your everyday worries. What really works for the drama, is that, unlike other dramas where the romance and comedy is rationed out in limited and controlled doses, RWH focuses mainly on the humour. You are treated to a host of funny situations showing the two main characters trying to get back at each other. 

The Storyline Does Keep You Hooked

Another aspect that has kept viewers engaged is the story itself. The plot keeps you wondering how and what will cause the two jazbaati young combatants to change heart, call a ceasefire, and begin to feel ‘something’ for each other. And finally, you wait for the twist in the storyline that will eventually cause them to fall in love with each other. The mystery is far from being solved in 4 episodes, and the story has viewers hooked, eagerly waiting to find out what happens next. 

A Catchy OST

We loved the OST of this drama. It’s most probably a spin-off of a Bollywood song but it still has a catchy tune, one that you won’t be able to resist humming. It does remind you of the song “Aaashiq Surrender Hua“ from “Badrinath Ki Dulhania”. The actions and lyrics from RWH, have an unmistakable feel of the former. We do however desperately wish that the sets and video could have been shot with more finesse, style and elegance.

We must also warn you to keep your expectations real.

Yes RWH will give you the much-needed comic relief BUT…viewer alert advised, just so you know that we gave you fair warning, and this is why:

The team behind RWH could have turned this into a higher-scale production such as the likes of Suno Chanda.

Overacting a Bit Much?

Both Sana and Feroze are overacting onscreen, and while Feroze still seems to pull it off, Sana’s performance is a tad too over-the-top. This left us highly puzzled, given that Sana is an accomplished actress and delivered an above-par performance in Khaani. We feel that this character should not have been a challenge for her

The comedy is borderline cheap, a tad slapstick too. Also, the crude jokes and language at times do take a toll on your sensitivities.

One thing that we are really hoping for is that maybe the writer will develop a romantic twist out of the most prominent feature of this drama so far – Sana throwing shoes at Feroze Khan in every episode. Because really, who throws shoes at people? Wo bhi aaj-kul kay zamaanay main. And that also a parrhi likkhi student from a reputable university?

However, each character, and we literally mean each ONE of the characters in the drama is a ‘character’ (pun intended).

All the characters harbour some sort of innate peculiarities, which are quite far-fetched and absurd. There is Ali Safina in the role of a Dubai-returned Pakistani who plays a fake sheikh. Romeo’s mother who is a doctor and imagines that she is most probably the most haseen khatoon in Pakistan and dresses to match the role in her head. And then there’s Romeo’s brother-in-law, who actually DOES provide a bit of comic relief. 

It doesn’t end there – last but not least … Wardrobe alert!

Why oh why did we have to be tortured by the sight of those jackets worn by Sana and Feroze?

To wrap it up, we are a bit confounded with the success of RWH so far.  Despite the obvious holes in production, that we mentioned above, the drama does seem to pull in some solid viewership and is faring fairly well with viewers. 

We found ourselves enjoying the story, but simultaneously, getting irritated and disappointed at the low production quality and crude comedy. We were really expecting more from a team that has delivered much better content in the past. It raised a lot of questions within us.

The reasons behind RWH’s success so far could be any of the following, and we leave you with some questions here:

Maybe the dearth of quality humor mixed with romance is really the reason behind the success of such dramas and not the drama itself? 

A lack of better choices makes us pick the best available option? – a sad situation indeed!

Have we as a nation now, moved towards a preference for cheap and substandard comedy? Or, are we overthinking and over-analyzing a simple, light comedy? Should we just sit back and enjoy the humor and not take it all too seriously? 

Despite the obvious negatives, we suggest you watch it and decide for yourself if you like it or not…

Do tell us what you think of Romeo Weds Heer – is it a hit or a miss in your books?

Find out more about your favourite drama heroes. Shazli Khan or Ahad Raza Mir? See what they have to say to FUCHSIA this month!