Tan Man Neel O Neel is bringing us a story so refreshing that we have to pinch ourselves into believing, is this really happening on Prime Time Pakistani Dramas? Yup, it’s Gen Z relatable, totally entertaining and totally watchable, with a balance of light and intense plot lines, and characters to match. Here’s why the latest episode made it to the top of our watchlist and we think, yours too!
Tan Man Neel O Neel is throwing us surprises with just two episodes under its belt. Taking on the unfortunate and less talked about issue of male victims of sexual assault, social media creators, inner city dance groups, and set against a canvas of familial relationships, this story is about to take off, and we think its going places.
Here’s why…
1. Rabi sending a location pin to her mamoo
The drama just sent out a super smart message to all young girls and their families – stay independent but also, stay smart. Be like Rabi and not only send a location pin but also the picture of the guy who brought you there. And, let him know that you have sent it!
Rabi you just scored a sixer with that one, and so did the makers. Well done, clap, clap,clap. Anyone short on ideas, that’s the way to do it, Rabi shows you how.
2. Moon’s trauma mirrored in deeply painful and poignant ways
The trauma a guy undergoes when he has been sexually assaulted is nothing short of horrific. Not only does he bear the physical, emotional and mental scars from it, but he dare not disclose even to his closest friend, what he really suffered. Yet Moon’s inner rage, anger, sense of shame and helplessness comes together in one heartbreaking moment when he smashes the brick over his foot.
The utter shock from the visuals and the sensitivity with which Moon’s trauma has been portrayed deserves appreciation. Not just that, but his anger directed at his friend Sonu, shows the sense of isolation a person goes through when suffering such an ordeal, he cannot even confide in his closest friend, yet, expects him to have been there for him. Sonu in turn, although confused, is sticking by Moon now, knowing something is deeply wrong and his friend cannot be left alone at this moment – friendship goals are a subtle theme running through the story line as Sonu is shown to be more sensitive than the average male portrayed in our stories.
Moon’s story has viewers invested from the beginning and that’s something to say about writing supporting plot lines that are so powerful, they practically amp up the entire narrative.
3. A heroine who’s the right balance of light-hearted x thoughtful conversations
Rabi is clever, but she’s also seemingly frivolous to the casual observer – to the keen eye, and a pen that writes her beautifully (writer Mustafa Afridi no doubt), Rabi is your sensitive, sharp young girl who knows how to have a good time, yet, also knows when it’s time to get sober. Her advice to Sonu to stand by his friend and not disappoint him is absolutely spot on. Where she tries to divert Sonu’s attention, knowing he’s upset about Moon, she admits her yapping was just a tactic to distract him.
Her observation that confidence is more important than status sent out a heartfelt message of inner courage and Rabi has tons of it!
Rabi admitted to merely wanting to use Sonu’s talent to promote her YouTube channel. Yet, she does have a talent, which is honesty, courage and perhaps, great video editing skills, ones we’re about to find out more about. And all of which, it is heartening to see that Sonu is appreciating too.
4. Refreshing relationships
It is great to see a mother-daughter relationship that is honest, supportive and joyful to watch. Rabi’s mother played by Nadia Afgan, shares a close mother-daughter bond, non-toxic and simply special where Rabi is as much a support for her mother as her mother is for her. For Rabi’s mother to be able to share in her simple yet special wins is so refreshing. Add to that Sonu’s relationship with his mother which also seems to be hugely heart warming. Both parents celebrate their children’s triumphs, that too, in the world of social media and dance, what a progressive shift in characters and storytelling.
If that’s not all, both Rabi and Sonu are beginning to develop a bond that runs deeper than ‘girl meets boy and falls in love at first sight.’ These two actually seem to be embarking on a route that is more substantial, still platonic yet endearing, as Rabi recognizes the goodness inside Sonu and Sonu in turn, the honesty and courage that is Rabi – two human beings who are just beginning to realize the wonderfulness in each other, taking the audience along on their journey.
5. Performances are top notch
From Ali Ammar playing Moon, and absolutely nailing it, to Sehar Khan’s superb rendition of Rabi, a young girl desperately trying to kick-start her social media platform to Shuja Asad’s portrayal of a simple, harmless, yet sensitive young guy who just wants to dance and keep away from the complexities life is throwing him, Sonu Danger (not very dangerous at all though), to Nadia Afgan and Samiya Mumtaz, Muhammad Usman Javed as the evil intentioned Kami (a tad tropish there though), to Saleem Mairaj playing Qaiser, the dark villain – in fact the entire cast is bringing it together in Tan Man Neelo Neel.
A final shout out to the director-writer duo Saife Hasan and Mustafa Afridi who are showing us how storytelling must evolve with the changing times, we must tell untold stories from among us in refreshingly new and sensitive ways, in relatable ways – in ways they haven’t been told before.
And that’s why folks, Tan Man Neelo Neel needs to be right up there on your watch list, don’t wait and watch first two episodes now if you haven’t already!
The cast of Tan Man Neel o Neel includes Shuja Asad, Sehar Khan, Samiya Mumtaz, Saleem Mairaj, Nadia Afgan, Nauman Masood, Muhammad Usman Javed, Haseeb Khan, Leyla Zuberi, Tanveer Hussain, Ali Ammar, Rubina Naz, and Arsal. It is written by Mustafa Afridi, directed by Saife Hassan and produced by Sultana Siddiqui. It airs on HUM TV every Saturday.
