The 27 Unnecessary But Necessary Reactions I Had During Jama Taqseem

Jama Taqseem – it’s basically every desi household arguing, loving, and losing it all at once. Keep on reading!

And just when we thought the year was about to close with no more conversations — only playlists — Zohran Mamdani, Hania Aamir and Asim Azhar (she loves me, she loves me not), and of course, the Bangla vibe on Karachi feeds — Jama Taqseem turns from antiquated joint family issues to new-age moms and dads battling it out in a war of wits.

But who’s winning is not really the question here — rather, who’s serving us thoughts that make us do a double take. Yeah — “Laila’s mom, that’s who I’m going to be,” or “Nooo, Qais, you’re turning into a red flag and we see you!”

But why give it all away? That’s already two (or more) thoughts in the 27 I’m about to mention on Jama Taqseem, so here goes!

1. For all those hating on Zubia for being too pushy — y’all really think Laila would’ve gone for that job interview if she hadn’t pushed her?
2. For all those who feel Laila shouldn’t have gone and tended to her ailing father-in-law — couldn’t she have asked Qais to come in from work for a bit and hold the fort till she got back from the interview?
3. On another note, why did Qais not check in on his parents before he left for work?
4. And more on that — why did Laila not tell Qais at night that she had a job interview?
5. Let’s stay on that one — why did Qais not call Laila to let her know his father had an angina attack and that he’s bringing his parents home?
6. Want more? Why didn’t Laila tell Qais she had visited his parents in the morning to bring them home?
7. Okay, let’s move on to… who started it? The battle of the in-laws between Team Qais and Team Laila’s parents. Was it Zubia’s authoritative tone, or Asher asking for French toast and omelet for breakfast while Qais’s mom looked on, flabbergasted?
8. Asher (Laila’s dad) was the only person who kept his sanity and silence in the war of words — but he too came under fire as Rafiq Ahmed (Qais’s dad) decided to moral police him on namaz.
9. Najma is quite the domestic help I need. If only I could get that omelet in the morning, salad in the evening, and a house that’s dusted and cleaned — I’d also be like Qais’s mom and never leave the house.
10. More on Najma — while we’re on the topic — she’s getting to watch a real-life drama play out without all the ad placements in between, and even gets paid for it. I mean, what more could one ask? Oh, a maid’s life — boredom is no longer a thing!
11. On a serious note, Zeeshan attacking Faisal was just the most apt portrayal of what’s going on in his mind — twisted, confused, and 100% disturbed. He needs help, and now. But will Nighat act fast or keep living in her delulu world?
12. Speaking of Nighat, she wants to suppress the thought that Zeeshan could ever harass Sidra. So much so that she’s in total denial. What more of a reality check does she need to wake up and smell the coffee?
13. Why is Qais being the exact manifestation of a toxic husband — expecting his wife to step in and wishing his in-laws were invisible? Having said that, I see you all nod when Qais does his thing. Yeah, it’s 100% believable ‘coz we’ve all been there, right?
14. How many of you thought “Laila should stay at home” is equivalent to how deeply embedded the mindset is — that women must stay home and tend to the housework, HIS parents, and THEIR children, while men must go out and earn. That’s the way the world runs, and Laila is upsetting the laws of the universe?
15. How many of you thought that if it comes down to territorial rights, Qais’s parents have more right over his house because he’s the earning member? Y’all wait and watch when Jama Taqseem turns THAT story on its head — and super fast — next episode!
16. If we haven’t yet had a conversation on this drama with our moms, mothers-in-law, domestic helps, friends, colleagues, and on social media — yeah, you can include the chai wala, store cashier, and banker — I mean, who wouldn’t know what goes on in practically every household around us? We’re not toxic, we just — ahem — derive vicarious pleasure from discussing our own and everyone else’s collective misery on public platforms.
17. But what’s hard is knowing that many of us live this life at home, yet we switch on the onscreen version of it because when it’s happening to someone else, you can talk about it; when it’s yourself, you must stay silent. TV drama characters speak for those who cannot speak — so well done, Zubia, for saying it, even if you got a bit carried away. But did you, or did you hit the spot?
18. Zubia with her jade roller was serving vibes that just made her the MVP of the entire episode. You go girl, you finally have a job again and wow, are you killing it!
19. Asher deserves applause for showing us that opposites attract — the calm in the storm, the placid, non-reactive, cool presence that Laila needs when her mother discards her gloves and rolls up her sleeves to prep for the duel of a lifetime with none other than Qais’s mother at the receiving end. Someone’s gotta keep his head, and I think it’s the French toast that’s doing it for him.
20. Hameed has no clue what’s about to hit him as he loses that Rs. 50 lacs. The day of reckoning in that household — Nighat, Hameed, and Zeeshan — will be a big one. And now Shafaq seems almost harmless next to the three of them.
21. Rashida, you need to find your mojo and fast. Your lack of self-esteem and confidence is about to turn back the clock on everything Majeed is trying to accomplish. Be strong and carry on, girl — you got this, please. For everyone’s sake!
22. Qais’s mom might be regressive, but her lipstick and kajal game is on point — and no one can take that away from her.
23. Asher and Zubia going for a walk in the evening is all we needed to give us retirement goals. A wholesome breakfast, jade roller, catching up on your reading, light lunch and — is that light dinner about to happen? My health coach needs a crash course and I’m about to recommend this couple for some real-life fitness tips.
24. Qais calling Laila and hoping her parents will suddenly vanish into thin air was a moment that said it all — wow, feel that and let it rest!
25. Nudrat’s husband giving it back to her was a revenge mode-on we’ve seen in real life. Many nods there, yeah, I see you — revenge is sweet and you’re milking it.
26. If Laila could just answer for herself, perhaps her mom wouldn’t have to interfere so much. But then the drama would be the same old… and that’s just what Jama Taqseem is not, so far!
27. And last but not least — why is Laila so much more enlightened than Qais? Sigh. Qais, you need to step up your game else you’ll receive the wrath of the entire nation — and countless social media posts telling you as it is.

And that’s it, folks — the 27 Unnecessary but Necessary Reactions I Had During Jama Taqseem. Tell me yours — or did I miss some?

Credits:

Jama Taqseem is written by Sarwat Nazir and directed by Ali Hassan. It is a project of MD Productions and is airing on HUM TV. The cast includes Mawra Hocane, Talha Chahour, Javed Sheikh, Deepak Perwani, Madiha Rizvi, Hassan Ahmed, Tazeen Hussain, Amna Khan, Beo Rana Zafar, and more.

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