Dramas have been turning up the temps this week, and there’s lots to write about, from Murtasim’s zero bullet revolver to Baby’s Day Out with Hum Dono & Rania’s Taxi escapades in Sar e Rah. So shall we begin?
Come February and our stories have certainly picked up. From the social media influencer feels of Rameen in Sar e Rah to the angry young man feels of Murtasim in Tere Bin – dramas seek to entertain, but also, to send out silent messages sometimes, in very un-silent ways. For example the baby bawling her lungs out in Hum Dono was definitely a wakeup call for young couples contemplating a family (for me, it was throwback feels) and no matter how much I love little babies, I’m happy to hold yours for a bit and … ahem, give it back to you after a while!
So let’s start with Kuch Ankahi because Kuch batein were just so endearing and struck the right chord for me and many others! (while some, disappointingly, didn’t)
Body Shaming In Kuch Ankahi Is All About Family First!
So, Tanya’s mom had a go at Tanya, again! The conversation was very layered as they discussed clothes, the cut that makes her look slimmer, the tan complexion growing tanner with the Taxila trip and the totally unapologetic air with which it was all done! Tanya, for all her seeming bravado, felt it, and needed Agha Jaan to save her from the body shaming wrath of the mom.
Ask any young girl or boy who’s been through it all and she will relate!
Body shaming begins at home.
It could be a parent, an older, or younger sister, a cousin or even a khala (aunt) or a family friend. It goes beyond obvious remarks to ways and means of ‘suggesting’ that you might look better if you wear this instead of that! Kuch Ankahi and Mohammad Ahmed nailed the convo here.
But where this one aced it, Salman and Aaliya disappointed me. I was expecting a more intelligent exchange of words between the two. From talking about marna maraana to silly comebacks, the conversation seemed forced and failed to amuse. Not sure if we expect too much from this duo, but, on the other hand, where I was expecting zero from Sophia and Thanvi Sahab, their hilarious exchange on masala fish and seekh kebab had me giggling. To top it all the fallen gajra scene wrapped it up neatly and coyly.
Speaking of gajras, loved the final scene as Salman, clearly smitten by Aaliya’s lost, frazzled expressions did it for me – the beginnings of love in the air and all!
In summary, well done Kuch Ankahi, I watch you for all the right reasons. You are unsensational, intelligent, thought provoking content with a finger on the pulse of young people! Last thought, working girl demands and pressures on Aaliya from Sehrish were subtle yet nailed it. Every young working woman can relate to the pressures of proving herself and fighting family perceptions who do not see her work as significant enough! Well done again!
Whew, I probably said too much, but still omitted Shagufta and Saif who’s bike ride gave more reasons to smile. But, onwards to …
Hum Dono and the Baby Who Needs Best Actor Award!
There’s something about Hum Dono I can’t really put my finger on. Is it the onscreen chemistry between Hira Mani and Ahsan Khan or that baby taking her cue just at the right time, smiling, bawling her eyes out and sliding off the side of the bed like a pro! Hum Dono is adding to the list of limited edition stories Express TV is putting up for us.
A note on the latest episode, a tad slow for my liking. I mean, the 3rd episode did not establish anything we didn’t know already. That Mahi has a mysterious and tragic past, that the baby’s parent is nearby, watching, that Umar is a total sucker for babies and great at tending to them. Yes, there were two developments. One, that the couple is warming up to the baby and without knowing it, totally falling in love with her. I wonder how you can give up someone like that midway through a journey? Second, that having children, toddlers, babies, will scratch the surface and much more of a once tranquil relationship. In fact it is the litmus test between any couple. Can they weather the mini storms that a family life brings with it?
Both Mahi and Umar seem to hold secrets in the past and I hope more will be revealed about all the mystery narratives in the coming episodes. Because one thing a limited edition series must do , and that is, pick up the pace! So let’s see if we can step up on the speedometer on this one!
Lastly, loving the OST from Asim Azhar, this ones a keep for the playlist!
Sar e Rah Up Next!
Sar e Rah hit another home run with the latest episode. Rameen’s social media activities, her quest to make her hobby a commercial success, her efforts to work within her comfort zone and her challenges to cope with family and society all came together in an uplifting story because of a man and a mother who supported her through the wavering moments.
Rameen’s story reflected on the same issue we discussed earlier with body shaming in Kuch Ankahi, that challenges begin at home. Her family especially, the male segment did not welcome the social media attention and questioned their izzat, family status and image. I loved the way she negotiated with the designer on her own terms.
Question: Was it okay for the designer to applaud the viral video of her dancing at a wedding and asking her to cash in on the publicity, did this aspect showcase the realities of our society, or, would it encourage influencers, desperate for likes and commercial success, to create fake videos and put them up? Sar e Rah is all about drawing a fine line between reflecting real life and passing on a message.
So when Rania confessed that she first got to know of Rameen though the viral video, but later scrolled through her feed, I felt, yeah! that’s how we got to know a lot of influencers, so, actually, this was spot on! But it also highlighted a sad truth in our society that, people love to click on negative publicity and unfortunately, this leads to a claim to fame for many young influencers who want to be known for their talent or fashion blogging or thoughts, but make it up the fast track way, through a viral video – good or bad? I can’t say. I guess it will tempt people to create fake videos, but … isn’t that happening already. So, speaking the truth shouldn’t hurt right?
Do tell me what you think!
On another note, loved the positive vibes from the fiance – Shohzeb and also the twist to a planned elopement by getting at least one parent’s consent. But … who made the video viral? Was it her fiance too, in cohorts with his mom? Yeah, the look that passed between those two! That one kept me guessing for sometime, and I wonder if the loose end will be tied eventually and, will I think of Shohzeb in the same positive light were this true?
So are we approaching the two Wahaj Ali block busters now? Hold on, you’re in for a ride and a half, but only if I can understand what’s going on inside Merub’s head and why Saad gives up on Maheer so easily?
Tere Bin It Is!
Here we are folks, Murtasim has earned the hero of the year award and it’s only February. He carries out a fab rescue operation, then proceeds to wrap his shawl around her fragile shoulders and carries her to (not the altar, that’s been done already), to her bed, and proceeds to nurse her through a sudden, yet predictable fever – ahem, don’t all Pakistani dramas have the heroine fall into a fever at a moment’s notice?
Tere Bin makers needed nothing more than this scene to seal the deal – the views are coming in but now, Murtasim can do no wrong! Even his an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and izzat (woman) for izzat (woman) did not make fans blink an eye – it’s Murtasim guys, he can slap his lady and get away with it because, he is … MURTASIM! Okay enough said. But to be fair, we have Merub on the other side who proceeds to de-weaponize his revolver – there is a fine line between stupidity and courage, I think she just took a turn for the first one. I mean, a man needs to defend himself right? And, yes, he was quite in a fit of rage and handling a loaded revolver at this instance is not a good thing but then, his opponents have one right?
Soooo.we’re back to the age old debate of disarmament that has plagued nations, what can a lone Murtasim do to fight that off. I feel he needed to at least get a text message from his lady love that she had done the unthinkable so he didn’t appear a total fool before his enemies? Luckily for the makers, he was saved but I guess, peace makers like Merub can be asked to disclose their intentions and engage in a conversation rather than secretly pulling the plug? Tell me what you think!
Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha & Maheer Is Finally Saying SOME Thing!
If Hania should have one problem with her characters, it is that they speak too late. Had Maheer been more communicative, more forthright, less ‘lost girl’ syndrome like, she might have defended Saad a bit earlier in the day. It took her quite a few thappars, screaming matches in the house, with Saad being the unfortunate recipient of it all, before she decided to utter a few words in favour of him. I mean, why couldn’t she tell him she didn’t try to set herself on fire?
Am I losing patience with this pretty young thing? Yes, I am. Because I want my heroine to speak up, even if she is reserved, shy or sad, she can speak up before Saad, the only person she ever has spoken to. So a bit disappointed there. The makers could have found other ways to create a plot twist than this one. Is the drama throwing Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam vibes? for sure it is. But only a bit. Saad is very well known to Maheer and Abeer is just not making the cut for the ‘other’ hero, unfortunately!
Now onward to Neelo’s revelation. That was really not her story to tell and I am disappointed in her. Regardless of how much she feels for her bro, she needed to take it easy. On the other hand, Maheer’s mom and Areeb’s mom are a match at toxic levels. And finally, that age old trick of throwing a young girl at a guy to get him forcibly married off? Yes, I’m referring to Faha and Areeb setting – just such an old and demeaning plot, it needs to stop and now! And how do these unsuspecting young men actually even agree to the marriage? Wonders will never cease!
Well that’s all from me this week folks. I would love tyo know which drama has your attention the most. Have left Yunhi, yunhi! Waiting to get into the story before I reveal my thoughts but what a wonderful, vintage kinda vibe to the sets there!
Stay safe and catch up on the Faiz Festival recently held in Lahore without all the negativity, if you can! Else, happy to give you my thoughts here!
