A wrap-up episode that came full circle for Aliya and Ibrahim, mirroring the fear factor in society as the narrative dropped hints of Hudood Ordinance and public lynching, and a disinformed mob that often acts first and thinks later – but all this took on background noise as Aliya and Ibrahim’s love story took centre stage.
The Love Story
When Ibrahim tells Aliya, he cannot imagine her death, even if it was with him, it was a deeply moving realization on the extent of his love – this was not the modern kind of love we see today, but the classic, undying, pure sort that only souls like Ibrahim are capable of. Ibrahim was never from our world, schooled in a mosque, living life with a heavy heart and then, finding companionship, respect, and love in a totally unexpected relationship. He was yet untouched by the ways of the world. Hence his emotions, whether enjoying Aliya’s aloo palak or appreciating her talents at electrical repair work were simply delivered with boyish, honest expression.
Beyond The Love
Mann Jogi not only sought to show us what true relationships and companionship can look like, and also, school us on an oft misused religious ploy where angry husbands divorce their wives in a fit of rage and then resort to halala to bring them back. The maulvi sahab schooling us on the wrongs of exploiting this Islamic action was so well-put.
“It is wrong to enter into a nikah with the intention of Halala.” Explained the maulvi sahab. And when Aliya and Ibrahim chose to avoid this route, perhaps consciously or perhaps, because Aliya wanted to rid herself of a lifelong imprisonment with Shabbir, they both were deeply aware that the practice is disliked by the Almighty. Throw your minds back to the first and second episodes, where Ibrahim is clearly shaken by the idea of performing a sin and Aliya attempts to take her life.
It is another matter, not for us, but the courts and scholars, to decide that if a divorce is given in 3 consecutive words, only in one instance – does it actually transpire? The narrative of Mann Jogi might not answer the question but will certainly give us food for thought and conversation points to raise awareness.
A Pure Kind Of Love
But what Aliya and Ibrahim’s story did deliver was a closer look at how little it takes for a couple to find happiness with each other, how elements in our society work in positive (Saleem, Anita and her family), negative (Shabbir and his mother) and grey (Bilquis and her husband) shades to facilitate or hinder our life struggles.
Not just that, but Mann Jogi shed light on an often ignored plight of non Muslims who are subject to persecution, yet at the same time, bringing communities together by showing how individuals in themselves (Anita’s family in particular) and Saleem (Aliya’s father) are good human beings and it is, after all up to us to promote the positives and negate the negatives among us.
Critical Messages In Final Episode
Writer Zafar Mairaj =-employed the maulvi sahab as the speech tool to convey a message to the masses, not to take the law into their own hands but to exercise reasoning and let the courts decide on allegations. In the same way, the character of the maulvi sahab was also shown to stray from the path, under pressure from Shabbir, where he presided over a nikah with the intention of halala. However, his correction of the same in the final episode was critical where he held himself accountable too, for exploiting the rules.
It has to be said that Mann Jogi gave us a rare peek into the human side of a religious man, showing how, although his word should be upheld in matters of religion, he too, admitted to a transgression and implored the public to wait for a legal ruling in Aliya and Ibrahim’s case – multiple messages in one episode might seem too much, but if one had been following the narrative with a keen eye from episode one, this final episode was the culmination of a soulful journey, a script that raised pertinent questions and a story that, in its purity and inclusivity, spread a message of hope and awareness and in so doing, won innumerable hearts.
Where Shabbir’s and his mother’s character were entirely dark, there was a vulnerability to Shabbir that also pointed towards his mother being the main culprit from making him into the monster he was – fanning his ill temper and promising a new wife for him. Mothers such as her are often the reason men such as Shabbir are allowed to destroy and terrorize the lives of their partners, though this in no way exculpates Shabbir, a grown man, for his wrongdoings either.
Saleem’s tragic end, and a possible second yet saved, of Aliya and Ibrahim was a message that no Pakistani drama has ventured into yet, and one that must be appreciated for all its sensitivity and subtlety.
A Soulful Soundtrack
Mann Jogi is no doubt, a heavy narrative, yet one that stirs the heart in unexpected ways. Not to miss the soulful soundtrack by Sahir Ali Bagga and Sabeena Farooq – a significant mood to the story, injected at the choicest moments, lifting poignant moments to a next level high. From Aliya realizing her love for Ibrahim, to a subtle background mood, this one will stay with audiences long after the story is over.
On a final note, if you haven’t watched Mann Jogi, perhaps this one is a binge-watch for the weekend. Add it to your watchlist and tell us if Aliya and Ibrahim aren’t the love you’re dreaming of in another world, another place.
Special thanks to the team who made this possible. From sensitive direction by Kashif Nisar to sharp scripting from Zafar Mairaj , and super performances from the entire cast– Mann Jogi is certainly a jewel in the crown of Pakistani dramas and we’re so glad we found it!
Catch Up More On Drama Gup With FUCHSIA
Mann Jogi is a drama directed by Kashif Nisar and written by Zafar Mairaj. It is produced by Sultana Siddiqui. The cast includes a star-studded ensemble featuring Bilal Abbas Khan, Sabeena Farooq, Gohar Rasheed, Asma Abbas, Adnan Shah Tipu, Saad Azhar, Tahira Imam, Syed Tanveer Hussain, Shehrezad Peerzada, Chaudhary Muhammad Usman, Jannat Asad, and Shabana Qureshi. It aired, every Saturday on Hum TV at 8 pm.
