“Bachhay main apni marzi aur khwahish say karoongi, agar meri jismani aur zehni sehat nay saath diya tau,…” Sajal Aly as Meenu in Zard Patton Ka Bunn
If dramas are meant to mirror real life situations and highlight the struggles of individuals in society, they often, also provide a solution, a message and, a way out to the miseries associated with those struggles.
Meenu’s letter to Dr. Nofil, or rather, her conditions before marriage were not just a love note from a young woman in love to her beloved, they opened up a route for many women to have conversations on issues that often form the crux of marital strife and often, breakups!
As inhabitants of the 21st century, we have often heard of the phrase, “my body, my choice.” Many have shunned it as overtly defiant feminism; a call to women to act and behave in a manner that’s unfit for society, a transgression of our moral code and perhaps, even an obscenity for many.
Why Though?
Even some women fail to understand the crux of the debate. And if anyone could say it in simple terms, it was Meenu, with her tongue in cheek expression, not mincing words, or saying it tactfully to lighten the hit:
“Jab tak meri parhai khatam nahi ho jati, aap aur aapke gharwale, mujh par bachha paida karne ka dabao nahin dalenge
Bachhay main apni marzi aur khwahish say karoongi, agar meri jismani aur zehni sehat nay saath diya tau, agar sath na diya tau,Kisi aisay bachay ko gowd loongi jisay maan ki gowd nahi mili…”
Did Meenu just say out loud, a thought that we fail to express in simple terms, or that young girls and their families, would consider a death warrant to their rishta dreams, or young men and their families, consider a red flag in a potential life partner?
Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Meenu’s character might have taken the route to dress up many dark issues with humour, and light-hearted banter, after all, reaching a mass audience who seeks entertainment as a prime antidote to fighting daily inflation, too many mouths to feed and too little to put on the table is a real struggle; but what it did not do with Meenu, is sugar-coat her words and thoughts.
It is interesting how Meenu has grown on audience sensitivities with her heartwarming, outspoken ways, yet kept her dignity and purity intact. This is precisely why, when such a character delivers thoughts and phrases that might seem absurd or misconstrued by general audiences, are greeted with a smile and a tear by those who know now, that Meenu comes from a place of staunch belief, a desperate need to better the lives of her people and to be a voice for all women who cannot speak, or walk the talk.
When we talk about shifting mindsets, THIS is the conversation we need to have. It is about changing our terminology from rape victim to rape survivor, and it is also about changing the conversations we must have before we choose a life partner.
If Zard Patton Ka Bunn can do this or atleast, take baby steps through Meenu and Dr. Nofil’s character, then we’ve won the debate on feminism already, or at least, taken a step in the right direction.
One small step for a woman, but a giant leap for (womankind).
If you enjoyed the double episodes last night, drop us a comment to tell us what you liked best!
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Zard Patton Ka Bunn is penned by the talented duo of Mustafa Afridi & Saife Hasan. The project is produced under Momina Duraid Production & Kashf Foundation. The cast includes Sajal Ali, Hamza Sohail, Rehan Sheikh, Samiya Mumtaz, Ali Tahir, Adnan Shah Tipu, Saad Azhar, Syed Tanveer Hussain, Chaudhary Muhammad Usman, Mubashir Mehmood, Adeel Afzal, Najma Bibi, Zaryab Haider & others.
