Well…It’s a simple drama but yes it’s a big time” Drama” and maybe stretched far beyond our expectations. It is not loaded with big stars and is airing every Monday to Friday. I watch this drama and there are two reasons. First one “ I have free time and its a lot of free time…haha and second one is that it is interesting”. It started with celebration and the decoration was a typical pakistani shaadiyoan waala ghar I loved it. I just adored the friendship of Haya and Rijaa they were so sweet.

Obviously from the name of the drama it is obvious that the main lead “Haya” is the centre of this play…Uptill now Haya is shown as a brave girl who has the nerve to take a stand for herself as well as for her Best friend ‘ Rijaa’ a weirdo name though. Their bonding is so sweet and the character of Haya is quite loving and Samjhadaar beti wala… But I have to say that the girl playing the role of Haya her acting is not very impressive and sometimes it’s just hard to listen to her.. The way she pushed Shaan was a little off-board and was not needed but Yeah they want drama so they depicted Haya as an arrogant lady. Haya is a responsible daughter of the house and I liked the way she takes care of everyone but at times she seems quite overconfident but she is so caring too.

Babar Babar Babar…..I can imagine Mr. Gogo saying to Rijaa “ Ye babar babar kya hai ye babar babar”!!! hahah..Rijaa is shown as a desperate and Ishq ki maari lurki who has nothing to do in her life. She is miserable and is highly obsessed with Babar. Rijaa is sweet , kind hearted and loving friend but she is truly an ehmaq lurki who falls for a man who is a complete flirt and commits suicide on stupid advice of Mizna it was indirect actually but Mizna did give the idea of fake suicide. Rijaa disagrees and says to Haya “ Mera usse rooh ka taaluq hai” . I mean Acha par wo tou kch samajhta hi nahi tmhe…where is the respect? She couldn’t see Babar was actually using her to reach Haya and insulted her whenever he got a chance.I hate Babar, but there is something more to his character.

Babar has grown up in an elite family honestly, his family background was a bit boring but the main thing is that he has a mother and a dadi and they both are teaching Babar in their own way. Dadi has ill feelings towards Babar’s mother (Fazila Qazi) who runs an NGO and arranges marriages for the poor and needy but as she was not her choice so she still has not accepted her as her Bahu. I wonder dadi was right when she said “ Sab ki shaadiyaan karwarhi hai par apne betay ki parwah nahi” I mean Yeah dadi was right and she had my vote!! Why Babar is bigra hua lies in the negligence of his mother. Her mother’s priority was her career and she neglected his only son…Sigh!!!!!

Miznaaa …haaye this lady is insecure and arrogant from the very beginning of the utran dupatta issue uptill now not trusting her husband. She has been always jealous of someone and I believe if there won’t be anyone left she will still find something to be jealous of. Mizna could be only controlled by Arish’s elder brother Waarid because Arish has no personality whatsoever!! He just can’t say anything to Mizna because he knows she won’t listen. I don’t know how many times I have to see him explaining himself “ Mizna ghalat mat samjho … aosa kch nahi hai” Mizna is Ameer Maa Baap ki ikloati laadli aulaad in this case srf Baap ki and Behroze Sabzwaari has done a commendable job in portraying a very arrogant, stubborn and loving father but he has a big ego and wants her daughter to be treated like a Royal Queen as Haya’s parents are not very rich. Apna roab daalnay kay chakkar main beti ko mazeed bigar daingain. Her Mother is sensible and knows how to treat her daughter and she wisely advices her to take care of her sasural.

Anwari Appa….uff tauba aag lgana tou koi insay seekhay ….She is hard to digest but I enjoy the expression of Mizna’s Mother whenever Anwari Appa initiates her Aag ka business she seems to yell at her by saying please stop and don’t utter a single word !!!!

Layina bhabhi and Shaan’s track was introduced just to show that Haya is confident and mature enough to take her decisions but her character went downhill when they showed how Haya pushed Shaan and he got hurt. I think it was not needed.
Layina bhabhi is too simple that she was influenced by the negativity of Mizna bhabhi and developed ill feelings for Haya… All this part where she leaves for Maika and comes back and sazishi baatain of Mizna was so typical.

Recently, the end of the latest episode was interesting and I am waiting to see what will happen to Haya? The thappar was well deserved.Will Babar forcefully marry Haya instead …. Shocking …Ehhhhh …Maybe!!!

Share your views if you watch this play.

Asma Jamali

Ohkay so, it seems that they are going to take things slow & will expose the important aspects about all the characters gradually. I think we all should get used to the comparatively slow pace but I definitely don’t mind that as there’s so much more to explore & find out that it is unfolding like a puzzle that will be solved as the story will progress.

Banki has pledged her loyalty to Meher Bano, that is why she is ready to do everything that Meher Bano demands & orders. Meher Bano is definitely not ready to give up on Kabeer (Zahid Ahmed) just yet & she is hopeful that he will return & might as well rescue her from this hell hole. Meher Bano can not bring herself to a stage where she will become a wife of Asif Jahan & for that, she doesn’t even mind sacrificing Banki’s pride. Banki knows that there’s nothing that she will say will make Meher Bano give up on what she has decided for herself, therefore, the only option that she is left with is going by what Meher Bano is suggesting. I am sure when the time will arise, Meher Bano will never back Banki as much as Banki will back her because Meher Bano is quite manipulative & she will definitely make sure that she doesn’t fall in an awkward position at all & if that happens, she won’t even think for a second before putting all the blame on Banki easily.

So, Farrukh Zaad alias Wazeer Begum is the first cousin & first wife of Asif Jahan & she is a mother of Asif’s Jahan’s son & the heir of his throne Taimur as well. Farrukh Zaad seamlessly brought Asif Jahan to her & made him feel guilty for ignoring her. Farrukh Zaad definitely knows how to play with Asif Jahan’s Achilles heel, also, she knows that she is not like other wives of Asif Jahan who might be dependent on him. Farrukh Zaad owns half of what falls under the ownership of Asif Jahan & that is why she is well aware of the power she holds. The subtle threat that she threw at Asif Jahan explained that she is one of those who do not like to be defeated & will never settle for anything less than a victory. Farrukh Zaad couldn’t tolerate the idea of Asif Jahan spending some time with Meher Bano & more than that, she had a score to settle with Badshah Begum, that is why she played her cards well & succeeded effortlessly in her mission.

Badshah Begum really thought that she had everything under control & Asif Jahan abided by her orders but she was disappointed to find out that nothing went according to her plan & Farrukh Zaad earned a point this time around. Badshah Begum is well aware of the deception Farrukh Zaad is capable of, therefore she was disappointed in Asif Jahan that he couldn’t comprehend his wife’s intentions properly.

I must say I am not sure if Shola Jaan & Dilbar’s scenes are added to evoke a comic relief because I felt there was a little too much coverage given to them than required. Also, both of them look more like caricatures that is why it is hard to take them seriously thinking they have a substantial role to play in the future because till now they are only seen gossiping about the events taking place in Mor Mahal. Shahista is true to her position & Farrukh Zaad definitely has earned herself a very loyal servant who is ears to all her problems & is a wall confining all her secrets. Not sure if Shahista does it out of her duty or she is loyal because she actually feels for Farrukh Zaad. I think out of all the servants, her character has stood out the most & I am looking forward to the contribution she’ll make to the story. It was interesting that before anyone else, Akhtari could see that Badshah Begum’s wish wasn’t materialized by Asif Jahan & she was defeated by Wazeer Begum this time around. Looks like Asif Jahan will be out of Mor Mahal for a while once again & he won’t be aware of the things that will transpire behind his back in his palace.

Overall, this episode was slow paced but was definitely interesting. However, I must say that there was a lot of focus & a lot of conversations dedicated to ‘shab-e-uroosi’ as if the only motive of Asif Jahan’s being was that. I really hope that Badshah Begum is faced with some other challenges that her focus (read fixation) from Asif Jahan’s ‘shab-e-uroosi’ is deviated. I really think that more than anyone else, Jana Malik has really stood out & has done justice to her character. Even though she is playing a supporting character & I really can’t explain what makes me say that about her character but she really has done an amazing job. Umair Jaswal was convincing as Asif Jahan once again & I am glad that in such a women-centric drama, they hired such a strong male to play the lead role as his presence is definitely not going to get overshadowed by so many females around him. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Mor Mahal.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Aap mujhay jaan se bhi maar dain gay na tab bhi nahin choron gi aap ko – epic! I have watched lots of dramas over the years but this has to be one of the best dialogues as far as believability and dialogue truly matching the character goes. Because I do believe, even if Hamza killed Mareena – she still would not leave him and would find a way to haunt him – oops, lurrve him and be around him! Ha!

So, Ameer our miskeen majnu is moping around at his mother’s house, waiting for what – Mehru to sign the divorce paper? Ameer’s ‘bechargi’ is beginning to annoy me – correction, it had begun to annoy me a few episodes ago and is just getting worse. We felt for him when he married Mehru and she was nasty to him and when she asks for the divorce but really hanging around with a long face is worrying his mother now too and he should probably try to begin to come to terms with the end of his marriage – or whatever it was he and Mehru had.

It appears that Hamza’s mother Shakra went to bed one night and had a soul/heart swap and woke the next morning a different person. Her change of heart is brought upon by the guilt that Hamza has suffered enough, physically and mentally and ‘deserves’ Mehru now. Mehru’s mother although a bit taken aback at first, seems to agree that this is the best thing for Mehru now and has suddenly grown a backbone and takes a stand against her husband, insisting that this is in the best interest for Mehru and that is that.

Mehru. Mehru needs to stop talking to her mother. Her sister. Definitely Hamza. I would say her father, but they rarely talked. And Ameer has switched off his phone so she can not talk to him either. She needs to connect with her own head and decide Hamza? Ameer? None of the above. And spit it out. Convincingly! Why was she meeting Hamza then? To ask him why his mother spoke to her mother about their rishta. Then why not ring him? Surely she could ask him that over the phone. Yes, I am beginning to believe she may not feel for Hamza now but then why this constant need to meet and talk to him to show people that oh look I meet him, you can talk about us all you like but in my heart I know I have no feelings for him and that’s all that matters, so there! Sounds weird, doesn’t it? I think so too!

Hamza apparently is quite clear that it is Mehru he wants and he wants nothing to do with Mareena anymore. Mareena however seems to have also undergone the same spiritual transformation that Shakra went through. She has not turned over a new leaf entirely, the way Shakra has not either – half baked spiritual transformation if there ever was one – but she has started to do more than scream, yell and flounce. I did find her sitting on the ground outside Hamza’s house such a silly scene though. Hamza however minces no words nor actions in showing Mareena he wants her out of his room, his house, his life.

I do believe parents want what is best for their children. I am a parent myself and sometimes a child can not see yet what an adult can sense is in best interests of the child. But when your grown adult son or daughter is so very clearly miserable over a decision you find appropriate – surely emotional blackmail and force is not the way forward? Mehru’s father did not like Hamza and he forced Mehru into marrying Ameer. Now, Ameer who is so clearly in love with Mehru is being emotionally blackmailed by his mother to remarry – and that too Mehru’s sister! When their father was strict about Maryam not continuing her studies, she did not cave in and was more firm than Mehru by taking a stand and moving out to Mehru’s house. Surely he can not believe he can coerce her into this marriage? He does say he does not believe in imposing the decision on Ameer and Maryam but I do not see any of them jumping at the opportunity. Except – next week’s preview suggests Maryam has a very different reaction to what we would have expected. I can not help but wonder though if she is calling Mehru’s bluff to see how she reacts. Either way – I find the whole Ameer-Maryam rishta to be in poor taste.

I am past caring about Hamza and Mareena now. Despite all her psychiatrist appointments and moving into Hamza’s house I would find it hard to believe that Mareena would find peace in her new home and life.

I understand a drama needs to be stretched into 20 some episodes to make it a drama for the story is quite simple and if they were to race through it then we would not have a drama! But still – I feel it should be wrapped up now and hope the drama ends next week. Ameer, Mehru, Hamza, Mareena – are all beginning to annoy me now and need to sort out their lives asap!

Are you all finding the recent episodes as interesting as the drama initially was or thinking it is time for it to wrap up now? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Yaaaaar, maza nahin aaya! We have been waiting for the past two episodes for that moment to come when Mushq and Fahd get separated and aside from the fact that I want them separated because I want the Mushq-Dabbu track to begin, I am also genuinely curious how Mushq and Fahd get separated in the first place!! I had thought it would happen in the previous episode and the preview for this week had suggested it would happen today but alas! Not fair!

 
So Mushq and Fahd are both locked up at the police station. Although Fahd tau seems to be strolling around as he pleases, sometimes outside to speak to the SHO, sometimes to make a phone call. Cat seems to have gotten Mushq’s tongue for she was quiet when the policeman was asking questions – had she shown some restraint when he asked her when she was headed then maybe just maybe she would not have drawn that much attention to herself. Was it really necessary to show the SHO stuffing his face that way though? Yes I get it, policemen are shown to be total nincompoops but must he be tearing into that tikka in such a vicious way – maybe that’s why Mushq was quiet then too having seen the fate of a fellow murghi haha!

Mehru. Ah, must we talk about Mehru ji? Okay, let’s because it seems as if this may have been the last we see or hear of her, woo hoo! I do not understand why she disappeared? Was she okay with the nikkah because she thought Aslam was locked up and then realized how he may tell Dabbu the truth now that she is out? And the letter she wrote – how did it get to Dabbu? Did she confess the truth about Fahd? Because the letter seemed to be more of a ‘it’s not you, it’s me and you are too good for me so I must leave you’ rather than a confession of how she has wronged him? I did not see Dabbu read the letter so I am assuming he has made the Fahd connection because he sees Mehru was not loyal since she has run off the day of their marriage? Uff so many questions and conspiracy theories for such a baseless track! I do not really care for the answers – good riddance I say!

 
Nayaz and Zeba, Zeba and Nayaz – so much lurrrve, well good for them! I am actually glad they are happy. Both such goody two shoes it would have been pointless if they started having tantrums too and undue focus was on them. Master Sb seems to look actually relieved to be rid of Mushq.

So Dabbu now realizes he was wrong to have not believed Fahd and Striker tells him that he and ‘lover girl’ have eloped. That word, lover girl! Makes me laugh! I keep thinking Fahd may leave Mushq in the lurch but even when the SHO says to lock them up Fahd asks to be locked up but Mushq to be let go so I really do wonder if he will leave her to rot there? I have a feeling his mother may implore him to come or something. I have run out of ideas really. I did find his mother’s reaction strange though when Fahd’s friend finally tells her that Fahd had gone to Karachi to bring Mushq back. I had thought she was not aware keh Mushq naam ki koi larki hai but her reaction did not seem to imply that was confused or surprised nor did she ask who Mushq is. So, I suppose she knew about Mushq then and was she also not in favour of the rishta like Master Sb? So many questions, uff!

 
I really feel like skipping a few episodes now and then watching them together. I do not like how one episode quickens the pace and then a few follow that drag the story at a snail’s pace. You know that scene we saw in last week’s preview when Mushq says that Fahd could not possibly leave her? I have a feeling that is how next episode will end, leaving us guessing again what will happen next. Uggh!

 
Are you all disappointed in today’s episode and expected more to happen like I did? Would love to hear your thoughts!

 
Kunwal Javid

Hayeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Ashraf ai ki kitta tu nay?! We all kept thinking something huge had to happen to jolt Ashraf out of his madness and well, here it is! One reader had commented on an earlier review that Hammad might die and Ifrah would think Ashraf was responsible so I would not be very honest if I said I did not expect something bad to happen to Hammad but I was really shocked that it did happen and the way it happened!
For all of Ashraf’s ‘Hammad would steal everything that belonged to Ashraf or Ashraf had a right to’ we learn from their last conversation that Hammad would go to his older brother after everyone had gone to bed to offer him whatever they had fought over. I did snort though when Ashraf says yeah well you have come empty handed this time and I thought what the hell? Was he supposed to bring a heavily pregnant Ifrah and dump her on Ashraf as a peace offering?! Anyways, Hammad truly believed his brother was not evil and wished he would give himself a chance and show how good a human he could be. I also got the feeling that he craved for Ashraf to make peace not just for the sake of the atmosphere of the house but because he really loved Ashraf, despite all the hatred Ashraf seemed to show to Hammad.

When he tells Ashraf he will go away and take his wife with him and never show face again I thought maybe something would happen to Hammad when he leaves for training. No way did I expect him to fall off the roof!! Literally!! True, Ashraf did not push him with the intent to push him down and kill him but as far as facts go, Ashraf DID push him and that push DID send Hammad down to his death so jitna bhi we say Ashraf did not mean to – he still was responsible. It does not help matters that Ifrah saw him when she looked up and their father witnessed the push.

I was quite interested in Ashraf’s reaction. When Saira had ‘committed suicide’ and lay in the hospital fighting for her life he was still Ashraf – angry and feeling no remorse or worry that his sister may die. That was when I thought that he really does hate his family and is beyond feeling any love for them. But his shock, the tears, the expressions show he is shaken by Hammad’s death and probably more so because he is being held responsible for it.

I have to admit, I shed a few tears in that episode. I never thought I would say this but Maha Warsi really made me feel for her character. A young widow, expectant mother and when she says to Ashraf ‘meray bachay ko yateem kar diya’ I thought, haye, the kid who is not even born yet – and already without a father! The whole scene of her hugging that teddy however was pointless and I do not know why it was such a long scene. True, teddy was important because it was part of their last conversation but it did not make much of an impact – the scene between teddy and Ifrah, not poor teddy itself! Saboor Ali’s wailing was cringeworthy and when she yelled ‘Allah Allah’ I literally winced. That hoarse shouting did not work for me at all – I just wish Sufiyan ki kahin transfer ho jaye and he takes Saira kahin boht duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuur!

Noman Ijaz was flawless as the older brother grieving for his baby brother – but not being to do so openly. I liked how the father does not turn against Ashraf yet. It is only natural that having lost one son he was not going to say to all that Ashraf was responsible and should be hanged. Likewise when the sisters are mourning Hammad and Rabab says we have lost one brother and she did not want to lose the other, I could understand how the feelings of the family are divided. On the one hand, they knew Ashraf hated Hammad, heck Ashraf did not waste a single chance to express his hatred so it was so easy to believe that the fatal push was intentional. However, on the other hand, Ashraf is family, and I could also understand how they did not want him to hang especially as it is not as if Ashraf is doing a celebratory war dance over Hammad’s death and seems to be totally devastated himself.

Revenge is sweet, maybe bitter sweet, but here revenge took matters into its own hands and dealt a blow so intense I do not see how Ashraf will ever be able to redeem himself in front of his family or ever escape the burden of what his actions resulted in. He may repent, grieve, beg Ifrah’s forgiveness but I do not see how he will ever be able to shake off the image or the guilt of being his brother’s murderer, even if all of them ever forgave him.

However, Ifrah has channelled her grief towards her own revenge. She is seeing red now and will not rest till she has justice – and Ashraf hangs. Ashraf is locked up in prison, facing his own demons. I wonder if from now on the drama will focus on Ifrah’s revenge (aakhir woh nikli auraton ki Ashraf – first he was bent on revenge, now her) which will finally lead to Ashraf being sentenced to death. Or will he be released from prison soon and then turn over a new leaf?

How many of you watched these episodes and shed a few tears like I did? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Ohkay so, the production of Babar Javed, conceptualization of Imran Aslam, writing of Sarmed Sehbai & the direction of Surmed Sultan Khoosat, the most anticipated drama Mor Mahal made it to our screens tonight & I must say, it was enough of a prelude to let us know that we all are in for a great ride. The very first episode did introduce the situation of all the characters appropriately but I am sure that there’s more to all the characters & it will be revealed as the drama will progress. Right know, we got introduced to the main characters & I already can’t wait to find out more about them.

The story is about the ruler Nawab Asif Jahan (Umair Jaswal) who returns victorious to his residence Mor Mahal after accomplishing a mission in glory of his empire. On his return he is made to deal with his personal life situation where his mother Badshah Begum (Hina Bayat) orders him to meet his new wife Meher Bano (Sonia Nazir) & give her a status of his lawfully wedded wife. Asif Jahan feels a little hesitant as this happens to be a political marriage that took place in order to maintain the harmony between the two empires. Meher Bano’s brother gets her married to Asif Jahan for personal gains & Meher Bano finds it hard to accept that she was treated as a commodity for a barter bargain. The reason why Meher Bano hasn’t accepted her marriage to Asif Jahan is related to her past that she hasn’t been able to overcome till date. Meher Bano is still in love with someone (Zahid Ahmed) & she is unable to forget him.

Asif Jahan’s second wife wife Wazir Begum (Misha Shafi) awaits his arrival & is left disappointed after finding out that her husband Asif Jahan is going to follow the orders of his mother where he won’t be meeting her for now. Wazir Begum obviously has more loyal servants who actually feel for her & give her the hope & the validation she needs to keep her nerves calm. Wazir Begum still feels that nothing can distract Asif Jahan from thinking about her & their relationship is so strong that even his mother can not bring anyone between them but she is left in a great shock when she gets the answer given by Asif Jahan himself that his priority for now was meeting his new wife, Meher Bano & Wazir Begum will have to wait for him even though he was still in Mor Mahal.

The love Meher Bano has for her beloved is so strong that it pushes her to take extreme measures where without even thinking for a second, she forces her servant to cover up for her as she’d prefer dying than becoming a wife of someone she doesn’t love. Meher Bano leaves the palace & it still remains a mystery as to what happened to her but I am sure she must’ve fled from Mor Mahal successfully. Asif Jahan happens to come across Meher Bano’s Kaneez & just because he hasn’t met her before, he believes that she is his wife. Just a glimpse of her was enough for Asif Jahan to decide that he wanted to raise her status & give her the due rights of being his wife & sadly, the Kaneez had to follow the orders of Meher Bano as she is duty-bound to her.

Wazir Begum definitely didn’t take that news too well. She chose to poison herself in a hope that either she will be able to deal with the pain that Asif Jahan’s answer caused to her or she will be able to grab his attention & stop him from going to someone else. Wazir Begum definitely is not going to let it slide so easily & she will make sure that Badshah Begum gets the message loud & clear that she won’t let the political matters ruin what’s so special to her.

There were two more characters that got introduced in this episode & were of Surraya & Akhtari. Surraya (Fiza Ali) happens to be the first wife of Asif Jahan & she is also expecting their first child. She is lonely & miserable but the only thing that elevates her level from the rest of Asif Jahan’s wives is the fact that she is carrying his child. Surraya has lost hope that Asif Jahan will now come & spend time with her because she knows that Meher Bano & Wazir Begum will still be having more charm than her. She believes that depending on amulets will bring him closer to her husband. It looks like there’s a battle happening between the first two wives in a hope that at least one of them will be winning Asif Jahan in the end. The other character that got a little coverage was of Akhtari (Sania Saeed), I believe she happens to be someone who is quite close to Badshah Begum & looks like Badshah Begum doesn’t do anything without her consent & advice. I feel Akhtari will play an important role in changing the situations of all the characters in the future.

The very first episode of Mor Mahal was picture perfect & grand in literal sense of the word. I must say, the cinematography, the direction, the acting, the sets, the costumes, the overall styling of all the characters & most importantly the dialogues were phenomenal. It is a period/historic drama & they succeeded in taking us back to the Mughal Era that they were aiming for. I felt that watching the episode once wasn’t enough because there were so many details that I feel I couldn’t pay attention to & would love to see in great detail. Every frame was picturesque & I must say the characters picked up the attitude required to play such substantial characters. Umair Jaswal actually stood out the most because being a focal character he had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders to look like an actual ruler & everything about him starting from his his dialogue delivery to his body language to his composure made it seem that the casting directors made the right choice by assigning the character of Asif Jahan to him. Even though Ali Saleem & Jana Malik (Shahista) had a very limited screen-time but they both used it aptly & left a great impression as well. Misha Shafi looks beautiful & Hina Bayat picked up the demeanor of the mother of the current ruler perfectly too. Surmed Sultan Khoosat’s direction & the attention to detail is what made this episode such a visual treat & the hard work that went in to bring this project to us was evident throughout this episode. I am thoroughly thoroughly impressed & can’t wait to see more. Please share your thoughts about the very first & phenomenal episode of Mor Mahal.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.