Mann Mast Malang is the latest drama to hit Geo TV’s primetime slot, and it has already set tongues wagging. Geo, a channel notorious for delivering explosive and controversial storylines—from Tere Bin’s shocking depiction of marital rape to Qayamat’s harrowing portrayal of domestic violence—has once again stirred the pot. But this time, with Mann Mast Malang, the shock factor seems to be overshadowed by growing criticism. Despite the presence of Danish Taimoor, a ratings magnet known for churning out back-to-back hits, the drama is making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Viral Factor
Mann Mast Malang has gone viral not for its script or strong performances. It is viral merely for its over-the-top romantic scenes and borderline vulgar clips that keep coming out on social media. From handcuffing the leading lady in bed to uncomfortable closeness between the leads became the USP for the drama. For the team behind this show, they have the big numbers, both on YouTube and the TRP charts.
But can we just regard the viral factor for a show being hit or good? Lately, Pakistanis have witnessed an increasing phenomenon of explicit videos of TikTok stars getting leaked. These videos not only get millions of views, but they also get the content creator a lot of social media reach. But should this become a trend? Are those videos a hit? Mann Mast Malang also has morally questionable content, which is increasing its views. Thus, it must be remembered that the show is not going viral because it is good. It is going viral for being explicit as per Pakistani television standards. This is what is being aired:
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What Is Wrong With Mann Mast Malang
Pakistani media has to go through a lot of unnecessary censorship. We have seen this happen in the case of social issue-based shows that hit too close to home to films like Javed Iqbal. Thus, censorship needs to be better overall. In the case of Mann Mast Malang, the content is crossing a line, and no one bothered to point it out. Many people have time and again pointed out how films like 365 Days or Fifty Shades of Grey are trending on Netflix in Pakistan. But people do not watch those in their drawing rooms with their families. Pakistani television stands for a medium of entertainment for the whole family. Mann Mast Malang is not a drama that you can watch with any of your family members without getting uncomfortable. One example is here:
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The Other Side: Udaari
Udaari was a powerful drama that resonated deeply with audiences. It tackled the serious issue of child molestation, a crime that is unfortunately on the rise in our society, yet often ignored. The show presented a story that reflected experiences close to many of us. However, it faced censorship and was banned by PEMRA.
While Udaari was difficult to watch, its portrayal of violent scenes conveyed strong implications of the horrors without showing them directly. The series raised important awareness about a critical issue and presented a mature narrative. Despite its significance, it was banned at one point, leading to public protests advocating its reinstatement.
On the other hand, we have Mann Mast Malang. The hero of this show keeps hugging the leading lady; there are implications of intimacy in bedroom scenes. Even half the drama is now being shot on the bed, and PEMRA is okay with it.
The Case Of Dar Si Jati Hai Sila
Dar Si Jati Hai Sila is another show that struck a nerve with the audience. Once again, it highlighted the harsh realities of our society — that abusers are not strangers from a distant world, but people who live close to home. This concept was disturbing for many viewers. As a result, the show received a PEMRA notice for ‘inappropriate content.
Meanwhile, we have seen Shiza-Fiza and Mann Mast Malang’s “romance” airing on our screens without any checks or balances.
Hypocrisy Of Regulatory Authority/Incompetence
Questions should be directed to the regulatory authorities regarding the banning of certain important shows. These programs are significant for raising awareness, yet they face censorship. In contrast, dramas like Mann Mast Malang are aired without scrutiny. The portrayal of a young couple handcuffed in bed or a man dragging a girl into a car with a romantic soundtrack should indeed raise concerns.
This country has recently witnessed a heinous crime in which a man could not accept a refusal. Such toxic content further promotes this mentality among viewers. PEMRA needs to establish clear guidelines on what can be aired and what requires further review. On one hand, PEMRA restricts the depiction of red color to represent blood in action scenes, while on the other hand, inappropriate intimacy is being allowed on screen.
Romance in Dramas
The debate over whether romance should be depicted on television is ongoing, and it’s time to take a stand. Love should be portrayed as a positive emotion, as seen in shows like Raqeeb Se, Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, and Ishq Murshid. It is essential to showcase love and romance in a way that reflects their true beauty. However, we also need to redefine what romance really means. Forcing women into marriages, kidnapping them while romantic music plays, or handcuffing them against their will is absolutely NOT romance. We can and should do better.
In conclusion, Mann Mast Malang vs Udaari is a debate that needs to happen for Pakistani television. Stories that are simple love stories without social messages are also important for entertainment, but the makers need to stop selling toxicity and vulgarity like Mann Mast Malang packaged as romance. On the other hand, strong scripts representing truths of society, like Udaari, need to be shown to a wide audience and not get banned!
