Main Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka started at a rapid pace but I must admit, I was not expecting these many surprises already. We all saw the sudden engagement of Daniya and Armaan while Zaryab was pining for his lost love. The second episode featured the marriage ceremony of the two while Zaryab was crying in different corners.

Zaryab actually is a coward. Yes, the concept is that he is Ahsanon Talay Daba Larka and for this very reason he did not respect his love enough. But he should have given a thought to Armaan’s feelings. How could he do this to Armaan whom he loves more than anyone? Since the whole Islamabad is familiar with Zaryab and Daniya’s affair, why he didn’t think of the fact that someone will tell Armaan eventually? Daniya was also a very unreasonable person. She was begging Zaryab to do something on her mehendi. She could have tried a bit earlier or the simple way out was to talk it out with Armaan. Armaan told her how much he loves Zaryab, so Daniya should have told him the truth. But well, then there would be no drama.

Armaan knew about the situation suddenly after bringing Daniya home. The funny thing is they got Nikkahfied in the morning but reached their home at night. He was as quick in taking decisions as his brother is slow. Instead of handling everything like a mature person, he divorced Daniya. He didn’t even discuss it with Zaryab before taking such a huge step.

The whole situation after the divorce was very confusing. Daniya was going to tell her father about the divorce then why did she hide it in the first place? And why was the newly divorced couple acting so normally at it? The performances were weak in this episode. Many scenes could have looked powerful but the actors could not engage the audience. Alamdar looked so robotic in the divorce scene. Even Hareem was not at her full potential.

This was only the second episode so the performances might get better ahead. The story is fast paced which is refereshing. What are your thoughts on the quickest divorce in the dramas history? Share in comments!

Written By: Shabana Ghulam Nabi

Directed By: Emraan Kaleem Mallick

Cast: Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman, Alamdar Hussain, Rucksar Naaz, Mahjabeen Habib, Zia Ghurchani, Anjum Habibi, Sabina Ahmed, Imran Farooq, Shehram Akram among others.

The Diyar e Dil duo Hareem Farooq and Ali Rehman Khan are back on screens and of course this time with a very different setting. The first episode as usual introduced us to the main characters but that is not it. The first episode was extremely happening as far as the pace goes. the whole theme and story of the drama were introduced immediately and no scenes were dragged in the whole episode. Daniya (Hareem Farooq) and Zaryab (Ali Rehman Khan) are two lovebirds planning their life together and thinking that they love each other more than anything else. But the third angle will strike, Armaan (Alamdar Hussain) is the third angle of this triangle.

Zaryab is an adopted child and for this reason, he does not feel entitled to getting his wishes. He feels indebted to the people who brought him up and for the same reason he did not say a word when his mother engaged her own son to his love interest. From the start, it seems like the mother will be the evil being. She has sidelined the adopted boy just to keep her own son close. Armaan is a character written according to the stereotypical notions we have. He is a boy from the UK who thinks wedding invitations are Whatsapped. Like boy, did you not see Prince Harry’s wedding invitations recently? Which UK were you living in? He loves his brother but not as much to notice that he actually loves his fiance. But well ignorance is the reason many of our dramas progress. Zaryab’s mother’s motive is understandable. She wants to keep her son with her who will only settle in Pakistan if she marries him to Daniya whom he fell in love with at first sight.

Hareem Farooq and Ali Rehman Khan have done a good job in transforming into their respective characters. They were good at showcasing the emotions of the characters. Alamdar, however, has to work REALLY hard. His dialogue delivery was too sloppy and it seems like he was working too hard. But since he is a newbie, he will naturally take some time.

P.S: Loved the scenic shots in this drama.

Did you guys watch the first episode? Share your thoughts!

Let me start by heaving a longg sigh of despair. I should have known better than to expect some ”happy” moments from a play that’s airing on ARY! Right when our leads are finally enjoying their share of happiness, a dying mother swoops in with her final wish and lo and behold! The smiles turn into frowns and the eyes filled with happiness are now brimming with tears. I have always praised the writer for the realistic portrayals and the poignant dialogues but trust me, I never expected her to rely on such a stupid, mainstream track to continue the story and my question is that what was the need to prolong the drama when it could have ended on a super sweet note, with Bushra and Shayan leading a picture perfect life.

Needless to say, I felt for our titular character this time around too; she has been crying her eyes out since, like, forever! Hayee, since Bushra’s swollen eyes are actually a treat for the writer’s own eyes, Bushra’s miseries aren’t coming to an end just like that! It took her quite some time to realize that Shayan’s room is actually hers but before she could even move IN properly, she was forced to move OUT. I soo felt for Bushra when she was gathering her stuff and those bittersweet flashbacks were actually fueling up my anger- why doesn’t the writer want us to see Bushra SMILING? Bushra’s life has always been very unpredictable- in every bad way possible! The moment she gets hold of things, they start slipping through her fingers. I think the writer intended to prove that preconceived notions about luck and fate are wrong but here it’s almost as if the writer wants to show that some people are actually very unlucky. As Bushra puts it, ”Shayan mein jaanti thi kay mein itni khushnaseeb kabhi ho hi nahe sakti. Ye kaisi aazmayish hai? Kabhi bhi kuch bhi hosakta hai meri zindagi mein.” What pinches Bushra the most is actually her guilty conscience because even though she is not the one at fault here, she considers herself a huge obstacle in Sania’s way to happiness and now that Sania’s mother’s days are numbered, Bushra’s worries are just not coming to rest. I think Sabiha’s delay in revealing the ”big” developments actually made matters worse because all this time she was waiting for the most ”appropriate” moment to expose this news but you know, this isn’t an ordinary news, it doesn’t matter WHEN she spills the beans because ‘timing’ wouldn’t make any difference to the reactions of the people attached to Bushra and Shayan. I personally think that this huge mess could’ve been avoided only if Sabiha had been a bit wiser.

About Sania (Faryal Rajput) , uffff there’s a limit to chipku-ness! You guys are free to disagree but I find it pretty unusual how Sania is planning her shadi ka menu, bridal dress, dance numbers, room decorations while her mother’s days are numbered. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s nice that we don’t have to put up with another forlorn face but her unbelievably happy-go-lucky and relaxed attitude is kind of not going with the ‘circumstances’. It’s nauseating how a girl is perfectly aware of the fact that the guy she is committed to is not even interested in her let alone in love but she somehow doesn’t make a big deal out of it. Up till now, Sania is coming across as a genuine and friendly person but she is thick-headed too; I don’t understand why can’t she ‘sense’ something between Bushra & Shayan. I mean, aren’t girls supposed to be over-sensitive about the guys they love and plan on getting married to? I guess its Faryal Rajput’s debut and honestly speaking, I find her a bit OTT and I hope someone does something about her skin-fit clothing because she isn’t carrying it very well.

It’s good to see that the writer hasn’t forgotten about Sofia and Nasir’s side of the story- the change in Sofia’s approach towards Bushra is one of the best things about the play. Hum nay tou deal ki, hai na? She does realize her mistakes and admits it over and over again. She clearly smells trouble and it’s only a matter of time before she stumbles upon the truth! I am shocked at Nasir’s mentality- he is actually relieved that his daughter is choosing not to share her problems and concerns with him or Sofia. Its saddening to see insensitivity reaching new heights.

Share your thoughts on this please.

Maryam Mehdi

Let me start by confessing that I wasn’t really looking forward to ‘Main Bushra’ because the promos had ‘been there, seen that’ written all over them. A strong-headed girl proving her worth to her father, a selfish mother and a saat betiyon ka bezaar baap- hmm, Thakan and Zindage Gulzar Hai, anyone? Moreover, the actors playing these roles are known for their convincing portrayal of such characters. Rona dhona comes naturally to Mawra Hussain, Saba Hameed knows all too well how to pull off a troubled, selfish mother’s role and Waseem Abbas has perfected the role of an overburdened and disgruntled father. But contrary to my expectations, as the episodes progressed, the play proved to be a lot more promising. The sound direction and simple execution, coupled with powerful dialogues, give the viewers something to look forward to every Thursday. However, there’s something you should know: if you are the sort of person who doesn’t like things too close to reality, cringes at the mention of stereotypical characters and cannot handle some very serious (read ultra-depressing+mazloomiat overloaded) tracks without a glint of humour, or if you are through with stories revolving around misfortune-stricken daughters and insensitive parents, then I fear ‘Main Bushra’ might not exactly be your cup of tea. I am sorry for such a longgg review but I had to discuss fifteen episodes, so couldn’t cut it short, my apologies!
‘Main Bushra’ tells the story of a young, educated and confident woman, Bushra Warsi (Mawra Hussain), daughter of Nasir and Sofia. Brought up in a household where she was constantly looked down upon by her very own father, Bushra has this, ‘Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there’ approach towards life and wants to prove to her father that daughters are equally, if not more, capable than sons. Aisa rishta jis mei apni muhabbat ko sabit kia jaye, who rishta hi kaisa, Bushra? Amid all these harsh conditions, Bushra’s best friend, Aaliya proves to be a voice of reason.While watching this play, you will come across many heart-wrenching scenes but the one that affected me the most was Aaliya’s suicide. Aaliya’s husband was a gambler and she was suffering in every possible way. And that’s when she lost her will to go on with life and committed suicide. Her suicide note was touching and even though Aaliya’s role was short, it not only had a lot to deliver but also had a great impact on Bushra’s personality. It’s ironic how she herself gave up on life but never allowed Bushra to lose hope.

The name ‘Bushra’ here holds significance because the meaning of Bushra is ‘happy news/glad tidings/good omen’ and when Nasir and Sofia were blessed with their third daughter, people suggested if they name this daughter, ‘Bushra’, the child born after her will be a boy for sure! It sounds absurd and lame, I know, but the sad part is that there are people in our society who still associate names with matters that solely depend on Allah and His Will. Following Bushra’s birth, four more daughters were born and this is more of a reason why Bushra is seen as a lesser human being by her father. But Nasir’s contempt only serves to strengthen Bushra’s conviction. She supports her family in every way possible- financially and emotionally, without uttering a word of disdain. I think all the struggling women out there who feel their capabilities and talents are being under-estimated by the male-dominated society can find a direct reflection of themselves in Bushra’s eyes.

Episodes 1 to 7 focus more on the accusations Bushra has to deal with after stepping out of her house, her struggling years at work and the usual problems shown in our plays concerning the honour of the family name. For me the most unconvincing part was when Bushra’s younger sister, Zeenia decided to elope with a mohallay ka larka, Kamran (Ahmed Zaib) and the whole situation was twisted in a very unrealistic manner, mind you, just to make it look as if Bushra was the one running away with the guy. I mean, it was evident from their confrontation that Bushra was the one trying to stop Zeenia from taking this step, the bag was in Zeenia’s hand and you didn’t have to be a psychic to guess that it was Zeenia all set for leaving the house for good. But Nasir lacks commonsense and sensitivity at the same time so he didn’t pay heed to Bushra at all and forced her out of his house. Khair, I don’t want this to turn into a summary so I would just say that after a lot of rona dhona and dramayi scenes, Zeenia was proven guilty pheew! But I would mention here that this incident was nicely used to bring the sisters closer together.
Bushra’s life takes a turn when she joins Musa Sahab(Sheheryar Zaidi)’s  office. For the first time, her confidence, intelligence and sharp skills do not go unacknowledged. Also, Bushra finds a fatherly figure in the form of her boss, who genuinely cares about her future. I liked their conversations and like Aaliya, Musa Sahab too tried to make her realize: Kabhi kabhar insaan ko selfish bhi hojana chahye. From episode 7 onwards, I think the story took a darker turn because that’s when Aaliya committed suicide and despite Bushra’s selflessness and immense contribution, we all saw Nasir and Sofia stooping unimaginably low. By the way, Nasir’s pet phrases are:
i) Yeh hai tumhari tarbiyat, Sofia?! ii) Behooda aur badtameez! iii) Beta bannay mei aur beta honay mein bohat farq hota hai!

Then, three more characters mark their entry: Moosa Sahab’s late cousin’s wife, Sabiha (Saba Faisal), her son, Faraz (Faisal Qureshi) and nephew, Shayan (Affan Waheed). After his parents’ death, Shayan has always been more like a son to Sabiha. Moosa Sahab also shares a strong bond with Sabeeha and her sons. The moment Shayan sets his eyes on Bushra he develops a liking for her. But when Sabiha sees Bushra, she deems her perfect for Faraz. Sabiha is responsible for kicking Faraz’s lover out of his life. Driven by her guilty conscience, Sabiha is desperateX1000 to see Faraz turning over a new leaf and therefore, she is ready to do absolutely anything within her grasp to see Faraz tie the knot with Bushra. Since Nasir and Sofia are too selfish to let go of their bread-winner, they agree to Faraz’s proposal in exchange for one thing that is without a doubt, the root of all evil- MONEY! This was one thing I did not expect from Nasir because since day one he was like, ‘meri izzat, meri khuddari’. Whatever happened to ‘hum izzatdaar loag hain’?! Mein umeed karta hun tum humaray faislay ko aur iss faislay kay peechay chupi maa baap ki majbooriyon aur khuda ki maslehat ko samjho gi. Hands down, there is no ‘majboori’ that can justify such a sickening decision.

Okay so Faraz turns out to be a complete psycho because when his dream girl left, she took a few of his brain screws with her. And the three-timer talaaq announcement is what Bushra gets on her wedding night-taking mazloomiat to a whole new level. He divorces Bushra because he believes that by doing so; he will be able to take revenge from his mother. We are living in a society where everybody keeps a track of everybody but despite that, no one seems to make a big deal out of Faraz’s sudden disappearance (except for Bushra’s sisters). Moreover, Bushra’s face has ‘I am depressed, suppressed, oppressed!’ written all over it but not many people have questioned her about it and it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that things are NOT normal but Bushra’s parents are throwing dawatain for Sabiha as if things are pretty normal! The selfless protagonist is crying a rivulet of tears since the play began and I for one haven’t come across a flicker of positivity. Perhaps the only positive thing in this play right now is Sabiha’s understanding and co-operative nature. Obviously, she considers herself responsible for the mess in Bushra’s life. At this point, Sabiha has asked Shayan to marry Bushra. Shayan stands out for being the most misunderstood guy of the play and has been rewarded with two thappars in one episode and if he is wondering what crime did he commit, I must say he is not alone ‘cuz I am wondering the same thing.

One ‘good’ thing that resulted from this divorce thing was the much-needed change in Bushra’s personality. She is no longer the old, passive Bushra who couldn’t raise her voice in front of her father. Bewaqoof nahe, khudgharz hain aap. I loved Bushra’s outburst. She took her time to realize that her parents weren’t worth it.

So guys, this is what Main Bushra is all about. I must say, the supporting roles in the play have a lot to deliver. I like Musa Sahab’s genuine concern for Bushra. He has always been there for Bushra and the fact that he fought for the custody of Aaliya’s daughter, Anushey is also pretty inspirational. Bushra’s sisters also have a lot to add to. Her eldest sister i.e. Fizzah’s character has a lot of potential but I guess the actress playing her role has got some issues. I wish she had been a bit more natural.

About Mawra’s performance, yes, she has come a long way but I do feel there is a slight problem with her dialogue delivery and she doesn’t always seem very comfortable with her dialogues. She is doing a great job but something is missing.

How many of you are following Main Bushra? What do you think will happen next? Share your thoughts, please!

Maryam Mehdi

And finally, Bushra’s journey has come to an end! We have seen this girl crying her eyes, lungs, heart (forgive me for missing out any other organ) out, we have seen her struggling to earn her father’s nod of approval, we have seen her offering every kind of support to her loved ones and since we have been a part of her far-from-perfect journey, we know only too well that the play’s ending is not exactly the sort of ”happy” ending this wonder lady deserved. The last episode was clearly a blend of praiseworthy performances, powerful dialogues and commendable direction and while it’s true that Bushra and Shayan finally got their ”happy” ending, I must say that this ”happy” ending was so heavy-duty that I kind of missed the ”happy” touch- if there was any! Alright, we know that Bushra and Shayan are together at last but a few cheery moments or after-happy-ending glimpses could have been shown just to deliver the right message a little more clearly that yes, people who strive to make a difference are always rewarded in the true sense and they end up with all the ”happiness” in the world. There’s no denying that heartrending and thought-provoking dialogues always hit the mark and all the conversations in this play were written to perfection but the last scene i.e. Bushra & Shayan’s conversation could have been a lot more memorable only if it were a little lighthearted, simple & sweet because sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy watching your favourite duo smile especially after they’ve made it through a long and painful journey, don’t you think? I heaved a hugee sigh of relief when amidst Bushra’s incessant tears and hichkiyan, her very rare smile made an appearance :P. People who have watched Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si are well-aware how painful Bushra’s hichkiyan can be! I admit this over and over again that Mawra Hocane and Affan Waheed share sizzlingggg chemistry and their scenes, despite being few in number, will stay with us because they both managed to deliver exactly what was required.

Aapke iss bharam ko apna mazhab samajh lia tha mein nay, Abu! Ab tou beta ban gayi hun na main aapka? This scene was one of the best scenes we’ve come across in this play. It was overloaded with emotions but its wonderful how Saba Hameed, Waseem Abass and Mawra looked perfectly natural and nothing seemed forced. Although we have seen numerous plays revolving around gender discrimination and I was afraid that I’d lose interest in this play just because of the repetition of this theme, it’s safe to say that the unique dialogues and simple execution gave this topic a relatively new, different treatment. It was a touching confrontational scene- Bushra rendered Nasir absolutely speechless; Nasir was filled with remorse for how he used Bushra to handle the ‘burden’ of his other daughters and I liked how they showed that apart from shedding tears, there’s nothing Nasir could say or do to make up for his sheer selfishness.  Bushra- like I mentioned before, the name here holds much significance because the writer had to highlight how this twisted logic behind naming your daughter Bushra still prevails in modern, industrial societies and our protagonist’s whole journey revolved around proving this notion wrong and I must say that the writer did succeed in spreading the awareness.

Apni izzat ka bharam rakhnay kay liye ussay issi chat kay neechay rakh kar tortay chale gaye aap loag- the conversation between the two helpless mothers was yet another poignant exchange of words. I think Sabiha did need that reality check because in a way, she did exploit Bushra- she kept her in her house for the sake of her own family’s honour and pride. I find Sofia very likeable because the way she acknowledged Bushra’s greatness was commendable. I was thinking that after the disclosure of the whole divorce thing, Bushra would tell her parents about her marriage to Shayan but in the end it was Shayan who finally told Sofia the truth. Bushra meri biwi hai, meri pehli aur aakhri muhabbat aur is ski qeemat chukana kissi kay bas ki baat nahe- aap ki bhi nahe- for once we saw Shayan taking charge of the situation so I was very happy with this development.

Faraz’s death didn’t come off as a total surprise- I guess by the final episode, they had to show karma getting back at the people who were unfair to Bushra so Faraz too had to face the consequences of destroying a young girl’s life just for the sake of torturing his mother. It is true that what Sabiha did to her son was not justifiable. Zinda logon ko marnay par majboor bhi nahe karte ammi! But then again, what Faraz did to Bushra was even more horrendous.  Saba Faisal is a gifted actress and she nailed the scene in which Shayan told her about Faraz’s death and Affan Waheed’s performance was also very natural. Oh and by the way, did any of you wonder why was Sania crying so hysterically on Faraz’s death? I mean, Sania aur Faraz ka kya gehra connection?

Kuch logon ki tou poori zindagi hisaab kitaab kay nazar hojati hai. Kabhi maheenay ki tankhua gintay hain tou kabhi maheenay kay din. Kabhi bus ka kiraya ginna parta hai tou kabhi tou apnay college semester ki fees. Iss ginnay ginanay mein zindagi kay unginat lamhaat kab guzar jaatay hain, pata hi nahe chalta. I just LOVED this dialogue and it sums up Bushra’s life so aptly- she had to go through a great deal of hardships and if there’s one word that can describe Bushra’s life, it’s ‘sacrifice’! The conversation between Sania and Bushra was beautifully written. Even though Faryal Rajput’s acting has been OTT, I feel that she did justice to the final conversations she had with both Bushra and Shayan. I think Sania and her mother were genuinely very nice people; they meant no harm and despite the fact that Sania had spent all her life dreaming of an ideal life with Shayan, it’s a source of relief that unlike the other desperate lovers of our plays, she didn’t resort to any sort of cheap or low-life tactics to ‘snatch’ Shayan away from Bushra. Yes, she was shattered when she first stumbled upon the news of Shayan and Bushra’s marriage but like any sensible woman, she took her time to come to terms with the fact that there’s no use clinging to a guy who has eyes for someone else.  Mein nay uski aankhon mein uski marzi dekhi hai, woh sirf tum ho Bushra. She also realized that if she doesn’t leave Shayan now, there will be yet another series of heartbreaks and grudges. So, Sania walked out of this relationship anddd Bushra and Shayan got their ”happy” ending :)

It is true that all the actors in  Main Bushra have appeared in similar roles over and over again but I saw loads of improvement in Mawra Hocane’s acting. She has perfected the art of crying but I’d have to admit that there were times when Bushra took a stand for what was right and Mawra pulled it off rather convincingly. I must confess that I’d LOVE to see Mawra Hocane and Affan Waheed in another play because their couple is one of the cutest couples of this season! I knowwwww this picture looks cheesy but it just caught my eye while I was searching for MB pics so mein nay socha kay drama mein zyada khush nahe dekh paye in donon ko tou yahan hi sahe, here you go:

Now that Main Bushra is ending, I’d like to applaud the efforts of the writer, Sanam Mehdi Jarchevi for giving us some absolutely beautiful dialogues. There were numerous quotable dialogues from the last episode and I could only quote a few. She is capable of penning some extremelyy poignant dialogues that offer food for thought and you know, sometimes even some apparently simple dialogues were actually so meaningful that I was hugely impressed and if she continues like this, she can go a long way! It’s pleasantly surprising that ARY decided to end a play within 25 episodes so there’s a hint of improvement in ARY’s dragging trend ;). What I seriously didn’t like about this play was the overall depressing and somewhat hopeless aura it had. From the background score to the dialogues- the glimmer of positivity was a little too hard to spot. I don’t know if this was something very relate-able that each and every character was so deep- I mean, even Ruqaiyya Aapa nay kuch bari gehri baatain ki so are we really surrounded by so many philosophers around here? Also, I think things could have been a little less heavy duty. It wasn’t a flawless play but it was definitely a far cry from the other dusri biwi, oh sorry, teesri biwi plays on air these days and the powerful dialogues, coupled with the simple direction & execution made it worth-watching.

So, what do you guys think of the ending? Are you happy with it? Share your thoughts!

Urwa Hocane Wedding

Maryam Mehdi

P.S: Since the whole MB journey is ending here, I’d like to take this moment to thank all my regular readers for taking this experience to a whole new level, especially, Kunwal Javid, Silver Eyes, Matt, Ms. Khan, Mannoo,  Tahira Naveen, Mariam, Eashel, Imrana Khan, AW, A Ayesha, ,Farah Ahmed, Chocoholic and Aaliya Chaudhry. I would like to thank my silent readers too and even if I didn’t mention your name, you all have been wonderful! And yes, how can I forget my fellow amazingg team members, Fatima Awan, Areeba Mohsen, Maaz Siddiqui and Rashid Nazir Ali :) Thanks a million!

Guys and gals, Bushra SMILED  today and that too a broad, beaming smile. <3 I think this calls for a celebration! Without a speck of doubt, this was Main Bushra’s BEST episode. And after so many dreary episodes, we deserved a light-hearted one fair and square! I’ve lost count of all the times I said, ‘Awww so cute’ throughout the episode. Needless to say, Bushra and Shayan are made for each other <33.  I just can’t get over how adorable they look together and believe me, this picture MUST be framed (see below):

I lovedd how Shayan’s outburst and absence made Bushra realize his true worth. I think she always loved him but for the first time ever, we saw Bushra admitting that she has feelings for him because deep down, she always knew how pure Shayan’s intentions have been. The thing that makes Shayan stand out is how he gives Bushra the time and space she needs. Even though he always had feelings for her, he never tried to get things his way by force. I remember how he called her before nikkah just to ensure that she’s not coerced into making such a huge decision. The only time he did raise his hand was when Bushra’s words stabbed his moral character and things started to get out of hand. Thappar- connecting people :P Haha, you’d think that Shayan’s mother’s twisted ‘aqal thikanay laganay wali’ logic actually works! On the face of it, it looks like the thappar did the trick but I think its Shayan’s understanding and thoughtful nature that earned him respect in Bushra’s eyes. They always shared a special bond because if you come to think of it, Bushra and Shayan are alike in many ways. They both grew up with a sense of deprivation, trying to prove their worth to the people they loved. Bushra wanted to be a perfect daughter in the eyes of Nasir and in Shayan’s case, even though Sabiha loved him as her own, he kind of considered it his duty to be an ideal son in order to reciprocate all the favors bestowed upon him. Also, what brings them closer  is how they both need someone with whom they can share their thoughts and feelings without any inhibitions or the fear of being judged. I loved how Shayan returned home to find Bushra all set for turning over a new leaf *cheers*. Their conversation was well-written and beautifully executed and with this, our leads have MOVED ON! ‘Mein iss safar mein na aap ko ruknay dunga na hi thaknay.’ Affan Waheed and Mawra Hocane nailed it!! I loved the meaningful glances they kept throwing each others’ way. I loved the exchange of words of gratitude. ‘Thank you tou mujhay aap ka karna chahye’ <33 Thank you tou hum viewers ka bhi karna chahye, hum kab say duayen kar rahay thay ;)

Bushra, Shayan, Sabiha- everyone was in a great mood today so when the episode ended, I ended up feeling a lot happier and relaxed. Ha! Okay so Bushra and Shayan’s post-marriage official date was super sweet and  I think Bushra’s nervousness was pretty understandable too. I  enjoyed the way Shayan made Bushra feel special by buying her gajray, confessing his love and telling her over and over again how beautiful she looked <3 Shayan talked a lot about his real parents today and I found this very natural because its relate-able how he never felt comfortable talking about them in front of Sabiha as that might’ve made her feel guilty of not taking enough care of him. But now that Bushra is here, he talks about the bittersweet memories and I think its the circumstances he grew up in that made him sensitive and considerate.

I don’t know if this was a directional or editing loophole or what, but considering the ending note of the preceding installment, I was expecting them to show the rest of Bushra’s conversation with her mother but this episode began on a somewhat different note. However, the way Sofia grew suspicious when Shayan answered her call goes to show that Bushra chose not to spill the beans.

The final part of the episode introduced something serious- Sania and her family are in for a little visit (that’s about to turn emotionally violent) and it turns out that Sania’s mother is fighting a life-threatening disease and like any other mother, she wants to see her daughter tie the knot before her death. Pretty filmy and mainstream, no? I remember a couple of weeks back, there was a confusion as to who Sania really is. I watched Episode 11 again and it’s that confirmed that Sania was only engaged to Shayan (no nikkah).

I hope and pray that Sania walks out like a sensible woman after coming to terms with the fact that Bushra is married to Shayan. I am soo not in a mood to tackle another obsessively desperate young woman!! I think Sabiha has been unfair to Sania because she was the one desperate to see Shayan and Sania together in the first place. Faraz and the shocking divorce changed the situation but the bottom line is: Shayan loves Bushra. It’s true that things would have taken a far worse turn if Shayan had married Sania, despite having feelings for Bushra. I like how Bushra is feeling guilt pangs- she is genuinely nice and conscientious :).

I admit this over and over again that Mawra Hocane is beautiful as Bushra and Affan Waheed is perfectly portraying Shayan’s character. They look flawless together <33 Andd I am soo looking forward to the next episode!!

Did you watch the episode? Share your thoughts, please!

Maryam Mehdi

Let me start by confessing that I truly felt for Shayan today. He is one decent guy and I don’t think he deserves to be treated that way. Even though the circumstances Bushra and Shayan find themselves in are anything but normal, Shayan has always been kind and understanding and therefore I won’t side with Bushra this time around.

I don’t know if it’s just me but seemingly, the first half of this episode promised a change in Bushra’s approach towards her relationship with Shayan. I was dreading to see more of Shoaib-Fizzah marital problems but I think this track was tackled rather well and the writer intelligently used it to make Bushra acknowledge Shayan’s kindheartedness. Shayan is the kind of person who’s always there to lend a hand and that’s what I like about him the most. Taraqqi hogayi- Bushra and Shayan finally had dinner together (in the absence of Sabiha :P). I was actually enjoying Bushra’s sharmeeli, half-smiles and I was thinking to myself: oh, they are off to a new start! Alas, all good things must come to an end!

It was crystal clear that Shayan had entered Bushra’s room to collect his cell phone and to let her know that his flight to Dubai has been postponed. After witnessing Bushra’s reaction or I should say- overreaction, I am actually concerned: is our protagonist losing her mind? She misunderstood Shayan’s intentions and it’s clear that she has quite a low opinion of him. Look, if I put myself in Shayan’s shoes, my reaction to this accusation wouldn’t have been any different because Bushra has been treating him like a punchbag. Don’t get me wrong, I really don’t want to encourage physical abuse but I do feel that Bushra kind of needed that slap for the re-awakening of her conscience and sanity. This ‘slap’ also served as a reality check that Shayan harbours feelings and can run out of patience because he’s a human being too, you know.

The post-slap scenes suggest that  Bushra’s opinion of Shayan has changed for the better because she looked rueful when Shayan was leaving the house. I don’t know if I should hope for something better but I somehow have a good feeling about the future installments. Also, Bushra has finally decided to spill the beans about her relationship with Shayan. I think this is one smart move because it’s now or never to let the cat out of the bag. The longer she holds it back, the more suspicious this whole situation would get.

Tabdeeli aa nahe rahi- tabdeeli agayi hai!! Yes guys, Sofia (Bushra’s mother) is regretful for all the times she sided with her husband and took Bushra for granted and I am beginning to like her for that because at least she has the heart to accept where she was wrong. She is no longer afraid of her husband’s temper because her first and foremost priority is the well-being of her daughters. The reality checks she kept throwing Nasir’s way were done beautifully and I just lovedd her dialogues. Tab biwi ban kar socha tha. Ab maa ban kar soch rahi hoon. I must say Saba Hameed nailed the role of a regretful mother!

Affan Waheed’s performance is quite impressive in this serial in particular. Mawra Hussain looked gorgeous throughout the episode but honestly speaking, I MISS our old Bushra’s simple and natural dressing. This sudden change in the wardrobe is beyond me!

Share your thoughts about this episode, please!

Maryam Mehdi

I have always been fond of Main Bushra’s meaningful and moving dialogues. It goes without saying that Sanam Mehdi Jarchevi put her heart and soul into penning down the dialogues and you’re bound to find a philosophical touch in almost every scene of this play. However, I don’t think every single conversation has to be heavy-duty and philosophical to strike a chord. Sometimes, light and sweet conversations can touch your heart in more ways than one.

I think all of us had been rooting for Shayan the day he met Bushra and I for one genuinely wanted the two to tie the knot. It turns out that Bushra took her time to agree to Shayan’s proposal. I loved how Shayan called for a pre-nikkah meeting to make sure that Bushra is not being forced into this marriage. I felt the pre-nikkah conversation was not only much needed but also to the point and perfect. Considering the hardships our dear heroine has been facing since the very first episode, I was expecting something to go seriously wrong at the time of their nikkah but thankfully, Bushra’s parents marked their entry AFTER the nikkah had taken place *sigh of relief*. But still, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time because their presence only made Bushra feel uncomfortable and fidgety. Sofia and Nasir haven’t got a clue about Bushra and Shayan’s nikkah but Sofia has clearly sensed something fishy about Faraz and his sudden disappearance. ‘Shayan ki shaadi ka card lekar ayega humaray ghar’. Haha, now that’s what you call an awkward moment :P

I liked how they showed guilt pangs hitting Sophia. Deep down, she knows whatever has happened to Bushra has been anything but fair.

Hey, the moment Bushra’s mom says, ‘Larkian apnay shauharon kay saath hi achi lagti hain’, I go like, ‘Ghaur say dekhiye, Sophia aunty’ ;) ;) (see below)

Even though Bushra looked stunning on the nikkah day, I felt her sleeveless dress didn’t have a Bushra-like feel to it and I felt it didn’t match her personality at all (kindly note I am only referring to the character here). Whoever is responsible for the sudden change in the wardrobe should have kept Bushra’s background and character in mind.

All this time I was hoping and praying for Bushra and Shayan to tie the knot and even though they are officially together, it seems like they are not willing to turn over a fresh leaf. If you ask for my honest opinion, the post-nikkah developments have actually been a huge disappointment. I was hoping for a few sweet dialogues, exchange of promises and most importantly- some SMILES !! :D :D You see, not that hard at all! But what do we get instead? Our dukhiyari bibi’s tears and hichkiyan! I know she has been through a lot and I can totally relate to her frame of mind but with this new bond, I was expecting her to move on in the true sense. From what they have shown us up till now, the only thing I can scrape together is that Bushra and Shayan are living under one roof, in different rooms with no sort of interaction at all. Enlighten me, is that why we were rooting for their union in the first place? The previews suggest that things are not going to change for the better any time soon. As if seeing Bushra’s teary-eyed expressions 24/7 wasn’t enough, we’ll now get to see her being subjected to abuse uff!

Andd what’s an ARY drama serial without an absolutely mindless and unnecessary side track?? Fizzah (Bushra’s eldest sister)’s abusive and obnoxious husband, Shoaib is out of prison and I think he’s more unbearable for US than he is for Fizzah.

So this is it from my side. Now I’d like to know what you guys think of Main Bushra’s latest developments?

Maryam Mehdi

Main AFSURDA– I think this would have been the most suitable title for this play because now it’s not just our protagonist who is afsurda, this time around EVERYONE (except for Sania I guess) was sooo afsurda that when the episode finally ended, I found myself so afsurda that I don’t think anyone having a great day should tune to this play because they’ll end up feeling very afsurda and I know the over-usage of afsurda is irritating but the thing is that I am feeling soo afsurda that I can’t think of any other word because: ARY IS DOING IT AGAIN! They’re about to ruin a play some of us used to wait for. This was one full-of-loopholes, boring and above all- AFSURDA episode. The recent turn of events is bugging me this much because I had quite a lot expectations from this play and now to see the story going downhill like this- it’s shattering! My eyes beg for some sweet scenes and my ears beg for some sweet dialogues but all we know up till now is that Bushra is crying, Sabiha is nazrain churay-ing, Shayan is sleepy and Sania is excited (for her marriage to a guy who loathes her presence and makes it quite obvious too but madame abhi tak issi kashmakash mein hain kay un ka to-be-hubby un say muhabbat karta hai ya naha?!!).

First things first, whatever happened to ‘kal tak tumhe apni har baat ka jawaab miljayega’?? I mean, the first few scenes indicated that Shayan will break the news to Sania and I was waiting for the ‘kal’ in question but guess what? I kept waiting! Even though Shayan did approach Sania once and obviously he intended to spill the beans but the whole scene ended rather abruptly and with a stinging smile and ‘ab koi jawaab matter hi nahe karta ‘, she walked out- just like that! At one point she was begging for an explanation as to what’s the reason behind Shayan’s berukhi but when she put tissue and tissue together (LOL, you gotta admit the girl has Sherlock-like skills ;) ) and figured out that there’s something fishy going on between him and Bushra, she left the conversation in the lurch- this tells you what kind of person she is. She is the sort of person who likes to live in an ideal world of hers where everything is according to her plans and even though she herself has come to realize that Bushra is someone special for Shayan, the thing is that she doesn’t have the heart to hear this from Shayan in person- she just can’t face the truth. You know, I don’t get why every single person in this play is sooo slowww! I mean, why couldn’t Shayan tell her the truth right when she asked him? Yeh ‘kal’ ka intezaar kyunnnnn? Shayan always came across as a level-headed person and I expected him to voice the truth without chickening out but I’m afraid he is not exactly taking charge of the whole situation. And yesss, why couldn’t they SHOW Bushra and Shayan in a restaurant, enjoying some light-hearted moments, matlab, itna sukh tou viewers ko mil hi sakta tha yaar!

(see below) Bubbly ka advert match aur Sania- perfect match, huh?

Another person who is proving to be a HUGE disappointment is Sabiha!! I mean, remind me again, isn’t she the woman who got Bushra and Shayan married in the first place? Now that the situation is getting out of hand, it’s actually Sabiha’s responsibility to say the truth out loud. I know that she’s concerned about Sania’s mother but would it do any good to marry Sania to Shayan just because of her dying mother’s last wish, only to find Shayan and Sania leading a troubled marital life in future?  All this time she was like, ‘Bushra tou meri beti hai, Bushra tou meri zindagi hai’ but now when Bushra is likely to have a nervous breakdown (all jokes apart, I am actually worried about Bushra’s health), Sabiha is behaving as if Bushra doesn’t even exist! I for one didn’t spot her consoling Bushra and reminding her that they’re going to deal with this together. Well, I’m veryy concerned about Bushra because the circumstances she finds herself in are exceptionally difficult to cope with and if she loses her mind, I for one wouldn’t blame her! I loved the play when the focus was solely on Bushra, her struggles, her triumphs, her failures but look where we are right now!

Shayan always looks so constipated, Bushra has ‘I am the saddest person in the whole, wide world’ written all over her face while Sabiha always has this sheepish look on her face like she’s hiding something but isn’t it strange that Sania’s parents aren’t the least bit worried why their daughter’s to-be-susraali are anything but happy for the approaching wedding bells? Shukar hai atleast Sania commented that Yahan sab ka muu dekh kar tou lag hi nahe raha kay yahan shadi honay wali hai but even that remark was made very casually. Sania and Shayan are poles apart and I don’t know why in the world Sania fell head over heels in love with Shayan. I know that opposites attract but when Shayan is with Sania, he’s always so expressionless and insipid that I don’t know what compelled Sania to fall in love with him. WHY are girls portrayed so desperateee in our serials these days? If a guy doesn’t like you and you’re a girl with even an ounce of self-respect in you, you’d think twice before obsessing over a guy who has got eyes for someone else!

On the other hand, Sofia puts two and two together and a call from Fazeela confirms her suspicions about Faraz’s disappearance. They wasted quite some time in showing the longg series of flashbacks in Sofia’s ‘putting two and two together’ sequence but when it came to the interesting part, i.e. Fazeela’s call- we didn’t even get to hear all of it! I really wanted to know what Fazeela knows about Faraz and oh, I was expecting them to show Faraz’s accident a lot earlier but at the last minute of the episode, Shayan just received a call from someone informing him about Faraz’s accident and nothing was revealed after that. Going by Sofia’s expressions, I think she finally knows what actually happened between Faraz and Bushra and I wonder what’d be her next step.

The promo suggests that the next episode will comparatively be more happening so let’s see! I want to know what you folks think of the episode, so please share your thoughts!

Maryam Mehdi