TV shows, especially soap operas, form an essential part of the viewership of Indian households. With the availability of wide streaming options today, this field is being dominated by Pakistani shows. Over the years, Pakistani dramas have not only gained immense popularity but have built their loyal viewers in India also, which is why a large section of the Indian population is hooked to these dramas. Both the neighboring countries may disagree on a lot of issues but they have certainly bonded over art and good quality content. Pakistan has a reputation for its dramas, while India is known for its mass-market films. As India has moved on to producing year-long soap operas, Pakistani television has shifted to producing mini-series with a limited amount of episodes. Indians also find Pakistani dramas to be quite appealing in terms of plot and performance, which is why they are always looking for new programs to binge on. India has been a huge fan of Pakistani dramas ever since "Zindagi Gulzar Hai." - to the extent that their original music tracks (OSTs) have become popular in India in addition to the dramas themselves. These OSTs now have a sizable number of listeners in India.
One of these is the serial ‘Mere Humsafar’, released recently in 2022 and featuring the star cast of Hania Amir and Farhan and consisting of 40 episodes. It is a drama that tries to take the viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, with its compelling storyline and well-developed characters. Having earned lots of recognition and popularity, the show boasts a rating of 8.4 on IMDB. It revolves around Hala, portrayed by the talented Hania Amir, and her tumultuous journey which starts when she is abandoned by her father at her paternal house and is mistreated and abused there, especially by her Tai Jan (paternal aunt) and cousin. Later, her cousin, Hamza, son of her Tai Jan returns from abroad, marries her, and gives her the respect and love she always needed. Their relationship faces acute opposition from the family members and several evil plots by her ex-boyfriend and her mother-in-law and their own personal struggles throughout the course of their journey.
The standout character in the series is Hamza, played by Farhan Saeed, whose portrayal is superb. Hamza's unwavering support for his wife, Hala, adds depth to the narrative of the story and highlights the importance of companionship in the face of adversity. Farhan Saeed's performance brings Hamza to life, making him a character that viewers can connect with and often root and yearn for. The constant polite demeanor he carries also makes his character more appealing. Hania Amir's portrayal of Hala, who is often crying and fainting unusually and exaggeratedly, tends to come off as very irritating. Although it makes sense since her character experiences great suffering, one finds her constant outbursts of tears to be forced. A better and more subtle approach to expressing Hala's emotions could have made her character more relatable and tolerable.
The plot of ‘Mere Humsafar’ is filled with twists and turns but the show like many previous Pakistani dramas has a predictable theme that revolves around romance, family issues, and constant evil plotting between the relatives. One notable drawback is the obviousness of some plot points, especially in the latter part of the series. Certain revelations and twists can be anticipated, diminishing the element of surprise. Additionally, the show tends to rely heavily on dramatic situations, which does not resonate with the story's requirements. It tends to elongate the show unnecessarily. Barring its great soundtrack, the show mostly relies on clichés and overused motifs, which leaves the narration highly unoriginal and uninspired. However, the portrayal of cultural nuances and the blend of British and Pakistani elements in Hala's life is an interesting and different component of the narrative. The characters, although well-defined, lack depth and are seemingly one-dimensional. However, one must acknowledge that despite the poor writing, the actors deliver. The supporting cast, including Samina Ahmad, Saba Hameed, and Alyy Khan as family members, give commendable performances, adding a sense of weight to their respective characters, such that would make you hate them.
One of the most problematic issues that is not often spoken about is the normalisation of physical and mental abuse in Pakistani shows. In Mere Humsafar, the story reveals how Tai Jan herself is a victim of domestic abuse from her husband and mother-in-law. She channels her frustration at this by cruelly beating Hala. While the show-makers have obviously sympathised with Hala’s character by offering her a way out of that miserable life later in the story; the same was not done for her mother-in-law. The cruel treatment that Tai Jan endured was completely swept under the rug. This obliquely represents the common view that only extremely innocent women can be victims of unjustified cruelty and that other women who suffer domestic abuse at the hands of their in-laws somehow deserve it. Another aspect to this issue is the concept of honour associated with women of the family. Their relationships are shamed with lots of melodrama and emotional manipulation. Though in our country, families do have a traditional outlook on things, but this thinking has largely changed with time. Mere Humsafar shows the same old narrative where if a woman participates in a romantic relationship, a question is raised on her character and morality and she is threatened with serious repercussions. The character not being able to take a stand for herself is portrayed as the her innocence. She needs a man to deal with all her problems and provide her with a solution. Also, Hala as the female main character, is shown as the epitome of forgiveness. Be it her father who abandoned her for most of her childhood or her abusive and neglecting relatives, she simply forgives them all. This makes her very domestic and in essence a so-called ‘good woman’. The story perpetuates the age-old understanding that forgiveness and letting go are two of the core requirements in being pure and feminine. This leaves a large and much-needed gap for the portrayal female rage onscreen.
Despite some predictable moments and the occasional excesses of melodrama, the series successfully captures the essence of familial bonds and the endurance of love in the face of challenges. These are the factors that drive the audiences of South Asia. For those who enjoy highly emotion-driven dramas with good acting, "Mere Humsafar" can enamour you, but if one is looking for innovation or even just a good story per se, then only the title song would be bearable. The show is a classic example of the old boring story, polished with a new and popular casting.
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By- Anusha Gupta
(Junior Editor, RGNUL Cosmos)
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