While “Hum Tum” is not the only Ramadan special this year, joined by the equally entertaining “Chaudhry and Sons” on Har Pal Geo and “Paristan,” also airing on Hum TV, “Hum Tum” has been winning hearts due to the fresh presentation, progressive characters and strong female and male leads. Starring Ahad Raza Mir, Ramsha Khan, Junaid Khan, Sarah Khan, Adnan Jaffar, Uzma Beg, Danish Ali, Arjumand Rahim, Munazza Arif, Farhan Ali Agha, Mohammad Ahmed and others, the story has been written by Saima Akram Chaudhry and directed by Danish Nawaz.
What’s great about this show is that it is not a true comedy, rather it has serious storylines interwoven with comedy. This is also the reason as to why many may be disappointed when comparing “Hum Tum” to last year’s runaway hit, “Chupke Chupke,” which was an out-and-out comedy. In episode 7, the war between Adam (Ahad Raza Mir) and Neha (Ramsha Khan) reaches new heights when Adam comes in first place in their university exams, Neha losing out by 4 points. While Neha and Adam’s scenes are highly entertaining, it’s at this point that it would be beneficial to pull it back a bit. The faces that both Ramsha and Ahad are making at this point are mildly overdone and the immaturity level in their actions is downright appalling. And yet, when the show dives into the deeper points, we can understand their extreme rivalry – but we would still like to see some growth moving forward.
The relationship between Adam, Sarmad and Mili is one that warms the heart. These siblings are tight-knit and oddly much more loving and supportive than the relationship shared by the sisters. But in recent episodes, we’re let into the secret as to why this is the case. Sultan’s (Farhan Ali Agha) actions may be brushed off as his being lazy and wasting away the day, but in reality, he is a gambler and having a gambler in the family is detrimental not only to family finances, but also emotional well-being. Sarmad (Junaid Kan) had to quit school and support the family from a young age in order to cover for his father’s behavior while Adam has essentially grown up without a loving, supportive father. It’s no wonder then why he dotes on Qutubuddin (Adnan Jaffar) and spends the majority of his time with him, trying to find a replacement father in him. Again, this is interwoven with comedy, but the scenario is not actually funny – it’s heartbreaking. And it hasn’t stopped with Sultan still actively stealing money from Haleema (Munazza Arif) and selling Adam’s bike for money he simply gambles away.
Meanwhile, can anyone blame Neha for harboring animosity towards Adam? Her own father is constantly regretful of not having a son, taking Adam under his wing to fill that void and, in turn, ignoring his own daughters. Given, while his daughters are educated and intelligent young women, technically filling that void themselves with their intelligence and independence, they are not his image of what a woman should be. Meanwhile, Qutubuddin’s own father is responsible for his unhappiness, not allowing him to marry the girl of his choice back in the day – and now, in the present, becoming an advocate of progressiveness. This must also burn for Qutubuddin in the back of his heart, seeing the different standards his own father had for his own son and now has for his granddaughters.
This is the highlight of “Hum Tum,” the underlying issues within these relationships and, hopefully, how they will move forward and grow. It’s honestly Sarmad and Maha’s (Sarah Khan) love story that is the cutest part of the story, keeping the audience hooked with this clash of personalities and preferences. While Sarmad and Maha get along well on the surface, their habits and preferences are very different. How will these two come together? And when will Neha and Adam put aside their hostility and accept the flaws within themselves? “Hum Tum” seems to be getting better with each episode!