Since its debut, “Mere Ban Jao” has stood out for its unique concept, one that’s rooted in reality and is a situation that many girls have fallen prey to out of naivety. Starring Zahid Ahmed, Kinza Hashmi and Azfar Rehman in lead roles, the story has been written by Samira Fazal and directed by Syed Ahmed Kamran. Azmia, played by Kinza Hashmi, is engaged to her cousin, Fardeen (Azfar Rehman) and the two are in love. Having conversed for years over the phone long-distance, as Fardeen lives in America, the lines have become blurred in their relationship. Fardeen often asks for “favors” in the form of pictures or over video chat. This leaves Azmia in a compromised position and is left feeling insecure. Unfortunately, things only appear to get worse as their wedding date gets closer.
Before diving into the episode itself, let’s discuss the greatest flaw. Women who experience such a breach of trust like releasing videos or going viral on social media do not do so because they fall short in a weak moment. Let’s throw this narrative out the window, because it’s not being true to the subject. The reason women wind up in this sort of situation is out of blind trust. They trust their partner and cannot imagine that this individual would ever do anything to hurt them. It is naivety that puts them in this situation, love and trust. “Mere Ban Jao” loses its grip on storytelling by Azmia’s constant discomfort, questioning and thoughts of accidentally “going viral.” This is something always on her mind – proving that she believes Fardeen is capable of going down this path. If a woman does not trust a man, she would never put herself in this predicament. The story has already mildly lost us at this point, as they’ve tried to paint Azmia as a victim instead of a wiling accomplice. Naivety or not, many women have their trust broken in such a situation because they did, in fact, trust their partner.
Coming to episode 5 itself, Azmia’s discomfort continues throughout the episode with Zaki (Zahid Ahmed) constantly hovering to offer advice. Azmia and Fardeen’s Nikkah goes off without a hitch and the day before the Rukhsati, Fardeen sneaks into Azmia’s room. He states that they’re going to be married tomorrow anyway and just wants a moment in private with Azmia, which leads to a tussle which results in Azmia slapping Fardeen…..and then ends with Fardeen divorcing Azmia verbally.
The problem with this episode is that it sets the stage for what is coming up next – which will now deter from the original subject. The concept is what has pulled in viewers and veering away from it to head into a divorce/halala storyline brings it back to an old, outdated and overdone concept. It’s also a concept Azfar Rehman worked in just last year with the mess-of-a-show “Bisaat.” The preview for the next episode does not bode well with it seeming that Azmia will somehow wind up married to Zaki…..which is a difficult concept to wrap the mind around. It only takes one moment for a great show to turn into an “iffy” one and right now, “Mere Ban Jao” is sitting on the fence. Will it remain true to the story it has essentially been trying to tell? Or will we be treated to yet another “secret talaaq” story?