Mohabbat Daagh Ki Soorat Episode 17: Is This Show Sending the Right Message Regarding Marriage?

Sami Khan and Neelam Munir are great actors that bring expectations along with them. Add Syed Jibran to the mix, along with Sunita Marshal, and this is a stellar star cast. However, within the first few episodes, the story seemed to fall flat – only to pick up greatly later on. Written by Saira Raza, this drama has been directed by Zeeshan Ahmed. Following a young girl and her aspirations after the death of her father, “Mohabbat Dagh Ki Soorat” has been focusing on Shijrat and Sanaan’s relationship post Nikkah.

In episode 17, Shijrat (Neelam Munir) has passed her CSS exam and the entire family is overjoyed at her accomplishment – particularly Sanaan (Sami Khan) and her mother-in-law. Shijrat and Sanaan are proving to be the ideal, loving, supportive couple, so what could go wrong? Shijrat and Sanaan have a night out and end up rushing to Sanaan’s house to check up on his ill mother…..where they end up having “relations.” The remainder of the episode revolves around how distraught the two are and how they are unable to come out of that “trauma.” Shijrat has not been assaulted – rather, she is the one who initiated, if we look at it objectively. That aside, there’s a concept here that is difficult to digest. Shijrat and Sanaan are a married couple. If Pakistani culture (and the censor board) puts so much emphasis on religion then according to Shariah, these two are already a married couple with the right to do as they please. Rukhsati is a concept that comes from culture – so why are Shijrat and Sanaan acting as though they have committed a crime? And more importantly, why is Shijrat’s mother acting as though Shijrat is committing a crime by spending time with her husband alone? This is a mind-set that Pakistanis and Pakistani writers need to eradicate from our mindsets. A Rukhsati is simply a cultural ceremony, the wedding is the Nikkah itself – whether it happens a year before rukhsati or a day before, that Nikkah is the “license” to behave as a married couple.

Sami Khan’s Sanaan is the highlight of this drama, a kind-hearted, genuine character who loves and respects his partner. Sami Khan is an actor who always gives his 100% to each character he plays, however he is particularly likable in this one. Neelam Munir has played this sort of character multiple times in Qayamat, Bikhray Moti and now Mohabbat Dagh Ki Soorat. However, with this one, Shijrat is becoming a frustrating character with how she’s reacting to her own choices. Still, Neelam is a strong performer as always. It’s not clear how the story will move forward from here, though pregnancy is certainly in the cards. How will this impact Shijrat and Sanaan’s life?