“Mor Moharan” was expected to launch back in December 2021, a first episode air date announced….and then the show found itself pushed back indefinitely. Now, post Ramadan, “Mor Moharan” has finally found a space on the schedule. This has been a highly awaited show, mostly due to the much-loved cast, including Zahid Ahmed, Sonya Hussyn, Babar Ali, Samiya Mumtaz, Firdous Jamal and others in prominent roles. The story has been written by Ali Moeen and directed by Owais Khan.
The first two episodes have aired and while this show received very little attention in terms of promotion, the expectations have been high due to the casting and interesting subject. The story follows Ruhi (Sonya Hussyn) who lives in Cholistan with her loving parents, parents who are progressive and have sent her to the city to earn her MBA in agriculture. Ruhi hopes to serve her land by helping with irrigation, as water scarcity is a big problem. Time flies and before the audience can bat an eyelid, Ruhi has completed her education and is back home.
Meanwhile, we are also introduced to Sikander, the son of Almas (Samiya Mumtaz) and Feroz (Babar Ali). Sikandar has spent his childhood in boarding school and blames his mother for abandoning him. It’s not clear what the situation here is exactly, but it’s possible that Feroz may be a stepfather? Almas worries that her son has been brainwashed against her, but it’s not clear why just yet. Ruhi and Sikandar’s families appear to be related, as Ruhi’s father (played by Firdous Jamal) and Almas are seen speaking over the phone in a familiar, loving manner.
We are also introduced to Gardezi (Zahid Ahmed), an interesting sort of character who appears to be a modern-day, racing, leather-jacket-wearing sort of politician. It’s not clear what exactly his role is, but he is a powerful man and Zahid Ahmed commands attention the moment he appears on screen. Unfortunately, the rest of the show does not hold up as well as Zahid Ahmed’s scenes. The presentation is awkward in a way that’s difficult to pinpoint or describe. Sonya Hussyn’s introduction scene is gratingly reminiscent of “Man Mohini” (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam – Bollywood) and unnecessarily long. The show is fast-paced and zips through Ruhi’s college life in a matter of minutes, which is odd, because why was it even shown in the first place?
If there are highlights, it’s the storyline itself, which aims to inform viewers about the rising problems in the region, such as water scarcity and climate change. It’s great to see these topics come up in a drama, so “Mor Moharan” is one that we, as viewers, should try to support. That being said, hopefully the story, acting and presentation pick up soon and make this a story worth watching.