“Pyari Mona” began as a fresh, light-hearted story that presented realistic life complications surrounding its female lead, a young woman refusing to conform to South Asian beauty standards. Sanam Jung won our hearts as the fun-loving, spirited, vocal Mona. However, over the past several weeks, “Pyari Mona” has fallen off track. “Pyari Mona” stars Sanam Jung, Adeel Hussain, Adnan Jaffar, Uzma Beg, Muhammad Hunbal, Shaheen Khan and Mashal Khan in central roles. The story has been written by Haseeb Ahmed and directed by Ali Hassan.
The real take-away from episode 14 of “Pyari Mona” is that Babar, played by Adeel Hussain, is an incredibly confused, unlikable character. To be quite honest, there are gaping holes in the Babar and Mona (Sanam Jung) relationship. Mona confronts Babar, asking why he cut himself off while she was away and insinuates that he was spending time with his girlfriend – not realizing how much truth there is to this statement. But at the same time, Mona is also upset that Babar doesn’t care while also taunting him on how there wouldn’t be any woman interested in him. It’s a highly toxic relationship and the signs that these two should run in opposite corners are blazing. That being said, Mona is certainly doing her best to unite this family unit, if at least for Ayaan’s sake. It’s here that Babar has begun to show off just how terrible of a human being he is, constantly degrading Mona and even refusing her simple joys such as celebrating her new job. Mona aside, Babar is even neglecting Ayaan in favor of his new girlfriend.
Zee (Mashal Khan) has wormed her way into Babar’s life, but Babar himself appears confused over her place in his life. He is not willing to call her his girlfriend or accept, even to himself, that he’s straying outside of a marriage or doing anything inappropriate. This is a man who is still coming to terms with his wife’s death and is now married to a woman who stands for everything he despises. We should feel sorry for Babar, but his behavior towards Mona is simply atrocious. There’s a moment between the two where Babar attempts to be serious and have a discussion with Mona, feeling upset when she brings up Samiya instead. This scene is odd, because up until the moment before, Babar is his usual antagonistic self. Where did the sudden change of heart come from?
Meanwhile, the story following Irfan (Muhammad Hunbal) and Kinza (Naureen Mumtaz) has become repetitive. Irfan’s mother, played by Shaheen Khan, refuses to put her issues with Mona to rest and has decided to brainwash Kinza against her as well. This is tiresome to watch. What sort of mother actively attempts to poison her son’s marriage, turning her son’s wife against him and encouraging her to pick petty fights – that too for a woman who doesn’t even live in the same city? This storyline needs to come to an end and quick. Irfan and Kinza are cute, but this storyline is not.
Sanam Jung and Adeel Hussain are doing a really good job with their roles, but the flow of “Pyari Mona” has stalled. Unfortunately, the narrative does not have the punch it once had and we are now delving into the same old mainstream issues – infidelity, vamps and lack of communication. This is a drama that won audiences over with its unique concept and lead, but it’s slowly losing exactly what made it lovable. Will the narrative come back on track and give us a story that offers hope or will we have to continue watching Mona make unappreciated sacrifices – just like her sister?