“Qissa Meherbano Ka” is described as a “story of blind intense love, misgiving and despair.” This is a generic description, but five episodes in, one cannot wrap their heads around where the “blind, intense love” is. Starring Mawra Hocane, Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz, Ahsan Khan, Khushal Khan, Zeb Rehman, Mohammad Ahmed, Areej Mohyuddin and others, the story has been written by Fakhra Jabeen and directed by Iqbal Hussain. At present, at a point when the story should have taken off and been in full swing, the audience is still wondering how this show will unfold – and if it’s worth sticking around to watch.
Meherbano, played by Mawra Hocane, is a young woman who should be able to stand up and defend herself and protect her own rights, but she doesn’t. Why doesn’t she? It doesn’t make any sense. She has a man ready and waiting for her, a man who truly loves her, but she simply refuses to move forward. The most beautiful part of this story are the characters of Noor (Areej Mohyuddin) and Mehrab (Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz), the two individuals who genuinely have Meherbano’s best interest at heart. Mehrab hopelessly loves this young woman and Noor does her best to play matchmaker, constantly informing Mehrab of any new developments – including Murad’s (Ahsan Khan) return.
Abbu (Mohammad Ahmed) is the most illogical character on the show. First, he destroyed his own son’s life by not listening to Atif’s complaints about his wife, a wife who was carrying on an affair with another man and wanting to leave Atif for him. Then he forced Meherbano to remain married to Murad, a man who would never accept her as his wife. Ten years later, he decides to finally get Meherbano divorced and invites Murad over to do the needful – and then messes everything up by informing Murad of his decision to sign over all his property to Meherbano. Why would he do this?! Murad is now ready, of course, to take Meherbano home with him – because he wants her property. From the scenes they share together, it’s clear that Abbu does not think highly of Murad at all and finds his presence insufferable. So why would he even indulge the idea of Meherbano staying with Murad? One thing that South Asian parents need to recognize is that if they themselves cannot imagine living with a person for even two days, how do they expect their children to live with these individuals for their entire lives?
Unfortunately, “Qissa Meherbano Ka” is being kept afloat by the Noor and Mehrab characters, enacted by Areej Mohyuddin and Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz. The basic premise of the show simply isn’t interesting and gives off a feeling of déjà vu. There isn’t anything novel about this storyline – at least not yet. Also, Khushal Khan’s absence is felt in this episode, as he greatly elevated the proceedings last week. One can only hope this story picks up soon before the audience tunes out.