“Dobara” is a highly awaited show for many reasons. First, it brings back the hit team behind Hum TV’s “Khaas,” which highlighted emotional abuse and depicted a truly narcissistic character on-screen, labeling his behavior for the first time. The Danish Nawaz-Sarwat Nazir duo became a fan favorite after “Khaas” and viewers are excited to see what they bring us next. “Dobara” is also Hadiqa Kiani’s second acting venture after “Raqeeb Se” and seeing how long it took Hadiqa to sign her first (brilliant show), one expects that “Dobara” will also be worthwhile for her to have given it the go-ahead. Third, the topic is one that has been attempted in the past, but unsuccessfully and audiences would love to see a well-written, well-enacted love story between an older woman and younger man. Starring Bilal Abbas Khan alongside Hadiqa Kiani as this duo facing a heavy dose of opposition, “Dobara” will be hitting our television screens soon. Until then, let’s take a look at a couple of other shows that dared to take on this topic – but failed.
Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai (2015)
Written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Shahzad Rafique, “Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai” is a show that aired on A Plus in 2015. Starring Junaid Khan and Saima in lead roles, supported by Javed Sheikh, Irsa Ghazal, Sundas Tariq and Anoushay Abbasi, this show took on a different, almost “taboo” subject. Does an older woman have the right to find love after divorcing? And if so, what if her suitor is younger than she is? This drama dared to explore this topic, not only presenting it in a visually beautiful way, but also (with the help of the actors and their brilliant performances) pulling the audience into this world, breaking barriers and forcing the viewer to think. And yet, while this show should have otherwise been a masterpiece, the show had over 50 episodes and the final 1/3 of the show fell to pieces. It’s as though the team could not think of a plausible way to end the show that would conclude in a good way for both the actors and the audience. It’s one thing to push the envelope, but the conclusion needs to be satisfying as well – and this is where “Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai” faltered, reducing the older woman to a victim, a woman living in scorn and shame.
Teri Chah Mein (2016)
Written by Samina Ijaz and directed by Aabis Raza, “Teri Chah Mein” was, unfortunately, not much more successful at tackling this storyline. In comparison, “Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai” still had a solid, beautiful beginning 2/3 of the show to support it. “Teri Chah Mein” stars Farhan Saeed and Maria Wasti as the lead pair, but this pair comes with a heavy dose of discomfort. Maria Wasti’s character is Farhan Saeed’s character’s Chachi (uncle’s wife). Adding to this, Farhan Saeed’s character is engaged to Maria Wasti’s character’s daughter, played by Saboor Ali. He essentially dumps the daughter for the mother after Maria Wasti’s husband passes away. This show was not only a difficult concept to digest, but the lead characters were so selfish, the audience did not even want to root for them. The thought of a mother stealing away her daughter’s fiancé and then playing victim was too much to digest. This one was an utter failure.
While these two previous attempts were not successful, the cast and the team associated with “Dobara” come with high expectations. All we can ask for is a sensitively presented story that does not demonize the concept of an older woman with a younger man. Let’s hope for the best!