“Yun Tu Hai Pyar Bohat” is, after three episodes, shaping up to be an entertaining watch. Every Pakistani drama does not have to be particularly meaningful – and “Yun Tu Hai Pyar Bohat” doesn’t make any claims of being so. And yet, this show manages to shed light on some perspectives rooted in harsh realities. Written by Aliya Bukhari and directed by Kashif Saleem, this drama stars Hira Mani, Affan Waheed, Javed Sheikh, Maryam Mirza, Nadia Hussain, Komal Rizvi, Sabeena Syed and many more.
In episodes two and three, the story begins to build on the already-existing differences in thought between Zain (Affan Waheed) and Aima (Hira Mani). Zain finally sees success when his single is released, taking Nazia and Aima out for dinner to celebrate. Unfortunately, his happiness is short-lived when, the next day, he finds out that his single has been panned by the media. Unfortunately, Zain had a lot resting on this single’s success – his dreams most of all. Things begin to pile up, life taking its toll as his bandmates taunt him for choosing to compose and write the lyrics of the song himself, he loses his job and, worst of all, Zain loses his mother’s jewelry that he had pawned. Zain is a character that depicts that “dreamer” we all know, the person who doesn’t have any desire to work a 9 to 5 job and works hard to make their dreams come true – even if their dreams seem well out of reach and almost unattainable.
On the other end, we have Aima who has a different outlook on life due to her family circumstances. Aima is now not only studying for her final exams to complete her law degree, but is also working two jobs to provide for her family. Having seen her mother working in a factory throughout her childhood and rarely having time for anything else, Aima wants to take care of her mother – and dreams of a better life for her family, one that she hopes to achieve with her education. Aima finishes her law degree and the family is set to celebrate. At the same time, Zain is hired in an elementary school as a music teacher – however, while Aima’s mother and sister are happy and supportive, Aima is astonished hearing about Zain’s meager salary, visibly unimpressed. Aima is the opposite of Zain – she isn’t a dreamer, she’s a practical woman, a woman who has been through a lot with her mother and their financial background. She dreams of a better life, but she knows that life will come with hard work and a good job. Like Zain, we all know an Aima in our lives and while her attitude may be unsupportive towards Zain’s dreams, her point of view is right in its own place. She wants stability, something which she’s never had.
Sonia (Sabeena Syed) is the show’s resident “kabaab mein haddi,” ironically with her own connection to Aima and Nazia. Sonia is Mohsin’s (Javed Sheikh) daughter, a man who viewers already know is Aima and Nazia’s father, a man who abandoned them when they were children. We also know that he has only recently returned from abroad with Sonia and his second wife Ruhi (Nadia Hussain) and has been looking for his family unsuccessfully. Sonia appears to be a real problem for Mohsin and Ruhi, but the reason isn’t clear other than saying she’s spoiled.
The story takes an interesting, if not predictable, turn when Aima asks Zain to give her time to think after his job announcement, feeling as though they are not mentally on the same level regarding their futures. Zain is broken-hearted, but he tells Aima that she should make the right decision, because if they separate now, it will be a lifetime of grief for them both. Zain ends up meeting Sonia at the elementary school when she comes to meet her friend (who makes a strange remark about how people who don’t like kids are boring) and Sonia is immediately fascinated by Zain and his incredible voice (which we only hear singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star monotonously). She is smitten enough to decide to start working at the school herself. Sonia will obviously pose as a threat to Aima – but can anyone honestly blame Zain if he finds himself drawn to Sonia? This is a man at his lowest and while Aima is pouring salt on his wounds, Sonia is giving him the confidence he needs in that moment.
Let’s talk silliness, because there’s certainly a lot of it. First of all, for a show that is revolving around the career of a musician, we never actually hear Zain sing, especially considering everyone from Jamal Sahab to the media are criticizing his singing. While it’s understood that Affan Waheed is not a singer, it would have been more believable had a singer been taken on and a few songs had been created for the show. Next, Sonia apparently has four boys knocking down her door to marry her (is she a girl or a prize?) and then Ruhi’s friend is also heard later saying that Ruhi should marry Sonia off quick since the rishtas are there and Sonia isn’t as pretty as Ruhi was at her age…..which is a very random, unpalatable comment.
This show also must be given credit for not portraying unrealistic family relationships. It’s wonderful to see how Aima’s mother and Nazia are supportive of her relationship with Zain, recognizing their bond and giving them the space to make their own decisions. Overall, “Yun Tu Hai Pyar Bohat” is slightly over the top, but it manages to keep the audience entertained. It’s odd that this show doesn’t have more buzz, particularly since Affan Waheed and Hira Mani are a hit pair.