“Yun Tu Hai Pyar Bohat” is Hum TV’s latest launch starring Hira Mani and Affan Waheed in lead roles. Written by Aliya Bukhari and directed by Kashif Saleem, this show boats of an interesting supporting cast, including Javed sheikh, Maryam Mirza, Nadia Hussain, Komal Rizvi, Sabeena Syed and may more. This is Hira Mani and Affan Waheed’s third show together, a successful pair after the hit “Do Bol.” So how does the first episode fare? Let’s discuss.
Episode one is not a particularly strong one, giving viewers all the necessary details in an overly direct way. The first fifteen minutes are dedicated to explaining how hard-working and driven Aima (Hira Mani) is. This is depicted through a long, drawn out sequence where Aima is shown working through lunch break in an office space and then going to her evening classes to complete her final semester of LLB – all while forgetting that it’s her sister, Nazia’s birthday. Her mother and Nazia both dote on her, as she supports the family after their father abandoned them 15 years ago. Zain (Affan Waheed) is Aima’s cousin who is kind-hearted and dotes on the family as well, bringing Nazia pizza and cake on her birthday. Zain is an equally hard-working character, but in a different way, choosing to focus on his music career – despite it rendering him “unsuccessful” in any way that matters: financial stability.
It’s interesting to note the differences between Zain and Aima, as both are driven individuals, pursuing their dreams and goals. However, there’s a point where Aima, a girl who has become driven due to her circumstances, lashes out at Zain, putting down his career choice and telling him to find a “real job.” How many of us have heard such things from our own families? Those individuals who strive to make it in creative fields are always seen as wasting their time when they are putting in equal amounts of effort and hard work as those who are working in professional fields. Will this show attempt to actually break down those barriers and “prove” Aima wrong in her attitude towards Zain’s career? One can hope so, as this attitude in South Asian society has been prevalent for far too long.
An interesting twist comes in the form of Mohsin (Javed Sheikh) when Nazia, Aima’s younger sister, is out shopping and hurts her ankle. Mohsin comes to her rescue, giving her a ride home in his car. His financial status plus humility leave an impact on Nazia who notes how well-mannered he is. When she’s questioned at home, she lashes out at Aima and her mother’s judgemental nature, stating that this man is nothing like their father. Of course, this is very convenient, as it quickly becomes apparent that Mohsin is the father who left Aima and her family 15 years ago for Ruhi (Nadia Hussain).
It’s clear through Ruhi’s words of “status” about how Mohsin’s first wife was “jaahil,” that this will be a theme in the show. With Mohsin and Ruhi’s daughter, Sonia, wasting her life away (listening to loud music and dancing ridiculously while texting and putting on her makeup – please stop), it’s his first wife’s daughter (Aima) who is going to be successful. This theme resembles “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” in a way, though it is interesting.
Pardes Episode 7 & 8: Ahsan Returns Home But Is Dismayed To See Nothing Has Changed
Overall, “Yun Tu Hai Pyar Bohat” has an interesting first episode. It’s not perfect, sequences try too hard to hammer certain points home (we certainly didn’t need 15 minutes to describe Aima’s “zaheeniyat”) and the storyline plays out almost like a Star Plus serial. And yet, there isn’t anything particularly “bad” about it, making it a rather watchable drama that may have promise in the long run. The first episode is enjoyable enough and one can hope this can be the light-hearted show viewers have been waiting for post-Ramadan.
