OK, let me say this outright: I really, really appreciate all dramas that portray the plight of widows and divorcees and try to highlight the fact that they are individuals who have a right to live their lives and re-marry whoever they please. Misconceptions about iddat or waiting period after the death of a husband/divorce are also rife in our society. Some hold extreme views about what should or should not be done during the iddat, while others completely disregard it.
In such a scenario, I appreciate Ek Nazar Meri Taraf, being aired on Geo TV for portraying this issue. The story features Alishba Yousuf as a young widow who has to face extreme views about iddat. These are mostly imposed upon her by her mother-in-law. Here, I may add that while some things that are being forbidden to her are bordered on the extreme, certain others are indeed really prohibited. I encourage all readers to visit http://www.islam-qa.com/en and read the relevant questions and answers on iddat.
Why Iddah?
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/81139/iddah
What can a woman do and not do during iddah
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/13966/iddah
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/95297/iddah
Coming back to the drama itself, the iddah part of it is the only part which is worth watching, if only to learn more and emphathize with the widows/divorcees around us. It is also heartening to see Qavi Khan explaining to one of the brothers-in-law that a widow, after the completion of the iddah, is allowed to re-marry.
However, the rest of the drama is something you can easily forward. The wife (Mahnoor Baloch) of one of the brothers-in-law (played by Babar Ali) is having a steamy extra marital affair with her best friend’s (Nimra Bucha) husband (Noman Ejaz). Even the deceased spouse of Sifat (Alishba) played by Hasan Niazi was having an affair before his death. I was a little taken aback at this because in such a cause-oriented serial, this extra marital affair track does not make the slightest bit of sense.
I did, however, appreciate that Nimra’s character is being warned repeatedly to stay away from Mahnoor’s character – mainly because the “masi” suspects that the latter is after the former’s husband. There really is a strong message for all girls that they must be really careful about choosing and harbouring friendships post-marriage, and be especially careful about those who do not understand the need for privacy or leave when the husband is due to arrive home.
The main reason why this serial, which has a lot of potential to educate and entertain, has not received any due recognition, according to me, is the over-emphasis on extra marital affairs and the extreme physical intimacy shown. The sad part is it really was not necessary. The story of this serial has enough spine to stand on its own – and the star cast has done a fairly decent job. One cannot really fathom why they have shown such sickening physical scenes. So far, this is really the only reason I have not really given this serial a second thought. I do appreciate the way it has taken up a pertinent issue and hence, I might just follow it from now onwards.
Written by Drama Buff aka HA
