I don’t know what to make of tonight’s episode. Salahuddin voluntarily backed off to avoid causing Mannu any pain and didn’t have the courage to even ask for her hand in marriage. Instead, he took on the brotherly role of clearing the air with Mikael and convincing Mannu that Mikael would be her ideal match. Why then did he resort to asking Mannu to meet him knowing full well that she was prepping for her mayyoun? Salahuddin’s last goodbye was shown in poor taste- he seemed like he was toying with her emotions and it was completely uncalled for.
Mannu’s family know of her rebellious nature so it came as no surprise to them that she would have gone to meet Salahuddin. Salahuddin’s mother voiced her support for a son who brought nothing but shame to everyone. As much as I want to think highly of him, Salahuddin has completely let me down and those tanneys of mardaangi were completely on point. If he didn’t have the courage to be with Mannu, why pretend to care for her now?
The thappar across his face reminded me strongly of Pyarey Afzal. But Salahuddin is a far cry from Afzal. Afzal made many mistakes along the way but had the courage to own them. Salahuddin is an escapist who couldn’t face the music and chose to bring chaos not just to his life but to Mannu’s too and both their families.
Mannu’s zidd to marry Mikael will land her in hot water going by the promos of the next episode. Mannu openly paraded her feelings for Salahuddin in front of her would-be husband and as much as I’d like to think otherwise, Mikael is not the dreamboat Mannu’s family had hoped he would be.
My hear goes out to Mannu- why would she have to endure suffering when the man she loves let her down? Her desperate pleas to Salahuddin to seize the moment were extremely well done. Maya Ali has given a remarkable performance as Mannu and she has done complete justice to this character. I am weary of the Zulm that’s coming her way. Isn’t it unfair how men get away unscathed and the poor woman becomes the subject of ridicule and abuse?
Mann Mayal hasn’t lived up to the hype it created prior to going on air. And seeing how the story is moving towards Mannu’s shadi and subsequent abuse, I’m dreading the episodes to come. After putting her through so much, I doubt Salahuddin can redeem himself and frankly at this point, I really hope Mannu has her happy ending with Mikael and Salahuddin is left biting the dust! I mean, why not? I only wish Salahuddin had a fraction of the strength Mannu did!
Oh well, until next week…
Kanwal Murtaza
