When Farhat Ishtiaq’s name is attached to a drama, you don’t hesitate—you dive in. That’s exactly what I did with Meem Se Muhabbat.
And yet, I am stunned—but not in the way I’d hoped. Disappointed. Underwhelmed.
No, I wasn’t expecting the timeless romance of Kabhi Mein Kabhi Tum or the gripping narrative of Yaqeen Ka Safar. But even without those lofty expectations, this drama feels like it’s missing… something.
Ayat (of Pawri Ho Rehi Hai fame) is the drama’s protagonist, a bubbly girl with no interest in academics. This, is in stark contrast to her parents (played by Naveen Naqvi and Tauseeq Haider) who are ambitious and hard-working. Their older daughter, Mahi shares their studious nature, but Ayat? She’s cut from a very different cloth.
Her true inspiration seems to come from ironically named Saleeqa Phuppo (played by Faiza Gillani) who calls her husband Kishmish. Yes, Kishmish. ( Phuppo and her husband are a discussion for another day, because where do you find such husbands? I am invested!)
But the real charm of Meem Se Muhabbat lies elsewhere: the poetic exchanges between Dada and Dadi (Arshad Mehmood and Rana Zafar )
I was looking forward to scenes where they exchange verses of famous poets. Yes, they don’t use just words but actual, outclass, poetic verses to exchange their thoughts!
Everyone in the house is very cultured, disciplined, collected and ambitious. How Ayat forayed is beyond me.
Ayat, with her complete lack of interest in academics and a knack for failing entrance exams, decided to follow Phuppo’s advice: college is hard get married instead. In her pursuit to find a husband, she does a wazeefa the whole night with a Tasbeeh so big that it puts the monks of Myanmar to shame. But she is smart enough to know a rishta won’t just land in her lap! She has to work for it! On the hunt for a husband, Ayat makes an unexpected detour—straight to a grocery store. On her way back, fate (and a socially awkward but very unmarried neighbor) intervenes, resulting in a minor bump with a “Japanese Automatic Car.” Enter the nouveau riche neighbours who have none of the class that Ayat’s family does but she doesn’t mind. Her prayers have been granted! Ayat is ecstatic at finding a young and eligible suitor so soon but her mother and grandmother quickly burst her bubble.
Dananeer portrays Ayat as the kind of gullible, overly naive child that, let’s face it, doesn’t exist in today’s world. The scene where noodles are dangling from her mouth as she turns to answer her boss? Yuck. Or the incessant jumping around the house, tripping, falling—why? And then covering her head while searching for a wazifa book in the library? Completely baffling. No one is that chirpy and happy all the time. But to be fair, it’s not entirely Dananeer’s fault. The character itself is written to embody this exaggerated sunshine-and-bubbles energy..
That said, I can sense that the plot is gearing up for a drastic 360-degree turn. Everything’s about to go dark—and honestly, I’m intrigued to see how this saccharine chaos transforms into something serious.
ALSO SEE: Audio Review of Meem Se Muhabbat
The plot takes a turn towards employer-employee romance when Ayat lands an internship at Talha Ahmed’s (Ahad Raza Mir) architectural firm. Her father pulls a few strings and manages to secure her a spot. Although the Ahmed’s detest “sifarshi” candidates they still hire her. Talha lives in a gargantuan architectural wonder of a mansion with his father (played by real life father Asif Raza Mir) and his young son, who is grappling with PTSD. Yes, you read that right—Pakistani dramas are finally delving into the topic of PTSD in children, and it’s handled with a decent degree of nuance. Unfortunately their glamorous mansion is haunted by memories of Ahad’s late wife.
OMG! Blast from the past!
Ayat’s gullible, bubbly character is reminiscent of Shehnaz Sheikh’s, while Ahad Raza Mir’s brooding persona evokes memories of Shakeel.
Am I sidetracked or is there inspiration from the classics?
I haven’t lost hope for this drama. The cast is absolutely stellar, every actor including Saleeqa phupo, neighbour, best friend, sister and mother – all are giving their best!
Let’s see what curve ball is in store for next episodes, because when it comes to Farhat Istiaq, we expect unexpected twists.
