Haseena Moin is finally back after what seems like a very long time, we saw some long plays written by Haseena Moin off and on but it has been quite sometime since she wrote a serial. I must admit that I was not exactly looking forward to this play maybe because I thought I did not have any extra time to start watching a new serial but then while switiching channels I couldn’t help but stop and pay attention when I saw Annie Jaffrey and Neelam Munir on screen….just out of curiosity I sat down to find out which serial this was and only minutes later I was totally in love with it. What I especially liked was Maya’s cuteness and the bond the two sisters shared and also the step mom was exactly like the one we read about in the fairytales….yes it had to be the characterization and the casting that got my attention to start with. Like all other heroines of Haseena Moin, Maya too is chirpy, outspoken, sensitive and very adorable and this is exactly the reason why I have always loved Haseena Apa’s heroines. The play has been directed by Azfar Ali, produced by Khurram Raza and Iqabal Insari is the head of project.
Meri Behan Maya is primarily the story of Maya (Annie Jaffrey) which is being narrated by her older sister Zarmina (Neelam Munir), she feels people need to hear her story because Maya went through a great deal in life. The play has been shot in Murree, which gives it a refreshing feel and starts from the time when the two sisters were studying in Muree Convent. Maya and Zarmina’s father Shazib (Javed Sheikh) is a politician and their mother passed away many years back. One fine day their father tells them that he got married a few years back and wanted to bring his wife home now. It was actually nice to see the way the dad breaks the news, he expected his daughters to understand. Although Zarmina and Maya are quite apprehensive about how this step mother will turn out to be but they respect their father’s decision and readily accept it. While Zarmeena is the docile sort who would go all out to accommodate anyone, Maya believes that “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. But I guess when she said that she meant it in a cute childish sort of a way, after all there is not much she can do except annoy her step mother whenever she gets a chance and pull her maid’s leg every now and then…all such scenes were a treat to watch.
The second Maya lays her eyes on the larger than life step mom she can’t help but think of the step mothers in fairytales and is fearful that something bad is about to happen. I also really liked the way the step mother entered Maya and Zarmeena’s world with a lot of nakhras like a naye naveli dulhan she wanted things her way….Bindiya was definitely the right choice for playing this role, although the heavy make up and the jewelry maybe a little overboard but that does not change the fact that she is a brilliant actress. I have always thought that Javed Sheikh makes a very cute dad, so I am very happy watching him as well. The way the two sisters share everything with each other and especially the way Maya shares everything with Zarmeena and she assures her she will always be there is a breath of fresh air…finally two sisters who love each other! Do I sound like I am totally in love with Maya? Well that is because I am, that is the effect Haseena Apa’s heroines have on you!
The step mom is quick to suggest that Zarmeena should stay in the hostel and since Zarmeena does not want any misgivings between her father and his wife she decides to go ahead with her decision. I thought the goodbye scene was very well done; it was exceptionally cute and moving. The way the step mother plays on the chess board afterwards, like saying one down one to go also said a great deal. Attiya wants things her way and she starts working on it right from the time she walks in. While Maya shares everything with her sister, she does not open up to her father and tries to deal with the situation herself… she is obviously no match for Attiya who seems to be a pro!
Meri Behan Maya is definitely a very different play from what we get to see nowadays. It is a simple story narrated in a very delightful manner. I watched these two episodes with a smile on my face but after I got done with watching them I could not help but feel for Maya…a sensitive girl stuck in a very difficult situation. Another refreshing thing about this play is that after a very long time I saw the episode number written in Urdu; the “pehli kist and agli kist” effect was very nice. Meri Behan Maya is a play that should not be missed because we don’t get to see a character like Maya on screen every day and it is the kind of play one immediately starts relating to.
Author: Fatima Awan.
