OK, let me say this outright: I am writing this review out of sheer frustration. Yes, I am totally, completely irritated with this drama serial and I have to let it out through this review.

At the outset, this drama seemed to have the ‘winning formula for success’. With a team of Mehreen Jabbar, Humayun Saeed, Mahira, Deepi Gupta and Ahsan Khan I was so sure we were going to have something worthy to watch. However, right from the word ‘go’ the serial has been a total disappointment. It is not the acting; it is not the direction. In fact, acting and direction have been excellent throughout, which is probably why I am still watching this serial.

The entire problem is centered upon the script; the story and the plot outline of the entire serial is extremely weak and – for a lack of a better word – lame. I had thought the serial would focus upon the lives of Pakistanis living in New York. However, the entire story is based upon:

Sikander – wants a green card

Aila – wants Sikander

Marium – wants money / Sikander

Ismail – wants Aila

The entire story is going around in circles. After fifteen episodes, one would think that there would be something fresher to watch. However, we still have to bear a smirking Marium, a distraught Sikander, a frowning Ismail, and an even more distraught Aila. What is going on?

The characterization is extremely weak. It was promising in the beginning because you could tell Aila was making a mistake in arranging Sikander’s marriage; however, it has gone downhill since then. Now, the only thing that is making the story move forward is Marium’s scheming and plotting. Take  her out of the story and it would fall flat in two seconds. This really makes me wonder whether we are watching a Mehreen Jabbar serial or a low-budget Star Plus soap opera.

At the risk of sounding extremely gender-biased, I will suggest to all production houses that if you want the story to depict emotions successfully, you have to have a female script water. Male script writers can handle issue-based dramas (Dareecha is an excellent example to quote here) but not emotional serials. ARY’s website stated that this serial intended to depict the emotions of Pakistanis living abroad; I would say Kuch Pyar Ka Pagalpan is doing a more commendable job of portraying them.

Also, it would be great to have at least a few more characters, just to keep one’s interest intact. I am quite literally tired of just four faces in the drama – which are depressed most of the time. Really, after a long, tiring day, I do want to see at least something that will entertain me and not irritate me further. I hope this serial concludes soon and we get to see some quality work of Mehreen Jabbar with another seasoned writer.

PS: I am usually positive about drama serials, but this one is really making me wonder why I even watched it in the first place.

Written by HA