99.9% of our drama serials revolve around the basic themes of saas-bahu tensions, gharelu masle masail, pyar ki shaadi vs arranged marriage, shohar-biwi issues, khandaan ki izzat, and the oh-so-important duniya kya kahegi. Tired as we are of them, nonetheless there are some stories, which, with the right treatment, have given us some unforgettable characters to cherish and remember…
Starting with this post, I take a thematic look at some of the more “interesting” characters we’ve encountered in our drama serials. Kicking off the series, this post, Saas Meri Saheli (?!), is dedicated to the most fascinating character – the Saas. As a mother she might be the best one around, but, in our drama world, there seems to be an internal switch that flips the minute she transitions to mom-in-law status. The sainted maa turns into the most clichéd, empowered, abusive, evil person in the story. Over time we’ve seen many varieties of this almost super-natural character. The conniver, the classy one, the foul-mouthed one, the abuser, the hi-fi aunty, the gharelu khatoon, the rich madam, the poor becharis…in short the good, the bad, the ugly, you name ‘em and we’ve seen ‘em all. Amongst the recent lot, here are five of my fave “types”…
- Sab Dey Do: Probably inspired by the Sab Keh Do campaign, this saas is recognizable dur se because of her incessant demands from her mazlum bahu and her equally if not more bechare parents. She has nary a kind word or a smile for the bahu begum, but her cheezain maangne ka program is always full on shuru. Case in point, Maimoona from Durre-Shehwar: Apna zewar de do, apne bartan de do, apni washing machine de do, jo gifts behnon ke liye hain who bhi dey do, aur to aur, ab kuch aur nahin bacha tau tumhari behen dey do. In short jo bhi hai woh hamain dey do … Arrey Aunty ji kahin to brake lagaa den!!
- My Way Or The Highway: Prime example: Billo in Bilqees Kaur. What a piece of work she is! She swears with a wild abandon, scolds her husband and children in the same breath, doesn’t think twice about raising her hand, and smokes biris like a chimney. For such a dictatorial matriarch, there’s only one right way – HER WAY. She can look you in the eye with a glance so piercing that it seems to read your darkest innermost thoughts. No wonder susar ji keeps stirring the karahi all day long and bari bahu is stricken with fear and reduced to stammering. With her arrival though, the choti bahu seems to be making some inroads in to her saas’ dil o dimagh. Soha, jaa beta maidan maar ley, jaa sab ghar walon ki duaiyen tumhare saath hain, jaa yeh teri aaney wali naslon ki khairiyat ka sawaal hai!!
- Mujh Sa Ho Tau Saamney Aaye: Seemingly a shoo-in for the saas of the year award. But wait, a closer look reveals that this saas is bahar se kuch aur andar se kuch. For example: Saim’s mother in Yahan Pyar Nahin Hai. Seldom saw a case like hers. She is the first one to defend the bahu against her nasty son, she praises her housekeeping skills, even gives her bahu tips for keeping the husband happy. BUT the minute anything causes a change in ammiji’s araamdah routine, or the bahu is not available to accompany her on a jaunt to an old crony’s house, she changes gears completely. Of course, given how “concerned” she is about the bahu’s well-being all criticism is couched in term of beta tumhari sehat to dekho… tumhare baal to dekho… and the best, tumhari eklauti dost, your only well-wisher tumharey shohar ki puraani ashiq hai … Wah kya nishana dekh ke teer maara apne aunty ji!!
- Thanda Kar Ke Khaaney Wali: Ok, so this is the type all bahus-to-be should watch out for. She’s bahar se meethi magar andar se holds grudges forever. Do not ever challenge her, explicitly or implicitly. She is in charge of her son’s life. Don’t you dare question her hold on your husband. Importantly, make sure you’re not from the poor side of the father-in-law’s family, and NEVER leave your dying mother alone with her brother; otherwise I’m telling you – just ask Khirad – you’re done for. If she starts hating you then that’s it. She will bide her time to set up the perfect revenge for her be-izzati. Phir tau beta no amount of repetitions of Mummy yeh aap kya keh rahi hain are coming to your rescue. Aunty Fareeda ke naqalon se hoshiyaar!!
Clearly none of the mom-in-law types above are candidates for a Saas Meri Saheli award. Come to think of it, it’s actually quite depressing that we have mostly negative stereotypes, and almost no positive counter images. Well, have no fears, I found at least one to somewhat counterbalance the anti-saas post.
- Way Too Busy Living My Life: This a very rare species, and sadly enough this particular one is going out of commission very soon. I’m talking of no other than Amma Wadi in the Baraat series. Is there a saas cooler, hipper, glamorous than Her Gorgeousness, Ms. Mehrunissa. I tell you Faraz struck gold when he married Rabia. She actually has a life, goes on vacations, wears the coolest clothes, has suitors, and her damaad, grandkids, and nieces are all like her friends. She laughs with them and at them. This woman has no interest in being involved in gharelu jhig jhig. Faraz, you’re one heck of a lucky guy. This saasu ma is a keeper, and truly worthy of the title Saas Meri Saheli!!
Note: I have obviously selected my picks from serials aired during the past year or so. However, please do feel free share your favorite “types” … Looking forward to reading your choices!
Written by SZ~ [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter: SZ_DramaPakistani (@sz_dp)
