OK, so everyone is literally going ga-ga over this television commercial of Tapal Family Mixture, which features none other than Mahira Khan. No doubt, she has done a great job and her expressions are really spot on! However, for the most part of this TVC, I was like – What? WHAT? WHAT?
Granted that some parts of the commercial are nice and aww-going, but somebody tell me this. Have all journalists, who have written long and hard about the tea-tray/tea-trolley culture in Pakistan, wasted their time and energy? I was so happy to see a university scene where Mahira finds out she has gotten a position. But then when she gets home, a dupatta is draped on her head and a tray handed to her. What kind of a message is that putting across?
For only a fraction of Pakistan’s female population does marriage follow education. For others, it is a long and dreaded journey of carrying tea trays and pushing tea trolleys, having to answer awkward and downright insulting questions, being looked up and down rather obviously and then, a long string of rejections that destroy self-esteem and lead to depression. Can someone tell Tapal that it is not so hale and hearty – that a wedding does not follow ONE round of tea-tray carrying and a “glance” exchanged over a tea cup does not lead to a fairy tale romance?
Tapal is a company I recommend to others! Honestly, I do! I tell others to support the local economy and drink Tapal instead of other multinational brands. It is a shame when the same company insults the sentiments of millions of Pakistani women who are probably prettier and more eligible than Mahira – and are still waiting for a good proposal (after being rejected multiple times on one pretext or the next).
My simple appeal to all those who are posting and re-posting this advertisement on Facebook – look beyond the apparent, and understand how such advertisements simply reinforce a system so many female journalists are trying to change in Pakistan.
To those who have designed this advertisement – you could have easily shown a university graduation and then a wedding, without bringing the tea tray process in the middle. Honestly, there are many avenues where the groom’s parents can “meet” their potential daughter-in-law.
Honestly, Tapal, I am really disappointed.
Written by Drama Buff ([email protected])
