When “Mohabbat Dagh Ki Soorat” first began, many Pakistani drama fans were overjoyed to see Sami Khan and Neelam Muneer in strong roles with different shades. Shijrat and Sinaan were not the conventional on-screen couple, both carrying their own demons, but depicting a couple in love with the sort of sincerity that made them root-worthy. However, once the “real” story began, the entire show took a spiral downwards as viewers questioned the logic of such a scenario – and the reactions of the characters to the “crime.” Along with Sami Khan and Neelam Muneer, the show also stars Syed Jibran, Sunita Marhsal, Aarez, Tipu Sharif and many others, while the story has been written by Saira Raza and directed by Zeeshan Ahmed.
The finale is a straightforward one where Shiijrat (Neelam Muneer) and Sanaan (Sami Khan) are having a birthday party for their daughter while Zain has been left out. After an unintentionally comical and downright ridiculous scene with Zain falling into a ditch, he arrives at the birthday party “injured” (yet there aren’t any signs of physical injury on him). This is finally the moment that jolts Shijrat out of her stone-cold demeanor as she cries for her son and his pain. What is hilarious about this so-called emotional moment is that Shijrat has spent years emotionally abusing this child and kids get hurt. Zain has certainly been hurt in the past 7 years, so where were Shijrat’s tears then? If anyone deserves the award for “Worst mother of the decade,” it’s Shijrat. Her repenting is simply too little too late – maybe not on the show, but for the audience. Sinaan isn’t any better, always taking a backseat instead of putting Shijrat in her place and pointing out how wrong she is.
The hero of the moment winds up being Afaq (Syed Jibran). This is a man who has essentially caused this entire situation. If he had handled things differently in the past, Zain would have been with his parents in peace from day one. And yet, it’s Afaq who ends up being the character with the best arc of growth. Afaq has spent years alone, years to think about his mistakes and crimes against his own family. His reunion with Saba (Sunita Marshal) was simply beautiful, but Afaq’s outburst regarding Zain’s bloodline is another great moment as he admits he was wrong all along. Syed Jibran has done a great job with this role – as has Sunita Marshal – and it’s interesting that of all the horribly unlikable characters on this show, the first “villain” has wound up as the most likable character. This is not excusing his behavior, but again, he has had a strong growth arc……unlike Shijrat, who only changed because she was forced into it after being publicly “exposed.”
Has there ever been a female character more unlikable than Shijrat? Was there ever a moment where we were supposed to root for her? This is not speaking against Neelam Muneer, who did her best, but the character itself has been very poorly written. Overall, “Mohabbat Dagh Ki Soorat” is a show that didn’t really serve any purpose. It didn’t educate, it didn’t set a good example and it didn’t make any solid statement that the viewer walks away with. It simply took a weak basis for a story and went with it, on and on..and on. “Mohabbat Dagh Ki Soorat” will not be missed, though the actors will be.
I am so glad this torturous drama is over. The only reason I continued to watch till the end was out of sheer loyalty to Sami Khan. It was a horrible drama and even though I usually like Neelam Muneer- I think she was severely over acting throughout the show.
For me, Shijrat’s mamoon was the only likable character in the entire drama. Yes, Afaaq had the most character growth and his reunion with Saba was a touching one- but that was only because of Syed Jibran & Sunita Marshal’s brilliant acting. Otherwise, their storyline was also a weekly torture session for the audience. I can’t get over how Afaaq’s mother never called him out for being an abusive husband and brother and instead kept pointing out how Saba was mentally unstable because of her desire for a child. Could she not see the emotional abuse her son was inflicting on Saba only because she wanted him to agree to seek treatment or adopt a child?