Finding a solid, well-written love story is not something common in Pakistani dramas – which is why many of the Pakistani drama classics are exactly that, classics. They are wonderful, well-written stories which are in a category different from the rest. When “Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri” began, it appeared to offer something refreshingly new to its audience in terms of young love, the passion and heartbreak involved – and the opposition. For the most part, it has delivered; however, in recent weeks after the leap, the show has faltered. Starring Khushhal Khan and Dananeer Mobeen in lead roles, the show also stars Omair Rana, Ayesha Toor, Farah Sadia, Ali Tahir, Laila Zuberi, Naureen Gulwani, and Ali Raza, the story has been written by Rahat Jabeen and directed by Shahid Shafaat.
In episode 25, Saim (Khushhal Khan) and Zobia (Dananeer Mobeen) finally have a heart-to-heart courtesy Nana’s interference and hash it out. While Saim has been committed to Zobia, waiting for her to come around, Zobia is simply too scared to move forward with him. Zobia’s viewpoint is also understandable, saying the two have moved forward on their paths since then and a past relationship doesn’t have to be there present. This is fine, except for the part where she’s overlooking a marriage. This is where Zobia becomes frustrating and unlikable, not because of her insecurities and vulnerability, but because of her dishonesty to the entire situation. There’s a wonderful moment between Zobia and this show’s nightmare character, Seemab, where Seemab makes one intelligent comment (for possibly the first time ever). She states that she shared everything with Zobia happily, so why didn’t Zobia simply confide in her and tell her to keep away from Saim? Even here, Zobia tries to pacify Seemab by calling Saim her past – and earns Seemab’s wrath in return as Seemab terms her a liar.
Seemab is a highly unlikable character and has brought a world of unnecessary problems with her unhealthy, unnecessary, illogical fixation on Saim, a man who has never shown any interest in her. In the end, it’s Seemab who throws Zobia, once again, under the bus and tells her family about Zobia and Saim’s Nikkah. Is her anger justified? It’s time to talk about the entire mess that is Zobia’s family – including Khala. This is a highly unstable family which does not behave in a way of this world. While Zobia’s family thought she was incapable making her own decisions, Khala is on the other end, allowing her daughter to fall head over heels for a man already married to her niece – and encouraging it, as if Seemab’s desire is valid. This is not good parenting. This is not how love works. This is pitiful. While Khala started off as a somewhat likable character, she has now turned into an illogical one as well.
If there’s a highlight this week, it’s that Daniyal (Ali Raza) and Rushna (Naureen Gulwani) have come around and are attempting to do what’s right for Zobia. Is it too little too late? The highlight of Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri has always been Khushhal Khan and Dananeer Mobeen’s performances, but in the last few episodes, their hearts don’t seem into it either. Honestly, with only one episode left, we have to wonder if there’s any return for “Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri” towards strong content. Can a show be praised in the end if it falls this far off course? Why was the Seemab angle necessary? And if it was, couldn’t it have been handled better? Shouldn’t Seemab have been likable? Will the story actually highlight the fault of the adults around Saim & Zobia? Or will the two lovebirds be forced to take all the blame for their choices? Whether “Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri” sinks or floats depends entirely on how this finale is handled – and things aren’t looking so great at this point.