Just like Mehru feels reborn, Dobara is making us feel the same.
Dobara’s storyline is like a breath of fresh air. Young Mehru, reliving her lost youth through a walk in the park, mother-daughter bonding over a shopping trip, Mahir & Narmeen trying to work miracles with their young, impossible love, Zameer, the son-in-law who genuinely wants to help his recently widowed mother-in-law minus an evil agenda – these characters are not sickeningly sweet but resonate with us as we have either been them, known them or met them at some stage of our lives.
Affan’s apprehensive attitude towards his mother is reflective of how sons often become overly protective of their moms once the father is no more. Phuppo Durdana is not helping matters either, but even that toxic behaviour is portraying an aspect of our society that is, unfortunately, very real.
Hadiqa Kiani is playing Mehru with a fine sensitivity and we have to say, casting in this role has been key! Mehru is the complete embodiment of all the emotions she portrays on screen – lost youth, young widow, mindful mother, yet one who desires to live her life on her own terms finally – strong girl vibes without any OTT mannerisms. Mehru is gradually making a place in our hearts with every passing episode.
The phrase“Bewa huwee hai” used repeatedly was a stark reminder of how society views a recently widowed woman.
Mehru reminding Affan about who’s the boss (I’m your mom) and to get ready for university as well as advising Minal to return to her husband revealed a responsible, mindful young mother who, despite enjoying her newfound freedom, is not oblivious to her responsibilities as a mother.
Bilal Abbas Khan’s performance as Mahir
Bilal made us sympathize with the dunya se haara huwa Mahir even as he contemplated swiping a gold ornament from his father’s home. His request, that he needs his mother to be with him for a while, tugged at our heartstrings, that he tried so hard to desperately make things work for himself and Narmeen, engendered an equally desperate plea in our heart that things should work out for him.
At one moment, you see him eyeing a thousand rupee note, and at another, bringing a glass of water for his father. His attempt to land a job, and then slip up in the interview followed by his quick repentance at being loose-tongued instantly pulled at our hearts – such is his portrayal of Mahir that our emotions sway along with him, and without judging him – well done Bilal!
Shout out to three supporting actors who are giving us glimpses of rising talent – Nabeel Zuberi as Zameer, Mahir’s younger step-sister Sharmeen and Maheen Siddiqui as Mehru’s daughter Minal, we have our eyes on you.
Mehru’s disregard of phoppo…”aap wazeefa parhain” was an amusing moment & we bet you all smiled with her.
Dobara makers are sending out a subtle message to drama makers that a story can have gradual progression yet not seem unduly stretched or boring. In fact, it is pulling us, the viewers, into the world of Mahir & Mehru in a gently engaging manner.
Some continuity issues we noticed, tell us if you did too
Bright lipstick used by Mehru kept appearing & disappearing throughout the episode.
It seemed like iddat khatam huwee took some time but then, the time-lapse on Mahir’s side was just a day or two, convincing his mom and dad to take the rishta for Narmeen.
So, is Dobara really like a breath of fresh air in a somewhat cliched Pakistani drama world? You bet it is.
