Mein | The Quest Of Me With Me
Mein is a dramatic story of two strong-headed individuals who end up crossing paths due to being unlucky in love while facing family and societal pressures!
Directed By: Badar Mehmood
Written By: Zanjabeel Asim Shah
[Source: ARY Digital’s Official YouTube Channel]
Mein Episode 1 Written Review
The episode opens with gorgeous ocean, a yacht and handsome Zaid on it, pondering over the differnce between “anaa” and “khudi”.
Khudi aur anaa ke beech jo farq hai woh bahot bareek hai. Khudi apni main ko maar ke aage badh jaane ka naam hai aur anaa apni main ka ghulaam ho kar mit jaana hai.
And then we meet Zaid. The passing shot is just too long-getting down from the car, walking inside a corporate building, taking an elevator to his father’s office. Apparently, he went to Dubai to eat in a restaurant (I’m forgetting the name), and then he came back.
Zaid’s father: Zaid ne toh Dubai ko yun kar liya hai jaise Karachi ki pichhli gali mein ho.
Do I sense a hint of pride in his tone?
Karte honge baRe log aisa bhi…
~
The Other Egoist
Meet Mubashshara, an elite woman who married a guy just because he would always remain “your most obedient”. She doesn’t let her husband eat in the room, doesn’t let him meet his own mother, and doesn’t let him pick his own clothes. In short, she has married a puppet, because her life is centered around herself “main”.
It doesn’t end there. She tries to live her friend’s life as well, but thankfully, her friend has some sense, and puts her foot down when Mubashshara’s insults go too far.
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The Cliff-hanger
The episode ends as Mubashshara tries to contact her husband again and again, and then gets a surprise package. A bouquet and an envelope.
Who does that on an anniversary?
First Impression
The title itself was enough to pique my interest. I may have mentioned in other posts about a profound quote by Peer Zulfiqar Saheb.
اپنی میں کو ختم کرنا ہوتا ہے۔ جس کی میں ختم نہیں ہوتی اس کی”میں” کو اللہ تباہ کرتا ہے۔
That’s a paraphrased version, thouhh. I read it in one of the volumes of Khutbat-e-Zulfiqar. Now, I don’t read much, not islamic books but I do, occasionally. It must have been at least 4 years back, and the quote has stayed with me through the years. The title of this drama is also about “Anaa”, and that was enough to intrigue me.
And to make things more interesting, it has Wahaj and Ayeza in lead, and I admire them both.
Review
The first episode did a fine job of world building. I know, I know… It’s not a fantasy world, but there is some world-buildind needed for all stories, and this one did it well.
Also, in the first episode, we have seen enough of all main characters. The character tropes are well-established, and that’s another tick in the checklist.
Most of the cast is among the finest, and I enjoyed watching them.
Although I like the title and the premise is interesting, looking at the number of characters involved in the story, and the lense through which we are seeing this new world, I’m not entirely sure if this drama will keep my intrigue alive. ARY dramas tend to stretch a lot for no reason, barring a few exceptions, the latest being Kuch Ankahi. I hope this one keeps me hooked. This lead has two of my favourite people.
And that’s the review of the first episode of this drama.
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Until we meet again, check out my books on Amazon. You can subscribe for Kindle Unlimited for free for the first month, just saying 🙂
Shabana Mukhtar
