Review ⢠Mann Mayal: Episode 3
First things first, you're probably wondering why this review took so long. It's because.. MUJHE NAI KARNA [THA]! Bringing myself to watch the episode, in itself, was an IMPOSSIBLE task; writing about it is ten times worse! Lekin, ab dekh liya hai, toh, likhe bina raha bhi nahi jayega. Kya karoon, Fat Owlians, 'aadat si par gayi hai!' đ So, *deep breath* let's do this!
Mannu and Bia's conversation at the start was adorable. Even though the situation, on Salahuddin and Bia's side, looked rather bleak, Mannu's enthusiasm gave me hope. Thori derr ke liye, I, forgetting what fate had in store for her, started to dream. So much so, I didn't think much of the line [if there was ever a bad omen in dramas, that was it!] 'main tumhare phone ka intezaar karoongi.' But, like I observed in episode one, every dialogue and every scene of this drama, serves a purpose! I only understood the importance of those words when a restless Mannu, pacing on her terrace, keeps checking her phone, waiting for a call that never comes.
One of my #FatOwlFavourites, for this week, was the sequence between when Mannu's praying, early in the morning, to when she rushes off to Salahuddin's house to see ke aakhir hua kya. Her tears, while she prays, tell us, that deep down, even she knows that something isn't right, here. The background score did wonders for this simple scene.
Jaise waqt guzarta jaata hai, Mannu ki bechaini bhi barhti jaati hai and, in the next scene, thanks to Zaib Rao's excellent cinematography skills, I could actually feel that anxiety. The way he uses the camera here, starting off by focusing on Mannu's handsâabsent-mindedly fidgeting with those marblesâthen slowly moving upwards, to reveal the worried expression on her face, really helped build that tension.
Waise, mere waterworks toh episode shuroo hone ke saath hi shuroo hogaye thay! My prediction of 'the talk,' between Salahuddin and his Baba, was totally wrong. Baba ne toh Sadi ka dil torrne ke liye ussey bulaaya tha. My heart was breaking with every word his dad was saying because, let's face it, it was the truth! The way Sadi kept saying 'main sirf unse waada chahta hoon,' that hit me right in the feels. My heart was crying for the poor guy. SOMEONE GIVE THE GUY A WAADA, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.. ALL HE'S ASKING FOR IS A PROMISE! #HamzaAliAbbasi was BRILLIANT here. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this guy doesn't need dialogues! Inke facial expressions hi kaafi hain!
Although, the episode on a whole, was rather heartwrenching, we did get a cute moment or two: Mannu's confession; her signature 'Chal Jhoota!'; the way her face lights up when Sadi tells her that he's found a job in Karachi; her talk with Sara baji, which, by the way, made for a wonderful sibling bonding scene. I love how Sara is so protective of Mannu! While Mannu's busy gushing over Sadi, Sara bajiâknowing well what her mother, i.e. 'Chachi', is capable ofâtries to make Mannu realise the reality of her situation but Mannu, being the dheet she is, is having none of it. She has complete faith in her Baba and #BabaTeddybear, too, doesn't disappoint. Despite his khandaan's protests, 'kuri da abba mann [jaata] hai!' đ
Aage jo hota hai, woh.. khair! đÂ
It's difficult for me to divide my #FatOwlFavourites for this week.. so let me put it this way: everything that happens between the moment Salahuddin's parents step into Mannu's Haveli, to Mannu standing outside Sadi's door, pretty much counts in my 'favourites'. I loved every second of the final 10 minutes. The whole sequence was like, poetry in motion. Incroyable!
That haunting melody, with those sad vocals, that starts to play as soon as Sadi opens the gate to Mannu's house, was enough ishaara for the samajhdaar (fangirls not included - we hope against hope). Of course, what follows, was inevitable, but what hurt me the most was Baba Teddybear's silence. A part of me died when he apologetically lowers his nazrein as Sadi's father's hopeful eyes meet his. I never would've thought HE'D be the reason why they would return ulte paaun, rishta-less. What happened?! Aakhir aisa kya hua between 'kar doh uski shaadi,' and Sadi's parents arriving at their doorstep, to ask for said rishta?! Yeh toh pehli manzil thi, #Babajaan.. aur aap abhi se ghabra gaye? #SayNoToPeerPressure.
Iss poore sequence mein, although there wasn't much dialogue, every word uttered, was so powerful, and combined with the actors' facial expressions, it was enough to break even the most sakht-dil of hearts. Baba Salahuddin's 'wapas chalo,' made me want to physically walk into the TV, grab him by the hand and plead to him ke, 'Baba, yeh aap kya keh rahe hain?!' Those two words he said, and Mannu's immediate reaction, crushed my soul!
It was like, how do they say, jaise Mannu aur Sadi 'ek dor se bandhey hon'âhe moves, she moves. It's almost automatic how she follows after him.. aur agar Mannu ki Chachi beech main na aati, toh aaj situation kuch aur hoti. That scene, where Mannu's struggling to loosen the death grip Chachi Evil has on her wrist, was one I was looking forward to ever since I saw it in the promo; and I'm happy to say, I was not disappointed!
Again, the music, here, did wonders to increase the emotional intensity of the scene, especially as Mannu maniacally runs up to the chhatt, in a desperate attempt to, somehow, stop Salahuddin. That heartwrenching, haara hua expression on both their faces says it all. Oh my God, the way he LOOKS at her. 'Ek [chota sa] bacha jo sitaare ko sirf dekh sakta hai, uss tak pohanch nahin sakta.' *cries a river* When I saw Sadi's face, that song 'hai dil ko teri aarzoo, par main tujhe na pa sakoon,' started, involuntarily, playing in my head! *holds up two fingers, on each hand, forms a hashtag and mouths 'life of a vidder'*
Call me a masochist, but I love watching this scene over and over again.. it was just so brilliant; especially Maya Ali. She was, woh kaise kehte hain.. jitne-adjectives-daalo-utne-kam-hain wali FLAWLESS. I have NO words!
Nah, I'm kidding.. I'll find some!Â
The episode I've enjoyed the mostâafter the premiere, of courseâwas this week's. Reason? Well, apart from the amazing dialogues and powerful performances, this episode, much like first one, was very properly structured and focused on the one issue: the rishta. It held my interest from beginning to end - and what unfolded, defied my expectations! God, I never thought Sadi and Baba Teddybear.. đ Anyway, let's continue with some more #FatOwlFavourites from this week. Waise, fair warning, review ki iss instalment mein, sab Maya hai.. well, mostly anyway!
MUSIC. The background scoreâin a lot of scenes, making up for the lack of dialogueâhas beautifully intensified the drama in this episode. I constantly kept getting goosebumps for the last 10 minutes, especially when Chachi grabs Mannu by the wrist - the music, with that expression of utter disbelief on Mannu's face, was brilliance!
One more thing: [haye Allah, I'm so HAPPY I finally get to say this] the use of the OST in this episode was PERFECT. That scene where Sara Baji drapes the dupatta over Mannu and 'tohmatt tumhare ishq ki, orh li chaadar ki tarah' cues, I couldn't stop crying. I'm literally getting choked up typing this, lol. I don't know whether it was the scene or the fact that they were finally using the OST to it's full potential.. hehe, I kid, I kid; it was the scene!
CINEMATOGRAPHY & EDITING. Zaib Rao and Mehmood Ali, you beauties! You guys already know about my love for those scenes where the camera 'follows' Mannu and guys, Rao has brought that technique BACK, for this episode. Jaise hi Mannu Sadi ke ghar ke taraf kadam barhaati hai, Rao's beautiful camera gets to work and between QB's soulful 'teri deewani hui, tera kasoor hai' and Maya's wonderful acting, my eyes ran out of tears.
PHUPPHO. Pakistani dramas have this thing against Phuppho's and I'm glad to see they're finally being portrayed in a positive light. Which I love, cause, aage jaake humain bhi phuppho ban'na hai ek din; and I won't stand for us being shown as evil creeps in our dramas. Dono bhai-behan are the sanest of the lot. I love how THEY'RE the ones willing to get Mannu married to Salahuddin - aur kyun nahin? 'Woh mohaleydaar hai, samajhdar hai, aqalmand hai, shareef hai!' đ
Last but DEFINITELY not the least: *takes a deep breath, followed by a happy jig*
MARIYAM. TANVEER. ALI. I've been dying to say these words for three weeks and today.. today I get my chance.. THIS episode, ladies and gentlemen, BELONGED to my bae, Maya Ali. [Wow, I legit got choked up typing that.] Isse zyaada mujhse kuch kaha nahin jaa raha, I just don't know how to put my feelings into words. She's made me speechless with her performance this week. I am SO proud of my girl! My Maya carried this ENTIRE episode on her nazuk shoulders!
Although, she absolutely SLAYED during the emotionally intense scenes (God, the way she cries.. I just want to take a flight to Pakistan, hunt her down and give her a BIG HUG), the scene I loved the MOST, personally, was when she's wearing that sadqafiable smile on her face as she heads towards #SalahuddinBia'sâyou could almost FEEL the euphoria bursting through the screen. BLESS YOU, BAE!
This was the shortest episode we've seen so far and yet, it's where we've seen the most growth in Mannu's character. Shuroo mein, from the dreamy-eyed, shy, lovestruck teenagerâjo keh rahi hai ke ussey 'unke saamne aane se sharam ayegi'âto the woman (literally) fighting for her love at the endâMaya has acted out that transition flawlessly. The range of emotions she's displayed, in these 30 minutes, is incredible! Episode ke middle waale sequence mein Mannu kehti hai ke 'main nahin darrti kisi se,' and she proved it! Drama ki asli hero(in) toh Mannu hain.. step aside Salahuddin and Meekail.. in other words, aap rehn do!
Hehe.. nai, on a serious note, I want to give Hamza Ali Abbasi a special mention for supporting Maya Ali's scenes so beautifully. These two are two of the BEST criers in the industry and, although it sounds ajeeb, I mean it as a compliment!
Show: Mann Mayal
Cast: Maya Ali, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Aiman Khan, Aisha Khan
