Bas Tera Saath Ho, penned by the late Saira Raza, has started off on a promising note. The bar has been raised with television productions like Kafeel, Case No.9, Muamma and Aik Aur Pakeeza, to name a few productions which left an indelible mark on the viewers. With seasoned writers and competent directors, the future for our television industry looks very promising, with every other production garnering millions of views on social media.
Farhan Saeed enacts the role of Anas Mujtaba, the protagonist and although merely two episodes have been aired to date, the play is already making waves. Not only is he a fantastic singer, Farhan is also flexing his acting muscles with this production, where he plays the male version of Cinderella. Refreshing, isn’t it? For a change, the viewers are treated to a male, being browbeaten and insulted by his family, as his father committed the grave sin of marrying of his own volition. Do the sins of the parents come on to the children? In this particular case, it is proving to be correct!
Anas Mujtaba is a character that instantly resonates and connects with viewers and makes them commiserate with his plight. Raised in a household where he has been treated with hate, contempt and intense loathing ever since he can remember, he matures into a complexed individual, who is unable to assert himself or stand up for his rights. He is treated even worse than the hired help and as his father was disowned by his grandfather for going against his wishes, he has no legal claim to his ancestral property and therefore, his position has been compromised further.
Despite being a brilliant student and an extremely loving and caring grandson, he is browbeaten, insulted and humiliated by his taya’s family. Although his grandfather tries to take a stand for him, being an old and sickly man, all his efforts to ensure his grandson is awarded his rightful status in the house, backfire. Anus is forced to pay for the transgressions of his father and is reminded time and again of his inferior status and position. In fact, when his grandfather expresses his wish to see Anus married off to his taya’s daughter, it leads to an uproar and once again, his menial standing is rubbed in his face repeatedly by his first cousin and her family.
A story running parallel to this is of Sana Javed, who lives with her brother and sister-in-law. Her father’s timely and judicious decision to draw up a will, giving her an equal share in his property to secure her future, cements her position in her brother’s house. This also sends out an important message that daughters, single or married, should not be deprived of their rightful share in their parents’ inheritance. These important decisions should be taken by the parents in their lifetime, in order to avoid problems and conflicts later on.
Something different, this is a befitting follow up to Kafeel, which emerged as a huge blockbuster, thanks to a powerful script, solid acting and powerful direction. As the story unfolds, will Anas ever be able to assert himself or is he destined to be the proverbial sacrificial lamb? Will he pay for his father’s folly for the rest of his life? Once his grandfather is no longer there to support him, what will he do?
His paternal aunt foots his educational expenses and therefore, he is able to attend university. A brilliant student, he tops in his class at university. He fails to obtain the scholarship, however, as he is unable to complete the required number of credit hours. Farhan is portrayed as a dignified and self-respecting individual and hates being economically and financially dependent on his aunt.
With only two episodes being aired to date, this play promises something novel, as the viewers see a male Cinderella, the female version of Hala in Mere Humsafar. Will this turn out to be another tear jerker or will Anas eventually regain his rightful status? Will he ever learn to assert himself and be recognised as an individual in his own right?
Keep watching to see how Anas’s story unfolds and whether this male Cinderella will ever find his princess and his happily ever after. Will his father’s folly haunt him for the rest of his life and will he ever be able to live it down? When will he stop paying for the sins of his late father and be awarded his rightful share in the inheritance?
Keep watching to see whether this male Cinderella finds his happily ever after!
