Written by: Muna Moini
Posted on: January 12, 2023 | 
| 中文
Wahaj Ali as Murtasim and Yumna Zaidi as Meerab
Geo Entertainment's latest drama, Tere Bin, stars Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi as lead characters. Considering the lead pair's fan following and how desperately the audience wanted to see them together after the success of their previous collaboration, Dil Na Umeed To Nahi, it was expected to become a massive hit.
Produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, Tere Bin has been directed by Siraj Ul Haq and the story has been penned by Nooran Makhdoom. Apart from Wahaj and Yumna, who play Murtasim and Meerab, the mega drama features a star-studded cast including Bushra Ansari, Sohail Sameer, Sabeena Farooq, Hira Somorro, Fazila Qazi, Farhan Aly Agha, Haris Waheed, Seemi Pashah, Mehmood Aslam, Agha Mustafa and several others in key roles.
A scene from Tere Bin
7th Sky Entertainment and its Director, Siraj Ul Haq, want the viewers to have a larger-than-life experience through their dramas. Some may like the "fantasy entertainer" while others may not, but the fact remains that one cannot ignore that it has been trending not only in Pakistan but also across the border, proving that it does have a huge audience. Four episodes down, it is safe to say that Tere bin, despite being OTT (Over-the-top) like most 8pm GEO dramas, broke several stereotypes, and established itself that it is not as cliché ridden as it first appeared.
The opening scene introduces us to Murtasim, who hails from an influential feudal family in Hyderabad. Despite being rude and egoistic on most occasions, he is not really a bad person, unlike the “toxic” heroes that we have previously seen in the form of Shamsheer or Mir Hadi. The way he empathizes with the concerns of a farmer working for him shows a decent and humane side to his character. On the farmer’s claim that his daughter's safety is threatened, Murtasim barges into the house of his rival (Malik played by Mehmood Aslam) and threatens his son at gunpoint.
Murtasim threatening his opponent at gunpoint
On the other hand, we see that Meerab has been raised in Karachi by an extremely loving father (Waqas played by Farhan Aly Agha). Following in her father's footsteps, she also wants to become a lawyer and unlike many female protagonists, she is not reluctant to speak her mind or give up easily. Meerab is strong, outspoken, brave, feisty and refreshing to watch. However, in certain instances, she becomes a bit preachy and annoying.
Yumna Zaidi and Farhan Ali Agha
While the lead characters have entirely different lifestyles, what is common between the two (apart from their ego) is their intolerance for injustice. Upon seeing the house help with wounds due to domestic abuse, she immediately turns into a superwoman, spots the abuser on the road, and beats him up in the middle of a crowd. Not so realistic, but at least it felt good to see a woman take charge.
In another scene, we see that every single life decision involving Meerab has to be approved by Salma aka Bhabhi Begum (Bushra Ansari) and her brother is law, Anwar (Sohail Sameer). Their possessiveness towards Meerab gives an indication that she is not Waqas's biological daughter. It eventually proves to be true in the following episodes, where Anwar reveals that he’s the real father.
Bushra Ansari and Yumna Zaidi
Unhappy with Meerab's upbringing and independence, Anwar who initially claims to be a neighbor, decides to bring her back home to Hyderabad. Throughout the serial, Merab shows that she is not willing to accept the Khans, while Murtasim also refuses to accept Meerab as family. Sabeena Farooq plays Haya, another cousin madly in love with Murtasim. Since childhood, she has only dreamt of becoming his wife and ruling the Khan Empire. Her dreams are crushed when Bhabi Begum declares Meerab as Murtasim’s future wife. The announcement comes as a shock for everyone including Meerab and Murtasim, who hate each other and refuse to accept each other as husband and wife.
While Meerab and Murtasim refuse to accept Bhabhi Begum's orders, Haya has also declared her love for Murtasim. The play also highlights the importance of consent, compatibility and law.
Wahaj Ali and Sabeena Farooq
You cannot force life decisions on someone without their consent and marriage requires compatibility; Meerab and Murtasim are both seen confronting the same issue. Murtasim also knows he is not suitable for Meerab and wants to save her from a bad marriage, and denies to Anwar that he is scared of a headstrong woman.
Women are not scapegoats; Meerab claims her right to choose her life partner and backs the argument with law and religion. She is hell-bent on going back to Karachi and does everything in her power, however, but finds no support. Waqas is forced to reveal Meerab’s true identity which had been hidden for years. Meerab is in denial and gives a good performance in expressing her pain. It can be assumed that Meerab's mother was probably a Malik and that is why the Khan family had her raised away from Hyderabad.
When it comes down to economics, Meerab’s marriage with Murtasim would ensure no property goes out of the family. However, it was a pleasant surprise to see Murtasim as not a stereotypical avaricious individual who still maintains the same attitude despite finding out that his Chacha (Anwar) has transferred his property to his biological daughter. Murtasim has been shown as an enlightened young man who does not label strong, and opinionated girls as behaya.
Wahaj Ali as Murtasim and Yumna Zaidi as Meerab
Tere Bin does have a star plus touch to it, but trends prove that it is being watched and enjoyed. It is an OTT (over-the-top media) fantasy for the audience that isn’t looking for depth and logic in every scene. Great production value and chemistry between the lead actors make it an entertaining watch, however, it is 2023, and slaps for TRPs (Television Rating Point or Target Rating Point) as seen in the promo, can ruin an otherwise good drama.
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