Written by: Hurmat Majid
Posted on: July 14, 2020 | 
(L to R) Mansha Pasha as Shafaq, Zahid Ahmed as Shahaan and Sonya Hussyn as Ulfat
HUM TV is at it again, bringing us a serial with a star-studded cast, that most of us who are bored in quarantine cannot resist watching. Muhabbat Tujhe Alvida (Goodbye to Love), written by Abdul Khaliq Khan, hinges on a middle class couple, played by Zahid Ahmed and Sonya Hussyn. This is the second time that the two are teaming up, after the psychological drama, “Ishq-Zah-e-Naseeb (Love, My Good Luck)”.
Shahaan (Ahmed) is employed at a business run by Javed Sheikh, who hands it over to his daughter Shafaq (Mansha Pasha) as he retires. Ulfat (Hussain) is a housewife and has been in love with Shahaan since they were both quite young. She was raised by Shahaan's mother, after her own mother passed away quite early. So, it is quickly established that not only have Ulfat and Shahaan been in love for a long time, they have also grown up together.
While both Shahaan and Ulfat want a better life for themselves, it is the latter that wants to be wealthy. Her way of achieving this wealth includes buying prize bonds and praying for luck every time the raffle winners are announced. Shahaan humors her gambles despite knowing that nothing shall come of them. Shahaan, however, does understand his wife's desire for the good things in life. Often though, he tries to fulfil these wishes, but circumstances hamper his efforts.
Shafaq and Shahaan
On the other hand, Shafaq is shown to be a no-nonsense boss, who is somehow attracted to Shahaan. She soon finds out that her star employee is married, but that does not stop her from harboring feelings for him. After firing Shahaan on the basis of a misunderstanding, Shafaq stumbles upon Ulfat at the mall and discusses the matter with her. Ulfat then convinces her husband to take the job back and even go out with the boss for a coffee.
Thinking this would advance Shahaan's chances for a promotion, she encourages this meeting with the hopes that it could bring them closer to the shared dream of a better lifestyle. Promos of the drama suggest that Ulfat somehow convinces Shahaan to marry Shafaq, while secretly embezzling money from her. She does so with the belief that Shahaan could never love another woman like he loves her. Whether her conviction is mistaken or not, remains to be seen.
The drama sheds light on the vastly different lifestyles of the wealthy, and those who aspire to be in the same league. It shows how people are willing to resort to unethical methods in order to get the lifestyle of the affluent. But more importantly, it subtly raises the question of whether “riches” can only be measured by lifestyle or material things.
Javed Sheikh and Mansha Pasha
In one scene, Ulfat is shown ordering the cheapest item at a fine dining restaurant because she thinks that's all her husband can afford. Later Shahaan points out that while she constantly wishes for riches, she fails to enjoy the wealth and happiness that she does have. This is just one example of how the play foreshadows what's about to take place in the coming episodes.
While Muhabbat Tujhe Alvida may not be the most unexpected serial ever produced, the actors’ performances, and the dialogues do make it an entertaining watch. Not every drama has to be full of plot twists and suspense. Especially in these unpredictable times, most of us welcome the expectedness of a plot, and the familiarity of the storyline.
Shahaan and Ufaq
However, a more serious accusation has been made against the drama on social media. Many viewers have been pointing out that the drama has a lot of similarities with the 1997 Bollywood film 'Judai (Seperation)', which featured Sri Devi, Anil Kapoor and Urmila Matondkar. While we sincerely hope that our days of copying Bollywood plotlines are behind us, if this is indeed true, the question remains if Zahid Ahmed, Sonya Hussyn and Mansha Pasha's acting will be enough to carry the drama forward.
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