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    Drama Review: Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum

    Written by: Ayesha Amir
    Posted on: August 01, 2024 | | 中文

    Poster of Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum (Sometimes it’s me, and sometimes it’s you)

    The latest ARY digital’s drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum (Sometimes it’s me, and sometimes it’s you) is the talk of the town, because of Fahad Mustafa’s return to the small screen after a hiatus of a decade. The drama is getting a lot of traction because fans are excited to finally see the Jeeto Pakistan host on their television screens, not as the loud television host but as a lead hero in a drama. Fahad Mustafa himself teamed up with Dr. Ali Kazmi to produce this series, with the script written by the famous and beloved Farhat Ishtiaq, known for her works such as Humsafar, Udaari, Diyar-e-Dil, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu, Rehaai, and Yaqeen Ka Safar. The drama has an ensemble cast featuring Fahad Mustafa as Mustafa, Hania Aamir as Sharjeena, Emmad Irfani as Adeel, Javed Sheikh as Iftekhar, Bushra Ansari as Shagufta, Maya Khan as Sidra and Naeema Butt as Rubab, along with Tauseeq Haider and Yousuf Bashir Qureshi.

    Bushra Ansari, Fahad Mustafa and Maya Khan

    The list of popular dramas written by Farhat Ishtiaq’s is long, and fans have anticipated Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum to hit the same mark. Farhat Ishtiaq’s writing and Fahad Mustafa’s comeback are not the only the reasons for the drama’s rising popularity, but the casting of Hania Aamir alongside Fahad Mustafa has caught many by surprise. The pairing, though unconventional, promises to be intriguing.

    Javed Sheikh and Hania Amir

    The premise of the drama is that Mustafa’s character is that of a laid-back person, who does not take his domestic or financial responsibilities seriously. He stands in direct contrast to his elder brother Adeel (Emmad Irfani), who is successful in a corporate job. Not only is he ambitious but desires upward social mobility. This trait marks the first bone of contention within the family, where an imminent betrayal is expected. Adeel is engaged to be married to Sharjeena, a going-by-the-book good girl, who is a responsible daughter and sister. Sharjeena and her younger sister are set to be married at the same time. Misery befalls the two families when Adeel is confronted by his boss Rubab (Naeema Butt) on how she has feelings for him for the past four years, but Adeel had been indifferent. Adeel, driven by his opportunism and power-hungry nature, disregards his engagement with Sharjeena and opts to marry Rubab. Rubab is a rich and nonconforming daughter of a business conglomerate handling a company, thus providing Adeel with the perfect opportunity for social climbing. The mayhem that ensues when Adeel breaks off his engagement to Sharjeena, causes the plot to thicken. Iftekhar (Javed Sheikh), who is Mustafa and Adeel’s father, is devasted and angry with his elder son Adeel’s betrayal, because Sharjeena is his good friend’s daughter. There is social commentary in the plot, as the story reflects our society’s troubled relationship with honor and marriage. The engagement breakup is mourned by Sharjeena’s family as a reflection of our society’s stigmatization of women whose engagements break, or they are divorced. Everyone in the family is dejected over the notion of log kya kahain ge (what will people say) and how will the in-laws of Sharjeena’s younger react.

    Emmad Irfani and Naeema Butt

    It is at this point that Sharjeena has to make a difficult decision regarding her marriage, to keep up the honor of her family and decides to sacrifice for the sake of everyone else. She asks Mustafa to marry her in Adeel’s stead. Although surprised and confused, not only does Mustafa comply, but he seems to be empathizing with Sharjeena’s situation initially. The reason why it is central to the plot, is because Mustafa and Sharjeena are polar opposites, and not a good match for each other. However, the storyline progresses with the marriage happening between the two, and it also marks the start of their struggles, with Mustafa trying to make sense of his new life with the responsibility of a wife, and Sharjeena trying to make sense of a clumsy and irresponsible husband.

    Bushra Ansari, Hania Amir and Javed Sheikh

    An important question that the audiences are left asking, however, is will Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum progress out of a storm of clichés? Up until now, not only is the story line not unique, but it is filled with tropes that the audiences are used to seeing (and have been wanting to stop seeing any more of). An unjust and oppressive mother-in-law, an innocent and studious wife and daughter in law, a careless husband, and a fiery ring of rivalry between siblings with one of them as a cast away villain. This drama is a camping site of overused tropes with nothing new to offer, except, Fahad Mustafa’s pairing with Hania Aamir. Having said that, it might still be too early to judge the plot, on the basis of the initial episodes. The drama might progress through plot twists that offer the audience what they’ve been looking for, initial misgivings aside, the drama is a fascinating feat showing the lives of two simple families in the humble neighborhoods of Karachi.

    Maya Khan and Hania Amir


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021