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Review: Hamza Ali Abbasi's TV comeback in Mann Mayal reveals why he's a bankable star

Review: Hamza Ali Abbasi's TV comeback in Mann Mayal reveals why he's a bankable star

In Mann Mayal a student-tutor relationship bodes love. Do Maya Ali and Hamza Ali Abbasi pass or fail this test?
26 Jan, 2016

Hum TV’s latest offering Mann Mayal has been introduced with a lot of fanfare and the kind of publicity that's usually reserved for movies.

The star attraction is of course Hamza Ali Abbasi, who returns to the silver screen for the first time since his iconic portrayal of Afzal in Pyarey Afzal.

It is to Abbasi’s credit that, despite being one of the brightest stars Pakistan's nascent film industry he has not abandoned the medium that helped keep the entertainment industry alive during leaner times. Mann Mayal is produced by Momina Duraid, Samina Humayoon Saeed and Sana Shahnawaz. Written by Samira Fazal and directed by Haseeb Hassan, this serial also stars Maya Ali, Aisha Khan, Gohar Rasheed and Aiman Khan as main characters. The cast boasts not-to-be-missed performers like Saba Hameed, Atiqa Odho, Javed Shaikh, Arjumand Rahim and Vasey Chaudhry in its ranks too.

The story so far

From the first scene it is obvious that Mannu and Salahuddin are wary of each other... but is it just the bussing seeds of attraction?
From the first scene it is obvious that Mannu and Salahuddin are wary of each other... but is it just the bussing seeds of attraction?

The story revolves around Mannu (Maya Ali) and Salahuddin (Hamza Ali Abbasi), who live in a provincial town in Sindh. Mannu is best friends with Salahuddin’s younger sister Beeya and their families share the usual friendliness and trust of neighbors with like minds that comes through years of familiarity.

The greatest difference between them is the fact that Mannu’s family is comparatively wealthy and lives together according to tradition with a full quota of relatives, while Salahuddin lives a simple but respectable life with his mother, father and sister. The first episode shows Beeya passing her final exams with an ‘A’ while Mannu, much to her own disappointment, ends up failing. Beeya has been forced to study hard by her paragon of a brother and this impresses Mannu’s father enough that he asks Salahuddin to tutor Mannu.

From the first scene it is obvious that Mannu and Salahuddin are wary of each other, but the audience soon realizes that friction is just a veneer for a simmering attraction that both are trying to suppress.


Flighty Mannu (Maya Ali) and serious Salahuddin (Hamza Ali Abbasi) are thrown together as the latter has to tutor the former. What happens next? Sparks fly


Salahuddin is the more discerning of the pair, a quiet, studious, sensible young man who understands the world well beyond his years. He knows his lack of position and wealth would make any connection difficult and he doesn’t want to be distracted from his own aim to be somebody by a relationship that will only cause him pain.

Mannu on the other hand is naïve and not as self-aware. She is attracted to her friend’s straight-laced brother but isn’t sure why. She jumps from one mood to another like a child, trying to attract the attention of her serious new teacher.

Is a love triangle in the offing? Gohar Rasheed stars as Mannu's prospective husband Mikaal
Is a love triangle in the offing? Gohar Rasheed stars as Mannu's prospective husband Mikaal

Meanwhile Mannu’s family has quietly invited a family to come and see Mannu for a rishta. Blissfully unaware, Mannu visits her friend Beeya to make mithai for the coming guests, but ends up studying with Salahuddin again.

The episode ends with a teaser for next week showing Gohar Rasheed as Mikaal the prospective rishta.

Highlights: Hamza, Maya are commendable

Director Haseeb Hassan is a stickler for details and it shows in all his projects from Bol Meri Machli to Dayar e Dil.

Mann Mayal has some wonderfully authentic settings and is beautifully shot with the kind of lighting and ambiance that invites the audience into the character’s little world. Haseeb Hassan's work often relegates the audience to a distant third person but for this intense love story there is a lot of warmth and intimacy in the way this drama has been made.

For a first episode this was remarkably slick; relationships, fault lines and most importantly the main protagonist’s attraction for each other were nicely established without clumsy dialogues and forced situations.


Despite some strong echoes of Pyarey Afzal in this episode, Hamza Ali Abbasi has managed to establish Salahuddin as an independent character from his first moment on screen.


Full credit is due to Samira Fazal for providing a fast paced script which not only sets the scene but moves the story forward.

Despite some strong echoes of Pyarey Afzal in this episode, Hamza Ali Abbasi has managed to establish Salahuddin as an independent character from his first moment on screen. Modest, middle class background notwithstanding, Salahuddin is not Afzal. Abbasi manages to make a strong impression in this first episode, his powerful screen presence and strong, controlled performance promise great things ahead for this serial.

Maya Ali has done an excellent job: her enunciation is under control and despite Mannu’s almost quicksilver changes of mood and argumentative nature; she has given the character just the right amount of vulnerability to be likable. So far Ali has controlled the “bholi larki” vibe enough that Salahuddin’s attraction to her seems feasible.

The plausible chemistry between Salahuddin and Mannu is one of the serial's strong points
The plausible chemistry between Salahuddin and Mannu is one of the serial's strong points

The main leads and indeed the entire cast share an easy chemistry, making every interaction seem natural and normal.

In typical Samira Fazal style all the characters have a role to play and are not treated as “special effects“ to keep the background interesting. The mothers, fathers, chachis, phupo and even cousin Tipu have their own unique characters and are anything but generic. Mannu’s father in particular is sure to become a firm favourite with the younger crowd, (especially the girls ) who probably wish their parents were enlightened enough to find them a handsome young tutor like Salahuddin..

The lows: Mann Mayal offers up a cliched version of girlhood

The most obvious critique is that the whole episode seems a little too familiar – the sets, the wardrobe, the atmosphere of a provincial town, the friendly terms between families of different means and the relationship between Mannu, Beeya and Salahuddin all come a little too close to the Pyarey Afzal mode of being.

Hopefully that is superficial and the next episode's teaser does seem to dispel it, but it is too powerful an image to ignore. Similarly the way Mannu sneaks out at night to visit a mazaar to pray for success in her exams was very reminiscent of Sadqay Tumharey.


If Mann Mayal can steer clear of obvious clichés, it has the potential to not only be a blockbuster, or a 'must watch', but something iconic. All the ingredients are there.


The episode is well-made and captures the audience’s attention throughout; however, Mannu’s cynical character is a very recognizable cliché. The way she jumps about knocking into people, sneaking out at night to visit a mazaar, her stubborn, 'stand your ground' nature and quick comebacks are a stock persona we see in every third drama. It really is to Maya Ali’s credit that she has made this character a lot more authentic than it might have been.

Isn’t it time the audience was treated to a better, more authentic vision of girlhood than this? As the serial progresses, perhaps Mannu may also reach some level of nuance beyond the expected.

Conclusion

So far this drama seems to be bringing Hum TV back to more family-oriented viewing. The recent fervor at Hum TV to make dramas like Sangat and Gul e Rana which glamourise rapists may thankfully have abated.

This is a well-made drama worth watching. Anyone who sees the first episode can not wait to see the next. If Mann Mayal can steer clear of obvious clichés, it has the potential to not only be a blockbuster, or a 'must watch', but something iconic. All the ingredients are there.

The best part is that writer Samira Fazal has said in a previous interview that the drama is just 24 episodes and won’t be stretched to death — a fate that many good stories have succumbed to in the past.


Sadaf Haider blogs at SadafSays.com

Comments

Javid Jan 26, 2016 01:46pm
I watched the episode on youTube. To a TV drama, the way ManMayal started is a great beginning. I fell in Love with the character of Maya Ali. All the characters are good to watch, the story moves smoothly without forcing something in between. Hamza exactly looks like an intelligent tutor. Can't wait to watch the 2nd episode.
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rejoice Jan 26, 2016 02:20pm
What a fantastic start!!!!!! Hamza and Maya, Superb acting. What a pair you are...chemistry is so perfect. I have no parameters to describe your high grade acting level. For me, it is amazing. Mannu is in love with Sallahuddin. Let us see what will happen next. I cannot miss any episode. Watching again on You tube.
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Kemolican (King Edward Medical Univ.) Jan 26, 2016 02:20pm
i just Loved it . Superb
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h.hammad Jan 26, 2016 02:43pm
Something about Hamza which is unique.
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Ali Syed Jan 26, 2016 03:50pm
I have stop watching Hamza's performance of any kind, because of his post Local Body Election disdanfull video about the people of Karachi
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Jawad U Rahman Jan 26, 2016 05:51pm
Hamza, just stick to acting, please! Polititics, religion, current affairs are not your cups of tea.
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crorepati Jan 26, 2016 06:33pm
Loved ur review, probably the better in all of reviews on Mann Mayal 1st episode uptill now
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Hilal mehdi Jan 26, 2016 07:10pm
I saw first episode of it and i think this will be a bigger blockbuster then pyer e afzal. It's a really nice and decent family show which is hard to find these days. Acting and the way it is directed is awesome but the bad thing is now we have to wait whole week for next episode. Can't wait for second episode.
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Hilal mehdi Jan 26, 2016 07:18pm
@Ali Syed it's his personal point of view and everyone have freedom of speech. Sometimes i also don't agree with him but doesn't matter. It's his point of view and we all think differently.
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Syed Jan 26, 2016 07:32pm
Wish Osman -Maya r as impressive as in Dayar dil.
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farhan Jan 26, 2016 07:37pm
I like hamza Ali abbasi, the actor not the political guru who loves to give fatwas.
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AQ Jan 26, 2016 08:58pm
Loved the episode but your critique is also justified. Thanks for a great review!
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Sadaf Haider Jan 26, 2016 10:26pm
@AQ Thank you !
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mehkan Jan 26, 2016 11:32pm
Maybe as the story develops things will be different. Howver, thus far I felt the entire setup, cinematography, direction and dialogue delivery resembles Sadqay Tumhare. However, I am sure that whoever is involved in the composition of this drama knows better. The rest will reveal in later episodes. As an aspiring artist I do not want to delve into this with a preconceived notion. I would rather watch this in its entirety and as a whole. And would recommend others to do so too.
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Multinational Bhabi Jan 27, 2016 12:43am
@Javid If he really looks like an 'intelligent' person then I have to give it to him. He is a good actor!
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Mohsin Alam Jan 27, 2016 01:10am
Must watch drama from the start ... As expected hamza and maya playing their part very well together with everyone... Oh God waiting for next episode !!!
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Ady Jan 27, 2016 01:20am
Nice break from the routine dramas. HAA seems to have so much control over his acting and his looks are icing on the cake. He is a treat to watch. Maya seemed average so far. Story is interesting though. Looking forward to next episodes.
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Abdul Ahad Bohio Jan 27, 2016 09:20am
just love it..can't wait for 2nd episode
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Another fan Jan 27, 2016 11:21am
In Pakistan, we have the stories, the locations, the music, and now, we have stars and the technology as well...only a matter of time before we outdo bollywood
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gretakhan Jan 27, 2016 05:07pm
if this guy in india he would be superstar this how we treated our stars.. fawad is also looking for fame and work in india. Adnan sami already returned his pakistani nationality.As a nation we should start giving due credit to great actors like Hamza. This serial going to be another block bluster for him best wishes and keep up the good wok H.A.A
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Arisha G Jan 27, 2016 07:57pm
"Mannu’s father in particular is sure to become a firm favourite with the younger crowd, (especially the girls ) who probably wish their parents were enlightened enough to find them a handsome young tutor like Salahuddin.. " ...and then you say you wish there were other protrayals of girls, rather than the cliched ones portrayed in every 3rd serial??? hmmm :)
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Amima Jan 28, 2016 01:43am
i just Loved it
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Afsana Jan 28, 2016 02:22pm
Love that drama
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Afsana Jan 28, 2016 02:22pm
Great direction.. How cameras cover the scenes it was amazing
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Afsana Jan 28, 2016 02:23pm
@Abdul Ahad Bohio yes , me too
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Iztraab Jan 29, 2016 07:41pm
@Ali Syed you can have disagreement with him or anyone but please don't hate only because of that reason. This why we are divided.
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