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Dil Lagi's final episode gave us the authentic love story other dramas didn't

Dil Lagi's final episode gave us the authentic love story other dramas didn't

Mehwish Hayat proves her acting chops, and Humayun Saeed redeems himself as a romantic hero
Updated 12 Sep, 2016

In an industry where 30 plus episodes for a successful serial are becoming the norm, Dil Lagi was one of those few serials that concentrated on quality rather than quantity and still managed to be a commercial success in 25.

For the last two weeks faithful viewers of Dil Lagi have been wondering if Anmol (Mehwish Hayat) and Mohid (Humayun Saeed) would actually make it to a magical, fairytale ending.

However the real magic was in the way that the same audience connected to these characters. Here were two incredibly headstrong, stubborn individuals, who set off sparks with every collision, all the ingredients required for a classic romance of pride and prejudice.

Writer Faiza Ifthikhar gave us a very different heroine to the bholi larkiyan so beloved of Pakistani audiences. Anmol is a strong, sensible young woman, who works and takes care of her family, facing every problem head on. Her hero, Mohid, was also not run-of-the-mill: he was actually impressed with a woman’s strength and self-sufficiency. Rather than being intimidated he admired Anmol’s courage and honesty: when Anmol thinks Mohid has ruined her chances of marrying someone else she decides to turn the tables on him. She forces his hand, making him marry her, so she can make his life so difficult he will divorce her by the time she is done with him. Mohid accepts the challenge with the confidence and determination that he will win her over.

This was a beautifully written family-oriented romance which kept viewers enthralled till the very last episode. Well-defined characters with motivations that were both clear and credible were the cornerstones of this thrill-a-minute plot.

Mehwish Hayat has managed to make her mark with this serial, proving once again she is a powerful actress who cannot be ignored.

One of Faiza Iftikhar’s strongest suites is the way she depicts family relationships. The female bond is shown without the usual sazish and competition our dramas are notorious for. What differentiates heroines like Anmol, Khirad or Kashaf is the simple proposition that women can love and care for each other even if they disagree, and can refuse to stoop to petty politics or manipulations.

Director Nadeem Baig gave Dil Lagi a certain filmi touch with breathtaking visuals and eloquent cinematography that did away the need for words at times. The picturisations of Sevan Sharif and shots of Mohid on his balcony were worthy of any movie, but it was the way his camera measured the rise and fall of the characters emotions and relationships that really made this serial shine. Dil Lagi’s success lies firmly in Nadeem Baig’s expert hands for understanding the story and visualizing it from start to finish.

The entire cast did justice to the serial
The entire cast did justice to the serial

The last episode was a microcosm of the high quality maintained throughout this story, showcasing fabulous performances from Saba Hamid and Mehwish Hayat. The two most important women in any man’s life are his mother and his wife and we see them fighting for Mohid’s life as he lies comatose on a hospital bed. Saba Hamid as Zulekha captured a mother’s torment as she silently watches her son through a glass window, her sad gaze encompassing all of their past. Meanwhile Mehwish Hayat’s Anmol is at the other end of the equation staring into a mirror, like a gateway into some long, empty future without him.

While Saba Hamid is no stranger to excellence, Mehwish Hayat has managed to make her mark with this serial, proving once again she is a powerful actress who cannot be ignored.

Humayun Saeed has also given a strong performance as Mohid endearing him to audiences so much, that people were making memes begging the writer and director not to kill his character off.

Many have mocked Humayun Saeed for being an 'uncle,' but Dil Lagi has brought him back into the public’s eye in a way Jawani Phir nahi Ani did not.

Despite Mohid’s strong-arm tactics and stalker-like behavior, Mohid is the quintessential hero; flawed but vulnerable enough for us to empathise with him. On an interesting side note, although Humayun Saeed was known as one of the industry’s most popular romantic heroes, he had lately become familiar as more of producer and gently mocked as an “uncle” figure, but Dil Lagi has brought him back into the public’s eye in a way Jawani Phir nahi Ani did not.

This is a well-planned return to his old image, which will be further cemented in Hum TV’s upcoming Bin Roye, and make the prospects for his upcoming movie Main Punjab Nahi Jaungi even more favorable.

The cast was rounded out by Uzma Hassan, Maryam Ansari and Asma Abbasi who all did justice to their roles. Imran Ashraf in particular made a great impression as Dastagir, Mohid’s ever ready sidekick, providing much of the comic relief. It was particularly moving to see Dastagir fall into a sajda after Mohid gained consciousness. The love and affection between them could never be questioned.

After an emotionally wrenching climax, where Anmol goes back to Sevan Sharif to ask if her prayer of anger and hate was stronger than Mohid’s prayer of love, team Dil Lagi gave its viewers a fun, rather unusual ending. Just as Dil Lagi began with its Dabangg heroine chasing after a purse snatcher it ends with her doing exactly the same thing only this time Mohid is by her side.

The message is clear: love is about accepting a person for who they are, and wanting to be with them despite their rough edges.

Comments

Asif Sep 12, 2016 04:20pm
I can't believe it that Mr Saeed is still considering himself a hero. It's been I wonder how many years and generations.
Recommend
anwer Sep 12, 2016 05:04pm
@Asif Yaar Asif Bhai why must a hero be young all the time. :).
Recommend
Mohammad Zafar Sep 12, 2016 05:13pm
A very powerful theme, excellent acting and editing, meaningful dialogues, soothing music. I loved to see a to play after a very long time. Mehwish Hayat is so spontaneous that her acting never made us feel that she was acting it was coming so naturally. It may add some more weight to women empowerment as wives .
Recommend
Tandon Bipin Sep 12, 2016 06:14pm
Mehwit just weeping in film,overachting,story whioch is not naturally,can never happen in Pakistan family.Typical Pakistani film.
Recommend
Shahid Sep 12, 2016 07:08pm
I have travelled all over the world.Mahwish Hyat is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful girl I remember
Recommend
Muhammad Arshad Sep 12, 2016 08:04pm
Good one, I could not follow the complete serial, but whatever I managed to see was good and last episode was exceptional.
Recommend
Khwarezmi Sep 12, 2016 08:09pm
The last episode was disapointing as we never got to know what happens to the shooter & his master and the side story of sister-in-law and her admirer.
Recommend
Mashal Sep 12, 2016 10:04pm
@anwer because he is a hero period
Recommend
shereen Sep 13, 2016 01:29am
I was bored out with the dragging scenes in 15 minutes of the first episode. Then it was you tube with scene-jumping. Nowhere near as grabbing a play as for example ullu baraye farokht nahi or shaista shaista.... The later being nealy twice as many episodes with 10 times the speed intrigue n fun. I don't understand the hype seriously :/ my conspiracy theory is that they're trying to dumb-down the smart people of this country, heheh.
Recommend
shdhsn Sep 13, 2016 04:03am
loved this drama.. all actors were wonderful and story was great.. specially last episode.
Recommend
Faisal Sep 13, 2016 04:09am
It was a beautiful drama.
Recommend
Aamer Sep 13, 2016 12:33pm
Humayu Saeed is not that old and is very good looking. Mahvish Hayat is the best i just loved her movie ACTOR IN LAW. She and Fahad did a great job.
Recommend
Kamran Sep 13, 2016 08:54pm
No doubt ,best drama I have ever seen in these four five years.All the cast did justice to characters specially "Mehwash Hayyat"did exceptionally well.I was unable to stop myself shedding tears when she was praying for Mohit's life in Seven Sharif .Hats off for this bold ,caring and loving lady .
Recommend
Imran AB Sep 13, 2016 09:19pm
Mahwish , Humayun, Saba , Ansari,Dastgir all acted very well. The dialogues were amazing. A different story which enthralled so many. Mavish Hayat, Saba Hamid and Humayun's acting has left a mark. It was as if they were not acting but were real in life. Great effort, great cinematography ......... Loved every moment of this drama ........... sorry to see it finish ... but a great ending indeed .....
Recommend
Kamran Sep 13, 2016 10:26pm
Wonder ful drama ...All the cast really did 100% justice with their characters specially "Mehwash Hayyat" ,she was exceptional no doubt ..her bold ,caring and loving personality(acting )was the real spirit of this drama ..Hats off to her.hope to see her soon in up coming fixtures .
Recommend
Kamran Sep 13, 2016 10:34pm
No doubt about it,it was really a wonderful drama.all actors did 100% justice with their characters specially"Mehwish Hayyat" ,she was exceptional no doubt about her acting skills.I can't stop myself shedding tears throughout the the last episode of the drama.
Recommend
Sukhera Sep 15, 2016 10:49pm
I did watched a couple of episodes of this darama. One thing I noticed that the couple had hot exchanges over little things and not honest to each other. This darama gives a wrong impression to the public that whatever you want in life, just go to Sevin Sharif and you will get it. This is far away from real life.
Recommend
Rekhtagar Sep 16, 2016 06:38am
A very skewed and awkward script by the writer, it appears that she adjusted her script on weekly basis to match with the competing serials. In short, indeed a very saturated and a futile end-product by the writer, director and producer!
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