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Every so often, our drama industry delivers a gem that resurrects the drama fans within us. With a social issue hovering in the background and nuanced characters leading the charge, five episodes in, Zard Patton Ka Bunn is the gem we’ve been looking for for a while.

A joint venture of the Kashf Foundation and Momina Duraid Productions, Zard Patton Ka Bunn is written and directed by the talented duo of Mustafa Afridi and Saife Hasan. The drama was destined for greatness with this team behind the scenes as well as the addition of one of Pakistan’s biggest stars, Sajal Aly, paired with promising young talent Hamza Sohail.

While carving out its unique niche and not banking solely on mainstream appeal, Zard Patton Ka Bunn understands the need to handle its subject matter with the utmost care. Continuing the Kashf Foundation’s legacy of taking social issues head-on, Zard Patton Ka Bunn fearlessly addresses an array of social problems, including population control and family planning, education, maternal health, drug abuse, and gender-based violence.

Characters and beyond

Taking centre stage is Meenu, essayed by the brilliant Sajal Aly — an ambitious, outspoken girl determined to becoming the first woman in her village to attend university and become a doctor. Meenu serves as our voice of reason, spellbinding us with her sheer determination and pure intentions that are evident in every step of her journey. Whether engaging in playful banter with her father, confiding in the local maulvi for prayers, or being a trusted confidant for her nephew, Meenu’s spirit shines through.

Defying all odds, Meenu rebels against her five brothers, seizing the first opportunity to pursue her education after years of hiatus. From that point forward, it’s Meenu, her books and her bicycle-turned- “cycle motor” against the world as she steps outside her village to attend college.

Aly pours her heart into the role, as always. She sheds every ounce of glamour to embody the resolute Meenu. From the pure and un-glamorised dance of joy to the beat of a dhol upon acing her Matric exams, to trekking barefoot to college and assisting with village chores, to put it simply, Aly has outdone herself.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we find urban doctor Nofil, skillfuly portrayed by Hamza Sohail. He captures our attention with equal — if not greater — intensity. As the cherished only child of his parents, Dr Nofil embodies integrity and compassion in his medical practice. He is a man of simplicity, dedicated to a noble career and committed to marrying a fellow doctor, whom he serenades with poetry during their nightly phone calls.

Dr Nofil’s strength of character is further highlighted when he courageously defends a grieving husband whose wife tragically perishes during childbirth due to the negligence of a senior doctor, despite ultimately facing defeat in his efforts.

Sohail stands out for his choice of projects, including Zard Patton Ka Bunn. Opting for a role where he isn’t beating up bad guys and where his hair isn’t perfectly blow-dried all the time, where he portrays a soft, gentle hero, miles away from ritziness, is risky and worthy of applause. As of now, he has us invested.

What’s noteworthy about the drama is the significant role played by the supporting cast in advancing the social messages and plot. Take for instance Meenu’s nephew Roshan, whose plight tugs at our heartstrings as he faces beatings from his father and uncles for learning how to play the drum. Through Roshan’s story, the drama destigmatises musicians who are often marginalised in our society.

The drama boasts a spectacular lineup, including Rehan Sheikh, Samiya Mumtaz, Ali Tahir, Adnan Shah Tipu, Saad Azhar, Syed Tanveer Hussain, Chaudhary Muhammad Usman, Mubashir Mehmood, Adeel Afzal, Najma Bibi and Zaryab Haider, among others.

How Zard Patton Ka Bunn remains true to its original purpose

While we are no strangers to dramas on social issues, we often find them sensationalised, with the true meaning lost in the race for TRPs and ratings. Zard Patton Ka Bunn manages to present its message to its audience with honesty and authenticity. In fact, there are instances where they add humour, capturing the real-life actions of people. The scenes feel raw and real, such as old people turning up for a session on population control just for the biryani or the compounder switching the radio station when the jockey talks about the scarcity of doctors in the country.

What also works in Zard Patton Ka Bunn’s favour is the team steering the drama in the right direction. The director-writer duo of Saife Hassan and Mustafa Afridi, who have previously worked together on other celebrated projects, makes the drama stand out as they both bring their unique strengths of giving the audience stories that go beyond cities and into raw terrain and villages. With the drama shot outdoors in Dera Bakha, you capture the unfiltered essence of nature with water flowing out of tube-wells, lush green fields, and narrow lanes peppered with homes.

The contrast between rural and urban settings is done so well that nothing feels out of place or overdone. Kudos to Hassan for creating a setting that totally transports you.

Afridi has also done a remarkable job in portraying the plight of all the characters in the show. Even the title is an expression of his brilliant writing skills, as the words “Zard Patton Ka Bunn” — a verse from a poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz — draw a parallel between a forest of yellowing leaves and the declining fortunes of the common man, symbolising the lives of Meenu and those around her.

Perhaps the greatest challenge for Zard Patton Ka Bunn lies in its modest viewership compared to other more commercial projects. While a drama’s success isn’t solely defined by ratings, it’s undeniable that numbers provide a tangible indication of audience preferences. Nevertheless, the drama stands as a testament to the efforts of the team, marking it as a truly promising endeavour. Though the current viewership numbers aren’t soaring, I’m optimistic that the drama will manage to translate its message to the public.

For me, Zard Patton Ka Bunn is a treat to watch. There’s much to anticipate, from the initial encounter between Meenu and Dr Nofil to the eagerly awaited appearances of Rehan Sheikh and Samiya Mumtaz. It’s safe to say that Zard Patton Ka Bunn has firmly entrenched itself in its audience’s hearts, leaving all of us counting the days till each new episode.

Zard Patton Ka Bunn is currently on air and releases a new episode every Sunday.