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With 32 episodes to its name and a dedicated audience tuning in every week, Jafaa concluded its run, taking viewers through a heartfelt portrayal of love found and lost, framed by a theme of endurance and delicate conversations on domestic violence and mental health, among other heavy topics. Week after week, it barrelled forward with ferocious energy, leaving Instagram buzzing with reels that dissected every stolen glance, weighty confrontation, and the important social messages the drama sought to highlight.

A Momina Duraid Production, Jafaa is written by Samira Fazal and directed by Danish Nawaz, with a star-studded cast featuring Mawra Hocane, Usman Mukhtar, Sehar Khan, and Mohib Mirza. The story kicked off as a heartwarming, gentle drama with Hocane and Mukhtar playing Dr Zara and Dr Numair, two doctors working through life and work, while Khan brought infectious energy as Zara’s bubbly cousin Andaleeb, who was head over heels in love with her batch-mate Moiz (Zarrar Khan).

But just as we were settling into the comfort of romantic banter and heartfelt moments, the show shifted gears. From Zara’s harrowing journey through domestic violence to Andaleeb and Numair’s arranged marriage turned into an actual love story, Jafaa managed to keep things interesting — well, most of the time at least. Sure, it dragged here and there, but with viewers as patient and invested as they are, the drama kept them coming back for more, right to the very end.

Starting important conversations

Jafaa managed to leave an impressive impact by approaching a theme as heavy as domestic violence with a sensitivity and grace that managed to engage the audience’s emotions fully and deliver its message with the right degree of sensitivity required.

Zara’s journey from being a beloved daughter and accomplished gynaecologist to a woman grappling with the crushing reality of an abusive marriage was handled with exceptional care. The drama showed, rather than told, the layers of turmoil she went through — the manipulation, the gaslighting, the small acts of violence brushed under the rug by her husband Hassan, which were followed by repeated apologies and more gaslighting thrown into the mix, until a breaking point forced her to see the truth.

What truly shone was how Zara’s journey reflected the reality of so many women. It wasn’t rushed or glossed over. Instead, it allowed viewers to see the emotional chaos of trying to process what’s happening, recognising the abuse, and gathering the courage to stand up for oneself. Even after making the brave choice to divorce, Zara’s pain, therapy, and heartbreak were portrayed as integral parts of her healing. Her choice to move abroad hinted at much-needed self-care, and the open ending in which she meets Dr Sameer was a reminder of life’s potential for new beginnings.

Jafaa showcased that, even with a privileged background and support, breaking free from the cycle of violence is never simple. Yet, the drama offered hope, showing that it is possible.

The drama also did a job well done in delicately touching upon important topics such as contraception, birth control, and mental health. Zara’s honest admission of being on birth control, understanding that they weren’t ready to have children yet, was such an important conversation to highlight. It beautifully brought attention to the fact that parenthood is a shared decision.

Similarly, Hassan refusing therapy, paired with his grandmother’s constant dismissal of his emotional struggles since his childhood, showed how unaddressed issues could have devastating consequences. The drama managed to tackle these themes with remarkable grace, starting conversations that are often avoided.

Friendships and sisterhood redefined

If we had a nickel for every time we’ve seen sisters as mortal enemies in dramas, constantly plotting against each other or the lack of platonic friendships between men and women, boy, oh boy, would we be rich, especially given the exchange rate.

Jafaa wonderfully showcased the well-developed relationship between cousins Andaleeb and Zara, where they supported each other in every possible way. It was refreshing to see Zara and Numair as such good friends too. These healthy, positive relationships are worth celebrating and definitely worth mentioning.

The saga of running wives

One issue that Jafaa didn’t handle well was the narrative focusing on male fertility issues, which lacked any open dialogue. While the intention might have been to present a more realistic view of how such matters play out in real life, it fell short.

The problem wasn’t that it aimed for a more grounded approach, but rather how it was caricatured for mass appeal, especially the absurd storyline of Andaleeb running away and abandoning her newborn child, just as viewers were totally smitten by the on-screen chemistry of Andaleeb and Numair.

The drama missed an opportunity to openly address the issue and promote healthier conversations between couples. Ultimately, the problem was brushed aside, with employing the common drama trope of the wife running away being used as the supposed modern ‘solution’ to domestic issues. More thoughtful dialogue would have done justice to the topic, emphasising that male fertility issues shouldn’t be a source of embarrassment but a subject for open discussion.

While the drama ended without much satisfaction, screeching to an abrupt halt, Jafaa stood tall amidst the influx of Pakistani content, delivering a strong story that captured the mass audience’s interest and conveyed social messages both sensitively and effectively.