Drama Jama Taqseem is every second person’s story
The new drama serial is raking in viewership despite dealing with the often under-highlighted potential toxicity of joint family systems.
The Jama Taqseem fandom is cheering on Laila’s mother Zoobia after the latest episodes, episodes 17 and 18, showed her standing up for her daughter to her in-laws, who have somehow become even ruder than before.
The drama has taken a rather strange turn because now Laila (Mawra Hocane), Qais (Talha Chahour) and both their parents are all living under the same roof. This, of course, has caused tensions between Laila’s more liberal parents and Qais’ deeply traditional ones.
The inevitable clashes between the parents have come to a head, as Qais’ parents, played by Javed Sheikh and Beo Raana Zafar, believe Laila’s parents (Deepak Perwani and Tazeen Hussain) should leave their son’s house, lest they “take over”.
One scene in particular irked many viewers — as the in-laws sat at the dining table, Qais’ parents rudely tell Laila’s that they should not linger at their daughter’s house, because it’s not their son’s house. They also tell them that a daughter-in-law must care for her in-laws, not her parents. When Laila’s mother inquires what parents without a son should do in such a case, Qais’ mother smugly replied, “*Sabr karein” or have patience.
That was something that especially angered fans, because it spoke to the patriarchal nature of our society and how daughters are treated as commodities. It was also ironic, one fan pointed out, because the only one to care for Qais’ mother after her sons all left was her daughter.
Qais’ parents also had a troubling conversation about Laila’s parents “taking over” the house and turning their son against them. There were a lot of snide remarks from Qais’ father towards Laila’s father who had been nothing but polite to him.
The real winner of the episode was Laila’s mom for standing up for herself and her daughter — she certainly won our hearts.
People just hope the drama isn’t going to end with everyone living happily ever after in the same house.
There were quite a few people who did NOT like the way Qais was handling (or not handling) the situation.
Especially since he told Laila to skip her job interview because his parents were at their house! Divorce babe, divorce!
Some saw it as a writing flaw, because who would want to marry a man who wants you to bow down to his and his parents’ every whim and then not even be respectful to your parents?
Others think he’s just a red flag.
They also think the show is a cautionary tale for anyone thinking of getting married to choose their partners (and their families) wisely.
The episode was enraging, to be honest.
But there was this tweet that made us laugh.
Did you watch the episode and get as enraged as the rest of us?