Recent episodes of Mannat Murad leave fans feeling alienated and betrayed
For viewers of drama serial Mannat Murad, the prevailing sentiment is that of profound dissatisfaction. The reason: the underwhelming reconciliation of Mannat and Murad. Many viewers perceive it as manipulative and lacking in credibility. They contend that the portrayal conveys an inaccurate message, suggesting that Mannat should not have succumbed to Murad’s emotional manipulation. Instead, the argument goes, she should have stood firm, recognizing that Murad had not undergone genuine change.
A widely shared perspective in this Reddit thread on the last episode of Manant Murad, is that individuals and families with toxic tendencies do not undergo transformative shifts overnight. Even if the drama attempts to depict Murad’s sisters and mother realizing Murad’s happiness in being with Mannat, there is skepticism about the credibility of such characters undergoing a sudden transformation.
A drastic and deliberate shift in thinking needs to take place before individuals like Murad (with ideologies and behaviors internalized over many years) change. This shift needed to be demonstrated to the audience.
Furthermore, viewers express concern over the drama’s casual portrayal of abuse, potentially normalizing unhealthy relationship dynamics. They argue that more accountability for Murad slapping Mannat would have been the responsible approach. In their eyes, the narrative’s failure to address these concerns is a missed opportunity that diminishes the overall impact of the drama serial. It undermines the potential for valuable conversations around toxic behaviors and abusive relationships.
The appeal of Mannat Murad
The central theme of this drama revolves around the institution of marriage, highlighting how the involvement of third parties can disrupt a harmonious marital relationship, whether it is an overly possessive mother with territorial issues, or meddling siblings. While the drama attempted to address gender-based violence, it appears to have failed in doing so.
However, the noteworthy slap that Mannat delivers to Murad after he hits her in front of her family adds significance to the notion of women standing up for their self-respect. Unfortunately, recent episodes have undermined this idea, as Mannat, initially portrayed as a strong woman with unwavering self-respect, succumbs to a knife-wielding, emotionally blackmailing Murad and reconciles with him. She even becomes pregnant with his child, perpetuating the stereotypical notion that women are easily manipulated and weak.
Screenplay controversy
It wouldn’t be inaccurate to assert that Mannat Murad’s captivating storyline initially captured a considerable amount of attention. However, the recent episodes have left viewers with a sense of detachment, primarily due to the excessive use of “flashbacks.” There is an abundance of repetitive flashbacks, with very little new content in the last few episodes, which has proven to be quite off-putting. All of this culminates in a botched ending.
Speculation is rife that the original script has been tampered by the director and/or the production company. Those familiar with Pakistani dramas are well aware that script alterations often result in an influx of flashbacks and voiceovers. This tactic is reminiscent of how the ending of the highly successful drama “Tere Bin” was changed.
Renowned host and actress Nadia Khan echoed similar sentiments on the show “Kya Drama Hai?” stating that while the drama started off intriguingly, its development has been disappointingly spotty. Despite the assumption that the writer must have penned something noteworthy, it seems that something else is being presented for undisclosed reasons.
If true, this not only highlights the poor judgment of the production team but is also demonstrative of their hubris and blatant disregard of audience sentiment, which ultimately, is the enduring legacy of any drama.
Watch the last episode here:
