And so, it ends. After practically ruling all platforms related to the Pakistani entertainment industry, the tremendously successful drama Tere Bin bids adieu to its loyal audiences and hardcore fans. 58 episodes, 3+ billion views on Youtube collectively, and countless comments, posts, tweets, videos etc, Tere Bin set a new meaning of what it means to be “popular”.
Everyone associated with the drama reached a new peak of stardom, primarily its two headliners. For six months, every where one looked there was only subject of discussion – Tere Bin. It has been exhilarating and it has been exhausting and with the drama finally reaching its much-awaited conclusion, there is only one last question to be asked – is Tere Bin really one of the best dramas that our industry has ever produced?
The Best? Here’s Our Verdict
Well, obviously, no. “Best” as a qualifying word gets thrown around a lot whenever talking about practically anything. Oxford Dictionary defines the word “best” as “of the most excellent type or quality.” Over time, the usage of this word has evolved from its objective sense to encompass a more subjective perspective, as reflected in its current definition.
However, that doesn’t change the fact that when using a superlative like “best” to describe a piece of media, one invites comparison to the table. And compared to the other Pakistani dramas that we have had both in the classic PTV era and modern resurgence of Pakistani dramas from the late 2000s, where does Tere Bin stand in terms of being the “best”?
Oh, we are not denying the show’s popularity. But being popular and being best in terms of quality are not mutually exclusive. The former is temporary while the latter is timeless. There is a longevity that is the demand for any show to be remembered as the “best”. Will Tere Bin, regardless of how popular it is in the present, be able to sustain that memory in good faith a few months if not years down the line? We don’t really think so.
Studying Discussions Around the Show
Much of the discussion around the show has not been for the right reasons. From the very beginning, criticism about the show’s writing and some of its subtle messaging had been present on social media. The criticism only increased with time.
The drama’s inconsistent writing and toxic messaging reached an apex when the show tried to include a scene of marital rape in the story. Strong backlash against it all over the social media apparently forced the makers to re-edit the scene to not make it into marital rape. However, they only made a bigger mess of a show that was already spiraling down the pit of abysmal writing.
What Worked for Tere Bin?
Frankly, the only thing that worked for Tere Bin was the spectacular chemistry between its lead actors, Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi. Tere Bin is only unique in terms of following a very Indian soap format of prioritizing the chemistry and unresolved sexual tension between its male and female protagonist above logical and consistent writing.
Surely, it worked for a while but there’s only so much that good acting and chemistry can salvage of a script that sometimes even forgot who the main characters even were of the story. Familiar tropes of a zaalim saas and lusty cousin, a mazloom heroine who for all her passionate speeches about empowerment couldn’t take a steady stand for himself, a dashing, sensible hero that became a zero in front of the saazishs played by his obviously villainous cousin whose evilness could be smelled from miles away basically make up the entirety of the show’s “plot”. Is this really what makes a show “best”?
How Does Tere Bin Rank?
The overall product can be best described as fungus invested cake wrapped in a fancy box. Sure, it looks pretty but not many will take a second bite. Although, apparently, we have plenty such people ready to take their second helpings of this feast as the producers have already announced a second season for the show. Just thinking about it is giving us a headache but we’ll deal with it when we get it.
So, What’s the Best We’ve Seen?
“Best” are the dramas that serve 1080p content even in 240p video quality. And we do have a list of best dramas that have stood a test of time with their nuanced writing, strong performances from all of the cast, and memorable characters that got their proper and logical development as the story progressed.
Dhoop Kinaray, Tanhaiyan, Alpha Bravo Charlie, Ankahi, Waris, Dhuwan – these are some of the PTV classics that can still enthrall viewers because of how honestly dedicated they were towards telling a good story with strong characters.
From more modern times we have Dastaan, Humsafar, Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, Qaid e Tanhai, Meri Zaat Zara-e-Benishan, Doraha, Daam, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Diyar e Dil, Pyaray Afzal, Yakeen Ka Safar, Akbari Asgari, Aunn Zara, Mera Naseeb are just a few, top of the head, examples from modern times of dramas that have the kind of repeat value that Tere Bin most definitely does not.
These Pakistani dramas stay with you for the right reasons after you are done watching them. No one cares what their view count is; those superficial things cease to matter in front of the kind of quality content they serve. It’s these kinds of dramas that are the torchbearers of quality that is pride of Pakistani dramas internationally. It takes more than a glorious white shawl to be called the best here.
