In a spellbinding last episode, ‘Tumharey Husn Kay Naam’ concluded as Salma and Sikander tied the knot, leaving the audience elated. The last episode was dictated by the simplicity and the nostalgic charm that was pronounced in the entirety of the drama. What stood out was that despite an evident conclusion that was to be followed, as viewers we were entirely immersed in the storyline, to see our favourite characters get their long-awaited happy ending.
Unwrapping the last episode:
Spoilers ahead!
The episode opens with Salma (Saba Qamar) getting ready for her big day with her daughter giving her a helping hand. How can one miss the grace, simplicity, and charisma of Saba Qamar in that scene? She donned a red bridal dress, nothing too extravagant, yet we could not take our eyes off Saba Qamar.
The episode unfolds as Salma and Sikander arrive at their wedding venue. The captured excitement and nervousness of the couple were so well depicted that one couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion. We see the couple tying the knot in a simple ceremony.
Later, we also witness the reunion of Umar and Sarah, played by Haris Waheed and Maha Hasan, respectively. Sarah and Umar both give heartwarming speeches, as they express their happiness to see their parents’ union. Later, after Salma and Sikander overhear the conversation between the two, they decide that it’s best for Umar and Sarah to get married, disregarding what society has to say. We are glad to see Umar and Sarah reuniting instead of giving up on their love.
The recent episode subtly delivered several essential messages. It was a welcome change to witness Salma and Sikander’s wedding instead of leaving their love unrequited. This challenges the prevailing societal taboo against marriages involving older couples, especially ones celebrated by their children. Furthermore, it was enlightening to observe the message conveyed: parents shouldn’t burden their children with their bitterness and heartache, which can contaminate the child’s spirit. This was vividly portrayed in Umar’s situation who was deeply affected by his mother’s negative words about his father, resulting in a strained relationship between them. This depiction shows how such burdens can embitter a child’s heart and soul.
The poetic rendition of an old-school romance
A directorial project of Saqib Khan and penned by Sara Qayyum and Umera Ahmed, Tumharey Husn Kay Naam follows the life of Salma and Sikander. Tumharey Husn Kay Naam arrests you in its magical realm, taking you back in time to witness a love story that knows no bounds. The drama aired on Green Entertainment and is an adaptation of Hakeem Nayyar Wasty’s novel Akhtar aur Salma, marking many firsts as Pakistan’s entertainment industry-leading names, Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas, joined hands for a project.
Salma and Sikander, portrayed by Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas, respectively, come from contrasting backgrounds and social classes. Their shared passion for art binds them together, along with an unfortunate incident threatening Sikander’s career. Set in 1993, the drama unfolds the college romance between the two and how societal standards force them to be apart. The two characters come from contrasting backgrounds. While Salma hails from a wealthy family and receives unwavering support from her father to pursue an arts degree, Sikander, from a middle-class background, sacrifices his medical studies to pursue art at the same college as Salma.
The story unravels with Salma and Sikander’s steadfast love culminating in their decision to get married. However, societal disparities lead to their drifting apart. Salma, compelled by her parents, weds Atif (portrayed by Asad Siddique), a cruel man who mistreats and abuses her. Similarly, Sikander, compelled by circumstances, moves on and marries. Decades later, their paths converge when their children, Umar and Sarah, form a friendship, reuniting the long-lost couple.
Imran Abbas and Saba Qamar’s on-screen chemistry
It’s hard to find adequate words to commend the sheer brilliance of Imran Abbas and Saba Qamar’s acting prowess. If only we had anticipated the sizzling and authentic chemistry these two actors would exude on-screen, as Pakistani drama fanatics, we would have rooted to bring the two together on-screen for years.
Individually, both excelled brilliantly, but together, they forged an unparalleled magic on-screen. Portraying two characters, each enduring their moments of turmoil and heartbreak, and expressing their pain was no easy feat—a task that Imran and Saba executed with sheer excellence.
Even the characters were so well-written that the developing romance seemed natural. The innocence and the raw nature of their love for each other, which was pure and untouched by the corruption of societal expectations, was perhaps what we needed to see on television. To take us back to the classic, old-school romance that knows no rivals.
The hard lessons
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Tumharey Husn Kay Naam made us cry along the way. A large part of the drama focused on the sombre realities of society. Seeing Salma’s journey was agonizing, to say the least. Instead of getting her married to the love of her life, her parents thought it was best to get married to a man who promised her stability and wealth. This mirrored the sad reality of society, where we prioritize social status over a person’s nature.
Multifaceted characters
The drama also successfully depicted the sacrifices that life demands, and the makers ensured that they captured the realities of life to its finest. The characters, instead of being black or white, were grey. Even Salma’s father, who was a beloved character in the first few episodes, due to being a supportive father to his daughter, did not take his daughter’s side and make her marry a man for his social status. Later, his guilt took over as he progressively advocated for his daughter, urging her to get a divorce. Such are the multifaceted characters that exist in real life, which are instead replaced by one-dimensional characters on-screen.
All in all, Tumharey Husn Kay Naam is worth tuning in. The vibe stays true to a timeless romantic story, and nostalgic charm, wrapped in a period play, for the most part. The drama gracefully unravels, staying consistent with the pace it began with. The cast, was, of course, cherry on the top, who essayed their roles to perfection and made the drama remarkable.
