The (Second) Marriage Plot

With every episode of Dhoop Kinaray you realize exactly how much Humsafar sucked. And this is after already hating it the first time you watch it. Ironic that a show aired in 1978 is more progressive than the one in 2011-2012.

The circumstances of Sheena’s marriage are less than ideal. But this is something she has come to accept. Having realized Ahmer wouldn’t marry her she decided to move on (Khaabon kay peeche bhaagne se tou behtar hai kay aise aadmi kaa haath thaam lain jo baray shawk se barha lay. Koi humain naa millay hum kissi ko mill jayein, yahi kaafi hai).

Despite the fact that she is marrying without love, and out of societal pressure, Sheena’s never shown to be completely helpless. Her decision to marry Nasir Jamal is at the end of the day a decision and not something she is forced to live with (apne apne raaston ke chiraagh khud hi jalate howe aagay barhna hai tou phir shikayat kaisi? Kaisi mayoosi? Jab chiraagh hi jalana thera tou kissi bhi raastay mai jala lain gain).

Even when her marriage breaks up it is her decision to end it; it is a choice. Were this show being aired today, the plot would have revolved around the two wives trying to have a happy marriage by getting rid of the other.

In her conversation with Nasir Jamal, we see that being the second wife is not the only reason she leaves him. To a certain extent she considers the feelings of the other woman (meri bhi tawheen karte ho aur unki bhi… Mujhe kissi se chheeni zindagi nahin chahiye). Her decision to be separated is not based purely on self-interest. The drama does not blame Sheena for her situation. But more importantly, the blame does not lie on the nameless/faceless Other Woman who was somehow unable to keep her husband happy either (quite the contrary since Nasir seems to have been happy with his other family as Sheena states). Divorce is also not a taboo concept, one which would destroy a woman’s life. In fact, it is portrayed as the correct choice by a woman in a specific situation.

Dhoop Kinaray is much more realistic in its plot. Rather than relying on God, piety or sharafat it addresses compassion and relationships between individuals. Its ideas of reformation are for improvement of individuals as human beings.