Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’s last episode: Happy ending was fine, but why so boring?

These days in Pakistan, two topics dominate every conversation: the U.S. elections and the final episode of Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. As viewers, we always appreciate a happy ending because it brings joy, but this time it just didn’t hit the mark. Critics had much higher expectations. They were hoping for Rubaab’s character to be showcased till the very end, including a final confrontation between her and Adeel, which would have added a bit of suspense and drama. However, the director seemed to prioritize glorifying Fahad Mustafa and the executive producers instead.

Maya Khan played the role of the sister beautifully, but the story missed key aspects, such as why her parents abandoned her or a scene showing Rubaab and her father confronting Adeel’s greed and betrayal. Similarly, it was crucial to show Sharjeena in Fahad Mustafa’s dream home, as it was the same house that caused the marital rift between the couple. Many viewers complained that both characters should have had their final scene in that symbol of their troubled relationship.

The drama leaned heavily into romance, and there was a noticeable absence of PEMRA regulations. While it’s true that a strong storyline and excellent direction don’t require excessive hugs or clingy moments, a family drama should maintain its own distinct identity, where the narrative and its messages take precedence.

Kudos to ARY Digital for producing such a remarkable drama. Writer Farhat Ishtiaq created an outstanding story, with impeccable knitting, and Badr Mahmood delivered a superb screenplay, showcasing his directorial expertise in every scene.

The acting was stellar, with Fahad Mustafa, Bushra Ansari, and Javed Sheikh all bringing decades of experience to their roles. However, Javed Sheikh’s characterization felt a bit weak compared to the rest of the senior actors, who performed their roles with great conviction. Hania Amir and Imad Irfani proved their acting prowess, playing their characters with finesse. Both deserve congratulations for their outstanding performances. Lastly, Naima Butt, as Rubaab, truly brought her character to life, displaying expressions in every scene that made her stand out. She deserves admiration for how brilliantly she played the negative role.

A small request to executive producers Fahad Mustafa and Humayun Saeed: While it’s great that you both invest in the serial and appear in it, please consider not appearing in every other scene. Screen time should be at the discretion of the director, not based on the executive producer’s preference.

The background score deserves all the praise, and the vocals were exceptional. However, I would have liked the makeup artist to dedicate the same level of effort to the female characters’ makeup as was done for Fahad Mustafa. That would have made the overall presentation even better.