The TV serial Jaan-e-Jahan, directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and written by Rida Bilal, is currently on air at ARY Digital. The lead characters are Swera Nadeem (Kishwer Shah), Ayeza Khan (Mahnoor), and Hamza Ali Abbasi (Shehram).
The plot is easy to understand. Murid Shah dies, leaving behind his will in favour of Shehram, the son of Shah Ji’s first wife. Kishwer, his wife, wants all the property and assets to be in her name. Kishwar is his second wife, and Tabriz and Abdul are Shah Ji’s sons from her. Tabriz and Abdul lack character, and Shah Ji is mortified by their behaviour, calling them ‘the na-murad olaad of Murad Shah.’
On the other hand, there is the story of Mahnoor. A boy falls in love with her beauty, and Mahnoor becomes his obsession. He wants to attain her as an object of affection. He sends a marriage proposal to her. However, the boy’s mother is from a high class, and the fact that her son should marry a low-class girl is unacceptable to her. Mahnoor cannot tolerate how the boy’s family leaves no room to insult her parents and family. The wedding ensues, and it is only when the boy’s cousin snatches Mahoor’s sister’s dupatta from her that things turn ugly.
Unravelling the intricacies of love and hatred, the central thematic concern of the serial revolves around women’s empowerment. It features a girl like Mahnoor who takes a bold step at the cost of her marriage, acting fearlessly in the wake of difficult circumstances. After the incident, Mahnoor moves to Lahore with her family, and she decides to teach children in rural areas. Mahnoor emerges as a strong, powerful girl determined to defy the patriarchal mindset. In later stages, Mahnoor confides in Shehram and asks him to give her space to teach children at the haveli.
There is a hint of romance between Shehram and Mahnoor. Cupid strikes, and the two become like Romeo and Juliet, inseparable and incomplete without each other.
Kishwer Shah comes across as a villainess. She has a scheming mind and has no attachment to Shehram. She employs various tactics to brainwash Shehram in favour of her sons and herself. Kishwer Shah’s jewellery and costumes are glamorous. The dialogue delivery is fantastic, and the rendition of the background song is equally stunning.
An eclectic mix of love, revenge, and sorrow, Jaan-e-Jahaan is replete with excitement, suspense, and thrill. Although it is a bit of a drag and sometimes becomes dull and monotonous, it manages to hold the viewers’ attention until the last moment.
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