ard Patton ka Bun, penned by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saife Hassan, offers something new and exciting. The drama series is another gem to the small screen with feisty Sajal Aly and Hamza Sohail starring in lead roles. The trailer touches on a number of social issues that merit discussion but are often overlooked.

The play opens with a cleric asking for donations for his mosque in a small village. The viewer is then introduced to Meenu who has asked him to say a little prayer for her as she is expecting her matric result that day.

As the story unfolds, the viewer discovers that Meenu has five brothers, all extremely regressive in their outlook as far as female education is concerned. One has just been released from jail. The other four, too, are good for nothing and loiter around the entire day.

When it is revealed that Meenu has topped in the district, her father breaks into a celebratory dance and the two gather the villagers to dance their hearts out. The brothers strongly object and do their utmost to convince their father to marry Meenu off as she is not getting any younger.

The father pretends to agree but when he asks them to foot the expenses for the wedding as he has no savings, all five vanish into thin air. He promises his daughter that she will continue her education and fulfil her dreams as long as he is alive. With her father rooting for her, Meenu will surely go places.

A plot running parallel to this is about Hamza Sohail, a doctor working in a private hospital in Lahore. He is interested in a female colleague of his and the two seem quite content and comfortable with each other.

Things take an ugly turn when the hospital is attacked by a bunch of hooligans, led by a man who claims that his wife died the previous day during childbirth due to medical negligence. The case was handled by a senior gynaecologist at the hospital who also happens to be the owner’s wife.

It is heartening to note that a play tackling social issues like family planning and female education has made its way to the small screen. The burning issue of criminal negligence on the part of senior doctors working in private hospitals is also brought to the fore.

On further investigation, Hamza discovers that the case was actually mishandled. He finds evidence to prove that this was the case. However, he is up against the husband-wife duo, the owners of the hospital who are not willing to take any responsibility for the criminal negligence that the wife is guilty of. Things threaten to take an ugly turn and the viewers can foresee the face-off coming up later in the serial.

Family planning is another issue that has been highlighted in this series. A couple working for the government is trying to raise awareness about family planning in the village but despite bribing people with food, there is very poor turnout at the gathering organised by them. The superannuated gentlemen who do show up are well past their reproductive years, so the gathering turns out to be a waste.

It is heartening to note that a play tackling social issues like family planning and female education has made its way to the small screen. The burning issue of criminal negligence on the part of senior doctors working in private hospitals is also brought to the fore.

This play promises to highlight some pressing issues. The viewers cannot wait to see how Hamza is going to battle a system deeply rooted in corruption; where criminal negligence is the norm; and there is zero accountability. Some private hospitals consider themselves above the law. When people like Hamza speak up, they are ruthlessly silenced and their careers destroyed. Will the same transpire in this case or will Hamza triumph against an inherently flawed system?

Will Meenu fulfil her dream? Will she achieve everything she has aimed for? Will the crusade for family planning by the two government employees be successful or will the population keep increasing with no hope for the future? Are we sitting on a population volcano with no hopes of preventing from exploding? Keep watching as the story unfolds

Here is a potential blockbuster with excellent direction, production and a riveting screenplay with relatable dialogues. The village scenes have been imaginatively captured and make for a refreshing change. Sajal Aly and Hamza shine in their roles and the supporting cast does an admirable job. Keep watching as the action unfolds every Sunday

The writer is an educationist. She can be reached at gaiteeara@hotmail.com.