Tere Bin (transl. Without You) is a romantic Pakistani drama television series produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi under the banner 7th Sky Entertainment. Directed by Siraj ul Haq, it aired from 28 December 2022 on Geo TV. It stars Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi in main roles. It gained popularity rapidly due to the lead couple’s chemistry and its background score.[1]
| Tere Bin | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama Romance Action |
| Written by | Nooran Makhdoom |
| Directed by | Siraj ul Haq |
| Starring | Wahaj Ali Yumna Zaidi |
| Theme music composer | Shani Arshad |
| Opening theme | Kya Hoti Hai Bewafai |
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Original language | Urdu |
| No. of episodes | 47 as of May 24 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Abdullah Kadwani Asad Qureshi |
| Production company | 7th Sky Entertainment |
| Original release | |
| Network | Geo TV |
| Release | 28 December 2022 – present |
Plot
The story is set in Hyderabad and begins with the village’s head, Khan Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan on a stroll in the fields to discern the progress of the crops when one of the farmers mournfully informs him of the threats they are agonised with and enlightens him of the rising menace to their fields imposed by a cutthroat rival in the village named, Malik Mukhtar and his vile son, Malik Zubair. Being the village’s premier, Murtasim heeds the whole situation and it quite incenses him. He’s known to be responsible as well as ruthless when it comes to protecting and ensuring his people’s safety. When Malik tries to create problems over a mere land that he desires which is owned by Murtasim, it’s the cue for Murtasim to assert his true dominance. Hence, to instil terror and warn his foes of further barbarity against his people and meddling in the village’s peace, Murtasim barges into Malik’s mansion and threatens to kill his son —thus fueling the red-hot rivalry further.
On the other hand, Meerab Waqas Ahmad (by birth: Meerab Anwar Khan) is her father’s princess who is a renowned lawyer in Karachi. She’s an ambitious and beautiful young girl who wants to pursue higher studies and aspires to become a rightful lawyer like her father, Waqas. It’s shown that her entire world revolves around her parents and she believes in them the most. Her strong and confident personality makes her stand against social injustices around her, and she never stays back to voice her debate over the disservices of society over innocents. She’s incredibly coddled by her family and her college friends which grips her with a sense of pride and self-worth.
In Hyderabad, Murtasim’s mother, Salma Begum, is considered the “Khaanum” and is respected among the whole village. Being extremely venerated with her regal aura that graces the grand mansion of the Khans, she’s customed to heed the problems and sufferings of the people calmly and unriddle suitable solutions for their miseries. It is also shown that Murtasim has a younger cousin, Haya (late paternal aunt’s daughter) who is deeply in love with him to the extent of an unhealthy obsession as she earnestly dreams to marry him. She roams like a delusional lover in his room and touches his walled pictures, claiming that she’s the one who would own him in the end no matter how much he runs away from her and dismisses her advances. It turns out that Murtasim’s half-aware of the madly fascinated upswings of Haya regarding him, but he deems her as his younger sister and continues to refuse her in every way.
Waqas’s good friend and Murtasim’s paternal Uncle, Anwar Khan, is clued in on Meerab’s wish to study law and he promptly informs his sister-in-law Salma Begum of Waqas’s inclination to let Meerab fulfil her ambition. Salma Begum is a woman of a conservative and backward mentality. She doesn’t deem that the women of her family should be tolerated to roam in circles of courts but rather be reserved in a womanly chore to which she’s entitled. She urges Anwar to travel to Karachi along with Murtasim to make Waqas understand and reiterate that she’s the one who makes decisions in their family, after her son and the crowned kingpin, Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan himself.
It’s Meerab’s birthday shortly and her college friends, Saba and Rohail, insist on having a party. Intending to romantically propose to Meerab on her birthday itself, Rohail volunteers to throw the party and after many avowals by her friends, Meerab has to agree (unaware of what Rohail has planned). On the way to Karachi with Anwar, Murtasim stops his car among the throng of spectators surrounding the public street and goes over to investigate the chaos only to see Meerab manhandling a man who she claims to be abusive with his wife, and her female servant. Angered that Meerab is supposedly flouting their family’s vanity, he roughly drags her away from the scene.
Meerab tries hard to make sure her father doesn’t view her as culpable and laments over how Murtasim and Anwar dragged her insensately. She questions their constant involvement in their house and asserts that they don’t hold any power over her. Waqas makes her leave without listening to her which upsets Meerab. Anwar warns Waqas that he wouldn’t condone their family’s dignity getting bedraggled on the streets.
To resolve the outcome of Meerab’s situation, Murtasim relays a suitable suggestion to deal with Meerab, which is to get her married as soon as possible. Waqas instructs Meerab that she must go to Salma Begum’s mansion and apologise to Anwar for what he considers a ‘mistake.’ For her parents’ sake, Meerab travels to Hyderabad and gets off a bumpy road with the family with her outspoken and upright tone. Salma Begum passes the knowledge of the decision she’s made for Meerab’s marriage to Waqas and Anila, urging them to reluctantly agree while not bothering to notify Meerab about the decision yet.
At Meerab’s birthday party (organised by Rohai), a disgruntled Murtasim uninvitedly arrives and creates a scene with Rohail, who refuses to let Meerab be dragged away against her wishes. On the occasion of Meerab’s birthday, Salma Begum announces the marriage alliance between her son, Murtasim and Meerab. Both people woven in the misalliance don’t take the decision well and quarrel against it. Murtasim claims that Meerab is an insolent and mollycoddled girl that he dislikes the guts of, thus refusing to marry her. Meerab has a similar opinion as well and wishes to be kept away from an unruly guy like Murtasim. Despite their personality clashes and blatant refusal, everyone urges them to agree as it’s only better in the eyes of Salma Begum. Meanwhile, Haya is devastated by the thought of seeing the object of her infatuation being married off to someone else and begins to despise Meerab with full intensity. Mariam, Murtasim’s younger sister, tries to make Haya discern the consequences of her far-fetched devotion.
Meerab’s hatred towards Murtasim continues to flourish as after a lot of entreaties, her parents refuse to change their decisions and try to make her adjust to the fact that Murtasim is the man of dreams and will keep her happy. She doesn’t stop imploring her father to defy Salma Begum’s decision and take her to her home in Karachi. Meerab is left in disbelief as a family secret from the past resurfaces before her. It is revealed that Muratism’s uncle Anwar is the biological father of Meerab who abandoned her after the demise of his wife and Meerab’s mother, Nazia, during childbirth. To have the baby in the right hands, Shahnawaz Khan and Salma Begun make Waqas and Anila foster Meerab and raise her as the couple both did not have children. Meerab is utterly devastated by the fact that her whole life had been a lie fabricated before her beautifully yet so cruelly. She gets despairingly lonely as Salma Begum sends Waqas and Anila away to Karachi with Meerab left behind. After realising the rights Anwar has upon her, Meerab agrees to the marriage, much to Murtasim’s surprise who still is adamant about his refusal. But he starts pondering upon finding out that the alliance was set in place since Meerab’s birth as it was his late father, Shahnawaz’s, decision and wish to have Meerab become Murtasim’s wife and “Khaanum”.
After seeing that Meerab’s beginning to soften towards him and pitying the recent tragic revelation of her life, Murtasim agrees to the marriage as well being unaware that Meerab’s planning to marry him solely to make the family repent for everything they did to her. The marriage rituals begin, and Haya in her power tries to disparage Meerab before everyone though Meerub claps back at her after each of her failed tactics. On the day of the marriage, much to everyone’s surprise, Murtasim brings Meerab’s foster parents from Karachi himself just to make her feel better but she refuses to acknowledge them. Amidst the Nikkah, Meerab declines the nuptials and walks away before everyone and it incenses Murtasim and his family. She proposes a contract to her future husband which states that Murtasim can’t ever close upon her and should refrain from making any physical contact with her even after Nikkah, without her consent involved. Murtasim signs the pact with askance and takes her back to the wedding. Ultimately, they get married to each other.
Coming from different backgrounds and mindsets, Murtasim begins to realise Meerab’s unjust defiant behaviour towards him and begins to consider her a challenge for himself. Amidst the process of pursuing Meerab and safeguarding her against the disasters that her antagonism ensnares her in, Murtasim falls in love with her. On the other hand, Meerab who is used to living her life on her own terms, refuses to accept Murtasim’s family traditions and unnecessary social barriers, resolutely sticking with the contract she’s got her husband to sign.
Soon their lives go through a series of emotional suffering and misunderstandings where it becomes difficult for them to coexist. Despite their differences towards each other, will Murtasim and Meerub accept their true feelings or will the dynamics of ego and self-respect and the evil schemes of jealous foes force them to stay apart? Let’s wait.
Cast
Main
- Wahaj Ali as Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan — Shahnawaz and Salma’s son; Marium’s elder brother; Meerab’s cousin and husband
- Yumna Zaidi as Meerab Murtasim Khan — Anwar and Nazia’s daughter; Waqas and Anila’s foster daughter; Murtasim’s cousin and wife
Recurring
- Bushra Ansari as Salma Begum — Shahnawaz’s widow; Murtasim and Mariam’s mother; Meerab’s mother-in-law
- Sohail Sameer as Anwar Khan — Nazia’s widower; Meerab’s biological father; Murtasim and Mariam’s paternal uncle and Murtasim’s father-in-law
- Farhan Ally Agha as Waqas Ahmad Khan — Anila’s husband; Meerab’s foster father
- Fazila Qazi as Anila Ahmad — Waqas’s wife; Meerab’s foster mother
- Hira Soomro as Mariam Khan — Shahnawaz and Salma’s daughter; Murtasim’s younger sister, Haya and Meerab’s cousin, Meerub’s sister-in-law; Naurez’s wife
- Sabeena Farooq as Haya — An orphan; Murtasim, Mariam and Meerab’s cousin; Murtasim’s one-sided lover; Naurez’s ex-fiancé
- Subhan Awan as Rohail — Meerab’s friend and one-sided lover
- Talia Jan as Saba — Meerab and Rohail’s friend
- Mahmood Aslam as Malik Mukhtar — Murtasim’s rival
- Agha Mustafa Hassan as Malik Zubair/Anas — Mukhtar’s son; Murtasim’s rival
- Seemi Pasha as Sabra — Naurez’s Mother
- Haris Waheed as Naurez Khan— Haya’s ex-fiance; Mariam’s husband
- Asim Mehmood as Farukkh Khan
- Umaiza Fatima (child actor) as Meesam
Production
The series was announced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi under 7th Sky Entertainment, for Geo TV. Director Siraj ul Haq said that he found the script "original and relevant". He further said that the "conflict between the lead characters was interesting" to depict on the screen.[2]
It marks the second on-screen collaboration of Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi after Dil Na Umeed To Nahi.[3] The series was released on 28 December 2022 and it airs every Wednesday and Thursday.[4]
Soundtrack
| Tere Bin | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Genre | Melancholic Classical Pop |
| Length | 6:34 |
| Language | Urdu |
| Producer | Abdullah Kadwani Asad Qureshi |
The theme song Kya Hoti Hai Bewafai is sung by Shani Arshad and Nirmal Roy. It is composed by Shani Arshad.[5]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tere Bin (Original Soundtrack)" (OST) | Shani Arshad | 5:34 |
| 2. | "Tere Bin (Female Version OST)" | Nirmal Roy | 5:34 |
| 3. | "Dil Hei Mera Dard Hai" (Additional OST) | Shani Arshad | 2:58 |
| 4. | "Dholla (Original Soundtrack)" (Additional OST) | Shahid Ali Sonu, Nirmala Maghani | 4:32 |
Reception
Critical response
The series has received mixed reviews for its storyline, writing and dialogues, though Ali’s performance, direction and soundtrack received acclaim.[6][7] The on-screen pairing of Ali and Zaidi has received a positive response and was the main reason for its popularity.[8][9]
It has trended on Twitter and number 1 on YouTube in India and Pakistan throughout. It is the most watched Pakistani drama series on YouTube reaching over 2 Billion views whilst still on air [10][11] and has gained high TRPs throughout its airing on television. It is the only drama to have gained over 11 million views within 8 hours of the drama being uploaded on YouTube and where all episodes have over 20+ million views.
Television ratings
Tere Bin is the most watched drama in Pakistan. It’s topped the trp chart every week consistently. The series received its highest trp of 15 on 22 March 2023 with the Episode 25. It received a trp of 14 for Episode 26. It received the highest trp, of 18.2, for past 3 years (21, 22 and 2023) for episode 44. [12] [13]
Criticism
The show become talk of the town after the last two controversial episodes of the drama aired when the main leads displayed extremely hateful and obnoxious behavior towards each other, Meerab slapped and spat on Murtasim which was condemned by fans, Thus, demanded the makers to end the series as soon as possible.[14] It is also facing criticism from viewers for its portrayal of female characters as brainless and untrustworthy.[15] A reviewer wrote, "Like the slap, the jump scene was also totally unnecessary and stripped (Murtasim) of the human light he was portrayed in when he cried. Very confused, poor writing i would say", Journalist Marvi Sirmed wrote "Tere Bin for turning Murtasim in to an ‘alpha male’ who tries to domesticate the free-spirited and ambitious Meerab, and slammed the writer for this controversial scene".[16]
References
- ^ "From Mere Humsafar to Tere Bin: Top 5 most popular Pakistani dramas in India". Navbharat Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Wajiha Jawaid. "In Conversation with Tere Bin director SIRAJ UL HAQ". MAG The Weekly. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali pair up for Geo's next serial". MAG The Weekly. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- ^ "New On Geo Entertainment: Tere Bin To Premiere Tonight At 8 PM". Har Pal Geo. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ "WATCH: Kya Hoti Hai Bewafai (OST) - Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali". Har Pal Geo - Youtube. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ "Tere Bin Hands Out An All-In-One Romance, Mystery, and Action Episode!". Fuchsia Magazine. 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ "Exclusive - Deciphering the success of Tere Bin with director Siraj-ul-Haq". Glossetc.com. 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ "Yumna-Wahaj's pool scene from Tere Bin breaks the internet — watch BTS video". Daily Pakistan. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Netizens believe the 'chemistry is chemistrying' in Tere Bin after watching Murtasim flirt with his wife". Images Dawn. 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ "Check out here how the drama serial 'Tere Bin' is ruling Twitter". MMNews.tv. 3 February 2023. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Geo TV's drama serial Tere Bin is popular in India". The News International. 11 February 2023. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "Here is the list of the top Pakistani TV shows that are high rated by the TRPs". MMNews.tv. 6 August 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Check out the recent Pakistani drama serials with most views and highest TRPs". Daily Times. March 2023. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ "Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali Getting Criticism For Choosing Tere Bin Script". Reviewit. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "'Tere Bin' loses fans over portrayal of 'brainless' female characters". Samaaenglish. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "'Completely unnecessary': Tere Bin's latest episode is drawing criticism for including an attempted suicide scene". Thecurrent. Retrieved 6 April 2023.