Watch: Trailer for 'Mrs & Mr Shameem' is out and it is a lesson on real love, masculinity

While masculinity as a concept is toxic and romance, overdone, upcoming web series aims to redefine a few things.

The trailer for Saba Qamar and Nauman Ijaz’s ZEE5 web series Mrs & Mr Shameem is out and it is a lesson on love and “real” masculinity.

The two-and-a-half-minute-long clip sees Qamar’s Ummi (short for Umaina) and Ijaz’s Shameem sharing an inseparable bond based on an unconventional friendship. The latter (Shameem) is rather effeminate, flaunting characteristics otherwise associated with women. He or she is not your quintessential herculean hero and is, thus, mocked and berated for being “sissy” by those closest to him.

Qamar’s Ummi isn’t let off the hook either, as she faces the brunt of falling in love with a “manly” man, who eventually becomes physically abusive and apparently leaves her high and dry – possibly after impregnating her. To make matters worse, her affair and condition is brought to the knowledge of her parents for reasons unknown, and she is kicked out of her house for bringing “shame” to the family.

The moment is set up perfectly for a hero to come to the rescue of his suffering heroine, like in most romantic films, except, Shameem is not a hero and Qamar’s Ummi has made it abundantly clear that she is no damsel in distress waiting to be undertook by a man who feels sorry for her. Especially a man she is not romantically involved with. But “our marriage will only account for the certificate we’ll need to show the world, so tomorrow, when the child goes to school and needs a name, I can give him mine,” Shameem tells Ummi.

Their decision sets the tone for events that prove it takes more than two people, who are crazy in love with each other, to spend a lifetime together. It takes real friendship and sacrifice. Mrs & Mr Shameem, the ZEE5 original is set to release on the platform globally on March 11.

The 20-episode series is directed by Kashif Nisar and penned by playwright Sajjad Gul. “The show is a love story following a pure bond that graduates from friendship to growing old together and everything in between,” its press release states.

Speaking about her experience, Qamar also dished out, “Umaina is not afraid to express herself, she is fearless and strong. She is a true wild child. Playing this role was very exciting and challenging for me, especially since it is very different from the roles I have played earlier.” We’d beg to differ provided Qamar has relentlessly played mostly strong women on screen.

However, she added, “I think it’s time men and women are given the freedom to choose their path and not be restricted to play by the rules. Mrs. & Mr. Shameem demonstrates this perfectly.”

As for Shameem, which is definitely a first for Ijaz, the actor conveyed, “Shameem is not like the usual hero you get to see in series and films. He is a soft-hearted, caring man. He redefines the portrayal of how an ideal man or man of the house typically should be.”

The seasoned performer adds, “Throughout the show, you’ll see him practise respect, love and concern for his family and friends but unfortunately he is made fun of for being ‘effeminate’. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing this character, and I’m looking forward to the release of the show.

A moment in the trailer also sees Shameem ask, “Kya aurat ko aesa he mard chahiye hota hai jo use maaray, peetay (Does a woman only want a man who beats her)?” Towards the end Ummi is heard screaming at a bunch of men, “Tum sab mard, mardangi se bharpoor, mazaaq ura rahe they. Tum tou Shameem ki jooti ke barabar bhi nae ho. (All you manly men mocking Shameem, you don’t even measure up to him).”

Watch the trailer here:

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