The treatment is the issue: 'Mayi Ri' leaves fans divided on Annie's pregnancy

Offering is being scrutinized for how tricky themes are being tackled

Mayi Ri was initially promoted as a thought-provoking series that shed light on the darker aspects of our society, particularly the deeply rooted issue of child marriage. This offering delves into the life of Annie, a vibrant 15-year-old schoolgirl whose world is turned upside down when she is compelled to marry her underage cousin due to her uncle's will. Through Annie's journey, the show was meant to unravel the devastating consequences of child marriages, which can shatter innocent childhoods forever.

However, it's worth noting that recently, the show has faced criticism regarding its portrayal of child marriage. While the intention was to depict child marriage as a negative phenomenon, some viewers have expressed concerns about the show's handling of the narrative, suggesting that it may inadvertently send a different message.

"Mayi Ri has huge viewership, and there is a pregnant girl who is 15 years old and shown to be happily married. How brain-dead do you have to be to glorify child marriage? Nobody cares if you show their marriage was a wrong decision in the last episode or whatever. This is just so wrong!" noted one X (formerly Twitter) user.

Another X user countered, "Happily married? They just started to be nice towards each other, and surely this track is introduced to further [make people] aware of the disadvantages of childhood marriage. I think you missed the whole point of the serial." However, the original critic noted, "[Many] episodes of a guy standing up for the girl every time. Making things right for her. And eventually, getting her pregnant? People are making edits of them. Wanting a guy like him? It’s been 40 episodes, and they yet have to [make people] aware about how all of this is actually wrong?"

#MayiRi has huge viewership & there is a pregnant girl who is 15 years old & shown to be happily married? How brain dead do you have to be to glorify child marriage? No body cares if you show their marriage was a wrong decision in last episode or whatever. This is just so wrong!! pic.twitter.com/J8YPeIWN9P

— ۰ (@paindupastry) September 11, 2023

Happily married? They just started to be nice towards each other and surely this track is introduced to further aware people about the disadvantages of childhood marriage. I think you missed the whole point of the serial.

— Iman Fatima (@imanstates) September 11, 2023

40 episodes of a guy standing up for the girl every time. Making things right for her. And eventually getting her pregnant? People making edits of them. Wanting a guy like him? It’s been 40 episodes and they yet have to aware people about how all of this is actually wrong???

— ۰ (@paindupastry) September 11, 2023

One X user highlighted, "The pregnancy was in the teasers. Aini and Faakhir are born out of child marriages. It’s a vicious cycle, a blow to Aini’s future - and that’s the point. The treatment is the issue. Intimacy at a young age is huge. It needed to be handled sensitively. That’s the problem." The same user added a response to another post, stating, "People who are protesting over the pregnancy being a storyline are protesting the wrong thing. What they are showing is what they always meant to show. But the way it is being handled is not good."

The pregnancy was in the teasers. Aini & Faakhir are born out of child marriages. It’s a vicious cycle, a BLOW to Aini’s future - & that’s the point. The TREATMENT is the issue. Intimacy at a young age is huge. It needed to be handled sensitively. That’s the problem. #MayiRi pic.twitter.com/Ka50iYsB6A

— SophiaQ (@SophiaAQ) September 11, 2023

That’s exactly what I just said. People who are protesting over the pregnancy being a storyline are protesting the wrong thing. What they are showing is what they always meant to show. But the way it is being handled is not good.

— SophiaQ (@SophiaAQ) September 11, 2023

Yet another X user commented, "One of the reasons I can't bring myself to watch this is because I can't figure out how they want me to process this story! I know audiences sometimes romanticise problematic stuff, but for something this sensitive, there should be zero ambiguity that can be misinterpreted, surely?"

One of the reasons I can't bring myself to watch this is because I can't figure out how they want me to process this story! I know audiences sometimes romanticise problematic stuff but for something this sensitive there should be zero ambiguity that can be misinterpreted, surely?

— Sumayya A (@someone_sumayya) September 11, 2023

One user of the microblogging site was hopeful. "I think now the real struggle of child marriage will start because pregnancy is the biggest issue of child marriage as it can harm the baby, the teen mother, and many girls have to leave studies for that...As long as they don't glorify this, this track is on point," they shared. 

I think now the real struggle of child marriage will start because pregnancy is the biggest issue of a child marriage as it can harm the baby, the teen mother and many girls have to leave studies for that.. as long as they don't glorify this this track is on point 💯

— Tanha🫶🏼 (@Tanha_Tabassum1) September 12, 2023

Some had issues with casting. "The casting should have been more responsible. Why cast underage kids? At least cast an actress who is an adult but can pass off as underage. This looks uncomfortable considering she is just 15 in real life," a netizen noted. 

The casting should have been more responsible.why cast underage kids. at least cast an actress who is adult but can pass off as underage.this looks uncomfortable considering she is just 15 irl.#mayeri https://t.co/2OJjJC2qNa

— qirmezi (@qirmeziO) September 11, 2023

Yet another X user said, "There are many things which are wrong but are still happening in many societies and cultures. This show is just an effort to showcase the life of a couple forced into a relationship at a very young age. And about the pregnant part, as disturbing as it is, it happens."

There are many things which are wrong but still happening in many societies and culture. This show is just an effort to showcase the life of a couple who were forced into the relationship at a really young age. And about the pregnant part, as disturbing as it is, it happens.

— Sturm Abeilung (@sturm_abeilung) September 11, 2023

While the internet remains divided over the plot and execution of the show, it is worthwhile to note that child marriage is a tricky theme to tackle and, if done wrong, can easily convey the wrong message. That would be detrimental in a society where the issue not only exists but is, in many spaces, seen as the norm.

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