The recent episodes of Main Manto Nahi Hoon has fans raising their eyebrows over the show’s seemingly problematic build up of romance between the main characters. Public opinion holds that Manto (Humayun Saeed) and Mehmal (Sajal Ali) should not be romantically involved with each other.
The show follows the story of Mehmal, a girl from a violent and patriarchal family who fights to get higher education against her father’s wishes. At university, she encounters the quiet writer-economics professor, Manto who shares his name with the legendary writer.
While not shown explicitly, the show is hinting towards a romance between Mehmal and Manto. In one scene, Mehmal’s aunt teases her for having a crush on her professor by pointing out how much she talks about him, hinting towards a romantic attraction. In another scene, Manto grabs Mehmal’s hand and tries to save her from her cousin Farhaad (Azaan Sami Khan) who is forcefully pursuing her. He later gets beaten up by Farhaad's guards for her.
Fans are disappointed by Sajal and Humayun’s choice of script that is one the verge of normalizing such dynamics. One Instagram user wrote, “I don’t understand how A-listers agree to doing crap like this, do you people not read scripts?”
Another Sajal-stan commented on her Instagram: “I expected better script from you.” 
Despite the show’s high-budget filmography and good acting, fans couldn’t look past the writing, “Even though Manto is a great character, I can’t shake the weird feeling of a student and teacher having a romantic relationship(plus 20+ age gap)” read one YouTube comment. “I really hope Mehmal and her fiance (or Farhaad) come together.”
Some pointed out the respect a student-teacher relationship demands.“The heroines who haven’t studied in university wouldn't know the respect teachers hold,” read a YouTube comment. “Students also have their own dignity, teachers are your spiritual parents. Such a poor script Sajal worked on.” 
Another was simply stunned by how wrong this dynamic is. “No family will send their daughter to male teachers this way” read the Instagram comment. “And if they do, then teachers and students will start viewing each other from this lens, shame on this drama.You should all report this type of script as they will destroy pure relations and make people dirty minded.” 
The show is written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig. It is being distributed by Six Sigma Plus and Next Level Entertainment and aired on ARY Digital. The drama features a star-studded cast with Humayun and Sajal taking the lead and Sanam Saeed, Asif Raza Mir, Saba Hamid, Saba Faisal, Saima Noor and Azaan Sami Khan in supporting roles.
Main Manto Nahi Hoon has been on air since 18 July and released its 12th episode this weekend.
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