Pamaal is making rounds on social media as the most recent episodes have sparked an unconventional debate on mental abuse and narcissism in a marriage. Malika(played by Saba Qamar) is giving in on an abusive marriage with Raza(played by Usman Mukhtar), whose hot and cold behaviour is confusing the audience.
Malika, is shown to be a writer creating dreamy stories, living in her wonderland. She is picturing a man in her writings who resembles the personality and etiquettes of her deceased father. Raza who fits the criteria, is a rich bank official who keeps his possessions close and cannot accept changes in his life. He has kept all his belongings in his room which no one can access.
Raza and Malika encounter each other in the classic, damsel in distress and knight in shining armour scenario. Malika is saved from goons and dropped off safely at her house by Raza. In a rush, Malika forgets her writings in his car which she aims to get published. Her words woo her way into Raza’s heart and he proposes her without even knowing her name. Malika who is expected to marry her cousin Anas(played by Haris Waheed) is quickly married off to Raza because of her keen interest in him.
Malika is widely criticised by the audience for being selfish and chosing a wealthy man over her cousin who adores her.
A user commented:
Soon enough the story lurks into the domain of mental abuse as Raza believes Malika “belongs to him”. He takes her like any other possession he has, whether it is his collection of perfumes or suits. His controlling nature can be seen in the prior days of their marriage, where he imposes his preferences on her. Though her mother points out that control can eventually be suffocating, Malika disregards it as being protective. She accepts his choices and makes an effort to please him.
As the story proceeds, Malika is lost in her marriage as she cannot step outside the house without his permission. Her expected marriage with Anas is under great scrutiny when her husband accuses her and demands that she keeps a distance from her cousin, someone she has grown up with. Malika walks out of the house over these accusations, she is consoled by her mother and told to please her husband. She is made to go back to her husband and she eventually requests Anas to maintain distance from her.
Audience too can be seen supporting Raza’s character by this point. A user commented:
Another wrote:
Raza is in his glory as Malika is making an effort to adjust for him and his family. Coming from a different background her style sense and attire is made fun of by a girl(also his colleague) Raza was expected to marry. Upon realizing about the relationship, Malika confronts him and puts him in her shoes. He defends her need to be satisfied in the relationship and supports it in front of his family as well. Perceived as a balancing technique, it is a manipulation tactic which expands the toxic web which can be seen in the latest episodes.
Raza is again glorified in the eyes of audience when he supports his wife before his brother and sister in law. He calls out his sister in law for taking control of the household and demeaning Malika. He fulfills her wish to have a separate living too as Malika is expecting their first child and wants a separate space to raise their family.
Though her wish is fulfilled everything in the house is supposed to be of his choosing. A viewer commented:
The facade of a caring and loving husband falls in the recent episode as Raza’s toxicity skyrockets in an intense confrontational scene. Malika who went to do groceries alone is met with an enraged Raza who waits for her outside their house. The pregnant woman is gaslighted into believing that the world outside is scary, hence she is supposed to be locked inside her home.
The viewers can see the true colors of an abuser through these scenes which puts light to the gravity of damage mental abuse can cause.
A user wrote;
The mixed reaction from viewers does put a question mark on why we are unable to detect such toxic traits. While the drama dives into the reasons that may lead to one being narcissistic, the inability to understand that it is mental abuse is what reflects on our society. Here characters like Raza are cheered while Malika is portrayed as selfish and unworthy of love and respect.
