As Gulbahar quickly moves into the plot’s depths, a devastating tragedy reshapes the narrative, setting the stage for Diya (Komal Meer) to eventually become Sheheryar’s (Emmad Irfani) second wife. The story takes a dark turn when a fatal gas explosion in her kitchen claims the lives of both her parents in an instant. Overnight, Diya’s world collapses, stripping away her entire support system and leaving her to navigate unimaginable grief. Rather than softening in the wake of such a catastrophe, her aunt’s relentless hatred continues, compounding the young woman’s isolation and leaving her completely vulnerable to financial and emotional distress.
This loss becomes the turning point that collides Diya’s world with Sara’s (Sanam Saeed) and Sheheryar’s, where at the heart of the drama serial is Sara and Sheheryar’s 12-year marriage that is constantly tested by the social stigma of childlessness and the unrelenting pressure from Shehnaz Aapa (Sabahat Bukhari), who aggressively demands an heir. While Sheheryar resists a second marriage, the psychological weight of societal expectations falls heavily on Sara. Driven by desperation and a desire to secure a sound old age, Sara is set to give in to the idea.
In the wake of the explosion, Sara steps in as Diya’s primary caregiver and emotional pillar. However, Diya is not yet living under Sara and Sheheryar’s roof; Sara’s devoted care for the newly orphaned girl builds a direct bridge between their lives. By positioning Sara as Diya’s protector, the drama serial builds a quiet, tragic pipeline, setting up the precise circumstances where Sara’s love for Diya and her search for an heir naturally converge on the vulnerable young woman.
Directed by Mehreen Jabbar and written by Aliya Bukhari, Gulbahar relies on Sanam Saeed’s signature poise to ground the heavy emotional beats and Emmad Irfani’s imposing screen presence to add tension. Driven by this central tragedy, the drama serial weaves an intricate web of societal expectations, quiet betrayals, and dynamic relationships, promising to peel back deeper psychological layers as the story unfolds.
While the idea of a second marriage solely to have an heir may seem regressive, netizens have also found the story relatable. Calling it the story of a normal woman, a user took to X and posted:
Blaming Sheheryar’s sister for exploiting inheritance as an excuse to get her brother remarried, a netizen commented:
Adding that marrying for the fortune to be transferred to a child is pointless, a netizen said:
One went on to say that, given the age gap between the trio, Diya should be adopted by the couple. They posted:
