
Hum Entertainment’s telefilm Mohabbat Youn Bhi Hoti Hai is a refreshing departure from the typical tropes of family dramas revolving around ‘saas bahu’ rivalries, differences between spouses, and love affairs.
Written by Sarah Majeed and directed by Saife Hassan, the story revolves around a family living in Dubai, enjoying a lavish lifestyle but disconnected from one another.
Ahsan Khan plays the workaholic husband, who is so engrossed in his job that he neglects his family. His wife, played by the ever-talented Saba Qamar, struggles as a stay-at-home mother, raising two screen-addicted children.
Their monotonous lives take a turn when Bushra Ansari, the lively grandmother, visits them in Dubai, to explore the glitz and glamour of what is known as the most entertaining city in the world.
From here on, their lives take on a new twist from the virtual world into the real world. The family starts spending quality time together as they go on a sightseeing tour of Dubai, making the most of their time outside instead of being inside their house, with their devices and gadgets.
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Steering away from storylines that portray mothers-in-law in a demonic light, the telefilm represents the role as approachable and empathetic. Bushra Ansari is thus not a typical mother-in-law, instead, she is an understanding mother who realises that her daughter-in-law (Saba Qamar) is lonely and wishes for the husband to spend quality time with her.

The film focuses on the crucial role that grandparents have in a child’s development, a perspective often neglected in modern dramas that either show them berating the daughter-in-law or being treated with disrespect for merely existing under the same roof. The two extreme takes, although plausible, are not the only ones to exist rather there are also families that value importance of familial relationships.
While conveying a strong message about family connections and how technology has distanced us from our loved ones, the telefilm overly emphasises Dubai’s stunning scenery, with limited dialogue, which sometimes makes it seem like a promotional package for the city.

That said, it does beautifully showcase the city’s renowned landmarks, creating a captivating experience for those familiar with or wishing to explore the City of Gold.
“Mohabbat Youn Bhi Hoti Hai” is a charming mix of humour, emotion, and introspection. It encourages audiences to reassess their priorities, cherish family ties, and detach from digital distractions. Despite a few minor shortcomings, it is definitely worth watching for anyone in search of an enjoyable family drama.
By Aneela Riazuddin