Promo Review: Naamkarann

Mahesh Bhatt’s next on Star Plus has been creating a buzz ever since the whole idea of the ace filmmaker doing a show came out. The project marks the return of Barkha Bisht to television after Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman and Viraf Phiroz Patel after Ek Boond Ishq.

The promo starts with Aasha (Barkha Bisht) and her daughter attending a wedding where an elderly man welcomes them. He goes on to welcome Aasha and calls her Mrs.’ and pauses. This implies the hidden plot of the show. Aasha winces but the man’s wife quickly covers up for him and welcomes them.

What 10 year-old would not get bored at a wedding? The same applies to Aasha’s 10 year-old daughter which will be played by child actress Arsheen Naamdar.

She overhears the term ‘Kanyadaan’ and questions her mother about the same. She quietens her and goes somewhere. Another female sitting next to them explains to the child that ‘Kanyadaan’ means giving away the girl.

The girl then again questions as to why does someone give away their daughter, to which another female answers her that the dad hands over his daughter and her responsibility to her husband and how the girl then takes up her husband’s name.

Then comes the bomb that the little girl drops on the ladies. She asks them that if before marriage the girl takes up her father’s name and after marriage the girl takes up her husband’s name, where does her own name go?

This hard hitting but absolutely innocent question by the 10 year-old girl raises a concern that not many of us would have even thought about in our day-to-day lives.

We must say that the topic that the promo has raised, gives us something to ponder over. And this got our attention. But due credit should also be given to Barkha and Arsheen, whose flawless acting skills perfectly explain what one can expect out of the show.