Syed Yorguc Tipu Sharif is a popular actor of Pakistan with a number of drama serials to his name such as Pyari Bitto, Malal, Sang-e-Marmar, Man-o-Salwa, Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon and the movies Manto and Sawan as his recent works. This actor who has appeared in a lot of dramatic works started his acting career with a play written by Haseena Moin, which, I believe, is an honour for any actor, for Haseena Moin happens to be one of the most famous playwrights of Pakistan with critically acclaimed works praised across the border as well, such as Dhoop Kinaare, Tanhaiyaan and Ankahi.

Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Mile, released around 2005 or 2006, was a big production of PTV with its director being Ali Rizvi, and its topic being female rights, which is a recurrent theme in Haseena Moin’s works. It marked the comeback of veteran actor Asif Raza Mir after a lot of years along with Angeline Malik, Noman Masood, Shamim Hilali, Farooq Zameer and Rabi Peerzada. Set in Kalabagh and Mohenjodaro for the historical element attached to it, Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Mile had its title song as Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s poem of the same title, sung by Nayyara Noor.

People who follow Haseena Moin must know that the inclusion of a male comic character is a must in her drama serials, such as Humayun Saeed in The Castle, Nabeel in Ansoo, Sajid Hassan in Dhoop Kinaare, Behroz Sabzwari in Tanhaiyan, Jamshed Ansari in Ankahi and Saleem Sheikh in Parosi to name a few. These men with a good sense of humour and a spirit of true love form examples of ideal men in Haseena Moin’s works. In Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Mile, this comic character was played by Tipu Sharif who acts as Rabi Peerzada’s guide on her tour to Mohenjodaro, and eventually falls in love with her. With his fair Turkish looks, Tipu Sharif was a very fine new appearance on television and both he and Rabi Peerzada formed a beautiful couple. His memorable scenes include him being asleep with a hat on his face waiting for Rabi Peerzada, and putting countless tissues in her way as a style of welcoming her. The role of a talkative guy, initially very irritating for the girl against him, was played in an excellent manner by Tipu.

Despite being a big hit and a beautiful drama serial set in some of the most beautiful mountainous areas of Pakistan, Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Mile is sadly not available on the internet, nor in the form of DVDs. The ones who have been lucky to watch this classical play of PTV must remember this fine piece with excellent, unforgettable dialogues, breath-taking locations and veteran actors of the Pakistani drama industry.