The drama series Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi continues to shed light on the often-overlooked strain of caregiving in Pakistani households. Written by Rida Bilal and directed by Adnan Sarwar, this show, produced by Alpha Productions and airing on Express Entertainment, stars Zahid Ahmed, Zara Noor Abbas Khan, Mohammed Ahmed, Faizan Sheikh, Noreen Gulwani, and Rubina Ashraf.
In Episode 7, Zara Noor Abbas Khan’s character, Ramsha, faces growing pressures as she cares for her husband, Ali (played by Zahid Ahmed), who has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. As his condition worsens, impacting his memory, behavior, and emotional stability, Ramsha must shoulder more responsibilities, drastically shifting the family dynamics.
Throughout the episode, Ramsha struggles to maintain her patience and emotional presence, balancing her husband’s mood swings and withdrawal with her professional and parental duties. Ali’s growing dependence on binge eating as a coping mechanism adds to the emotional and physical toll on her.
Beyond the immediate family, Ramsha faces additional social and financial burdens. Her mother-in-law blames her for Ali’s condition, while her own family remains distant. Meanwhile, unresolved property disputes pile on more stress. These external pressures reflect the broader societal expectations placed on women to manage tension, uphold family harmony, and continue without pause.
A pivotal moment in the episode occurs when Ramsha leaves her son with Ali while she runs errands. During her absence, Ali, unaware of what’s happening, fails to prevent their son from injuring himself while attempting to cook. This moment highlights the limits of caregiving when a single individual is expected to be everywhere at once. Ramsha’s brief absence underscores how women’s labor is often invisible, only acknowledged when it fails.
Through Ramsha’s story, Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi offers a poignant exploration of how unpaid care work is the backbone of many Pakistani households. The show portrays caregiving not as a noble sacrifice, but as an ongoing, unrecognized labor that women continue without acknowledgment or support.
