Meerab is an ambitious, progressive girl with a strong sense of justice, who wants to follow in her father’s footsteps as a lawyer. Inexplicably, the Khan family seems to have many opinions about her upbringing even though her parents are supposedly mere family friends. The sole male heir of this khandaan (family dynasty), Murtasim is also exasperated by the family’s meddling in Meerab’s affairs.


When a long held family secret is unveiled, it turns out Meerab’s biological father is Murtasim’s paternal uncle, and Anwar had given his daughter away to Waqas/Aneela as he couldn’t bear to look at her after losing his beloved wife at childbirth. Meerab, intent on pursuing her career goals with no heed for the interference from this pesky Khan family, is stumped when she discovers the truth after Maa Begum (Murtasim’s mother) selects her as Murtasim’s bride. Apparently, the marriage was the desire of Murtasim’s deceased father, the patriarch of the family. Neither Murtasim nor Meerab are enthused by the idea.


Meerab, feeling stripped of her identity, sense of self and belonging, is cornered by all the elders and has to acknowledge that she has no place to go. She agrees to marry Murtasim, and he also eventually agrees once he understands her reasons.

As the two confront each other with their values, desires and preconceptions about each other, their relationship is mired with challenges from many sides. Will they accept their love and be able to live their love, or will they be driven apart? Will theirs be a divine love for the ages, or a longing that fades with time?


The title Tere Bin, meaning ‘Without You’, foreshadows heartbreak for these two strong personalities even though, left on their own, they cannot help but gravitate towards each other. As circumstances teach them to overcome their prejudices, their understated but growing bond is portrayed well by the versatile Yumna Zaidi as the expressive Meerab and the nuanced Wahaj Ali as the stoic Murtasim.


With 30 of its planned 50 episodes aired across 15 weeks, the ratings have been off the charts and the YouTube viewership numbers have surpassed more than 850 million across all its episodes. It’s been trending in many countries every week, including #1 rankings in neighboring political rival, India. The power of the show is incredible.


What is so compelling about this clichéd story with weak supporting characters and bizarre side plots? The positives are, unsurprisingly, the same as I postulate in my opening comments.


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