Opening Thoughts – Phenomenal Performances:

Ohkay so, this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb had some phenomenal performances to its credit. The story has started to progress now & a lot more is being revealed, which is now making Ishq Zahe Naseeb an interesting drama to tune to. The direction is making a lot more sense & I am glad that the not-so-needed flavors have subsided & the focus is now on emotions & circumstances of all the characters. This kind of script obviously needed the seriousness & I am glad that has finally kicked in.

Kashif Broke The Silence:

Jahangir created quite a scene at Gauhar’s workplace. Jahangir just wanted to let Gauhar know what he was capable of. It was his tact of intimidating Gauhar so that she feels oppressed & understands that she does not stand a chance against Jahangir. Sameer was disturbed because he didn’t really approve of the drama that Jahangir created at his home, but also because he found out that Gauhar was engaged to a man like him due to the debt her family had to pay.

Gauhar knew that she’d have to do some answering but she was finally pushed to the limit that instead of simply answering her family, she ended up giving them a reality check too. Saleem has been a useless brother, a selfish one at that who just dances on his wife’s tunes, that is why Gauhar reminded him that he had no other choice but to simply accept the fact that Gauhar was working at someone’s house. Saleem thought he was doing the right thing by questioning Gauhar but then, he just showcased his hypocrisy & nothing else. Gauhar has made up her mind that she will continue to work but she did take a little break till the situation normalized at her home. Gauhar’s transition into this mature young girl who is bearing the responsibility of her family has to be one of the best aspects of this drama. I am so glad that she had this side to her too & that is now being elaborated. I will however say that hearing all the things that Gauhar’s mother said to her about having no other ‘option’ than to just marrying her off to Jahangir was quite disappointing. They are helpless, that is a fact but to let your daughter know that she is being used as a barter bargain is the worst thing that parents can do to their child.

Kashif just wanted to do something nice for Dunya by checking upon her but she turned it into another chance of insulting him. Kashif knew that he was tossing away an amazing job for the sake of giving Dunya a reality check but he still acted impulsively & said everything that he had in his heart. Kashif was silently observing Dunya & he did realize that due to her medical condition, she had become tunnel-visioned. Dunya believed what she wanted to believe in & because she was trying so hard to fight her insecurity, she thought everyone was only being ‘nice’ to her because of what she considered her insecurity too but Kashif told her otherwise. Kashif actually respected Dunya, it was because he saw the potential in her & he respected her for the fact that she was running such a successful business on her own but then Dunya saw his respect as a sympathy as well. That exchange of words between Dunya & Kashif was my favorite part of this episode. I am so glad that something has happened in this track as well. Dunya did need this reality check but because she had erected these walls around her, no one could dare say the truth to her but Kashif decided to say it out loud, not to anyone else, but to Dunya, on her face. Bravo! It felt as if Dunya’s father was relieved too that someone did tell her to think & look beyond what is physical state is, he knew that Kashif’s words were bitter but were much needed for Dunya to come out of this bitterness & get back to her happy-self.

So, Sameer could see that his mother has become pretty comfortable with Gauhar & she was also getting used to having her around, that is why when she didn’t show up, she was flustered. Sameer will now do everything to bring her back. Gauhar has left quite an everlasting effect on both Sameer as well as his mother & she is not even aware of it yet. Sameer’s mother has tried to do a lot more research regarding Sameer’s condition, only out of her pure concern for her son. Finally, they did give a name to Sameer’s secret, he has multiple personality disorder & yes, his caretaker that he met in his childhood named Shakira has left quite an impression on his mind, due to which he has not been able to take her out of his mind & has imbibed her personality to keep her alive. Shakira was a voice to all of those evil & negative feelings that crossed Sameer’s mind & because he couldn’t do that himself, he started relying on her persona to channel them out, interesting! I am glad they finally addressed it & now they will show us more about Sameer & the one whom he refers to as Sameera now.

Closing Thoughts – Sami Khan: The Star of The Episode:

Overall, this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb was brilliant. Sami Khan was definitely the star of this episode & he showed what a seasoned performer he is. Sami Khan showcased the anger & frustration that was pent up in Kashif just so effortlessly that it actually left a mark & he outdid himself. That scene was so spectacular that taking your eyes off the screen was impossible. Brilliant acting by all the actors in Ishq Zahe Naseeb so far, Zarnish Khan as Dunya, Sonya Hussyn as Gauhar, Khalid Malik as Jahangir & Zahid Ahmed as Sameer/Sameera are doing wonders. Ishq Zahe Naseeb’s plot is unique but the fact that all these actors have joined hands to bring it to us in such a convincing manner is commendable. Hashim Nadeem has chosen a very complex subject but I am glad he is narrating it just so simple for everyone to understand & take something from it. I am glad they have stopped relying so much on the OST but I could do without it totally. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Opening Thoughts – Intense & Interesting:

Ohkay so, these two episodes of Ishq Zahe Naseeb were intense & very interesting. I like how the story is unfolding now & they are giving us more insight into the characters & their lives. From last few episodes, they have started to focus a lot more on the real issues & it is now gelling in together to form an interesting narrative.

Insight Into The Characters:

Gauhar did not back out from her job. Even after she was humiliated, she continued because more than feeling for herself, she felt for Sameer’s mother. Gauhar knew that there might be a reason why Sameer behaved that way but then she had no other choice than to just forget & move on. Sameer was uneasy at what he did, it is like he doesn’t want to do all of this but he ends up being mean. All this while they kept on giving us hints about the traumatic childhood that Sameer has had & that showed that it has shaped up his personality. Although Sameer could not control the circumstances back then, but somehow he seems at peace with his personality & his life at this stage. Sameer likes routine, he likes everything systematic, Gauhar has entered his life & she is breaking the rules he has set, which riled him up but as he started noticing Gauhar more, he could feel that she was basically a good change, a much needed change that his house & his mother actually wanted.

Kashif got to learn more about Donia & her past. Donia’s father sees Kashif as a trustworthy person, that is why he shared the pain Donia has been carrying with Kashif. Finding out more about Donia made Kashif change his mind about her, not that he was complaining but he was unable to figure out why she behaved this way, why she had erected her guards & believed in giving others a hard time. Kashif continued to do his work but then, he was excelling at his work & that what made Donia ease out a bit in front of him too.

Donia was engaged to her cousin Farhan, but after she developed muscular atrophy, Farhan left. I really liked how they took us back to show the kind of relationship that Donia shared with Farhan. Even though there was a lot of liking that they both had for each other, they were still not soulmates, they were not compatible & they didn’t really have that mental wavelength. Farhan was already feeling trapped & suffocated by being in a relationship with an opinionated, strong-willed, level-headed girl like Donia & even though Donia could see that Farhan was not into her as much, she continued to ignore it. Donia was in denial, because she loved Farhan so much, she didn’t want to even think about the possibility of him not loving her as much as she did.

Sameer mended his ways & allowed Gauhar to take the decisions that she wanted to from now on. Sameer could see that Gauhar’s presence has brought a good change in his house. Gauhar has realized that Sameer’s mother is just lonely, that is why she made a personal request to him. Sameer has seen that Gauhar has also had a good influence on his mother, so he was kind of happy & relieved that Gauhar will not run away like the previous governesses.

Gauhar’s professional life is full of challenges & hardships, it is not an easy job by any means but Jahangir is now making her personal life difficult too. Gauhar has so much on her plate right now but she is just doing her thing because she wants what is best for her parents. This entire fiasco over a huge car coming to pick & drop Gauhar was so real & typical at the same time. People couldn’t stop talking & no one for a second thought that Gauhar must be doing something noble, they just judged her as per their perception & limited vision. Jahangir decided to show what he was made of to Gauhar by barging into Sameer’s home but then Sameer intervened. Now this incident will further force Sameer to develop a soft corner for Gauhar in his heart because he will see that a girl like Gauhar who is so full of potential is just going to have her life ruined due to family pressures. Sameer was also dealing with the rekindled agony of losing Zoya. Her cousin showed up & accused Sameer of being a murderer. Sameer once again didn’t really bother much & put a brave face in front of everyone but after he found out that she was Zoya’s cousin, he couldn’t take it out of his mind.

Closing Thoughts – Brilliant Direction & Acting:

Ishq Zahe Naseeb has surely begun & the story is getting interesting with each passing episode. The direction is intelligent & the little moments which have been left out to the viewer’s imagination is making it even better of an experience to watch. All the actors are surely delivering their characters to perfection but Khalid Malik is on a whole new level. Zahid Ahmed & Sonya Hussyn are doing their job well too. Zarnish Khan has given a perfect treatment to Donia’s character. I wish to see more of Sami Khan & I am glad that the next episode showed Kashif lashing out on Donia. It will be quite interesting to watch. Please share your thoughts about these episodes of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Opening Thoughts – Great Episode:

Ohkay so, this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb was amazing. With this episode I feel like I can finally say that the story of this drama has begun & now we’re going to have a great time exploring all these characters in a lot more detail. There was nothing about this episode that I could fault & I had a great time watching it.

Gauhar & Kashif’s Priorities Have Changed:

Gauhar has shown to Sameer’s mother that she is here to stay. She will abide by the rules & do beyond what is expected from her. Gauhar is taking this job as an escape from her bitter reality, which is far from the kind of dreams she used to dream for herself. This escape has not only forced Gauhar to keep her mind off, but it has also instilled a sense of responsibility in her because the thought of the fact that she has to pay her father’s debt doesn’t slip from her mind too. These are the reasons why despite so many restrictions, Gauhar has not even thought about leaving this job for once. Everything about this house & family is strange, it is odd, there are a million reasons for Gauhar to leave & never look back but she has decided to stay because she is desperate for this opportunity.

Gauhar continued to learn more & more about Sameer’s family & then she also kept on finding out that there were so many secrets that this family had. Gauhar is putting up a brave face in front of her family & it was nice to see her playing all cute & sweet in front of Jahangir & his mother. Gauhar has now started to play quite a lot of roles. At her work, she is mature, authoritative & focused, at home, she is observant & courteous, in front of her fiance, she is just keeping it simple & sweet but deep down, she can not stand him. Gauhar’s journey so far has been quite interestingly told, where things have totally happened opposite to what she had imagined but still, she is not complaining.

Kashif has finally started to make an impact on his boss as well. She was trying very hard to not really give him any kind of importance, or make him feel that his opinion was welcomed. Kashif let her know that he was far more capable than she had imagined & he was better than her previous employees who she fired left, right & center. Kashif was not only perseverant, but he was focused on doing his job well. Kashif’s thought process, his priorities, everything has totally changed. The Kashif who was dreaming about his marriage is now focusing on the reality that he has his sister to marry & take care of two younger sisters too. Kashif has also become quite responsible & this break up is actually turning out to be the reason behind Gauhar & Kashif’s mental & emotional growth.

Sameer has strictly ordered that no one is supposed to disturb him when he is in his room, but Gauhar couldn’t care less. She was only concerned about his mother & her condition. Gauhar took a decision on her own & she had no idea what the consequences were going to be. Once again, Gauhar underestimated the strangeness of these family members because she assumed Sameer will actually thank her for saving his mother’s life but instead, he punished her for going against the rules. Gauhar couldn’t believe what had just happened but then, she actually didn’t know that for Sameer, his rules were more important than his mother. In this episode, nothing much was shown about Sameer’s second personality but the focus on Gauhar & Kashif’s track was done well which made this episode interesting.

Closing Thoughts – Substance:

Overall, this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb was very good & it did feel like finally we’re getting to see some substance in the story. The preview of the next episode once again promised a lot more drama & unveiling of some secrets, which I am sure is going to be a lot more interesting too. Sonya Hussyn, Sami Khan, Khalid Malik & Zahid Ahmed are performing brilliantly. Ismat Zaidi usually plays the role of a sweet mother but it is good to see her in this kind of character where she is rigid & authoritative. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Opening Thoughts – Some Progress:

Ohkay so, in these two episodes of Ishq Zahe Naseeb a new chapter started in the lives of Gauhar & Kashif. This is what the focus in these two episodes was that after the heartbreak, both Kashif & Gauhar were trying to move on & they were finding solace in doing something for their families while putting themselves behind everyone else. This drama has quite a lot of flavors in it like it has mystery, it has comedy, it has melodrama, it has family politics, but then at this moment, I am kind of finding it hard to feel that they all gel well together. May be it will change in the future episodes, so here’s to hoping.

Kashif & Gauhar Are In The Same Boat:

Bushra got married & Gauhar was content that she contributed in Bushra’s happiness by not going after her own. Gauhar also got a job in Bushra’s office, this was Gauhar’s way of stepping in Bushra’s shoes. Gauhar knew that after Bushra’s marriage, she was the one who had to take the responsibility & do what it takes to get rid of her father’s debt. Gauhar finally stepped into a practical world & she learnt it the hard way that there was no place for love or relationship in her life anymore. She was now going to be her parents’ support system & that is what she was focused on entirely. Gauhar was appointed as Sameer’s mother’s governess & after contemplating, she realized that she had no choice than to avail this opportunity as she was eager to find a job. This job is also Gauhar’s way of escaping the thoughts of Kashif & take is as a distraction from the kind of life she imagined she’d have with him.

Gauhar realized immediately that her boss was going to give her a very very hard time but then she was ready to take this challenge too. I liked seeing how immediately Gauhar matured mentally where now she was thinking about everyone else but not herself. Gauhar’s bubble got burst & she was not a day-dreamer anymore. Sameer kind of used Gauhar as a filler to silence his mother for the time being & he obviously would’ve never thought that she was going to have an influence in his life from now on. Gauhar learned all about Sameer, his family & how things worked – it was enough to scare her but then she wanted to stick to this job as she was there for his mother & she didn’t seem too keen on why everything was a bit bizarre about this family.

Kashif has landed himself a new job & his boss is no different. Despite being physically restrained, Kashif’s boss has not let it get in her way or being a successful businesswoman. She has raised her guards as she knows that she is vulnerable & because of that she does not let anyone cross any limits with her. Kashif’s colleagues knew that she was giving him a hard time but then Kashif himself is so heart-broken that he didn’t feel a thing. He is numb & he is also trying to move on because he knows that he has a family to take care of too. It is interesting to see how both Gauhar & Kashif are more or less in a same situation where their bosses are now going to rule their lives & they won’t find a way out of this!

Sameer’s mystery woman got a little bit of introduction too, Shakira was Sameer’s babysitter & it looked like she had some psychological issues too & because Sameer’s step-mother had given her his entire responsibility, Sameer ended up imbibing her personality. May be this is what happened or Shakira was always that imaginative character who gave words to the Sameer’s feelings. This entire equation is getting quite interesting & I am sure there’s more to it. Sameer’s fiancee did get to see Sameer in a different getup & she was petrified, what happened after that is a mystery too. It was worth noting how roles have been reversed, Sameer must’ve longed for his mother’s gentleness & kindness when he was young but she didn’t have any of it to offer to him, & now when she is bed-ridden, she longs for his attention & kindness but Sameer doesn’t have that to offer.

Closing Thoughts – Over-usage of OST:

Overall, these two episodes of Ishq Zahe Naseeb definitely improved & took the story forward. Khalid Malik is a very interesting character too because he brings in that comic quotient which kind of breaks the monotony of mystery & changes the mood completely. His minute expressions as Jahangir were a treat to watch in this latest episode especially. The rest of the cast is doing really well too. I so hope they cut down on the usage of the OST because it is anything but melodious or easy on ears. They could’ve totally relied on any instrumental music in those dramatic scenes but the OST is very distracting & draws your attention away from the intensity of the scene. Please share your thoughts about these episodes of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Opening Thoughts – Same Old Same Old:

Ohkay so, this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb was strictly alright. I now feel that the real story will actually kick start when Sameer & Gauhar’s path will cross because so far what we’re seeing isn’t something new & doesn’t have much of a wow factor. No doubt about the fact that the director’s approach towards each & every scenario is different but it boils down to the point that we have seen all of this before & the only new aspect is Sameer’s split personality, so I am sure that is going to be quite an interesting thing to see & explore.

Gauhar & Kashif Chose Family Over Love:

Gauhar’s brother Saleem accepted Jahangir’s proposal for her. Even though everyone in the family was not convinced, not even Gauhar’s parents but Saleem basically saw this as a financial deal because it was giving him the freedom from the debt of Qayyum & he availed it. Jahangir is quite a character & even he lives in a bubble just like Gauhar to actually think that he is someone super special, a sought-after bachelor sorts. Jahangir’s scenes provide some sort of comic relief but I am not sure if that’s the right kind of mood that this story in general requires.

Bushra wanted to make sure that Gauhar gets to be with Kashif that is why she asked them to get done with the Nikkah. Bushra’s main motive was to unite Gauhar & Kashif but then part of her was ready to face the brunt of having her wedding called off because being a practical person that she is, she kind of had an idea that Kamran wasn’t emotionally or mentally strong enough to stand by her side. Bushra was taking the risk which would’ve cost her wedding, but she was fine by it as far as it meant seeing Gauhar happy with Kashif.

Kashif was ready to get married to Gauhar because he has loved her with all his heart but then he couldn’t really take his mind off the fact that he had a responsibility of his sisters & he was their guardian. Gauhar also couldn’t bring herself to be selfish especially when she has seen Bushra being selfless & kind to Gauhar all her life. Gauhar accepted Jahangir’s proposal & Bushra also couldn’t get in touch with Kashif. This was something that kind of left both Kashif & Gauhar in the dark, they both felt guilty but they both still didn’t know that they backed out & didn’t fulfil their promise. Kashif didn’t come because he decided he couldn’t turn his back on his family & Gauhar didn’t either as she didn’t want Bushra to go through the humiliation of having her wedding called off. It was good that they both just didn’t find out the reasons behind their decisions but then, they were on the same page. May be later in life they will find out the truth but for now, they will continue to blame themselves for breaking the promise.

Closing Thoughts – Waiting For The Fireworks:

Overall, this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb didn’t really do much. I am now eagerly waiting to see how the story will unfold once Gauhar & Sameer will come in each other’s lives because I am sure that’s when the fireworks will happen. I think I will get to form an opinion about Sameera/Yumna once the true identity of this character will be revealed but for now, she looks strange but rightly so because that’s what this entity is all about. Sonya Hussyn, Sami Khan & Jinaan Hussain have been brilliant. Khalid Malik is doing a wonderful job as Jahangir too. I wish the story kick-starts soon because so far, it’s hmmm…alright. However, the dialogues in this episode were really nice. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Ohkay so, this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb finally took the story to the point which was shown in the upcoming promos of the drama. At this point, I am just keen to see how it is going to end. This episode was good in bits & pieces, but then this has been the pattern that the last probably 10 episodes of this drama has had. It is Zahid Ahmed who breathes life into almost every single episode & makes it work. If it wasn’t for his brilliant acting, I am sure this drama would’ve lost a lot of viewership when they started dragging it. As much as I was looking forward to the prison scene, when it actually happened, I was left wondering about the impact it would have made if they had kept the pace of the drama steady & this scene was shown at the right time.

Sameer’s Mental Breakdown

Sameer ended up giving Sabeeha everything that she wanted. Sabeeha tried to once again play the victim card but Sameer let her know clearly that it was not going to work anymore. It is unfortunate that Sameer learnt all about his mother the day he lost her. Sameer’s character has been written to perfection, it showed that the person who was already struggling so much psychologically was pushed to the limit where he lost control & actually felt he couldn’t take it anymore. Sameer’s entire life has been a lie, traumatic childhood & then the lies that he was brain-fed about his mother, someone who a child loves irrespective of their shortcomings. To be honest, it does make me wonder why didn’t Akbar tell Sameer anything before? It is safe to assume that Akbar started working in Sameer Villas years ago, therefore what took him so long? Why couldn’t Akbar create such a scenario like by giving Sameer hints which would’ve finally lead him to Surraya, so that he could tell him the truth? I know the writer wanted it to be this way but then again, we all are free to ask questions.

Anyhow, Sameer decided to walk away but then Sabeeha tried to tell him that she raised him as a mother. I think that was the right moment for her to explain herself. Sameer would’ve obviously not bought what she’d have said at that point but she should have spoken to him. She even decided to stay in her room after she learnt that Surraya died & Sameer told he was going where his mother was, clearly depicting that he was contemplating suicide! I am not sure why everyone’s sabun is so slow in this drama. Not that Zahid Ahmed has not acted brilliantly in this entire episode, but the walk on the staircase after Sameer tells Sabeeha that he is going to be with his mother showed the clarity in his thoughts for once – that particular moment was brilliantly acted out by Zahid Ahmed. Hats off!

Gogo Pan Masala

Well well well, talking about Gauhar – as much as I liked her character & to some point still do, also as much as I loved the interaction that Sameer & Gauhar had as a married couple, I hate to see her character being treated as an afterthought. The way her track singlehandedly has been written & carried out in these last few episodes makes her look unconvincing & unrealistic. She left by writing a letter & all of a sudden in this episode, she was back & ready to behave as Sameer’s wife more than ever. It made it look like she didn’t leave in the first place? Also, when Sameer showed her the pictures, the Gauhar that we know would’ve immediately spoken to her husband to clarify, rather she let him be, knowing the kind of trauma he was going through because it clearly showed in his behavior & demeanor but she chose to give him the space he shouldn’t have been given. She took her sweet time, changed her clothes & came back to sleep peacefully ignoring completely that she had to clarify her position. The writer gave us a strong character in the form of Gauhar but it is sad how the continuity issues & poor execution has compromised on it & now her character is failing to leave an impression that it used to in the beginning. I must say in the middle of the chaos, going out of the house & then coming back, Gauhar definitely must’ve spent a good amount of time in the nail salon because her pink & golden manicure was a bit too eye-catching!

The Highlight of This Episode

Sameer decided that the only way he could deal with this entire situation was to end his life. This entire scenario was heart-wrenching & once again, the credit solely goes to Zahid Ahmed for conveying Sameer’s feelings & emotions phenomenally, with so much precision & perfection. I wouldn’t give the director any credit because this time around, it was Zahid Ahmed who did the heavy lifting & showed how much he had imbibed the character of Sameer as well as Sameera that he effortlessly portrayed everything that was running through his mind in that scene. It was unfortunate that Sameer pulled the trigger but based on a misunderstanding, clouded by her hatred for Gauhar, Sabeeha decided to hold her responsible for what happened & accused her. What could’ve been the most intriguing part ended up becoming predictable because the viewers already knew that Gauhar will go to jail & rescued by Kashif.

I definitely ruled out Sameer’s death. I am sure the lawaris janaza that has been spoken about in the preview of the next episode would be of Sabeeha. She already seemed too guilt-stricken that it was affecting her mental health. She has no one by her side, no offspring of her own, no family, absolutely no one, so may be she will pass away or end her own life. I am hoping for a happy ending for Gauhar & Sameer though. I think the viewers who have invested so much time in this drama deserve that at least, plus it will impart a good message that those who have psychological issues can always fight & find ways to not only deal with, but also bounce back from their issues.

Zahid Ahmed Stole The Show

This episode hands down belonged to Zahid Ahmed. The episode overall was poorly executed & had a lot of issues. It was also amusing that when Gauhar was being dragged by the police, they chose to play the romantic version of the OST, the same song which they used to show Donia dreaming about Kashif & dancing her heart out with him. Not feeling much for Gauhar or even Sabeeha. Totally felt for Sameer. Also, the entire sermon Bushra gave to Saleem also didn’t make much of a difference. I don’t think after seeing Saleem being a vulture for 29 episodes, he will redeem himself in the last episode by doing anything anyways. So looking forward to this drama’s end. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Ohkay so, I guess the only good thing about this episode is the fact that it has drawn the ending of this drama closer. It is absurd that the drama makers actually assumed that dragging a story like Ishq Zahe Naseeb would be a great idea. Guess what, the charm that this drama once had has been killed. I am just waiting to see how it ends & going by the preview, if they actually kill Sameer’s character, then I will definitely see it as a time wasted.

Unconvincing Situations:

In Ishq Zahe Naseeb, both Sami Khan & Zarnish Khan got a chance to showcase their acting skills & they made the most of this opportunity. Both Sami & Zarnish have performed brilliantly in this drama, however, their characters have absolutely lost the charm they once had. It is unfortunate that in the khichri of Shakira/Surraya/Sameer/Sameera, the writer started treating Kashif & Donia as an afterthought because their characters have got nothing to offer. Kashif is a one-dimensional, halat ka mara bechara & Donia, the girl who had so much happening for herself, had that sass, ended up becoming a victim of self-imposed misery. Before getting engaged to Kashif, Donia exactly knew that he was in love with someone, so how does it matter if that girl happens to be Gauhar & she has found about it now? Donia has blamed Gauhar for being equally responsible in betraying & deceiving Donia, which is bizarre. Donia knew what she was getting into, she was mature enough to asses that Kashif was never into her, so why is she reacting? To be honest, as much as Zarnish’s acting has been nice, this entire twist is uncalled for & so unnecessary that I find it boring!

This episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb contributed a lot to the noise pollution in Pakistan. The merging of one soundtrack into the other was also so poorly done that instead of adding some depth or emotions in the situation, it ended up being such a big distraction. In the scene where Sameer read Gauhar’s letter, I could barely hear him because of the annoyingly loud music. Sameer himself saw Sabeeha having an argument with Gauhar while assassinating her character & instead of stepping into that situation to save Gauhar from Sabeeha’s accusations, Sameer found the time to hallucinate. The very next day, Sameer seemed shocked when Noorah told him that Gauhar left after having an argument with Sabeeha, it was made to look like as if Sameer had no idea about it happening!?!?! I am sure even the director is confused & can not keep up between the switching of the scenes that he ended up making such a basic mistake. Director saab please end this drama, we have had enough & I am sure you’ve had enough too!

I don’t find Sabeeha or wouldn’t even find Sameer wrong if they react on Gauhar’s unannounced trips to outdoors. She got married into such a family which has always been very sophisticated & has followed a proper schedule as well as decorum for everything, so for Gauhar to just go in & out of the house out of her whim, that too without informing anyone does raise a lot of questions on her. Gauhar has always been someone who was conscious about her surroundings, the people around her, so for her to just do what she deems right, without informing her husband obviously means she is going to invite troubles her way, that too when she knows that Sabeeha’s on her case & is looking for reasons to throw her out of the house.

Sameer found out about Gauhar & Kashif. Jahangir & Sabeeha met & devised this plan – this entire situation did not interest me at all. What difference does it make & why can’t Sameer, like an adult speak to Gauhar about it & find out everything? Obviously she must have some explanation to give too? It was amusing that in this entire episode, there was not even a single interaction between the husband & wife, the only time Gauhar spoke to Sameer was through a letter – Bye Bye Whatsapp! Funny that Gauhar has been in contact with Kashif over the phone but when it comes to Sameer, she chose to write him a letter…logic!

Two things were made clear in this episode. One being that Shakira thought her son had passed away, that is why she did all of that to Sameer, it was kind of a revenge on Ehsan to mess the brains of his only son. Second, that the wheelchair ridden lady was Surraya, Sameer’s biological mother who dramatically passed away the moment Sameer came to see her! I am sorry but I really don’t know how to react on this because instead of feeling for her or Sameer or Akbar or finding this entire situation emotional, I ended up having a good laugh. May be the direction of that scene or the brief that the actor was given was funny, but I had a great time laughing my heart out. Yes, I think this is how the viewers end up taking a drama non-seriously when they drag it so much, plus the 4 commercial breaks weren’t helping either. Once again, good that Sameer has gotten clarity about Sabeeha but how is it going to do him any favors psychologically, he is quite disturbed already, isn’t he?

I feel it was unlike Gauhar that she decided to leave only because she had a spat with Sabeeha? Gauhar was not paying heed to her anyways & she was only focused on taking care of Sameer, so what happened there? I found this decision of Gauhar quite irrational & the entire situation unconvincing. It is quite obvious that even the drama makers are finding it hard to wrap this drama up, that is why most of the situations are not making much sense & are just being pushed to the limit.

Just End It:

The preview of the next episode suggested that may be Sameer will end up shooting himself or the trigger will be pulled by Gauhar by mistake, which means we’ll get to see the scene shown in the promos of Gauhar being dragged by the police & lying in the prison telling Kashif that she killed him. I think may be Sameer won’t die but Gauhar will assume that she killed him. The relationship that started off on a note of good communication was compromised due to unconvincing half-baked scenarios, it just does not make much sense. My only wish is to see this drama end because I am sure the viewers just like me have had enough. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Ohkay so, it was the most powerful & iconic episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb. This episode worked for me because there was absolutely no focus on Shakira’s half-baked story & there was a lot of progress in Sameer & Gauhar’s track. This episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb had some of the most unforgettable moments as well as phenomenal acting done by both Sonya Hussyn & Zahid Ahmed. The main thing I noticed was the misleading promo that was shown last week because none of those scenes were a part of this episode, which goes to show that even the drama makers acknowledge the fact that people have lost interest in Ishq Zahe Naseeb, so in order to give them reasons to tune to it again, they had to show one of the most important scenes which was not even a part of this episode. Anyhow, it seemed as if after a long long time, the main leads got the screen time they deserved & it was enough to keep me engaged.

Gauhar Took Charge of The Situation

Gauhar has started tackling Sameer the way she deems right. She knows she has to allow him to channel out all that he has been keeping inside, in order to get better & what’s rewarding was that it worked. Gauhar pushed the wrong buttons for Sameer to word his feelings. Sameer has been a lonely child, he has barely any such relations in his life which he has a good memory of, or that he can cherish. This is the reason why against all odds & strong opposition of his mother, Sameer brought Gauhar in his life because he wanted one such relationship that he could call his own. Sameer also saw Gauhar as a person who’d be able to help him & she has proved him right.

It was absolutely amazing seeing Gauhar being so selflessly involved in Sameer, to the point that she does not even care what might be the consequences. Gauhar also has been opposed by Sabeeha but her focus is Sameer’s well being. Gauhar’s selflessness also denotes her selfless love for her husband. She has finally fallen in love with Sameer to the point that she accepts him for who he is & wants him to get better. Another interesting aspect was Gauhar’s contact with the Doctor, it is like she is taking everything in consideration while she deals with Sameer. It is definitely worth mentioning that they have also shown the importance of a doctor and medical assistance needed in this case, which is one of the strongest points. I would’ve liked if they had also shown Sameer going to the doctor himself & finding out how he can get better. I think it might happen in the future because for the first time Sameer shared what was in his heart & he also acknowledged the fact that his traumatic childhood experiences shaped his personality in a manner that he is not proud of. Before this conversation, Sameer always saw himself as a normal person who did not have any issues but slowly & steadily he is growing comfortable with the idea of acknowledging his problems & is now also looking for solutions.

Another important revelation was Sameer admitting that Sameera killed Zoya. I am not sure how they are going to justify it. Yes, there have been some conversations about how damaging multi personality disorder can be for the one who is suffering from it but I hope they just do not brush it under the carpet & show Sameer doing something which gives Zoya’s family some kind of emotional or moral compensation. Gauhar has also put this secret of Sameer’s past aside because she wants to see a better version of him, someone who is not going to harm himself.

The most powerful scene of this episode was Gauhar transforming herself into Shakira & appearing in front of Sameer. At that moment when Sameer is sleep-talking, as if he is giving words to his nightmares was when Zahid Ahmed’s flawless acting made me emotional. He was so realistic, where he seemed disturbed, scared & yet someone so innocent who was tired of being chased by the demons of his past. The moment when Gauhar finally realized that she actually succeeded in giving comfort to Sameer & the fact that he also saw her as a comforting figure was so rewarding & beautiful. This entire scene was absolutely brilliant because it showed that Gauhar was finally in control of the situation & that she was actually helping Sameer the way he deserves to be helped.

Donia’s outburst was also very convincing. She has hated disloyalty & this was the last thing she expected from Kashif, someone she was ready to trust. To be very honest, I did feel for Donia but I find Kashif’s character absolutely boring & one-dimensional. He is coming across as a halaat ka mara bechara who at first could not get married to Gauhar because of his family burdens & now he can not commit himself fully to his fiancee Donia because he is still holding onto his feelings for Gauhar who actually is married to someone else. That scene was nicely acted out by both Zarnish Khan & Sami Khan but I do not find their track least bit of interesting, therefore I couldn’t bring myself to feel invested in Donia’s heartbreak & Kashif’s unexplained explanations!

Zahid Ahmed Stole The Show

This episode for sure belonged to Zahid Ahmed as well as Sonya Hussyn. I am so glad this episode worked for me & I as a viewer got a break from Shakira/Sameera’s track because it was getting burdensome watching half-baked story of hers. I guess my happiness would be short lived because she will appear in the next episode once again. It is definitely going to be interesting seeing Sameer & Sameera’s battle where he wants to move on in his life but Sameera is going to hold him back. I think it is definitely high time that they should end Ishq Zahe Naseeb. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Opening Thoughts – We Need Answers:

Ohkay so, this episode did not have any flow whatsoever. The editing was choppy & none of the scenes seemed correlated, which made it hard to keep my interest alive while watching this episode. I feel they should now stop with the hints, clues & guesses & just reveal the story because that day isn’t far away when the viewers will start chanting ‘ye tabah hua, ye fanah hua, drag ho ho ke ye drama sua hua’. They have kept the viewers in the dark & have left quite a lot to their imagination for a long long time, therefore it’s high time they should reveal everything & end this drama tameez se because now it is getting burdensome tuning to it.

Choppy Editing & Boring Episode:

Gauhar wanted to know more about Sameer but he could not tell her what she wanted to know. Sameer still underestimates Gauhar thinking that she will not be able to deal with the truth about his 2nd personality. To be honest, as much as I was excited to see Gauhar dealing with Sameera, the way things happened in this episode just did not make much sense. At the beginning of the episode Gauhar was looking for answers & she was confused about the lies Sameer was fabricating, then she met Kashif Donia, she had a conversation with Sabeeha, she met Akbar & the very next moment, she was applying lipstick on Sameer’s lips? Am I missing something here or in the middle of replaying flashbacks, they forgot to shoot those important, defining & explanatory scenes where they could have shown Sameer becoming comfortable enough around Gauhar to allow her in his personal space? That scene made it look like they have been married for months now where Gauhar slowly & steadily broke the ice & made Sameer comfortable? I know they have shown Gauahar as Ms. Fix-it, a wonder woman who sorts everything with an invisible magic wand but this one was too sudden & abrupt! They have been skipping a lot of important scenes & are expecting viewers to miraculously & magically understand everything that they have not been shown! Convenience much?

All the other scenes such as Sabeeha’s conversation with Gauhar, Kashif & Donia’s visit at her place & even her conversation with Akbar didn’t hold my interest. I am glad that a lot happened in this episode but the way things were laid out did not work for me at all. This episode in simple words was boring despite showing a lot.

I am not sure how I feel about the fact that they are now trying to humanize Shakira. Also, I am glad that the very last scene made things clear & put things into perspective but before speaking about that, I want to mention that while watching this episode, I was wondering what difference would it make if the woman Akbar is taking care of is Sameer’s biological mother & not Shakira? They have invested a lot of time in showing Shakira, so that old lady better be her because otherwise I don’t think viewers will have any reason to warm upto that woman purely based on the fact that she happens to be Sameer’s biological mother who was non-existent in the entire drama. On the other hand, they have made Shakira’s character an integral part of the drama, so I am sure like I suspected after watching the 20th episode, the woman that Akbar is taking care of is Shakira!

The very last scene suggested that Shakira was abused by her boss probably Ehsan, she had a baby, that boss took that baby from her & sent her away. So, now are they trying to suggest that Ehsan had Sameer with Shakira out of wedlock & Shakira actually happens to be Sameer’s mother? I am fine with this development, like I wouldn’t mind if she is Sameer’s mother but going by what they have shown right from the beginning, where Shakira kept on messing up with Sameer’s personality & his impressionable mind, I feel even if she was his mother, why would a mother do that to her son? If Shakira came back & got the opportunity to take care of Sameer under Sabeeha’s supervision, why would she waste her time teaching him all those things that he’d have a hard time unlearning for the rest of his life? IF Shakira actually is Sameer’s mother, that development is totally fine but if being a mother she deliberately messed up with his brains, then I am not sure what to feel about it & also the fact that they are trying to humanize her character!!!

Closing Thoughts – Ruining The Otherwise Perfect Drama:

I feel now in order to drag this drama & by adding more details, they are now ruining what otherwise was a perfect drama with intriguing storyline & different yet dynamic characters. They have decided to change the ending, that is fine but I feel the writer was may be pushed to change the storyline & he was forced to tamper the vision that he had for this story & the direction he wanted Sameer & Shakira’s track to take, this is why it is coming across quite unconvincing & uninteresting. I am not too pleased with the fact that even though the drama is in its final stage, we are still left guessing & wondering at the end of every episode? When are they going to give us solid answers respecting the time we have invested in this drama already? It is unfortunate but even Zahid Ahmed’s convincing acting could not save this episode at all. Anyways. I am not sure how others feel but I cringe every time I hear Bushra or Gauhar’s mother calling her GOGO? Pleaseee! Also, it seemed while shooting these last episodes, Sonya Hussyn barely had 5 minutes to get ready because her makeup looks messy & poorly done. Not the look she should sport considering she is a newly wedded bride. Anyways, please share your thoughts about this episode of Ishq Zahe Naseeb.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.