With this latest episode of Ishq-e-Laa, the story moved forward to its next phase. The characters and their tracks are gradually making more sense than they did in the initial few episodes. For the first time, I felt as if the emphasis on the visuals in certain scenes in this recent episode, affected the overall impact of these scenes. The birthday surprise however was shown in the most elaborate and beautiful manner. It was like a scene out of a film. Other than the unnecessary physical closeness between the main leads, their romantic scenes are perhaps some of the best we have seen in Pakistani dramas. This was such an important episode in terms of narrative progression yet Shanaya’s mother was literally absent tonight! This is turning out to be such a huge and unnecessary ‘distraction’.

Important Developments

The grim turn which the story took tonight was expected but I was not expecting Sultan to exit the story in this manner. I was expecting Shanaya’s charity work to be the source of friction between the newlyweds but this particular angle is being linked to Azka’s track in an interesting manner. I am certain I am not the only one who was waiting to find out how these two tracks will merge together eventually and this episode laid down the foundation for that. Shanaya and Azlan’s priorities and outlook towards life were always different therefore it was just a matter of time that these differences created a rift between the two. The beautiful and romantic start to Azlan and Shanaya’s married life was definitely the biggest surprise. Azaan Sami Khan and Sajal Aly’s on-screen chemistry has also made their couple one which viewers have all the reasons to root for but it is quite clear that Azlan will also experience a big loss which will alter the course of his track. In my opinion, Ishq-e-Laa, therefore, is not entirely Azlaan and Shanaya’s love story but I feel that their track will be utilized to carry forward the main messages which will most likely be spiritual.

It was interesting watching Azka raise the same questions which many of us did when Shanaya was shown madly in love with Azlan. The writer also made it quite clear in the beginning that Shanaya also saw these differences but she had no control over her feelings for Azlan. The birthday surprise yet again showed Azlan’s soft and romantic side. He even canceled his important meetings for the event which was once again quite different from the image of this character that was established in the first few episodes.

Sajal Aly is usually more than comfortable in her own skin. She has been seen sporting natural no make-up and casual Looks in dramas whenever required. However, lately, there seems to be a great deal of emphasis on how she looks on screen. I noticed the over-emphasis on her looks in Yeh Dil Mera and In Ishq-e-Laa as well, tonight in particular her hairstyle and make-up did not go well with the situation. She had walked out of a party to help Sultan’s family but surely she could have found the time to tie her hair and the lipstick should have softened with time. The high heels could easily have been replaced as well. The change of clothes and make-up for the show was understandable but the rest of her looks while she was struggling to get an FIR registered.

Azlan was already against Shanaya getting involved with this matter and after learning the details about the individual responsible, there will be even greater pressure on her. Azlan and Shanaya’s interactions were once again penned down well. Shanaya always makes sure that she speaks for herself and her cause. At the same time, she values her relationship with Azlan and ignores a lot of things that she might not have had she not been in love with him. Azlan has a misogynist side to his personality but at the same time, he does show some flexibility and is not as toxic as some of the other male leads we have seen in Pakistani dramas. The negative and positive aspects of his personality are being shown more convincingly now than they were in the opening episodes. In the opening episode, the main focus was on his shallowness and materialism; there is definitely more to his personality! After their wedding, I can connect to the reasons why Shanaya fell in love with Azlan. Even though he is not as open-minded and kind-hearted as his wife, he definitely is in love with Shanaya and very often does things for her which he would not for anyone else.

Shanaya’s mother is out of the picture completely which is highly unfortunate because Laila Wasti carried the character she was shown playing with utmost grace. Also, Shanaya’s relationship with her mother was definitely one of the most important ones in her life. I wonder why such important characters are relegated to the background without an actual reason!! The immediate family members of the main protagonists should be kept in the picture at all times. Yet, more than once, when the female protagonists got married their loving parents who were always by their side disappear in thin air! The writers and directors definitely need to pay attention to this since it is happening more often than ever now.

Final Remarks

Ishq-e-Laa has grown on me and as the story progresses the characters are coming into their own. The story is different and the drama is picking up pace with each passing episode. The preview of the next episode suggested that Sultan’s killers will be forgiven but then the previews of this drama have been quite misleading – which is always a plus! I would definitely give due credit to the person responsible for putting these previews together because he has been doing a brilliant job.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Ishq-e-Laa? Do share your thoughts about it.

These episodes of Ishq-e-Laa were entertaining and visually pleasing. The major tracks in the story changed considerably in more ways than one. Even though some of these changes were a little too extreme and sudden, it was definitely refreshing watching Azlaan and Kanwal changing to a great extent. The performances were on point and except for the unnecessary physical closeness between the main leads; their scenes were an absolute delight to watch. Azaan Sami Khan and Sajal Aly’s on-screen chemistry reminded me of Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gillani in Sabaat. It is always good to see new pairings in dramas. I missed Shanaya’s mother in these episodes, apart from that this track was covered flawlessly! These two episodes were shot beautifully with Shanaya and Azlaan stealing the limelight effortlessly. The spiritual element of the script was yet again reinforced in the previous episode through the ‘miracle’ that saved Azka and a happy start to Shanaya’s married life. The dialogues have been somewhat simple right from the start, which sometimes takes away the impact of some of the scenes; however, Ishq e Laa continues to be intriguing in its own way. I do find myself wondering where these tracks are headed and the direction of the drama in particular never disappoints.

Regrets & Changed Behavior

Azka’s track took a major turn for the better with Kanwal realizing how wrong she was and as a result, she mended her ways altogether. Her daughters’ accident came as a reality check; it was easy to connect to her changed behavior because she was clearly responsible for whatever happened to Aliha. The fact that she immediately asked for forgiveness also changed her daughter’s condition. This was another way of showing that changed behavior and forgiveness can also change the course of destiny. She had always taken Azka and her mother for granted but after everything that happened, she started valuing them more than ever. It was also good to see her taking a stand for Azka. This entire track in these two episodes was emotional and had a refreshing element to it.

There was no change in Abid’s character; he is turning out to be a dark and evil person. He continued to be stubborn but this time around he did not have his aapi’s support. Kanwal was always shown as a fearless woman; she used her strength to help Azka and her mother when it was needed the most. Now, for a change, I am waiting to see more of Kanwal and want to find out where this track is leading. This entire track just like the other one had so many positive changes in it. The life this family is living right now can easily be termed as perfect. Azka also has the support of her brother to pursue her dreams. It remains to be seen when Azka and Azlaan’s paths cross once again.

Azlaan & Shanaya

The way Azlaan and Shanaya’s track was taken forward was just as much of a pleasant surprise as that of Azka’s. Azlaan really did need Shanaya in his life after all and he never realized what she meant to him. His romantic side also came as a complete surprise. In the previous episode, in particular, he was more than willing to accept even those choices made by Shanaya which were not in line with his own personality. Who would have thought that someone like Azlaan would have such a compromising and loving side to his personality! Sajal Aly and Azaan Sami Khan did a remarkable job of convincing the viewers that these two were meant for each other. Their scenes were translated on screen beautifully. Azlaan’s character always kept me wondering therefore seeing this side of his personality was believable; it was almost as if we did not know him well enough so far. He is not as strong spiritually as Shanaya is and he is definitely more demanding as well but overall he turned out to be a ‘better’ life partner than one would have imagined. However, the fact that his controlling nature continues to be a dominant personality trait is a big red flag.

Watching Shanaya spend so much time at Azka’s home even with her tight schedule went to show where her priorities lied. It was also good to see this meeting between Shanaya and Azka was a pleasant one. The personality clashes were slightly more visible in tonight’s episode. Professor Rehman made an ‘off-screen’ appearance tonight. I must say that adding his character was such a nice way of interpreting different turns in the lives of the main leads in a completely different manner. He is always the voice of reason but even someone like Shanaya finds it difficult to follow whatever he has to teach. It won’t be wrong to say that sometimes Shanaya’s actions are also dictated by her ego. After watching the previous episode, I felt as if Shanaya might not be around for too long but after watching this episode it seems as if the personality clashes might in some way create big issues between Azlaan and Shanaya. As I said, it is really difficult to predict what turn these tracks will take which makes this drama one which I look forward to watching.

Final Remarks

The director of photography captured the beautiful scenic views of Pakistan in an impressive manner in this episode. I absolutely loved the way Shanaya and Azlaan’s honeymoon was covered – romantic, adventurous, fun, and ‘real’! These two episodes were some of the best we have watched so far, I feel that the story has finally taken off. Arbab Haroon’s track, it seems, will change Shanaya and Azlaan’s happy marriage into a rocky one. The background score was also used intelligently; Azaan Sami Khan is blessed with a soulful voice which makes this background music a great addition to the drama. There are some clear and imminent dangers faced by both Azka and Shanaya, I am waiting to find out where the story goes from here.

Did you watch these recent episodes of Ishq-e-Laa? Do share your thoughts about it.

Tonight’s episode of Ishq e Laa was a little too fast-paced! Shanaya and Azlaan’s sudden marriage did not make a lot of sense. Azka and her brother’s relationship was one of the most heartwarming parts of this drama but tonight we found out why Kanwal’s toxicity was given so much screen time. Sultan’s decision was not backed by common sense at all, the jhooti kasam came as a complete and utter shock – it was yet another unnecessary addition to this episode. It was also difficult to understand why Azka did not take a stand for herself this time around as she had taken before without thinking about the consequences. The leading characters continue to be more confusing than unpredictable. Even though there are many weaknesses in the script, the performances, for the most part, have been convincing, the execution has been impressive and the pace of the drama has been fast therefore I have not lost interest in it altogether. I am however not too confident that the story will be taken forward convincingly in the future as well. Ishq e Laa’s script continues to be its weakest link so far even though it is not entirely disappointing, it isn’t impressive either.

Azka’s Track

Right from the beginning, Azka has been caught up in misunderstandings and tonight’s episode covered the biggest one of them all. Azka’s mother’s faith in her and her support continues to be the highlight of this particular track. The character itself and its dynamics are not too appealing, so far. Sometimes she tends to go overboard and at other times she starts sobbing and cannot even speak for herself. The dialogues also do not do justice to this character. If the dialogues communicating Azka’s mindset were detailed and meaningful, her track would have been far more interesting. Her mother’s love for her always wins me over since we rarely get to see such doting and sensible mothers in our dramas. Seemi Raheal has truly done justice to the role, I have been enjoying watching her scenes right from the start.

I expected Azka to be more vocal when Abid told all those lies. Later on, when Kanwal decided to take the most dreaded route in order to make this marriage happen, it was understandable that there wasn’t much Azka could say to defend herself. When she had those confrontations with Azlaan she was much more ‘focused’ on saving her izzat but definitely not so much this time around. Sultan’s gherat and his blind faith in his wife were already those traits that were highlighted repeatedly. Therefore, although I was disappointed in him, the decision and his actions actually went well with the character. Also, the professor’s lectures throughout suggested that Sultan’s character was driven more by his ego than anything else. After that qasam, he had no reason to question what Kanwal was saying but he could have easily read the expressions on Azka’s face at the time of the nikkah! Or at least there should have been some degree of confusion, which would have made this entire development more convincing. I am glad that the nikkah did not take place in this episode and I have a feeling that something might have happened to Sultan’s daughter. Hopefully, Kanwal will get scared now and reveal the truth.

Shanaya and Azlaan

Even though Shanaya and Azlaan are clearly incompatible, I am warming up to this on-screen couple and understand why Shanaya in particular feels that she should be with this man. Also, it is good to see Shanaya reminding Azlaan often enough that her career and the life she chooses to live is a priority for her. Azlaan however does not really give up and there was some reluctance and confusion even today since he was the one who initiated all these conversations about their lives and priorities being so different. Even though Azlaan has more faith in himself than any man should and he thinks highly of himself, his attitude towards Shanaya has changed, at least for now! The Azlaan we saw in the first few episodes was relatively different from the one we have been seeing since the previous episode. However, his most toxic trait has to be the inability to include other people in the decision-making process. He decided to get married to Shanaya on a specific day and simply informed her. Although, Shanaya did not have a problem with that she did look overwhelmed for all the right reasons.

There are definitely times when Shanaya does not realize that Azlaan’s controlling nature should not be taken so casually! However, I find it easier to connect to her decisions since she made it clear that she was madly in love with this man even though everything was not ideal. Sajal Aly and Azaan Sami Khan look good on screen. While I find Azaan’s acting pretty decent for someone who has just started acting, I hope that he changes his hairstyle since it does not look good at all and is often distracting.

Final Remarks

This was a beautifully shot episode of Ishq e Laa which was not too convincing at times but engaging nonetheless. The execution, the visuals, and some of the performances make Ishq e Laa a drama that you want to tune into even though the script so far is not too impressive. I definitely find myself more interested in Shanaya and Azlaan’s track.

Did you watch tonight’s episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

Tonight’s episode of Ishq e Laa showed a major shift in Azlaan’s character which was definitely debatable. The spiritual element of the drama is also reinforced in every episode. I must say that although I look forward to watching Ishq e Laa, the characterizations are not impressive enough. Even though the story moves forward with every episode, there are certain scenes that are often more or less the same. Also, the side tracks are not interesting enough. So far, Kanwal and Abid’s track has to be my least favorite. Tonight’s episode laid the foundations for some of the most important developments in the upcoming episode.

Important Developments

This episode opened with Azka’s brother Sultan selling his bike and later on the viewers were shown how Kanwal continued to have issues with Azka and her mother. I hope there is a good reason why these scenes are being shown in such detail! The dynamics in Azka’s house have been pretty much the same since the beginning, there is little to ‘explore’ there. I am glad Azka is finally over that incident with Azlaan. She is the kind of girl who can stand up for herself and will not allow anyone to humiliate her in any way. The scene we watched tonight, yet again, showed just that. Her character or her track, does not give you a lot to talk about though. Perhaps because the dialogues and situations are not impactful enough. In fact, her mother stands out more than any other character in that family. She is a wise and level-headed woman who always gives her bahu the benefit of the doubt even though she does not deserve it. I must say that Seemi Raheal always makes her scenes a treat to watch and I do feel that even some of the best actors in this drama do not appear as ‘natural’ on screen as they often do.

The most important development in this episode had to be Azlaan’s change of mind mainly because of his mother! I am tired of watching these seemingly well-educated and open-minded mothers forcing their sons to marry girls they wish to see as bahus without thinking about the consequences. Even though Azlaan went out of his way to make Shanaya say yes to the marriage proposal, I do feel that he made this decision only because he did not want to take a chance! When his mother made him realize that Shanaya might not be a friend to him anymore and would certainly not be as available as she was right now, he decided to propose to her. This was his way of making sure that Shanaya was always there with him, for him. This entire situation was actually interesting because unexpectedly Azlaan was more than honest with Shanaya. He told her the actual reason why he was proposing and he was willing to go ahead with discovering Shanaya’s world with her. Shanaya’s response also came as a pleasant surprise even though it was quite apparent that she desperately wanted to get married to Azlaan but she did not say yes instantly. She also wanted to understand his reasons. Therefore, all of this made this proposal unlike any other. I must say that I felt for Fahad since he came across as such a likable person. These two also looked good together. Just like the mothers in the drama, I found myself rooting for them.

Although Shanaya’s mother has always been supportive of her, tonight she proved that she was a really ‘cool’ mother who cared only for Shanaya’s happiness. She was more than okay with Shanaya rejecting Fahad’s proposal and was genuinely happy for her daughter. Even with all his problematic personality traits, Azlaan definitely does want Shanaya in his life and tonight Shanaya also proved that she is not going to be a doormat. Azlaan’s conversation with his mother showed that he was still confused and scared. His feelings were easy to connect to and I am also waiting to see how their relationship goes forward. The scene at the gol gappa stand was cute! For a second I forgot just how controlling Azlaan was and that this wasn’t the best decision for Shanaya because she deserves better!

The scene at the shrine, I am certain, is going to be one of those scenes which will perhaps come to haunt Azlaan in particular. Right now, he does not take any of what he heard or saw seriously but something tells me that he might end up being another Farhad from Khuda Aur Mohabbat, as the story progresses but I hope that this journey will be covered more convincingly. Even though Shanaya and Azlaan are all set to get married, I am still wondering if they will actually be getting married in the upcoming episode.

Final Remarks

I enjoyed watching Azlaan and Shanaya’s scenes tonight, more than any other. The conversations were well written and executed. The preview of the next episode suggested that there will be two weddings next week. Kanwal will do the unthinkable to get Azka married to Abid. Will Shanaya and Azlaan get married next week? I am waiting to find out.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Ishq e Laa? Do share your thoughts about it.

This latest episode of Ishq e Laa yet again focused on both the major tracks in the story. There was not a single scene in this episode that truly stood out and there was a great deal of repetition as well. There were also certain scenes that had done-to-death written all over them. Our writers really need to bid farewell to the nosy and nagging bhabhi characters. Some of the dialogues in this episode were plain therefore these situations were not as impactful as they could have been. Azka’s constant crying also seems like an unnecessary addition to an otherwise decent track. Although so far I don’t find any of the characters too appealing, Shanaya’s character came across as more meaningful in all these episodes but her impulsive decision to give her approval for the proposal was the most disappointing part of this episode. I am sick and tired of watching sensible, confident, and independent women agreeing to marry someone because of such reasons! It is almost as if these women have no other choice, as if staying single for some time is not an option! Azlan is turning out to be a more problematic character than I imagined he would be. Apart from his care and concern for Shanaya, there isn’t much to like about his character.

Latest Developments

Azka’s track still focused more on whatever happened in Azlan’s house. She told her brother and he ended up leaving the job only after telling his boss why he was leaving. It is admirable how supportive Azka’s mother and brother are but I really do feel now that this whole thing has been blown out of proportion! Azka told Azlan and should no longer be worrying about the difference in the status since she definitely did not bear that in mind while giving him a piece of her mind! The entire bhabhi episode got a lot of screen time and this was the kind of scenario which did should not have been shown so elaborately!

Shanaya’s mother’s concerns have been the main topic of discussion whenever they are together. It remains to be seen why that is the case. The most important development tonight had to be in Shanaya and Azlan’s track. Azlan keeps you guessing especially when it comes to his relationship with Shanaya. When they were shopping for his mother’s gift, he let her choose it even though he said he was going to make the final decision. When Shanaya sounded worried on the phone, he was willing to meet her immediately. The perfectionist aspect of his personality was reinforced in this episode when he broke the vas. It reminded me of Azka breaking the perfume and being held accountable for it as if she did it on purpose. But that is not how Azlan looked at this situation; he was actually displeased with himself. This also went to show that he didn’t have impossible standards for others only but even for himself!

Shanaya’s mother is constantly pushing her to get married and this time around she mustered up the courage to talk to Azlan about it. However, this conversation ended with Shanaya walking away after Azlan made it pretty clear that getting married to her was the last thing on his mind. The scene afterward when Shanaya shared her troubles with Allah and prayed that she wanted to fall out of love with Azlan, was the only scene I felt I instantly connected to. This scene however was followed by one which can easily be termed as a scene that seems to be another constant in most of our dramas! I expected better from someone like Shanaya. Hopefully, her mother will talk her out of it since she has been shown as a wise and sensible lady.

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode of Ishq e Laa had a lot of scenes that could easily have been chopped down. Some of the scenes did not look spontaneous or natural on-screen which made it difficult for me to connect to the situations. However, I am looking forward to finding out where the story is headed and I hope that the drama will get more meaningful and interesting in the upcoming weeks. The outdoor scenes were shot brilliantly once again tonight and the production values are impressive. Honestly speaking, in this episode the mothers played by Seemi Raheal and Laila Wasti impressed me more than any of the leading characters or even actors! Sajal Aly looked absolutely gorgeous in this episode, everything from her outfits to her make-up was perfect but we have definitely seen her playing meatier roles in the past!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Ishq e Laa? Share your thoughts about it.

This was another entertaining episode of Ishq e Laa which was for the most part convincing. There were however some scenes and scenarios which could have been shown in a more convincing manner. Tonight’s episode also showed different shades of some of the characters. The fearlessness of the female protagonists is already coming across as their weakness. This drama reminds me of Alif Allah Aur Insan. I have a feeling that Azlan’s character might have a journey similar to the one Mikaal’s character had in Alif Allah Aur Insan. Azaan Sami Khan’s performance in this episode was more convincing than it was in the first two. This drama definitely has a different feel to it. Watching Yumna Zaidi and Sajal Aly together in a drama is nothing short of a treat. Even though Azka’s character has been crying endlessly, her feelings have been reflected well through her dialogues which make her state of mind easier to understand. Azka’s dialogues about the difference between the rich and the poor were my favorite from this episode.

Confrontations

Tonight’s episode opened with yet another confrontation between Azlan and Azka. There has been a great deal of focus on these two, sometimes more than Azlan and Shanaya. The fact that Azlan’s mother asked Azka to serve Azlan and his friend even after that incident showed that she lacked foresight. Even though she comes across as a decent woman who respects her house staff, she is incapable of holding her son accountable. She apologized to him for questioning his actions and in a way told Azka off, later on. I must say that Ghazala Kaifi was not too comfortable delivering some of the dialogues which took away the impact which this scene should have had. Even the scene in which Azka tells Azlan to shut up wasn’t impactful enough because of the camerawork. I am glad we got to see different shades of Azlan’s character in this episode. Even though the most prominent trait of his personality continues to be his inflated ego, he has a definite likeness for Shanaya, and perhaps that is what Shanaya finds attractive.

Shanaya and Azlan are best friends yet somehow she does not see all the flaws in his personality as a ‘problem’. Her dil ke hatho majboor dialogue yet again suggested that she was head over heels in love with him. We all know by now that Shanaya is impulsive and like Azlan said she has her own set of ideas that are far from reality. She follows her heart therefore perhaps that is why she ignores all the red flags! In the previous two episodes I had a really difficult time understanding why this girl was in love with someone like Azlan but tonight their relationship seemed to make some sense. Azlan does not ‘love’ Shanaya but he does give her a lot of attention and time. Some of Shanaya’s dialogues suggested that she realized that Azlan had this toxic side but she did not see that as a problem. She is clearly an open-minded person who does not judge people in general. That is why she went to apologize to Azka but then she also did not hold back when she felt Azka was being unreasonable.

Even though Shanaya loves Azlan, she makes sure that her career is not sidelined in any way because of him. Shanaya’s fearless nature isn’t the most appealing part of her character but I am glad that the writer has made it clear why she is not afraid of speaking her mind and questioning the wrongdoers. Also, it is always refreshing watching working women with an actual aim in life in dramas!

Final Remarks

Even though tonight’s episode of Ishq e Laa was not faultless, I enjoyed watching it. It is interesting that all the characters so far have a life other than their interactions with each other! Watching a working woman as one of the main protagonists is another aspect of the drama which I find appealing even though Shanaya’s fearlessness is somewhat annoying! The dialogues in this episode were not too heavy-duty but meaningful. Also, I like the way the writer has been using situations to show different perspectives. The opening scene for example showed how differently Azlan and his mother perceived and reacted to the situation. Azlan could not see Azka’s injured hand because he was too busy holding her accountable. I am definitely waiting to find out where the journeys of these characters go from here because all these tracks have so much potential. Why are Azlan and Azka’s confrontations getting so much attention and screen time? Where is this track leading? Those were some of the questions in my mind after watching this episode. Most of the performances tonight were impressive. Yumna Zaidi was outstanding in the confrontation scene. Sajal Aly is a phenomenal actress who never fails to impress. Apart from the main leads, Laila Wasti and Seemi Raheel gave the most realistic performances.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Ishq e Laa? Share your thoughts about it.

The first two episodes of Ishq e Laa had a few pleasant surprises in store and were for the most part entertaining. The fact that this drama has been shot so well does not come as a surprise at all because the viewers were already informed about the kind of visuals we will be getting to watch. The producers have been true to their promises for sure and overall the visuals were quite impressive for the small screen. It was like a cinematic experience which when coupled with quality content is always a delight. The spiritual element of the drama came as a complete surprise since the trailers of the drama promised something entirely different. However, this was definitely a lovely surprise since the writer effectively made her intention and the main theme driving the script quite clear right from the beginning. The clarity with which this drama has started, for now, is more promising than everything else about it. The characterizations and the execution also stood out for all the right reasons.

Characterizations & Basic Theme

The opening scenes of Ishq e Laa were refreshingly different and immediately changed the mindset with which I tuned into this drama. Sajal Aly, Yumna Zaidi, and Seemi Raheal stood out in these two episodes more than any other actor. Azaan Sami Khan is a phenomenal musician; I am looking forward to watching more of him as an actor. I think it is too early to judge his acting skills since the shallowness might be part of his character and not a flaw in translating it on screen. So far, whatever has been shown does suggest that there is a toxic side to his character. The first scene of the opening episode was dedicated to defining the term Ishq and the title of the drama Ishq e Laa. It was done so beautifully and added instant meaning and depth to a script that I felt was going to be mainly a powerful love story.

I am also glad that the script does not revolve around the class divide since Shanaya (Sajal Aly) and Azlan (Azaan Sami Khan) both come from affluent backgrounds. The clash might be between their personalities and objectives in life, which should be interesting. Even though Shanaya is compassionate and clearly in love with Azlan, she is not the kind of person who would compromise on her principles. The main characters were introduced and well-established right from the beginning, which is great because honestly speaking I am getting a bit weary of the ongoing mystery surrounding characters in dramas nowadays! However, Shanaya and Azlan did not communicate or talk about each other until the second episode, which was rather odd and honestly speaking unnecessary.

Shanaya and Azlan’s scenes in the second episode right from the start showed that while Azlan also wanted to spend more time with Shayana, his priorities in life were completely different and Shanaya was only his best friend. There isn’t much to like about Azlan’s character so far but it will be interesting to see him change, which I feel is going to happen at some point. Although, these two are ‘best friends’, somehow they do not have the kind of direct communication which is a norm nowadays considering everyone is so well connected because of smartphones. Shanaya did not even know about Azlan’s latest accomplishment until they met and earlier she had to call his mother to ask her when he was arriving.

Shanaya has a strong spiritual side to her personality; she is a journalist and a philanthropist. There was no reason not to fall instantly in love with this character; it is etched out beautifully and Sajal Aly is a remarkable actress who owns every single role she plays. Not to mention the fact that she looked beautiful in both these episodes, the styling and make-up were on point. Azaan needs to change his hair color and hairstyle. Azlan, on the other hand, has a completely different objective in life altogether, he wants to grow his business and reach new heights, relationships are definitely secondary. The way he treated Azka and his conversations with Shanaya in this particular episode also went to show that he does not have the kind of values which Shanaya does. This made me wonder how someone like Shanaya who had such a different approach towards life was even attracted to Azlan. His thinking is not only completely different from hers but he also has the habit of forcing his opinions on others. Apart from being bossy, he cannot stand a different point of view. I must say that I felt as if I needed to see more of these two together.

Azka (Yumna Zaidi) comes from a completely different background but she was also introduced as someone with a strong personality. Her relationship with her mother just like Shanaya and Azlan’s relationships with their mothers was the highlight of these two episodes. It is always good to see supportive parents in dramas that have a relationship that is easier to warm up to. Even though Azlan comes across as spoiled, his mother is a good-hearted person who must have tried her best to raise a balanced individual yet that is not the case.

Uzma Hassan is playing the toxic bhabhi in the play, a character that seems to be a part of most Pakistani drama nowadays. Adnan Samad Khan is also playing a character entirely different from the one he played in Ehd-e-Wafa. I must say that Azka and her mother’s relationship as well as Azka’s personality was the best thing about this track. Azka’s first meeting with Azlan was also an interesting part of the first episode and the way this second episode ended suggested that this track is going to play a major role in the story.

In tonight’s episode, the way the writer showed what freedom meant for all these 3 leading characters was quite interesting. For Azlan it meant no strings attached, the freedom to move forward in his life by growing his business and being successful. For Azka it meant not being caged in and being around people who respected her. For Shanaya it meant being completely free of any kinds of societal pressures and using this sense of freedom to benefit others.

Final Remarks

Ishq e Laa is definitely off to an interesting start. These two episodes were written with utmost clarity and the director managed to make them visually appealing without compromising on the authenticity of the scenes. After watching these episodes, I was more interested in finding out how the story will move forward in the upcoming episodes. The characters and their stories are easy to relate to. Some of the supporting characters also have my attention since the actors playing the role performed so well. I absolutely love how gracefully Laila Wasti translates her characters on screen.

Did you watch these two episodes of Ishq e Laa? Share your thoughts about them.

Written by: Qaisera Hayat
Directed by: Amin Iqbal
Produced by: Momina Duraid
Channel: HUM
Schedule: Every Thursday at 8 pm

Complete Cast

Sajal Aly
Yumna Zaidi
Azaan Sami Khan
Ahmed Taha Ghani
Uzma Hassan
Adnan Samad Khan
Sohail Sameer
Laila Zuberi
Seemi Raheel
Usman Peerzada
Ghazala Kaifi
Nadeem Baig

Ishq e Laa OST

Composer: Azaan Sami Khan
Singer: Azaan Sami Khan
Lyrics: Asim Raza
D.O.P: Asif Yaseen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-Cxhbdyqc