Ishq Murshid

Initially, I don't want to watch this drama because the poster of the drama showing two Bilal Abbas; one rich & one poor. This gave me the vibe that the poor guy became rich to get the attention of the girl. But then Bilal's dance get viral so I hooked onto YouTube and then watched a few comedy scenes of Bhalay fame, Ali Gul Mallah. This makes me start episode 1 and the episode negates my initial remark about the drama. I was so mesmerized by the very first episode that in one week, I completed all 23 episodes & that too without skipping a single scene.

I must say that the drama is very attractive in every aspect. A different story, mind-blowing screenplay & direction, no filmy dialogues, and very good performances from the lead actors as well as few supporting actors.

Let's talk about the story first. I am very happy that the story goes against my initial thought of poor boy becoming rich to get the girl. It is instead reverse, which is turn is very good to watch on screen. I like the idea not just living in her house but working at her father's office as well. More on the top is the identity of Fazal Baksh's use borrowed from the original Fazal Baksh (Ali Gul). Not just the name but also the full appearance. The shalwar-kameez, waistcoat plus Pakol (Chitrali cap) so well suited for him. I must say here Bilal has done extremely well in carrying the character in its original form. He has done full justice for the character, and he will be remembered for a lifetime for this role. His body language, accent & eyes talk, everything goes perfectly for the Fazal Baksh.

Second lead is the actress Dure fishan, playing the role of Shibra. I have never watched any of her dramas before but seeing her as Shibra has blown my mind. Not only that she looks extremely gorgeous, but he performed Shibra very convincingly. Her facial expression plus the glow in her eyes that talk a lot, was so perfect for the role there. Finally, the dress she wore suited her so well and all the dresses were very well designed, looks like it was just made for her.

Let's talk about the duo's chemistry. I have never seen such beautiful & convincing chemistry between Bilal & Dure fishan. The credit also goes to the director for blending their chemistry on screen for us.

Talking about other supporting character is for her father. Noor ul Hassan never disappointed us whether is Aangan or Chowdhry & sons, etc. Not just the father but he was shown as a non-corrupt grade officer, which we rarely seen nowadays. Haram is limited to very few things like Drink or prostitution, but all the works Muslim mankind has either don't give ear to them or says bravely that these are not Haram. Corruption, nepotism, jaggery, black-marketing, high pricing, backbiting, etc. There is a list for which people don't care at all. This is very sickening & alarming for a society. That's why her father's attracts me a lot.

Another strong character is Zubeida Sikandar, the dead mother of Shamir. Showing the dead as alive & talking & guiding her son is so well thought idea. In another perspective, it is love that makes people alive. For Shamir, the love for his mother makes him to talk to her even when she is dead and it is his father, who is alive, but he distances himself from him as he never get love from him. Samiya Mumtaz in those short scenes was always eye treat for me.

The famous character Bhalay fame is Ali Gul Mallah. The diamond the industry found out from coal mind. He lives the character of Fazal Baskh very well in all the works he undertakes in the drama as vendor.

Another character is for Shamir' friend Faraz. He is new to me but performed so well for the facial expression & dialogue delivery.

Another small character is the office coworker Munawaar. The guy's accent & body languages truly depict working in government office.

Lastly, the background OST Jane Ada by Ahmed Jahenzeb mesmerizes me each time it gets played. Usually for many of the dramas such a repeated background ost or even music irritates very much, but for this drama the OST carries you forward with the main leads. This should be Ahmed Jahenzeb's top most song.

There are no filmy dialogues & my recommendation is to watch it without skipping a single bit of it. Too good. Thanks to the writer, director & all the cast.

The drama is engaging for the first 19 episodes but loses momentum thereafter. Still, it's an entertaining watch overall.

The chemistry between the two leads is fantastic, and the suspenseful romance keeps you hooked.

The director's skillful direction brings the story to life, with visually stunning scenes and well-executed emotional moments.

The beautiful cinematography and captivating soundtrack further enhance the overall viewing experience.

While the latter part of the series may lose some momentum, the initial strong foundation and endearing characters make it a worthwhile watch. The witty banter, humorous situations, and heartwarming moments provide a delightful escape.

It's a perfect blend of entertainment and emotion, making it a great option for a binge-watching session.

I just binge-watched the drama on YouTube. I would say the story was good, and the actors played their parts really well, especially the lead pair. Both acted amazingly, and I must say Bilal is the most handsome actor I have found after Fawad Khan. Bilal needs more recognition and should work with secure writers and directors. Bilal is definitely an asset for Pakistan drama industry.

The OST was a smashing hit, no doubt about it.

The big letdown for me was the writing, editing, and direction. In all 31 episodes, the continuity was missing, and it felt like a bouquet of random scenes.

I am only giving it 4 stars because of the lead pair and the OST. A big letdown for me.

Despite its unique narrative approach, Ishq Murshid falters in its execution, earning a rating of 5.5 out of 10. While the drama attempts to explore fresh storytelling avenues, it ultimately succumbs to the tired trope of a wealthy man enamored by a woman from a lower socio-economic background. The performances of the lead actors leave much to be desired, with cringe-worthy moments and lacklustre dialogue further detracting from the viewing experience. Additionally, the excessive use of prolonged, silent stares between characters accompanied by the opening theme adds little value to the narrative. While Ishq Murshid may have garnered attention, it ultimately fails to deliver on its promises, leaving audiences feeling deceived by the hype.

This show is definitely not what the ratings say it is. For me it would be a 5 or 6/10 at best. The stroytelling angle is unique for a Pakistani series, Ill give them that. But it revolves around the prehistoric script of a rich guy falling in love with a middle class girl and all the struggles they go through to be with each other. Its funny that the drama series Jaan-e-jahan, another one with the exact same premise, is airing simultaneously with this one. The acting from the two protagonists is nothing short of appalling and cringe. The dialogues are cheesy, and there are.painfully long segments where the two main characters are just staring at each other with the opening theme is playing in the background, which is perhaps the only exceptional thing about this show. Take my advice and dont waste your time on this, although im pretty sure just like me you have already been deceived by the hype!