Pakistani dramas dragging and prolonging negativity for too long is not something new and has become something audiences have grown accustomed to. Still, it remains a disappointment when it happens, diminishing the overall quality of the show. However, for a show like “Ishq Murshid,” which has been winning audience hearts through its duration for over 25 episodes, to suddenly hit a point like this with only two episodes remaining is a new feat – and not a welcome one. “Ishq Murshid” stars Bilal Abbas Khan and Dur E Fishan Saleem in lead roles, along with Omair Rana, Noor Ul Hassan, Salma Hassan and ohers in a story written by Abdul Khaliq Khan and directed by Farooq Rind.
In episode 29, another assassination attempt is made on Shibra (Dur E Fishan Saleem) and Shahmir (Bilal Abbas Khan) struggles to figure out who it is. The struggle is the part that’s ludicrous, as Mehreen (Hira Tareen) has already confessed to Shibra that she was behind the earlier attempt – and yet, not only is Shibra silent with this information, but Shahmir’s mind doesn’t even go there for a moment. Rather, Shahmir spends all his energy focused on his own father, Dawood (Omair Rana), seeing him as the man behind it and going so far as to say he will have Dawood removed from the party. Collaborating with Haroon (Adnan Jaffar) and discussing his own father with him, lending his ear to Haroon’s poisonous words is so ludicrous and unbelievable, it jolts the audience out of the previous magic of the story altogether. Shahmir has always doubted Haroon’s sincerity and with the entire Mehreen situation, his trust in Haroon should have been further marred – but the opposite has happened and it’s rather nonsensical.
Making matters more infuriating, Suleman (Noor Ul Hassan) is jailed in a fraudulent case and Shahmir’s reaction is not only unpalatable for Shibra, it’s diminishing Shahmir’s character as a whole. He insists that Shibra be patient, but does not explain anything to her. He downplays the severity of Suleman’s predicament. He goes back on his word regarding how long Suleman will be in jail. This is an interesting moment for Shibra herself, because it goes back to the very base of the story. Shibra fell in love with Fazal Baksh, a simple, clean-hearted character created by Shahmir. And while Shibra and audiences felt Shibra knew Shahmir’s soul, which was reflected in Fazal Baksh, is that the truth? Is Shahmir as clean-hearted as Fazal Baksh? Or has the world of politics taken control of his mind and heart? There isn’t any doubt that Shahmir loves Shibra, but where did that man go who was willing to do anything for her happiness? Her father is now locked up in prison due to his decisions and his behavior is not acceptable at present. Is Shahmir using Haroon to throw him off? Is this a plan that will make things fall into place? And even so, is it right to use Suleman and Shibra’s family as a pawn without cluing them in?
Bilal Abbas Khan and Dur E Fishan Saleem are great actors and it’s their chemistry which has been the heart and soul of the show. But with the current track, the performances are not “hitting” right. If anything, it’s Omair Rana, Noor Ul Hassan and Salma Hassan who stand out this week with their emotional performances. This week, it seems Dawood is being set up by Haroon and we wonder if he ever had any negative intentions at all? It’s not clear, but with only two episodes left……will “Ishq Murshid” wind up in a satisfying way or will it wind up on the neverending list of shows which wound up being missed opportunities?