There’s a level of fantasy in “Isha Murshid,” with a storyline that forces viewers to suspend their version of reality a bit – and yet, the story is interesting, the lead characters lovable and the love story so endearing that we’re willing to accept it all. Starring Bilal Abbas Khan and Durr E Fishan Saleem in lead roles, the supporting cast includes Omair Rana, Salma Hassan, Noor UI Hassan, Shabbir Jan, Srha Asghar and others. The story has been written by Abdul Khaliq Khan and directed by Farooq Rind.
In episode 6, Shahmir (Bilal Abbas Khan) is set to put his plan in motion to win over Shibra (Durr E Fishan, Saleem), moving into their home as a paying guest. While the girls are hesitant, their parents have wholeheartedly accepted him into their home. What’s refreshing about Shahmir as a character is his confidence and the fact that even while lying, he isn’t allowing his lies to be far-fetched. At the dinner table, he carries out an entire conversation about Zubaida Sikandar (Samiya Mumtaz), his own mother. And while in many dramas, we would have seen “Fazal Baksh” completely deny knowledge of this politician, Shahmir doesn’t do any such thing. Rather, he creates a story around knowing her, allowing his mother to be a part of his alternate persona as well. This scene is really quite sweet and allows us, as an audience, to get to know Zubaida on a level we haven’t been able to just yet. We also realize Dawood (Omair Rana) has long been in the eye of suspicion regarding Zubaida’s death. This story sounds familiar, taking inspiration from a certain political family. But here too, Shahmir impresses us as a male lead. Rather than glaring at his father or running away, he questions him and discusses the allegations with him.
Moving the story even further, Sukaina, Shibra’s sister, discovers Shahmir’s identity (partially), realizing he is well off and is only living in their house to win over her sister. Yet again, Shahmir is confident in this confrontation, his head up and declaring his intentions to Sukaina eye-to-eye. And while Sukaina is hesitant, the romantic nature of it all eventually wins her over – along with the hope that Shahmir can help her with her marriage troubles. It will be entertaining to see Shahmir potentially bond with Sukaina as his partner in crime.
Shahmir is a strong character and honestly, with these six episodes, it’s a Bilal Abbas Khan show through and through. His scenes with Srha Asghar and Awais Salman as Madiha and Faraaz is natural and humorous, his interactions with Omar Rana as Dawood tense yet filled with warmth, and, of course, his chemistry with Durr E Fishan Saleem as Shibra is the soul of the show, a treat to watch on-screen. As the narrative progresses, “Ish Murshid” is sure to grow in intensity with a more serious narrative, but at present, we are thoroughly enjoying this poetic, romantic story with a feel of 90s nostalgia.
