Coming in to take the place of “Jaan E Jahan,” ARY Digital’s latest launch “Noor Jahan” has big shoes to fill and has fans wondering if it will be able to live up to the challenge. With a star-studded cast and high production values, there are a lot of expectations from “Noor Jahan.” Starring Saba Hamid, Kubra Khan, Ali Rehman Khan, Noor Hassan, Zoya Nasir, Hajra Yamin, Ali Raza, Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, Mehmood Aslam and Alina Abbas, the story has been written by Zanjabeel Asim and directed by Mussadiq Malek.
Episode 1 ironically opens with the “Pyaray Afzal” OST playing in the background (which also starred the “Jaan E Jahan” duo, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Ayeza Khan) while Noor Jahan lounges in a swing. Was this a coincidence? Probably, but it’s a hilarious, welcome one. We are introduced to Noor Jahan’s (Saba Hamid) family, a lavish, well-off family, in which Noor Jahan is the center of attention. This is a woman who has raised her three sons to be absolutely obsessed with her, controlling every aspect of their lives and giving little room for anyone else in their lives, including their partners.
Hunaid (Noor Hassan) and Safina are “happily married” – but not really. This becomes visible when Safina and Noor Jahan share the same birthday and Hunaid chooses to only celebrate his mother’s birthday. Safina feels hurt and betrayed and to make matters worse, she is treated like the house help even on her own birthday. Safina’s villain era will begin soon enough and within the first episode, we’re already rooting for her.
Safeer (Ali Rehman Khan) is dating Maha (Zoya Nasir) and the two want to get married. However, seeing Safeer’s interest in another young woman, Noor Jahan arranges his marriage to Sumbul (Hajra Yamin), the orphaned daughter of an employee. Noor Jahan’s intentions are clear, arranging this marriage in a desire to control her daughter-in-law and keep the focus entirely on herself.
Coming to the family itself, it appears Noor Jahan married her husband against his family’s wishes and for that, his family refuses to allow any of their property to go to Noor Jahan or her sons. In this tussle, we’re introduced to Kubra Khan’s character, a cousin of Noor Jahan’s sons, and there’s a spark between her and Murad. Unfortunately, her father despises Noor Jahan while it appears Noor Jahan may have gotten it in her head to marry Murad to Kubra Khan’s character out of spite.
The story of “Noor Jahan” is not necessarily a unique one. A controlling mother-in-law is something we’ve seen often in Pakistani dramas. However, with this cast, writer and director team, we are expecting something excellent from this standard story.