Khuda Dekh Raha Hei & Ishq Parast - When Dramas Become Your Worst Nightmares

Apparently, if you stop watching a drama for a week (or two...possibly three...#NoJudgingHere), all hell breaks loose and the whole drama starts going down the drain. Point in case: Khuda Dekh Raha Hei and Ishq Parast. These two dramas started out strong and different and enjoyable. Now they are just different, and not in a complimentary way.  So I'm having to do yet another review on them (1) To blow off some steam, and (2) To clarify the change of ratings.

Let's start with Khuda Dekh Raha Hei. 

The educated and righteous Zoya gets married off to the alcoholic, womanizing Adnan. He hates her conservatism so much that he says the t-word (you know talaaq) to her daily. Once it even happened in front of his entire family. However, his dad has declared Zoya as the CEO of a fake charity organization and with a multi-million rupee paycheck coming in with her name on it, the family can't afford to let Zoya leave. So they pay off a Molvi, lie to Zoya's family, and Khalda begum (who does istikharas for a living) ignores all the bad dreams she's been having and declares her daughter a lier and sends her back to the susraal. Poor Zoya is living in purgatory. Her husband divorces her daily, and then carries on with his husbandly rights. 

Yep. Now you know what I mean when I said 'all hell breaks loose.' Who comes up with these ridiculous story lines? These disgusting story lines? Fine. Show her being abused by the family, maybe some zulm from the husband - I mean it's ridiculous but a husband slapping his wife is tame compared to this bakwas we are being shown. 

And Sajal Ali - she started out so great in this drama. After Chup Raho, I was like 'Yay! She's back!' But nope. She went from a strong girl who knows her mind to this hallow-eyed door mat. I think the Zoya from the first three episodes would've fought tooth and nail to get justice, fought against this pathetic excuse of a husband and the cheating inlaws. Even the best friend, who knows what is going on, comes to Zoya's house, chit chats for a few minutes, and leaves. WHAT? Worst BFF EVER. 

If you need further proof, here's what happens in the opening of this weeks episode: Zoya goes with the family to a function in honor of the charity she is 'CEO' of. There, the love of her life Junaid, makes his debut come back to music. After the concert Zoya refuses to take a picture with Adnan and Junaid. Adnan slaps and divorces her in front of everyone. The press captures it and starts airing the clip. Zoya's dad calls Adnan's dad in a panic and this happens...

(Luckily, daddy dearest changes his mind and turns up at Zoya's susraal, catching Adnan in the act of beating her and ends up saving Zoya.)

Oh and if you need yet another reason to drop this drama like a dud, it's the entry of this madam from Mein Bushra...

And she's doomed to be the jilted bride once more. But then again, this drama is written by an idiot, so maybe Zoya's life will never be righted and Junaid will marry Sana and no one will live happily ever after. 

Moving on to Ishq Parast...

Dua was conned by her parents into marrying Zohaib. She fights with them, then falls in love with her husband and makes up with them. Meanwhile, Hamza comes back and doesn't take Dua's rejection well. He swears to wreak all kind of havoc in her life as revenge. As step one, he stalks and proposes to Ursala and has managed to, somehow, convince his in-laws to be that he should live with them after they are married. But that's not the 'all hell breaks loose' part. 

A rational person, who has her husband's love and knows how much he loves his sister, would tell her husband the truth about his sister's suitor: he is a stalker and conning them all to get back at Dua. Is Dua a rational person? Only until episode 10. Maybe 11. So she is saying *drumroll* NOTHING. Even when her BFF and then Hamza's best bud find out - do they tell Dua to confess all to Zohaib to save Ursala's life? Nope. 

So Hamza gets married to Ursala and doesn't waste a single opportunity to stalk Dua or make pointed remarks at her. Zohaib can tell Dua doesn't like Hamza, but he doesn't do anything to find out why. Zohaib even gives Hamza a job at his office. Hamza tells Dua's dad he is the same boy they rejected and how he plans to make Dua's life miserable. 

But that's not the 'all hell breaks loose' part! Yup. You heard me. 

All hell breaks loose when Hamza runs Zohaib over - not enough to kill him, but enough to get him admitted to the hospital. And while Khala and Ursala are at the hospital tending to Zohaib, Hamza goes home and - get ready to be appalled and disgusted - rapes Dua. 

I mean...where do I even start? I feel disgusting just reviewing this. What is wrong with the writers, directors, actors, production houses and channels? Is it really necessary to show such incredible extremes? It's not shocking for audiences. It's not entertaining. It's disgusting and, in my humble opinion, airing these bizarre twists works to desensitize society towards such extreme behavior. 

And that, friends, is how two dramas that started out with such great potential lost all rhyme and reason and my viewership. What a disappointment. I feel like I need to go watch an episode of Full House or Sesame Street just to reset my eyes and mind. 

At this point, I feel like I've lost faith in happy endings for any of the dramas I'm watching. 

What an absolutely depressing sign off for a post...

Khuda Dekh Raha Hei - Update at Episode 6

So - N asked me a very relevant question today: Why don't you write anything about the other dramas you are watching? And it got me thinking...Most of the ones I'm watching are pretty smooth sailing and not much to report. That is why I have them listed in the rating box but am not actually doing regular reviews on them. However, as my public service duty, I felt maybe I should do periodic updates, just in case any of you are trying to make up your mind on whether to watch a drama or not. So here we go on Khuda Dekh Raha Hei...

If you remember from my first review of this drama, it promised to be completely out of control with the manipulation on religion. However, the drama has not fulfilled on that promise so far, which makes me both happy (seriously, who doesn't want to bang their head on the wall when drama writers portray religious responsibilities and people in a bad light) and cheated (because the drama name seems to suggest religion is going to be exploited helter skelter). Me thinks, the religious principle this drama will encash on will be 'actions are judged by intentions.' And that is not a bad thing - there's nothing I love more than watching evil people get what they deserve. 

As for the story - Moiz has convinced his ultra-conservative mom to get him engaged to Sanam (you know, the 'designer'). Mommy ain't too pleased with how 'liberal' Sanam is, but she agrees for the khushi of her beta. Sanam's parents aren't too enthused about her choice of spouse either, but his mom has agreed because she's comfortable with a man her daughter can manipulate, and her dad just wants Sanam off his hands. And pay cheque. Speaking of Sanam's dad, he is definitely Mr. Shady-Dealings himself, because he has himself enrolled in all kinds of schemes to illegally qualify for legal tax benefits and what not. And then there is Sanam's brother who we haven't seen much of, but one thing is for sure: he definitely has some addiction issues. And probably is mentally unstable. Sanam's father has promised to half the 'allowance' he will get for Zoya, IF she can get her married off to the brother. Sanam, in true I-wear-the-pants-in-this-relationship, is now demanding Moiz get his parents to agree to marrying Zoya to her brother. 

As for Zoya, she has told Junaid that the only way her parents might agree to the  marriage, is if he leaves his singing career. Junaid, as we learn through the previous few episodes, is a huge rising star and his manager/advisor does his level best to convince him not to destroy his career for Zoya. But Junaid is in (true) love, and he gives up his music for an executive job at a music company (which really we are supposed to beleive is better how?) for Zoya. And Zoya's bestie brings him to Zoya's house as a potential suitor for Zoya  which is where we are at the opening of this episode...

Junaid comes for Zoya's rishta and big bro Moiz grills him ruthlessly and then dramatically declares he is a musician. Predictably, exceptionally religious mommy dearest throws him out of her house. 

Zoya's dad - may he be the voice of reason for many episodes to come - is the only one sticking up for Zoya. He understands she may like someone but he believes in his daughter enough to trust her to know her limits. 

Moiz on the other hand is a hypocrite of the first water. He rants and raves about how dare she sneak out to concerts and exaggerates shamelessly to his mom about the extent of Zoya's relationship. He is also vocally disapproving of Junaid's former vocation. Pot calling the kettle black Moiz? At least Zoya didn't 'lend' her boyfriend lakhs of rupees...why don't we talk about that.

Here is Junaid's friend/manager - and overall negative Nellie. He thinks Zoya is just using Junaid and Junaid is making the biggest mistake of his life. And he uses every opportunity possible to tell Junaid that. And it's extremely exhausting  for the viewers...

Zoya's friend, on the other hand, ranks higher on my list of smart people in this drama. She provides Zoya with the support she needs but is not afraid to give her a reality check.

Zoya's dad would definitely have been able to smooth the path for Junaid - had Zoya taken him in confidence earlier. He understands his daughter well, and has faith in her decision.

Unlike Moiz - who can't seem to put two and two together.  When Sanam's brother saunters in and acts all weird  it doesn't make Moez have second thoughts at all.

In fact, Sanam's brother (played by Imran Aslam), reminds me of Shahrukh Khan from his Darr and Anjaam days. And we all remember what a hot mess he was back then...

Dad tries to convince mom about the validity of considering Zoya's request to marry a guy she likes...

More dissuasion from negative Nellie. I really want to dislike his constant put down of Junaid's dream to be with Zoya - but we all know it's coming.

Seriously - Tum bhai ke naam pe DHABBA ho Moez. Wanting to get your sister married off to shady Adnan just so you can marry the equally-shady Sanam. I can't WAIT to see how miserable Sanam will make him. Can. Not. Wait.

So - looks like Khalida Begum is not as rigid as she would have us believe. She has agreed to do an isthikhara for Zoya and Junaid. And, as you can see from her expression here, in spite of all her scolding, she does want what is best for her daughter.
Oh...did I mention Khalida begum has a past? Yup - a secret that is yet to be revealed...

Junaid holds a huge press conference to tell the world he will no longer sing. Another indirect declaration of devotion to Zoya...

...Oddly enough, Zoya is NOT happy with this declaration. She has promised to abide by the decision that her mom's istikhara will reveal. Her spidey sense must be tingling, cos she doesn't want Junaid to burn all his bridges. In an odd way, I think this doesn't show us that she isn't genuine with Junaid - I think it shows that she IS, but she can not go against her family to marry him. That's why she doesn't want him to close all doors of return.

And that, dear friends, is the update on this drama until now. As you can tell by this novel of a recap, the drama is moving at a good pace and there is quite a lot going on with more to come. I am interested to see how Moez will manipulate his mom into getting Zoya married to Adnan - and not so interested in seeing how Zoya will suffer at the hands of Adnan. But, it's Sajal Ali, and she will do what she does best: play the pretty mazloom lardki. 

Lucky for me, I don't have to worry about that yet...because today is Mera Naam Yousuf Hai day! Woot woot!

Happy watching! 

Mehram - Last Episode

As usual, I live under my own personal rock, and I had no clue this was supposed to be the last episode of this drama. But, last episode it was and end it did, so let's celebrate the final minutes of this saga until Hum TV figures out what to air that could possibly be even worse...

As we all remember, Molvi Sahab finally Allah ko pyaray ho gaaye. Iqra Ji is all alone in the world now, except for her namehram-but-mehram husband Hamza and the ever-imposing khala ji. Coming back from the funeral with Rashid, Hamza has the following deep and eye-openning *cough cough* conversations with his bestie...

Seriously - Rashid must be paid peanuts. This car is from the 1980s or somethings. Wheel caps tak nahi lagay huay...

I'm glad we got to see Rashid one last time. He's been the only who stuck with Humza through thick and Thin. Best bro-mance ever in pakistani drama history.

Maya is waiting for Hamza...nonchalantly fondling her passport...And we totally didn't see the camera focus on her passport when she got up from the table...

Maya calls Hamza a jerk for leaving his tragedy-ridden wife (Iqra) all alone and how he needs to go get her. Maya nei unka kamra bhi ready kar deea...

Oh - but it comes with a caveat: Iqra comes, Maya leaves. 

Humza's character was the most frustrating in this episode. For a guy who was suicidal when his two wives left him...who was seething with anger when he found out their plan to stick around until he got better then make him choose...is suddenly okay with one wife leaving him. Phir why was he being such a sourpuss when Iqra left? Ugh.

So Hamza calls Iqra to tell her he's on his way to pick her up.

Maya "prepares" Iqra's room for her entry into the house as Humza's non-platonic wife. Basically she walks around the room and leaves things untouched. What happened to all the talk of "Mai khud apki saij sajaoongi"??? 

 There were hardly any dialogues in this episode...lot's of standing around...looking into space for Humza

Lot's of packing for Maya and Iqra...

Humza's reaction to Maya's exit is just...i don't think i have the words to explain this...for a guy who is about to lose the wife who is supposedly his one true love the benign smile on his face makes no sense. Ofcourse we don't get any dialogues just musical silences so we have to assume what he must be thinking.

and then when he does speak...

yeah. Just keep quiet Humza.

Maya seems so confused that Iqra lives in this dump...

Maya beta...just because maulvi daddy is dead doesn't mean you should enter his house dupatta-less. If he wasn't dead already he'd have died now.

Bus - Farhat Aunty aa gaeen tu samjho kuch burra he honay wala hei.
Yup, Iqra has left and she's left a final letter to Hamza.

...now Maya wants to cuddle...

No joke. These two came home and next thing you know Maya is knocked up.

After ALL that...episode after episode of back and forth and back forth and back forth - and she just leaves and Hamza doesn't even bother to LOOK for her??

Hamza and Maya have a little girl jo bilkul ma pe gaee hei. 

Seems to me... She's more like her dad.

Wohi suicidal tendencies. 

Also, someone needs to fire the stylist for this drama. Everyone's wardrobe sucked. Big time.

Oh look Hamza! Your wife-but-not-wife has become a famous poetess!

We must have missed our calling because Hum TV would have us believe that writers are raking in the big bucks - pehle Fareeda from Digest Writer and now Iqra. 

In the time it took for Hamza and Maya to have a baby and Iqra to amass a fortune and get a decent blow-dry, Farhat Aunty has become old and (apparently) Iqra's nanny

Maulvi daddy ki death did wonders for iqra... She got a nice haircut, bought better clothes,  wrote and published x-rated poetry with not a care in the world. The first book, titled quite unimaginatively as "mehram" did well. But then Iqra got lazy and now the publisher is hounding her for a new anthology of poems. 

All we have so far is a name...

I have no idea why the publisher has such an OTT reaction to the name of the book. Its called "Terey Baad" not "I want to be a publisher's non-platonic wife"

And on that unsatisfying note this drama comes to an end...

with Iqra staring at the sunset...

and a dozen questions swirling in our head...

Did Areeb have a successful music career in London? Does Rashid get his own non-platonic wife? Where is Farhat khala's husband? Did she even have one? Will Maya ever discover the miracles of anti-frizz serums and a good blow-dry at the salon?
 and finally 
Did Humza buy the book of poems?
Someone suggested on another review page that there should be a sequel called "tere baad" where Iqra and Humza finally get together. To that person all I have to say is 

 Bye bye mehram, thanks for the laughs.