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! 

Khuda Dekh Raha Hei - Episode 1

Here's another drama that I can't quite explain why I was looking forward to. N would say it's because I have this thing about Sajjal Ali - but hey, she's the one still  watching Chup Raho. Haha.

Anyway - this drama promises to be all kinds of crazy with people taking shameless licenses with religion and characters presenting one front and actually being something completely else underneath.

But basically - they had me at all kinds of crazy... 

Sure enough, look at all this 'religious' stuff going on right at the beginning.

And if that wasn't enough, yeh istikhara karnei wali Aunty ko he dekh lo. Enough to scare you sleepless for the next week or so. But, I guess the scarier she is, the more people perceive her to be 'religious' and she has a kind of center set up where people come to ask her to make dua for them or make an istikhara for them.

Naik parveen (Iisthikhara wali aunty - Khalida) has two kids: Zoya and Moiz. One is in love with a rockstar and the other is in love with a fashion designer. Zoya (Sajjal Ali) is an A-grade student and complies to her mother's expectations at home. Outside of the home, she is a normal teenager, with a willing accomplice-in-crime bff and the school rockstar is in lurve with her.

Moiz is taking care of the family business and mixing business with pleasure cos there isn't anyone to supervise him. Typically, he is the boy of the family and his mom thinks he is the perfect mehnati bacha. Moiz's girl friend is some top-notch designer (on Facebook) and she is very clear that she has no plans to be the gharailoo bahu. 

If anyone of yall wanted to give Khalida Begum the benefit of a doubt - you may want to reconsider in light of the kind of problems she is doing isthikhara for (see exhibit above). Clearly, Khalida is taking quite a lot of religious license. Oh, and people pay her too. That's never a good sign... 

Enter Hero: He's a rockstar. And he's in love with Zoya and wants to marry her. I'm glad we aren't going to waste 8 to 9 episodes with them meeting and falling in love. He's serious about marrying her too and Zoya is upfront about his choice of career being a no-go with mommy dearest.

PS: Checkout the Boyzone poster in the back from 1996. #Yowza

Zoya does not approve of her mom's side business. Khalida thinks she is doing mankind a service by making dua for them.

Sanam (Moiz's significant other) launches her...boutique. 

*Sigh* Where do I even start?! Yeh kounsi bekaar tareen boutique hei? Have these drama makers even bothered to check out the stores our designers have these days? For heaven's sake: peechay dus rupay wali stall ki cheezain lagi hui hein. And to top it all off:

Of course, Sanam-Ji ka business kaisa chal ra hei, woh tu we can all judge by this conversation...

Ironically, Moiz seems to be middle class and Sanam upper class - but she is the one asking him for money.

Zoya's bff is at this ground breaking boutique opening, and she's not gonna let the chance to spill the beans to Zoya pass her by. Luckily, it looks like brother and sister have a congenial relationship and Zoya promises to keep Moiz's secret, but she wants to meet Sanam.

Parenting 101: No combined studies allowed. Especially at a friend's house. Especially after dark. Especially like NEVER EVER.

Under pretense of studying with her bff, Zoya is going to Junaid's concert. And it's not the first time it's happening...

Zoya is allowed to go - but not before she agrees to performing a 3 day wazifa (for what? who knows...). While performing the wazifa the first night, she hears her dad have an asthma attack and rushes to help him. A showdown occurs with Mom pissed that Zoya left her wazifa to help dad, and Zoya arguing helping a beemar person is more important that some lame wazifa.

Sanam seems to be spelling trouble  all on her own for Moiz, but apparently she has an eligible brother with some issues. Aise issues, that everyone in their community is aware of them and no one wants to marry their daughter to him. So, Sanam's mom is looking for a bahu from outside of their community, jo unkay betay se dabbi rahay.

Sawaal sirf yeh hei - Will Sanam's mom insist on exchanging her daughter for Khalida's? Or will Khalida use her religious manipulations to get Zoya married to the rotten apple instead of Junaid.

Zoya at the concert. Because lord knows we are being setup for (at the very least) a good 15 episodes of zulm and sitam on poor Zoya - so let's enjoy her smiley face while we can...

This drama promises to be another time pass for me. I'm relieved the relationships are already in place, so hopefully the pace will be steady. Agha Ali is convincing as a college rockstar who is genuinely in love with Zoya, and Bushra Ansari is scary as heck as Khalida. Dad has asthma - so there is little hope that he will be able to survive long enough to help poor Zoya when she eventually gets married to someone that isn't Junaid.

But then...why watch a drama if you have no hope to be surprised? :)