Hum TV’s drama ‘Ishq Laa’ came to an end on Thursday night after unraveling many tangled threads of social inequality, social discrimination, arrogance and the journey from virtual love to real love.
Produced under the banner of Momina Dared Productions, the play was written by Qaisra Hayat and directed by Amin Iqbal.
The heavy cast of the play includes senior actor Nadeem Baig, musician Adnan Sami Khan’s son Azan Sami Khan, Yemeni Zaidi, Sajal Ali, Adnan Samad Khan of ‘Ahad-e-Wafa’ fame, Ghazala Keefi, Sami Raheel, Laila Wasti. Uzma Hasan, Sohail Sameer, and others were included.
The thrust of the story is evident from its title ‘Ishq Laa’ meaning the negation of love, which unfolds the lives of its three protagonists who are different from each other in every way.
Sajal Ali plays the role of Shania, a compassionate, courageous female journalist and social worker.
Azaan Sami Khan plays the role of Azlan, who belongs to the elite class but is a successful businessman but also a self-absorbed, arrogant and non-believer in God. Azlan and Shania’s relationship starts as friendship, turns into love, marriage and finally love.
Third and for me the most important was the role of Azka played by Yemeni Zaidi, who portrays the struggle of those who, despite belonging to the lower strata of society, achieve success through their hard work and sincerity.
Azka conquered even impregnable forts with her transparent heart, firm faith in God, benevolence and selfless love.
Shania’s death, Azka becoming a doctor and then paper marriage with Azlan were the turning points of this story.
A lot has been written about this play before and everyone knows its story, so let’s go directly to its last episode, in which Azka’s sincerity, kindness and unparalleled sacrifice made a home in Azlan’s heart and Above all, connecting them with prayer and faith in God was a feat that Shania had not been able to do in her lifetime.
The completion of this story was different from other dramas. The scenes of Prof. Rehman’s lecture on spirituality and divine love, played by Nadeem Baig, set the direction of the entire play from the very beginning.
The most admirable aspect of Ishq Laa’s story was the strong female characters in it. Unlike other Pakistani dramas, which portray women in oppressed roles, this drama portrays various strong female characters from different walks of life, be it Shania’s role as a brave journalist or Azka’s debut. To show bold and fearless behavior as a housemaid.
Another secret of public interest and success in the play was its meaningful and beautiful dialogues. For example, this dialogue ‘There is no destination in love, there is only a journey in love and a lover who walks in this journey.’ This drama not only entertains the audience but because of its instructive dialogues, the concept of God’s love and submission to God is beautifully portrayed.
The story and lively acting in all the characters were the main pillars of the drama’s success, but its extraordinary direction also added more colors to the drama’s beauty. With wide-angle shooting, aerial and moving shots, outdoor scenes certainly looked appealing.
The drama was definitely a hit with each episode being viewed over a million times on YouTube while it has a rating of 8.6 on the international platform for movies and dramas ‘IMDB’.
#Unraveling #knots #love #Ishq
Interview with Producer Momina Dared: Reflecting on ‘Ishq Laa’
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Momina. ‘Ishq Laa’ has recently concluded, leaving quite an impression on its audience. What were some of the key themes you aimed to explore in this drama?
Momina Dared: Thank you for having me! Our main aims were to illustrate social inequality, discrimination, and the journey from virtual love to real love. The layers of these themes are woven into the characters’ lives, which, I believe, resonate with many viewers today.
Editor: The title ‘Ishq Laa’ suggests a profound exploration of love. Can you elaborate on how the title reflects the show’s narrative?
Momina Dared: Absolutely! ‘Ishq Laa’ translates to “the negation of love,” which encompasses the struggles and complexity of love that our characters, particularly Azlan, Shania, and Azka, experience. Each character represents different societal backgrounds, bringing their unique perspectives on love, faith, and personal growth into the story.
Editor: Sajal Ali’s character Shania was a beacon of compassion and courage. How did her portrayal contribute to the deeper message of the series?
Momina Dared: Sajal brought Shania to life with incredible warmth and depth. As a journalist and social worker, she embodies the strength and resilience many strive for. Her journey ultimately underlines the transformative power of love and selflessness, even in the face of tragedy.
Editor: The ending saw significant developments for Azka and Azlan. How did you want their arcs to connect with the show’s overall message?
Momina Dared: Azka’s journey is pivotal; her dedication and faith showcase how authenticity and empathy can break barriers. Her relationship with Azlan progresses from mere tolerance to genuine connection, illustrating how love grounded in kindness can inspire profound transformation—even in someone like Azlan, who initially seemed lost.
Editor: The discussions of spirituality and divine love, especially through Nadeem Baig’s character, seem to set a unique tone. How vital was this aspect to the narrative?
Momina Dared: It was crucial. Professor Rehman’s lectures provided both a philosophical foundation and direction for the viewers. They emphasized that true love encompasses spirituality and deep faith, creating a full circle for many characters. It moved the narrative beyond conventional drama and pointed towards greater existential questions.
Editor: As ‘Ishq Laa’ comes to a close, what message do you hope the audience takes away?
Momina Dared: I hope viewers walk away with a sense of hope and a recognition of the power of love and resilience. The ability to overcome personal and societal struggles through kindness, empathy, and faith is a powerful message we wanted to impart.
Editor: Thank you, Momina, for sharing your insights on ‘Ishq Laa.’ It’s clear that the drama had a significant depth and impact.
Momina Dared: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing this journey.
Trong themes of faith and redemption?
Momina Dared: The concluding arcs for Azka and Azlan were carefully crafted to reflect the notion that love goes beyond personal gain. Azka’s sincerity and kindness ultimately touch Azlan’s heart in a way that Shania couldn’t, emphasizing the importance of spiritual connections over materialistic ones. Their relationship serves as a reminder that redemption and personal growth can arise out of genuine love, sacrifice, and a shared belief in something greater than oneself.
Editor: The show featured several strong female characters, a contrast to many traditional portrayals in Pakistani dramas. What inspired this focus on empowered women?
Momina Dared: It was essential for us to showcase diverse representations of women who are not merely victims but rather active agents of change in their lives. Through Shania’s career as a journalist and Azka’s hard-earned success as a doctor, we aimed to inspire our audience and highlight the strength, resilience, and multiple roles women can embody in society.
Editor: With an impressive rating of 8.6 on IMDb and millions of views on YouTube, how do you feel about the show’s reception?
Momina Dared: I am incredibly grateful for the audience’s response. It reassures us that the themes we explored resonated with viewers. The combination of a compelling narrative with meaningful dialogues drew viewers in, and I believe people connected with the characters’ journeys on various levels. It’s a testament to the talent of our cast and crew who dedicated themselves to this project.
Editor: Lastly, looking ahead, what can we expect from Momina Dared Productions in the future? Are there any themes or stories you wish to explore next?
Momina Dared: We aim to continue producing content that sparks conversation and reflects the complexities of modern society. Each project will carry its unique themes, potentially addressing topics like mental health, resilience, and societal change. I believe storytelling has the power to elevate discussions and foster empathy, and that’s what we strive to achieve with every production.
Editor: Thank you, Momina, for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing what you create next!
Momina Dared: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss our work and the messages we aim to share.
