Cute and Choppy Pakistani Romantic Drama ‘Ishq Murshid’ Wins Hearts and Viral Fame in India and Beyond
- As the world grapples with ugly, morally bankrupt, divisive politics, the Pakistani TV show provides a brief fantastical getaway to viewers every Sunday.
With clever scenes of palpable romance and light-hearted comedy sprinkled with the usual power, politics, and social class issues, Pakistani television drama “Ishq Murshid” has lately become quite a sensation not only in Pakistan but also in India, Bangladesh, the UK, and the U.S. The drama, which premiered in October 2023 on HumTV, is trending upward 22 episodes later. How long will the trend hold up is anyone’s guess.
The drama features popular actor Bilal Abbas Khan as the son of an elite politician who conceals his identity to pursue his love interest. While reviews are mixed, and some critics say they’ve had enough, viewer comments made on Ishq Murshid’s episodes on HumTV’s YouTube channel make it evident that they can’t get enough. Most episodes of the series have crossed 30 million views, with the first episode leading at 52 million views.
The show’s IMDB rating (weighted) is formidable at 9.2 out of 10. User ratings by country show American viewers being the most generous, giving a 9.7 out of 10. Even the lowest rating is a sweet 8.9 out of 10 from viewers in Bangladesh.
According to the information on the HumTV blog on the website, the airing of the 18th episode on Sunday, February 4, 2024, saw 22.3 TRPs (Television Rating Points, with anything crossing 20 considered a phenomenal success), establishing its position as a record-breaker.
What’s working and what’s not?
The narrative of the show does not follow the logical progression of how a storyline should be. It is choppy, and individual scenes are not part of a continuum. But then, this is not uncommon, especially with South Asian dramas. Inconsistencies are a given.
The drama’s immense popularity only makes sense when you break it down. Intended or not, the drama feels like an experimental production. Consider people engrossed in social media, scrolling from one post or reel to the next — “Ishq Murshid” seems to be in that realm of curation. So far, it has been successful in its endeavor.
Several standalone scenes have worked highly in favor of the series, garnering popularity on social media platforms. Whether it is partly clever dialogue written by Abdul Khaliq Khan, the many romantic eye-gazing moments between Shibra (Dur-e-Fishan Saleem) and Shameer impersonating Fazal Baksh (Bilal Abbas Khan), or an encounter with the likable actor Ali Gul Mallah, playing Fazal Baksh, AKA Khuda Baksh, the scenes are being tweaked and shared on social media, keeping viewers engaged.
Episode 21, aired on February 25, 2024, begins with a lilting ode to the rich Sindhi culture, Saif Samejo’s “Tuhinja Sapna”. You are taken aback momentarily because it’s unexpected and seems out of context. Still, the tune gently cradles you through the scene, and the director’s intention to celebrate Sindh’s heritage becomes apparent. Director Farooq Rind, known for other hits like “Pyaar Ke Sadke” and “Ishq Zahe Naseeb,” likes to create a visual mosaic and seems to understand the audience’s pulse.
In the latest, Episode 22, aired on March 3, 2024, the true identity of Fazal Baksh is revealed. The reveal leaves Shibra disenchanted. The somber tone will hopefully not extend into subsequent episodes, and meaningful action will drive the story forward.
“Ishq Murshid” has an original soundtrack (OST), which works hugely in its favor. The catchy tune, simple lyrics, and Ahmed Jahanzeb’s soothing voice have made this song a hit. The singer has even announced an exciting contest on TikTok featuring the chosen participants in a video.
The two stars of the show, Bilal Abbas Khan and Dur-e-Fishan Saleem, do justice to their characters. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable. Bilal’s fine, nuanced acting skills exemplify Viola Spolin’s improvisation techniques. He deftly takes on both his characters’ roles, the debonair Shahmeer and the lovable, funny, and unsophisticated Fazal Baksh. It’s not an overstatement that Bilal’s acting prowess and charisma make “Ishq Murshid” a roaring success. Project after project, with his superlative performances ranging from “O Rangreza,” “Balaa,” “Cheekh,” and many others, Bilal has once again outdone himself.
Dur-e-Fishan’s performance as Shibra, the sweet, outspoken, no-nonsense young woman who questions the system, appears uncomfortable in the initial episodes. But with each subsequent installment, she has grown considerably confident.
Comedic relief comes in spurts through Ali Gul Mallah, who plays Fazal Baksh. His delivery is spot on, and the word “Bhalle” has become an endearing expression in all his scenes. Other powerful performances integral to the drama are performed by Omair Rana, Noor ul Hassan, Hafsa Ehsan Abbasi, Heera Tarin, Awais Sulaman, and others.
If you are fixated on the flow of the storyline, this drama is not for you. But if you enjoy escaping into a fantasy world each weekend, anticipating things to work out for Shameer and Shibra, “Ishq Murshid” is a delightful treat.
Shailaja Rao is the Board President of Tasveer, Seattle, WA. She is interested in socio-cultural dynamics, women, gender, and human rights. Shailaja strongly believes in the power of storytelling for social change. She enjoys watching Independent films and, lately, Pakistani dramas to escape the daily grind.