Written by: Dr. Saba Noor
Posted on: December 06, 2024 | 
| 中文
Sheheryar Munawar and Ushna Shah in the drama.
Aye Ishq-e-Junoon is an ARY Digital drama that has recently started airing, and although it carries a typical storyline, it does have a few elements that could make it stand out. Written by Sadia Akhtar and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, this drama is produced under Six Sigma Plus. The show features emerging stars like Sheheryar Munawar, Ushna Shah, Shuja Asad and Mahenur Haider, with a solid supporting cast that includes veterans like Mahmood Aslam, Irsa Ghazal, Kinza Malik Awan and Muhammad Ahmed. It airs on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:00 PM, a time slot that many viewers eagerly look forward to each week.
Currently, there are six episodes out, and while the drama begins with a story that is somewhat familiar, it adds a few twists to keep things interesting. The basic premise revolves around a rich guy and a middle-class girl who fall in love despite the many obstacles in their way. Rahim Nawaz (played by Sheheryar Munawar) is the golden child in his family, and he is passionate about increasing the family business, something he shares with his father, Ali Nawaz (Mehmood Aslam). Rahim’s world takes a turn when he crosses paths with Aimen (Ushna Shah), a hardworking middle-class woman who works as a waitress in his five-star hotel. Aimen is the primary breadwinner of her family, which includes a selfish and greedy sister, a character that adds more conflict to the story.
Mahmood Aslam and Sheheryar Munawar
While the central idea of Aye Ishq-e-Junoon follows a familiar pattern of rich versus poor, the drama manages to take a different route by focusing more on the complexities of family dynamics, rather than relying on the typical Saas Bahu (mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) drama, which often revolves around jealousy and rivalry. Rahim’s younger brother, Shehroz (played by Shuja Asad), serves as a major source of trouble. He is spoiled and reckless, and his actions create a serious rift within the family. At the moment of Rahim’s engagement, Shehroz harasses Aimen, an incident that forces Rahim to make a difficult choice between supporting his brother or standing up for Aimen, the victim. This choice sets the stage for a dramatic shift in Rahim's life and promises a gripping journey ahead.
(L to R) Sheheryar Munawar, Mahmood Aslam, Irsa Ghazal and Shuja Asad
As the story develops, there is a recurring theme of favoritism, especially from Rahim’s mother, who clearly favors Shehroz over Rahim. This not only contributes to the emotional tension between the brothers, but also sets the stage for further family conflict. Rahim, who is already struggling with his own emotional issues, finds himself feeling isolated and neglected by his family, which only complicates his relationship with his fiancée, Maheen (played by Mahenur Haider). The pressure of dealing with his brother’s actions, while preparing for his wedding adds to Rahim’s internal struggle, making the plot more intense.
However, while Aye Ishq-e-Junoon does present some intriguing elements, it does not necessarily bring anything particularly fresh to the table. The storyline itself is rather familiar, with the rich boy and poor girl dynamic being a well-worn narrative in many Pakistani dramas. But it’s perhaps too early to make a final judgment. What sets this drama apart from many others is that it doesn’t rely heavily on the typical family politics to drive the plot. Instead, it explores deeper emotional conflicts, particularly focusing on Rahim’s moral dilemma.
Furqan Qureshi and Syed Muhammad Ahmed
A major issue in many Pakistani dramas is the overused themes that seem to dominate the genre. Most of these dramas tend to revolve around the same recurring themes of wealth and class differences, with the storylines following a predictable pattern. The characters, often portrayed as rich, are seen swooping in to save the poor innocent girl, leading to a somewhat unrealistic representation of life. This kind of storytelling can be difficult for many viewers to connect with, especially when it sets such high expectations of wealth, beauty and moral perfection.
Another problematic aspect is the portrayal of alcohol consumption, which has been normalized in many dramas, including Aye Ishq-e-Junoon. In this drama, Shehroz and his friends are frequently shown drinking at both the hotel and at home, which is presented as just another aspect of their lifestyle. This portrayal raises questions about the messages being sent to the audience, especially younger viewers. It seems that alcohol consumption is often used as a shortcut to characterize the "spoiled rich kid," rather than as a meaningful part of the storyline.
As for the performances, there are mixed reviews. Ushna Shah, who plays Aimen, delivers a solid performance but doesn’t seem to bring the kind of depth or forcefulness to the role that might have made the character stand out. At times, her emotions seem somewhat forced, and this may be because she is also playing a very similar role in another ongoing drama, Ghair (Stranger), where she portrays Wafa. This overlap in characters could confuse the viewers, as Aimen and Wafa share many similarities in terms of their struggles and personalities.
Furqan Qureshi and Ushna Shah
On the other hand, Mahenur Haider and Shuja Asad, who had previously worked together in Khae (Retaliation), bring something more refreshing to the screen. Shuja Asad, in particular, plays a much different character than in Khae. His portrayal of the spoiled younger brother Shehroz is compelling, and he adds an extra layer of intrigue to the drama. Fans of the duo are excited to see them share the screen again, and many are hopeful that their characters might develop some on-screen chemistry as the story progresses.
It’s also worth noting that Aye Ishq-e-Junoon is airing at the same time as another popular drama, Kabhi Mein Kabhi Tum (Sometimes it’s me, and sometimes it’s you), which has already captured the hearts of many viewers. This gives Aye Ishq-e-Junoon a tough challenge ahead, as it has to compete with a well-established drama. It will be interesting to see if this drama can build enough of a following to become as popular.
Shabbir Jan and Mehmood Aslam
Overall, while Aye Ishq-e-Junoon has a familiar storyline, it does manage to present a few fresh angles. The performances are good, but the characters and plot lack the originality and depth that some viewers may be hoping for. Whether it will be able to capture the audience’s heart like other hit dramas remains to be seen, but it certainly has the potential to keep viewers hooked with its unfolding drama and emotional conflicts.
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