Written by: Saman Khalid
Posted on: December 16, 2023 | 
Yumna Zaidi and Tazeen Hussain
After a long, dry spell of subpar content, HUM TV seems to be stepping up the game by launching a new impactful serial named Qarz-e-Jaan. The Yumna Zaidi starrer began airing halfway through November, and has been receiving stellar reviews from critics so far. Written by Rabia Razzaque and directed by Saqib Khan, Qarz-e-Jaan has certainly piqued the attention of mainstream audiences and flashed substantial potential.
THE SYNOPSISQarz e Jaan essentially revolves around the wildly different but ultimately connected lives of two bold lawyers: Nashwa (played by Zaidi) and Burhan (played by Usama Khan). While Nashwa is an orphan raised by her single mother in a conservative household marred by prejudice and familial negligence, Burhan comes from a relatively affluent background and is well on his way to becoming an established attorney. The story centres around their clashing ideas, coupled with complicated social dynamics and interconnected family webs.
Sakina Samo and Deepak Parwani
A Truly Strong Female Lead What sets Qarz-e-Jaan apart from its contemporary counterparts is the portrayal of a strong headed and independent female lead, who is fighting realistic battles for the right reasons. Nashwa, despite having grown up in a relatively oppressive atmosphere, knows exactly what her goals are, and she doesn't shy away from pursuing them. She manages to voice her opinions without coming across as holier-than-thou, and displays a tenacious attitude on every front. Unfortunately, Pakistani dramas are rife with so-called "empowering" female protagonists, who are good for nothing but are full of over-the-top antics. Nashwa offers a much welcome reprieve from this mindless monotony through her grounded resilience and resolute values.
Burhan (Osama Khan) as a lawyer
In the brief span of only three episodes, Qarz-e-Jaan has established itself as a promising critique of society's questionable behaviours towards justice in general. "Justice" isn't just a hefty word reserved for courtrooms; it actually permeates every aspect of our daily lives. The drama effectively depicts this concepts through its subtle yet powerful commentary conveyed by meaningful dialogues. Nashwa's position as an orphan and her mother's helplessness as a dependent single mother are the major catalysts for this thought-provoking discussion. The writing gets the intended message across masterfully avoiding the trap of cheesy philosophy. Needless to say, this serves as a classic marker of an impactful watch that has several points to make.
Fajr Sheikh, Yumna Zaidi and Tazeen Hussain
The synopsis might make one question whether the story will succeed at keeping the audience engaged. Qarz-e-Jaan, however, subverts this apprehension by throwing unpredictable curve balls every step of the way. The drama dives straight into action without compromising the development of the exposition. Several key events have already taken place, raising the stakes and making the narrative absolutely enthralling. Each episode reveals fresh information and introduces important plot points. The balanced pace keeps the viewers on their toes and wanting to tune into the next episode. The latest episode has left everyone shell-shocked, leading to multiple theories. It is pretty rare for a drama to get the watchers invested in the story from the get-go, but Qarz-e-Jaan has managed to do so quite effortlessly.
Fajr Sheikh and Yumna Zaidi
Amidst all the sombre themes that the drama tackles, the wholesome relationship between Nashwa and her mother is a treat to watch. It has all the ingredients of a healthy connection, from an unspoken understanding to small gestures of love and care. While their ideas about life greatly differ, they still manage to set their reservations aside and provide a safe haven to each other. It is a mellow source of strength for both of them and a sturdy inspiration for the viewers as well.
Yumna Zaidi and Tazeen Hussain as mother-daughter
It is obvious that Qarz-e-Jaan is off to an incredibly promising start. Apart from all the elements that make it an unskippable watch, the OST is nothing short of mesmerising. It adds a lot of nuance to the scenes, especially when played on the right occasion. It is too soon to comment on whether the drama will live up to its initial steam, but all the signs point to a positive outlook. It is extremely refreshing to witness a new social drama from HUM TV after ages. We can only hope that Qarz-e-Jaan proves to be an outstanding blockbuster and follows in the footsteps of Zaidi’s legendary track record.
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