HUM TV’s most awaited drama Ishq e Laa has taken an interesting start with its first two episodes, leaving quite the mark on its viewers. Ishq e Laa has an unconventional star cast including TV superstars, Sajal Aly and Yumna Zaidi and marks the debut of composer and singer, Azaan Sami Khan. The supporting cast includes Laila Wasti, Ghazala Kafi, Simi Raheel, Uzma Hassan, Sohail Sameer, Adnan Samad Khan and the legendary Nadeem Baig. The play is penned down Qaisra Hayat of Alif Allah Aur Insaan fame, directed by Amin Iqbal while it is produced by Momina Duraid Productions.

The Plot

We were introduced to Shanaya (Sajal Aly) in the first episode effortlessly playing the role of a dedicated journalist, working on promoting the rights of women and giving such brave ladies the coverage they deserve. Shanaya is courageous and is not afraid of going to dangerous areas in order to uncover a social issue. She has the complete support of her mother (Laila Wasti) who is working on various societal evils herself. Shanaya’s love interest in the story is the one and only business tycoon, played by Azaan Sami Khan, he is a successful, young business man who has been working hard to make a name for himself in the banking industry with the help of his father who is uber-proud of his business sense.

The second episode shows Azlan and Shanaya to be best friends as per his accord, it seems like Shanaya's love for Azlan as more than a friend is just one-sided as he does not believe in marriage and wants to enjoy his bachelorhood to the fullest. Upon his parents asking him to marry Shanaya, he simply refuses and calls her just a 'friend' and nothing else.

Azlan and Azka are on the way to become each others nemesis!

Azka and Azlan's interactions during each episode have been unpleasant to say the least, the first time their encounter ended up with Azlan storming off the dining table after he found what he believed was Azka's hair in his food. Azka's older brother Sultan is a cook at Azlans home and due to his recent foot injury, Azka and her mother have been his replacement. Azlans outburst made Azka upset and she began to cry, she vowed never to come back to the house but had to grudgingly accompany her mother to work the next day. Azka was given the task of cleaning and dusting Azlan’s room, his mother reminded her to be careful with everything as he was very particular about the whereabouts of his possessions.

Azka’s bad luck seems to be following her and while trying to smell one of Azlan’s perfumes she gets startled and ther bottle falls from her hands and breaks. Azka tries to hide it and makes a run for it but is met with Azlan and his mother who are just outside the room.

Yumna Zaidi Creates Magic On-Screen Once Again!

A firm believer in faith and fate, Azka has stolen the hearts of the viewers. Yumna Zaidi has created magic on screen again and has proved her mettle once more. Her innocence in Azka’s character reminds us of Mahjabeen from Pyar ke Sadqay while her determination and assertiveness remind us of her role in Inkaar. Yumna Zaidi's Azka is the perfect balance of how one can be just as assertive and sensitive as they want and should not have to be one or the other. Zaidi is a force to reckon with and we are anxious to see her share screen space with her fellow star, Sajal Aly.

What’s next for Ishq e Laa?

With two episodes on air, Ishq e Laa has us hooked with an intriguing narrative, although not much has yet been given away, we are excited to see Azlan head on towards a spiritual journey where he may let go of his elitist nature and ideals. We are yet to see how Azka ties into this love equation and whether Azlan will realise Shanaya’s love for him.