Yes it’s yet another saas-bahu story but one that’s drawing praise from viewers, not just for mirroring sinister, real life stories, but also because, well, the performances are top notch and tragically, the stories of the multiple characters living inside Noor Jahan’s world, though vividly sensational, seem to echo real life experiences. Noor Jahan is keeping Pakistani drama viewers riveted!
Here’s Why Pakistani Drama Viewers Are Watching The Story Of Noor Jahan Play Out Onscreen!
Noor Jahan is a psychopathic mind at work in dark, admirable ways that shock viewers into a split between wonder at the shrewd mind games she plays on the one hand, and then, the utter horror at the lengths she goes to achieve her objective. Noor Jahan is not one to back out ever. But it is in the manner she rules her roost that leaves one astounded, her next move unpredictable. Just when we think Noor Jahan has been cornered, she recovers, and strikes back with a vengeance, just like the way she takes Sumbul under her wing, making sure not to allow her daughters in-law to combine forces.
Noor Jahan is one horror story of a mother in-law, and a daughter in-law and son’s worst nightmare! And here’s why she’s winning viewers…
1. On Point Performances
Saba Hamid has nailed the role like she was born with it. From the cool expressions to the modulated tone, Saba doesn’t miss a beat when she cajoles Hunain into calm after he lost his baby, quietly yet firmly warns Safeer never to return to Maha, asks Murad, her hero, to pursue Noor Bano – the woman with a plan she is, and a dark one. It is in the subtle underplaying of emotions and expressions, the arch of an eyebrow, the slight change of tone, that Noor Jahan rules her home and let there be no mistake, many of us have seen or witnessed shades of this character amidst us.
Hence, when we call Noor Jahan toxic, yes she is, but then, she’s also very real. And the character has been performed with all the right shades of dark that have strangely endeared her to us. Noor Jahan might be a trigger alert for many young housewives, or she might be stretching the limits for others, but rest assured, Saba’s portrayal has left many marvelling at the ease with which the actor has fit into the role like a glove.
When we cannot imagine anyone else playing the role, we know the casting is a win!
Add to Saba, an ensemble cast that packs a punch; from Alina Abbas Shah who sprinted her way all the way from 22 Qadam and Kuch Ankahi to a force to be reckoned with as Safeena, to Ali Rehman Khan as the pampered Safeer, Kubra Khan as Noor Bano, teetering on the precipice of revenge mode, Ali Raza as Murad, Noor Mama’s hero, and Hajra Yamin as the cool, calm, collected Sumbul (only when she’s not), Noor Hassan as the threatening brother in-law, and Yousuf Bashir acing Noor Jahan’s antagonist role; from super strong to super frail, every actor is delivering a gripping performance.
Crossroads Heats Up With Dramatic Twists & Turns!
2. The Plot Twists Are Unpredictable
Will Safeer return to Noor Jahan and when? Will Safeena seek revenge from Noor Jahan or simply wallow in her bitterness, will Murad ever come out of his mother’s spell, will Hunain finally see through his mother or side his wife, will Sumbul be able to win over Safeer? Every character has a story and each story has viewers strangely invested. One would think that the Noor Bano (Kubra) and Murad’s (Ali Raza) story is all that will keep us invested but every couple has a different challenge and every challenge is intriguing enough to grab our attention. That’s riveting storytelling for sure.
Our hearts cry for Safeena when she loses her baby, but they also cry for Sumbul who has no one to fall back on. And then we love Sumbul’s turnaround, although we know she’s manipulated by Noor Jahan, but then again, we also know she knows she’s a pawn in a grander plan – It’s survival of the fittest in Noor Jahan, and Sumbul sure knows which side to pick, at least for now.
Interestingly, when she refuses to lend her phone to Noor Bano, we do not judge Sumbul, neither do we question her allegiance to Noor Jahan, such is the hold of the lady of the house, that perhaps, if we were part of the big un(happy) family, we might also be a Sumbul? After all, the girl seems to be making the best of a bad situation at present.
The narrative seems to be sharpening its claws as the story amps up anticipation, Zanjabeel Asim Shah is not mincing words in this one, and we hope the drama takes us through a journey where characters evolve with time.
3. Direction & With Impact
The direction by none other than Musaddiq Malek hits high notes in every episode. Whether it’s Noor Jahan’s birthday, her taking on her throne on the indoor swing, or Safeena venting in front of the mirror – Noor Jahan the drama, captures all the emotions, the finer points of the script seem to have been adopted with tender loving care so that nothing is left to chance or half-baked. the frames are complete, from Noor Jahan lighting the stove to the jewellery she lovingly and meticulously examines (and adorns herself with), Noor Jahan crosses its T’s and dots its i’s like a cutting edge production should!
The result? A viewing experience that sells.
On a final note, the drama has come under criticism for being a narrative that is blatantly toxic, yet another saas-bahu story and definitely littered with conspiracies. While the latest twist in the tale, with Noor Bano probably out to seek revenge against her mother in-law, is definitely giving some credibility to those who denounce the narrative, it is too early to call it out on any front. Such is the unpredictability of the plot that one waits anxiously to see what the next episode will bring.
Are you a confirmed Noor Jahan fan, or waiting on the side lines to see if this one is really going to cut it different? Oh well, as they say in the Pakistani drama world, it’s never over till it’s over! A lot depends on where the story takes us now, and we hope things will continue to intrigue, mysteries reveal and characters experience a journey that is both believable and relatable to the audiences who are sticking it out for what it’s worth!
The cast of Noor Jahan features Saba Hamid, Kubra Khan, Ali Rehman Khan, Noor Hassan, Zoya Nasir, Hajra Yamin, Ali Raza, Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, Mahmood Aslam, Alina Abbas and others. It is written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Musaddiq Malek.
The drama airs every Friday & Saturday at 8 PM, only on ARY Digital.
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