“Khuda Aur Mohabbat” is a brand in itself, a show that brings together the concept of love and how unattained love can bring one closer to God – or at least that’s what the first two set out to do. The verdict is out on “Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3” and what exactly the message is that is being put out. This is a story with a large, talented star cast, lavish sets, beautiful costumes and stunning cinematography. Add to that Feroze Khan and Iqra Aziz’s wonderful performances, supported by the rest of the extremely talented cast and it’s difficult to write-off “Khuda Aur Mohabbat.” And yet, this Hashim Nadeem Khan story directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain is lacking in many areas.
Episode 32 sees the reunion between Farhad (Feroze Khan) and his family, something most viewers have been anticipating for a while, questioning why Farhad is putting his family through this torture of his “death.” Unfortunately, this reunion does little to answer that question. His family sees him and all is forgiven with the four beginning Farhad to return home. Until his father (Waseem Abbbas) says he understands his promises and helplessness and is proud of him for sticking by those promises. Please, Farhad’s father, please let us know what these promises are, because we certainly do not know. Would his family be as proud of him if they realized he has abandoned the entire world for a girl who never professed to love him? What is this idiocrasy? The problem with Farhad’s “love” is that the intensity is there, all there in Feroze Khan’s believable performance – but the logic isn’t there at all. To make matters worse, the Fakir Baba (Noor Ul Hassan) is less of a religious man and more of this “love guru” who makes random, vague statements that have pushed Farhad into this spiritual mindset…….but again, where’s the actual connection to God? Where is the soul? Where is the depth? It doesn’t make any sense.
On the other end, Mahi’s (Iqra Aziz) family is arranging her marriage while she fights an internal battle over her feelings for Farhad. She knows that this marriage to Sikandar (Junaid Khan) is what makes sense for her family and her world, recognizing that a union with Farhad would never be feasible. And yet, Sahiba (Sunita Marshal) continues encouraging the recognition of feelings that can never be acted upon – so why is she doing it? It’s hard not to look at Sahiba through squinty eyes. She may be Mahi’s greatest supporter, but she is also a villain of sorts (but a beautiful one!), putting thoughts of love for Farhad into Mahi’s head – thoughts that never would’ve emerged otherwise. Iqra Aziz is doing a wonderful job portraying Mahi’s conflicted emotions.
The strangest part of this entire thing is Nazim’s (Sohail Sameer) obsession with Farhad. Yes, Farhad was once his driver and took a bullet for him. But so what? Nazim is clearly not bothered by his being alive, rather he’s wondering why he has become a “fakir.” Why is he so interested? Does it matter who the woman is that Farhad loved? For a man running for elections, Nazim is as “farigh” as they come, thinking about whether a “fakir” is worthy of that title.
Ultimately, “Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3” is suffering from a lack of soul. Feroze Khan is always wonderful in intense lover roles and this one is no less, but a story cannot rely entirely on Feroze Khan’s acting or Iqra Aziz’s sincerity. The story has to be there and there has to be some merit in it. At this point, I’m still left wondering what this story is trying to project. Honestly, it’s disappointing that such a beautiful cast, wonderful sets, brilliant OST (and really, everything else) is let down by a weak script.
