It’s difficult to review a show like “Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3.” If one looks at it technically, the show has had a storyline which turned its sweet hero into a stalker who could not take no for an answer and placed a “curse” on his love, casting her in a shroud of doom, ultimately forcing her to love him due to his “persistence.” It’s not an easy show to digest and it’s almost against personal beliefs to root for such a “love story.” The show also has some odd dialogues and has been dragged out beyond necessity. And yet, it would be ludicrous to deny what “Khuda Aur Mohabbat” has going for it -beautiful, grand-scale sets, glamorous costumes, brilliant performances from its lead actors, a memorable OST and the kind of tragic love story that lures viewers in.
In the finale, Mahi (Iqra Aziz) is weak, causing panic in her mother (Rubina Ashraf) and mother-in-law (Hina Bayat) to panic, begging for her life and, in turn, her freedom to marry Farhad (Feroze Khan). Bari Sarkar is successful in convincing Kazim Shah (Usman Peerzada) by appealing to his emotional side, though he agrees on one condition – that she never return home again. Still, there isn’t any death of resistance with Nazim Shah (Sohail Sameer) stepping in to throw around empty threats – though even he ultimately backs down. Mahi, finally free to reunite with her love, leaves with her mother-in-law and Sikandar (Junaid Khan) as they rush her to the pre-planned meeting spot. Unfortunately, Farhad is in terrible shape, having left the hospital in order to meet Mahi on time. Despite all their hardships and struggle, Mahi and Farhad reunite momentarily, smiling at each other before Farhad….drops dead. Mahi is left staring at his dead body for a few moments before she also falls over, reuniting with Farhad in death.
In theory, the ending was expected by the audience – it did not come as a surprise, particularly because the original “Khuda Aur Mohabbat” also ended with the death of both lead characters. However, in this case, it somehow comes across as unnecessary. After everything Mahi and Farhad have endured, they are now free of the resistance of their families and society – why then couldn’t the ending have been different? It would have put a lighter, more meaningful spin on an already heavy story. At the end of the day, it’s Feroze Khan and Iqra Aziz who have carried this show from beginning to end with their performances. Had lesser actors been portraying these characters, it could have fallen flat, but it’s due to the intensity of Feroze Khan’s performance and the turmoil depicted through Iqra Aziz’s performance that makes this story work. Of course, we also have to mention the incredible chemistry between the two actors. Overall, “Khuda Aur Mohabbat” has been a viewing experience that hasn’t always been perfect. There have been many problems along the way, but it cannot be denied that this show has been a grand affair and has created ripples on a larger scale than most Pakistani dramas have been able to do. One can only hope that the next show to replace it will be as impactful. There has been a lot of frustration with “Khuda Aur Mohabbat,” but it will be missed.
