“Mushk” is a show that leaves its audience spellbound week after week. It’s also a show that does not receive the attention and recognition it deserves in comparison to other less impressive shows. Starring Imran Ashraf, Urwa Hocane, Momal Sheikh and Osama Tahir in lead roles, the real star of the show is the writing, which leaves the viewer wanting more. Written by Imran Ashraf and directed by Aehsun Talish, “Mushk” continues its streak with yet another strong episode.
Adam (Imran Ashraf) is suffering during a time that should be the happiest moment of his life, a fact not gone unnoticed by his younger sister as she wonders why he doesn’t look as happy as he should. Adam is a stand-up man, a man who genuinely loves his family and friends and has built up a great aura of respect and just being genuine in nature. This is why it’s difficult for Adam to go through this engagement with Mehek. Adam genuinely loves Mehek and it’s out of that love that he’s willing to go through this farce of an engagement, but Adam’s consciousness is in overdrive as he feels the burden of the lie he’s going through, the deceit he’s playing a part in. He is betraying not only Mehek’s family, but also his own – and he realizes that as he sees the happiness on his mother and sister’s face. That’s seen at the engagement as he hugs Mehek’s family and understands that their hopes and happiness are pinned on him. It’s Imran Ashraf’s performance that makes Adam so real, allowing the viewer to understand his thought process. He is a beautiful character and Imran Ashraf’s performance makes Adam simply the most lovable character on the show.
Mehek (Momal Sheikh) is, of course, stressed as well. She is going through the motions of getting engaged while worrying about Shayaan and her little baby, who has fallen ill on the day of the engagement. As she heads out to take him to the doctor, her grandfather and Zulekha stop her, scolding her for thinking about someone else’s child on the day of her engagement. Guddi is sent out with the baby to the doctor, while Mehek is left worrying at home. Again, Mehek continues to be a difficult character to sympathize with, because the extent of her deceit is beginning to weigh heavily not only on Adam, but also on viewers. Such a lavish ruse, to go through with an engagement and deceive both her and Adam’s families…..instead of just coming clean and admitting the truth about her marriage and baby – it has become hard to see her as the innocent character she portrays herself to be. There’s a moment between Mehek and her grandfather where Dada Ji finally seems to feel the burden of his decision and realizes he may have misjudged Mehek. Still, it’s difficult to forget how callously Dada Ji treated Mehek based on Zulekha’s words and one can recognize why Mehek is fearful of being honest with him.
Guddi (Urwa Hocane) takes center-stage in an episode that is technically about every other character but her. This shows to what extent Guddi has involved herself in the matters of this family, her obsession with getting revenge Zulekha dominating her mind. Guddi has now discovered what medication Zulekha (Zara Tareen) has been giving her husband (Hassan Ahmed) and Guddi takes things a step further by befriending the man in order to gain his trust. It’s slowly becoming clear that Guddi is intent on ruining Zulekha through her own family members, specifically her husband and daughter.
Roshni (Sehar Khan) and Saqib (Raza Talish) are being manipulated in a way by Guddi, though potentially for their own benefit. While Saqib doesn’t seem to be a great guy and Roshni deserves better, it seems Saqib does love Roshni – whatever love may mean to him. Guddi has planned to help the two run away on the wedding day, however with Guddi now away with the baby, Roshni sees the plan falling apart. Guddi, however, reassures her that she will be there in time for Roshni to make her escape. Guddi is relaxed and calm, leaving the viewer wondering what she has up her sleeve. Urwa Hocane is a scene-stealer on this show to begin with, but the events of this episode rest on her shoulders with Guddi featuring in the majority of scenes. She is a complex character, one the viewer doesn’t entirely understand and Urwa Hocane is doing a great job playing her in a way that is both lovable and frustrating.
This episode serves as a base-point for the next episode, this episode gearing the four main characters for big steps in episode 11. While Shayaan is set to make his escape and Roshni will also run away from her marriage, the lives of these characters are moving forward towards big changes. Will Shayaan find Mehek? Will Roshni be happy with Saqib? And what will happen to Adam once Mehek and Shayaan are reunited? Are we set to see a union between Adam and Guddi? Whatever happens, it’s clear that there is a lot of excitement in store in the next episode. There is little to criticize about “Mushk,” it’s simply a solid product with great writing, direction and performances.
