“Qissa Meherbano Ka” has been picking up steam as of late with the storyline taking an interesting, but heavy turn. Starring Mawra Hocane, Areej Mohyudin, Ahsan Khan, Khushhal Khan, Zeb Rehman, Mashal Khan, Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz and others, the story has been written by Fakhra Jabeen and directed by Iqbal Hussain. With the arrival of Meherbano’s child, Murad is now taking an interest in Meherbano – but does Mehru want it?
In episode 20, Murad (Ahsan Khan) can be seen declaring that his son will be raised to be like him, which worries Meherbano (Mawra Hocane). She begins to hatch a plot. Meanwhile, Achay Miyan and Murad’s mother (Zeb Rehman) begin to conspire against Noor (Areej Mohyudin), deciding to get her married to Achay Miyan in order to get Mehru under their thumb. What’s interesting here is Fari’s (Mashal Khan) reaction. While she has seemed a rigid, hard woman until now, it’s visibly troubling her to hear this talk. Fari is in love with Murad, which is why she has a problem with Mehru. She also recognizes that Murad manipulates her and is living off her money, but overlooks it out of love. Still, Fari does have a moral compass and it’s beginning to show. How much will she tolerate before her eyes are opened to the disgustingness of this family?
Meanwhile, Ayaz (Khushhal Khan) catches Achay Miyan harassing Noor and when he interferes, Achay Miyan turns it around and accuses the two of having an affair. Meherbano is furious and throws the two out of the house, disowning them. And while this comes as a shock to Noor, Ayaz is aware of what Meherbano is doing and safely takes her to Mehrab (Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz), who not only helps them, but also arranges their marriage. It’s the Ayaz and Noor moments that serve as a source of happiness in an otherwise heavy storyline. Both Khushhal Khan and Areej Mohyudin are talented actors and they make a beautiful pair, worthy of rooting for. Of course, Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz is always likable as Mehrab and here he is no less. Of course, it’s revealed that Mehru had been planning this for a while, even giving Ayaz her jewelry so he would have money in hand after leaving the house. Unfortunately, Murad overhears Mehru’s conversation with Mehrab about taking her son away from Murad after applying for a divorce.
This episode belongs to Mawra Hocane’s performance, along with Areej Mohyudin and Khushhal Khan’s sweet moments. More than this episode, it’s the preview for next week that has viewers on edge. With the image of Murad drenching Mehru with gasoline and lighting a match, this is a visual that sends chills down the spine. This is a horror many women go through in the subcontinent, a grim reality. But will Mehru have to suffer this reality or will she find a way out of this sticky situation? This is what remains to be seen.
