When the promos of “Tere Ishq Ke Naam” went on air, the comparisons to “Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha,” also on ARY Digital, immediately began. Episode one did not do much to help, the comparisons seeming to be accurate. However, after episode two, the story does seem to be headed in an interesting direction. Starring Hiba Bukhari, Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz, Usama Khan and Yashma Gill, the story has been written by Maha Malik and directed by Ahmed Bhatti.
While Hiba Bukhari’s Rutba felt like an overconfident, rude, spoiled character who the audience could not root for, more layers are added to her personality in episode 2 which redeem her (if not only a bit). Rutba’s constant tussle with Khursheed (Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz) comes from having to not only share her father – and his mother – with him, but also constantly being compared to him. Rutba has never felt like “enough,” despite being higher in “status” than him. Khursheed’s drive and personality have always left Rutba trying to prove herself as superior – and this allows us to understand her horrible behavior though not justifying it. Khursheed, on his part, is the “gem” of this show, the kind-hearted, sweet young man who works hard for his future and is an obedient son, not only to his own mother, but also to Rutba’s father. Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz fits well into this role and manages to win our hearts…..if not only because he is surrounded by such terrible people.
Azka (Yashma Gill) and her mother (Nadia Afgan) have an ulterior motive in breaking apart Rutba and Altamash (Usama Khan) and are doing their best to manipulate both sides. In the end, these two will come out as innocents after destroying Altamash and Rutba’s families. Of course, one has to wonder what Azka sees in Altamash to begin with? Both women are chasing after a man who lacks an education, lacks manners and basic kindness. This role is honestly beneath Usama Khan, an actor who has proved his talent in many different shows and is reduced to being the arrogant, bratty fiancé in this one – at least so far, unless the role offers much more room for scope later on.
Between Azka, her mother and Altamash, Rutba is seriously considering running away from home to marry Altamash without her father’s blessing. However, this is where we see a soft spot in Rutba. She may be arrogant, she may be spoiled, but she genuinely seems to love her father and cares about his love and respect. She does not want to let him down. This is also where we see how Rutba came to behave this way – it’s a direct result of spending time with Azka and Altamash (and their parents), their bad influence trickling into her personality. Rutba is, in fact, a character who can be reformed by Khursheed. Removed from her toxic relatives, Rutba has great personalities around her in the form of Khursheed, his mother and her own father. Will she learn to recognize what she has and alter her ways in time? Or will Altamash, Azka and their families continue to manipulate her for her wealth?
Honestly, Hiba Bukhari’s performance as Rutba makes an impact in episode 2. We can now see the struggle Rutba is experiencing within. She loves Altamash, but also loves her father and is now finding herself caught between the two. Hiba Bukhari is an actress who has been working on her craft and has become a good actress over time. Jamal Shah is also doing a great job as Rutba’s father. He has a calming yet commanding presence. With the entire family after Rutba’s riches, it will be entertaining to see how those riches eventually wind up with Khursheed. “Tere Ishq Ke Naam” isn’t as typical as was initially expected and may have more promise than it has been given credit for.