REVIEW: Eisha Singh and Adnan Khan make for a perfect PARADOX in ‘Ishq Subhan Allah’

The show based on Triple Talaq is inciteful and entertaining.

Ishq Subhan Allah on Zee TV is a show that is based on Triple Talaq and went on-air last week. With a backdrop of Lucknow, the story will talk about love and gradually highlight the concept of Triple Talaq when two people, Zara and Kabir come across each other, both having two completely different view points about God and the religion.

With last week episodes into the show, we hereby analyse and highlight the good and the bad.

The Story

The first episode begins with Zara Siddiqui (Eisha Singh) stuck in the middle of riots as she returns home after five years as she was studying at a University in Aligarh. A riot against the triple talaq bill breaks out as she buys sweets for the family and is forced to escape, thereby finding shelter in the form of a lift in a truck. However, the mobs block her path again and Kabir Ahmad (Adnan Khan) turns her saviour helping her return to the train safe and sound.

The news channels uproar with the news of the triple talaq bill, and Zara finds herself arguing with Kabir, who is returning from Lucknow, where he studied a course to become a Maulvi at a Madarsa.

As the two return to their homes, Kabir’s family is delighted to see him, while Zara invites some more trouble for herself. Unaware of the ongoing gathering, as she arrives home, where her modern clothes are criticized by her mother, followed by an argument which ultimately ends in a reconciliation.

Later on, while Zara and her best friend, Reema are out shopping, where Zara lands into some more trouble, as two boys click a picture of hers. Trying to catch hold of them, Kabir turns her saviour again, which is followed by an invitation from the duo to join them for coffee.

As they sit around the coffee table, Kabir’s comments on her clothing gets her fuming in rage and another argument follows. Meanwhile, Kabir is appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Shariya board committee, as his father Shahbaz decides to resign. The resignation happened as his suggestion on the triple talaq matter is dismissed followed by him asked to leave. He then advises Kabir to seek revenge for this behaviour.

Later, Zara is shocked to see Kabir when she goes for an interview. What will follow and how will their lives be entwined forever is what will be an interesting watch.

The Good

The show has managed to highlight not one but many women-centric issues in a mere 3 episodes. Beginning from women empowerment on how Triple Talaq isn’t the acceptable and rightful path to take to for it gives the women no right, to how irrespective of their clothing, there is nothing that gives any man the right to harass or judge women publicly. If all that wasn’t enough, the show has also touched upon the idea of how women are not just meant for homes. Adding icing to the cake is how a father always tries to not only fulfill the wishes of her daughter, but at the same time emancipate her too.

With the backdrop that the show is set up in, it maintains the authenticity of Muslims and the religion itself. Also, despite touching upon a delicate topic as that of Triple Talaq, the way that it is portrayed and showed to have an understanding of is commendable.

Minor detailing have been taken care of, including their dialects, the kind of outfits worn; with almost everything taken care of, loopholes to find are rather difficult.

The Not So Good

The only cliche that one deals with from the beginning until the end, (we are guessing) is how Kabir and Zara currently hate each other and will gradually fall in love only after they’ve had enough of arguments and disagreements. Their opposing ideas are equally strong, and there is no right or wrong that one might be able to point out, but, we think, there could have been a better beginning.

While at one hand there is a character like Zara, on the other, there are characters like Zara’s mother who thinks that the fate of a girl was sealed on the day she is born. Then there is Kabir’s father who, upon finding him in the kitchen, remarks that if men begin to do such tasks what will the women of the house do. Though these are instances to show contrast, it is a tad too regressive in present day to digest. (at times)

The Performances

Zara Siddiqui played by Eisha Singh and Kabir Ahmed played by Adnan Khan are two very opposite yet beautifully written characters. The two of them have done complete justice to their characters, and while it is a complete delight to see Eisha in a strongly written character who is as firm as she is shown to be progressive; it is equally interesting to watch Adnan as Kabir who is someone who would always walk the path of truth and yet, believes in the traditional aspects of his religion.

The Verdict

With the perfect paradox between traditional old school beliefs of Islam v/s that of modern and more liberated thoughts upon the same, Ishq Subhan Allah is not just a story that talks about Triple Talaq but also many aspects of the society as a whole. And that is what makes it a great watch.

Ratings: *** 1/2 (3.5/5 stars)