Bilal Abbas, Madiha Imam’s new web series on Zee5

Bilal Abbas and Madiha Imam are going to be onscreen in their new web series on Zee5, Ek Jhooti Love Story (EJLS).

It is directed by Mehreen Jabbar, the series premieres today on the online streaming platform.

After watching all those typical Pakistani dramas, that are either severely depressing or tragic.

The trailer of Bilal’s new web series seemed very refreshing to watch.

EJLS was completely different from the borderline mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dramas.

It’s trailer was very catchy, the type that usually makes a person watch it to its end and anticipate what will go down in the show.

Pakistani drama industry just picked the comedy-romance genre.

“Sonu Chanda” was a good start for Pakistani drama industry’s romance-comedy genre.

Nevertheless other Pakistani dramas makes its viewers sad, depressed but most of all cringe for sure.

Whereas Bilal Abbas’s EJLS would give us a good laugh and also message to society in their 18-episode long series.

Bilal Abbas and other actors on EJLS

In an interview with a media outlet Bilal director Mehreen described;

“It’s a social commentary on the prevalent shaadi culture, social media personas, love, our obsession with status and our perception of what we consider an ideal life partner to be.”

She said;

“The story doesn’t hammer you with social messages; instead, the plot is just woven in. And it’s all held together by a wonderful set of characters who are believable and earthy.”

Umer Ahmed, the writer, also had somethings to say!

The series’ scriptwriter, Umera Ahmed, further elaborates:“It’s a situational comedy of errors that has a lot of layers to it. It’s about how we try to keep appearances trying to be something that we are not and how, sometimes when we fall in love, we tend to lie just to appear perfect.”

“It’s also a story that is intrinsic to Pakistan. When I was approached by Zee5 to write this web-series, I told them that my story would hold true to Pakistan’s cultural and family values.”

Umera and Mehreen have both worked together earlier but on relatively more serious storylines:

Daam, Doraha and Malaal.

What prompted the two to delve towards more lighthearted territory?

“I have written lighthearted dramas before. In the beginning of my career I worked on quite a few Eid plays,” says Umera.

“It’s just that often, the subjects that I choose to write about, can’t be projected in a frivolous way. Ek Jhooti Love Story is different because it addresses some serious social issues but in a more easygoing tone.”

Mehreen adds:

“This was just a genre that Umera and I hadn’t worked on together and once I realized the many nuances to the story, I was excited to try it out.”

EJLS’ trailer has its own strengths but the series’ very popular leads are also likely to be huge draws, spurring on viewership.

Bilal Abbas is, of course, one of TV’s most popular heroes and has been proving his mettle as an actor in successive dramas.

Madiha Imam is young, gregarious and instantly likeable.

She may be merely 10 projects old but she’s been building her acting repertoire very successfully.