Lazawal Ishq is Pakistan’s first Urdu reality TV show about love. Based on the Turkish hit Aşk Adası, the episodes are airing on YouTube instead of TV because the show doesn’t have a PEMRA licence. Shot in Turkey and hosted by Ayesha Omar, who described the project as “a first of its kind for Pakistani and Urdu-speaking viewers worldwide” and she wasn’t wrong. Of course, there was the usual online backlash, but we aren’t here to dwell on that. On company time we put ourselves to work and watched the first episode so you don’t have to. Here’s what we thought.
Hello budget!
Let’s start with the good. The villa is stunning. The pool, daybeds and the little corners where contestants can pull each other aside for a chat had us thinking, are we watching Love Island right now? A new bombshell could enter the villa any minute now. Every shot of the house screamed luxe, and the set design did a solid job of making the contestants look like they were living their best summer fantasy.
Ayesha Omar the anchor
So far, Ayesha Omar is carrying the show on her back. She’s the perfect pick to host, guiding the drama while staying engaging and fun. Her wardrobe and styling were on point, though it felt like all the budget went into that one jaw-dropping red gown she wore because the contestants’ outfits..Miranda Priestly would shudder. Let’s just say the styling team clearly has a favourite.
Production, please step in
The show feels a little chaotic at the moment. Everyone talks over each other and it’s hard to keep up with who’s saying what. Subtitles would help, and maybe a bit more structure could stop the early episodes from feeling like a jumbled mess.
Contestant corner
Junaid immediately claimed he’s a mama’s boy. Okay we get it, now let’s hope it doesn’t become an issue for Fatima or anyone else down the line. His joke about ‘Pathan ke dhabbe ki chai’ was unnecessary and not something we are here for. Side-eye. Laiba, on the other hand, is no filter. She straight up said about Fahad, “No honestly I don’t like him.” Ouch, but it did get a giggle out of us. But later she tried with him, which was good to see. Batool, however, does not like Sheraz at all and it’s painfully obvious. Fahad then added a line even Ayesha Omar could not stomach, “Mujhe waise bhi jangli billian pasand hai.”
All jokes aside, Lazawal Ishq is a win content censorship in Pakistan. It brings something new for reality TV watchers beyond Tamasha and contextualises a local perspective. Kudos to the video editing team and the scenic shots of the Bosphorus were a lovely touch.
We don’t know about you but we are definitely tuned in!
