Attractive main leads to ground-breaking plot twists, this Turkish drama, Ask-i-memnu, revolutionized the way Pakistanis consume media.
Aşk-ı Memnu (English: Forbidden Love)(Urdu :Ishq -e-memnu ) is a Turkish soap opera initially broadcast on Kanal D from 2008 to 2010. It is an adaptation of Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil’s 1899 novel Aşk-ı Memnu set in contemporary Istanbul rather than the novel‘s late nineteenth century.
In 2012, Ask-I-Memnu was broadcast for the first time in Pakistan and enamoured our nation with its ideal cast, acting, dresses and sets. Afterwards, it was aired four times on URDU 1 due to the audience’s insistence. It is now present on DRAMAS CENTRAL.
After so much time, this Turkish classic hasn’t lost its sparkle and intrigue. Shockingly, it’s not an ordinary ‘saas-bahu‘ drama. When Hamsafar was the talk of the town in 2012, “Aşk-ı Memnu” joined the drama circuit and become an instant favourite. For many Pakistanis, it became the starter pack of Turkish dramas.
Summary
Adnan Ziyagil, a rich Istanbul businessman carries on with his life in his mansion on the shore of Istanbul’s Bosporus with his two kids: Nihal and Bülent, his relative, Behlül, who lost his parents in a car accident when he was a child and Ms Deniz de Courton, the kid’s “governess”.
At an event, Adnan catches the eye of Firdevs Yöreoğlu, who has two girls and has as of late lost her better half. At her eldest daughter’s wedding, her youngest daughter, Bihter Yöreoğlu and Adnan experience passionate feelings for each other. He proposes to her and she consents to wed him despite the fact that she knows that her mother likes him as well. As the plot proceeds, we see Hilmi Onal decide to make Firdev’s life hell because she had borrowed money for her eldest daughters wedding and hasn’t returned it yet. Moreover, things get further entangled when Behlül falls for Bihter and he attempts to remain away but loses that battle. Their “taboo love” turns into the highlight of the story which closes deplorably.
5 RESONS TO WATCH:
1. Reality of life
This show highlights the realities of life and covers fundamental themes such as jealousy, revenge, love, cheating, familial relations and many more.
2. Moral compass
In this drama, the moral dilemmas of each character are depicted very well. Behlul deals with cowardice and copes with an immense amount of guilt, while the storyline for Firdev higlights the evils of greed. Ms. Deniz displays unconditional love and loyalty and shows what it means to be strong in the face of a crisis.
3. Brilliant cinematography
Last but not least, the breathtaking music by Toygar Isikli, perfect dialogues by Ece Yorence, 2017 Emmy Award winner Director Hilal Saral’s guidance and the splendid cast Beren Saat, Hazal Kaya, Kivanc Tatlitug and Selcuk Yontem – made this show a worldwide success.
