Pakistan’s ‘Qarz e Jaan’ is your new must-watch drama

Pakistani drama Qarz e Jaan has quietly emerged as the sleeper hit of the season, despite arriving with minimal fanfare.

Featuring Yumna Zaidi and Usama Khan in lead roles, the Hum TV drama initially had a slow reception, but its realistic tone and layered storytelling have gradually won over audiences.

Directed by Saqib Khan, the drama stands out for its handheld cinematography and soft lighting, enhancing the intense and immersive narrative. Rabia Razzaq’s script is deeply character-driven, centering on Nashwa (Yumna Zaidi), a young lawyer raised by her submissive single mother, Bisma (Tazeen Hussain).

They live in Barkat Villa, owned by Nashwa’s tyrannical uncle Bakhtiar (Deepak Perwani) and her self-righteous grandmother (Sakina Samo).

The drama explores patriarchal oppression and buried family secrets, with Nashwa and Bisma aware of unspoken truths yet choosing silence—until Nashwa takes a stand. To free her mother, she sacrifices her love for Burhan (Usama Khan) and agrees to marry her volatile cousin Ammar Bakhtiar (Nameer Khan), who has a criminal past.

Originally titled Khoon Bahaa (meaning ‘blood money’), the drama’s title was likely changed to keep its themes ambiguous. Notably, Qarz e Jaan passes the Bechdel Test, with the raw emotional depth of Nashwa and Bisma’s scenes leaving a lasting impact.

Zaidi delivers an achingly real performance, while Hussain’s understated brilliance shines through. Perwani is pitch-perfect as the powerful yet secretive patriarch, while Usama Khan brings grace and credibility to his role.

However, the biggest revelation of Qarz e Jaan is Nameer Khan, the fashion model-turned-actor, who impresses with his intensity and screen presence.