Dear Ishq episode 1 review: Bade Acche Lagte Hai deja vu and worse

Story:

A renowned editor Asmita Roy has to meet 'the superstar writer' Abhimanyu Razdan, who she doesn't know or care about. Their first meeting gets awkward too. Will they be able to mend their differences and work together?

Review:

Dear Ishq commences with the cliched TV show shots. It takes you through the best of Mumbai, only in a glimpse.

The show is nothing like a web series. It is a TV show, filled with drama, hopes and some romance.

Of course, the actress is introduced in the most heroine-ish fashion. She sways her hair for no reason and has an aura that shows she's strong. This series and the first episode of it reeks of TV drama.

Our lead actress, Niyati Fatnani is an editor named Asmita Roy. She leads the typical life of an editor - who is continously caught up with work to the extent that they forget to check something as basic as the charge on their laptop. Of course, the Bengali language makes a comeback with her.

Every single time a new story within the story is to commence, the glimpses of Mumbai's famous towers are back. Honestly, why?

Sehban Azim as Abhimanyu Razdan has a better entry in conparison. He is seen as a working professional whose only focus is work rather than the hair. However, the cliche continues. This time, it is through his writing. And just when you thought he's the one less flaw-filled character, there comes the cameras with flashes and girls drooling over this writer. Can any real-life writer please come over and tell us if this ever happens? If they turn 'heroes ka baap!'

Kishwer Merchant as Maya only adds to the stupidity. She was very little to offer and even that isn't as impressive yet.

The drama tries to be cool but becomes predictable, like most TV shows out there. The typical double-triple shots are back too and you don't even understand why. As expected, silly dialogues follow suit.

The show also develops a mystery in the beginning, which is touted to be one of the many success formulas for TV shows. The next best thing? Hate. That is also here in the first episode itself. Bade Acche Lagte Hai deja vu, anyone?

The focus of this show is never on one or good things. Stupid stuffs are prioritized.

The camera angles switch between male close-up and female long shots. Can somebody please explain why?

Adding to the cliches, there are scenes where the couple gets closer because of some excuse and there's a romantic track in the background. The one thing that works here is how the hate between them is well explained in the last scene.

Verdict:

Dear Ishq starts as the very cliched Hindi TV show. You have seen the storyline in Bade Acche Lagte Hai already. There's just a slight change and it makes things worse. If you're a fan of the typical Hindi TV shows, go for it. If not, stay miles away.