Ziddi Ishq explores a complicated mix of love, longing, and betrayal, and the idea behind it is genuinely compelling. What holds the viewer initially is Mehul — a quiet, unassuming Bengali girl whose heart has always belonged to one person: her neighbour and tuition teacher, Shekhar Da (Parambrata Chattopadhyay). Her feelings for him aren’t subtle; her friends know exactly how deeply she’s attached to him, even if Shekhar Da himself remains blissfully unaware of the depth of her devotion.
Mehul keeps hoping he will notice her, that he might one day return the affection she has nurtured for years. But that hope cracks when he introduces his girlfriend, Sayantika (Riya Sen), to her. The moment is awkward, painful, and quietly shattering — and before Mehul can gather herself, her entire life collapses. Shekhar Da is suddenly found dead, and the authorities quickly wrap it up as a suicide.
But Mehul refuses to accept that explanation. Something about it feels wrong to her. Her disbelief turns into determination, and she decides she will uncover what really happened, no matter what it takes. This decision places her on a path that eventually crosses with Sidharth Roy Chaudhary (Sumeet Vyas), the head of Unicorn, the company where both Sayantika and Shekhar Da had worked.
As Mehul pushes deeper into the truth, she discovers something that shakes her even more — Sayantika had filed a molestation complaint against Shekhar Da. Instead of resolving the mystery, this revelation only opens new tensions and forces Mehul to confront a side of Shekhar she never imagined. The story touches on manipulation, misunderstandings, and harsh realities, but its structure often feels uneven. The series rushes through key emotional beats, leaving very little breathing space for viewers to absorb the impact. Those familiar with the Bengali film Parineeta will sense a clear connection, though the adaptation here doesn’t carry the same emotional weight.
The performances vary drastically. Parambrata Chattopadhyay holds his ground, but Aaditi Pohankar struggles to bring out the intensity Mehul’s journey demands. Several crucial scenes feel flat because her reactions don’t match the emotional stakes. Riya Sen’s portrayal of Sayantika lacks layers, making her character’s motives feel abrupt. Sumeet Vyas fares better, bringing some consistency to the corporate arc of the story.
Barkha Bisht, Priyanshu Painyuli, and Shaji Choudhary add small but meaningful touches, though the writing doesn’t give them enough room to shine.
IWMBuzz Ratings: 3/5
