15 years after its premiere, iconic TV drama Landa Bazaar now has a sequel

With the revival of cinema forging ahead, TV also seems to be paying a nostalgic nod to the past

15 years after Landa Bazaar premiered on television and became a cult classic, the show is getting a sequel.

Titled Lal Ishq, the sequel, and the original, have both been written by Khalil-ur-Rehman and directed by Dilawar Malik. The upcoming show will see many of its original characters returning, therefore many of its actors will be reprising their roles.

Landa Bazaar was notable as it was Ali Zafar's drama debut (who had earlier acted in play, Kollege Jeans). It included a star-studded cast featuring Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar as Hukam Mubarak, Babar Ali as Baali, Farah Shah as Zohra in prominent roles. Firdous Jamal, Shafqat Cheema and Seemi Raheel were also part of the supporting cast to name a few.

Khalil-ur-Rehman shares, "Remakes and sequels are often tricky as the social milieu at a particular time, (in this case 15 years ago) was different. But I believe that the story-line has a coherent continuity and follows a rational trajectory, reflecting what's happening in society today."

"It has few character from the original but there is whole new plot and hook to the play but this is surely very close to my heart," he adds.

Landa Bazaar centeres around a young man named Baali (Babar Ali), and his struggle to live and survive in a world of crime and corruption whilst also trying to build a relationship with his fiancée, Zohra (Farah Shah).

In Lal Ishq, Babar Ali is back as Baali, who's now even more embroiled in the underworld of crime. Most of the original cast will also reappear as their original characters except Farah Shah as Zohra whose role was terminated in the original.

The sequel also sees the debut of Turab Khalil, son of Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and new cast members Arsalan Mehmood and Faryal Mehmood and Saba Hameed in a very important role.

Sources have suggested that Zafar might also be reappearing in Lal Ishq but time will tell for sure if he wants to make a comeback to television.