Though many would say it is too early to compare him with legends like Noman Ijaz, but performance-wise, he is the newly-crowned undisputed king of Pakistan's TV industry.
Below are three performances from both Imran Ashraf and Noman Ijaz that are reminiscent of each other.
Noman Ijaz – Three Jaw-Dropping Performances
Noman has played every character there is in Pakistani TV dramas. He has played the positive, the negative, supporting roles and has established himself as a legend.
Sang-e-Marmar
The story focuses on the family of Gulistan Khan, a conservative man who rules his family with an iron will and wields considerable influence in the area where he lives.
Though there are a number of powerful scenes and performances in the entire play, the one that stands out is when Gulistan’s (Noman) youngest son Goher is killed. He tells the women in his family to not howl and weep because it is against the Islamic principles, but later goes to his room and while praying, does the same himself.
Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila
Noman played the antagonist this time. He executed the role of a molester with perfection. The story revolves around himself and Yumna Zaida (Sila). Jawad aka Joyee (Noman) continues for molest and sexual abuse Sila and her mother while pretending to be the nice-guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zELdpi68qyk
The family trusts Joyee blindly until Sila speaks up for herself and her mother.
Jo Chalay To Jaan Say Guzar Gaye
The story revolves around Zufishan (Saba Qamar) who is engaged to her cousin Azar (Sami Khan) and is strongly in love with him. Sayed Alim Shah (Noman Ijaz), a landlord sees her and falls in love. He forces Zufishan to marry him, but she refuses as she is engaged to her cousin.
However, with the passage of time, Zulfishan too falls in love with Alim Shah. Alim later realizes his mistake and out of guilt dies by suicide.
Imran Ashraf – Three Jaw Dropping Performances
Bhola – Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
His performance has not only earned him immense praise, he has also become an Internet sensation with his ‘Haye Maazay’ clip being the most popular among several others classic scenes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnxNMdmdrmY
It would not be wrong to say that not many actors in Pakistan would be able to execute this role with utmost perfection.
Shammo – Alif Allah Aur Insaan
In Alif Allah Aur Insaan, Imran played another challenging role and that was of a transgender person called ‘Shammo’. His performance was again captivating and magnificent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpvmGi20Tmc
He played the role with grace and elegance and was easily one of the highlights of the show.
Azhar – Dil Mom Ka Diya
The play featured Imran Ashraf as a sidekick with Yasir Nawaz, Neelum Muneer and Hira Suleman as the other stars. This was a role that he possibly had never played before, of a man hopelessly in love but falls into the trap of his Bhabhi (Neelum Muneer), who does not want a union between Azhar and Kamkinat (Hira Suleman), and causes problems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3VVRmeNA8Y
The play swings to and fro and is absolutely an emotional roller-coaster. It is safe to say that Imran rides high again.