Monday, August 26, 2013

26-29 Aug - Epi 88-91 Chhanchhan this week

One post for the week as I will be travelling and catching up late

Monday 26th August - Epi 88 - Double Trouble
Umaben leaves for yatra, tells CC to take over ... blessings for job, but without compromising BS name ...
Rupali comes for dinner, still carrying torch for Manav, Chhanchhan jealous
Chhanchhan starts work in office, nerd man smitten ... CC hides her marital status.
Manav down in dumps and discouraged, even bhabhis are doing better than him and helping their husbands ... or rather, their family is helping ... but so what, once upon a time even Umaben's dowry saved the family.
Ranjana and Sanjana both seemed to know that they were being underhand, as they both hid the fact that their order was from their maayka. Manek admitted to the fact, his uneasiness clear. Manthan immediately sided with his wife and bhabhi - so what? Even Baa's dowry was used to save the family, this is perfectly acceptable. 
Dadaji merely remarks that the competition is heating up and getting interesting.
So Manek still has his morals intact.
And Manav is the type who might give up easily if he didn't have a strong woman by his side.

Tuesday 27th August - Epi 89 - Waiting for Manav
Chhanchhan is annoyed at Manav's suggestion that her family help them financially. Before Manav can put his foot in his mouth further, Dadaji steps in and gives Manav some gyan and some much-needed dose of common sense.
Liked Dadaji's words ... more important than winning and rising in other people's esteem, it is more important to rise in your own eyes.

At office - Nerd boy continues to make advances to Chhanchhan, which she cheerfully ignores.
Mugut strikes a deal with Nerd boy's company ... without knowing CC works in the same office.
Wonder if Mugut had known, would he have scuttled the deal, so that CC and thereby Manav didn't get credit in the competition? Or would he have let it go forward to help Manav? In any case, now the point is moot, because neither did he know CC was working there, nor did Nerd Boy know that CC is Borisagar bahu.
Back home - Preparations for Janamashtami in full swing ... Kaumudi and Chhanchhan in complete partnership, RanSan can't forget the competition.

Sweet ChhanMan scene ... have always wanted to see this song on Sanaya ... finally I got it! Manav lost in texting Rupali, CC annoyed and he manaoes her Day Dreaming
Unfortunately Rupali has awful timing ... and doesn't have to good sense not to text a guy late at night ... and Manav doesn't have the sense to know when to shut off business talk at home ... besides, he's too excited about cracking his first major deal, after all the disappointment and discouragement earlier.
So Chhanchhan goes to bed miffed ... and Manav continues texting Rupali ... I would be rather annoyed too! 
Next morning, Manav takes off for a business trip to clinch the deal ... Chhanchhan again disappointed but tries not to show it ... Manav promises to be back in time to break fast together.

Chhanchhan has done her part of the preparations, the jhoola is beautifully decorated. Ranjana jealous as always. Kaumudi helps Sanjana in the kitchen ... Ranjana's patties disappear ... hijacked by the men. Chhanchhan waits for Manav's call, for Manav's return ...
Nerd boy calls to invite Chhanchhan for a movie, she refuses, and goes back to waiting for Manav. Unhappy

Janamashtami night ... Aarti starts without Manav much to Chhanchhan's upset ... Manthan worried about deals during the aarti ...
Chhanchhan's mom arrives just in time to join CC for the aarti ... and Manav arrives finally ... with Rupali. Chhanchhan is not happy at all.

Wednesday 28th August - Epi 90 ... What's Sauce for the Goose is Sauce for the Gander 
Chhanchhan annoyed with Manav ... and it shows in her Janamashtami dance, and in her expressions. Manav tries to manao her again but she is seriously miffed this time and leaves the dance stage quickly. Rupali seemed to get the message about Manav being lattoo over his wife all right ... but did she also see the trouble in paradise?
Later Manav still hasn't learnt ... still texting Rupali! Rupali haath dho kar peeche padh gayi hai! Chhanchhan annoyed again when Manav admits he has had dinner already ... he seems to have forgotten that he promised he would break the fast with her. So she suggests, let's go on the long drive you promised ... no, he's too tired now. And finally Chhanchhan loses her cool ... if you're so tired, why didn't you come back straight home, instead of going for dinner with Rupali?
Manav gives her a long lecture ... you also work now, stop behaving like this, if you get late one day because of work, I will understand, I won't overreact ...
Let's see about that, Manav ... all men feel their wives should understand them, yet they never seem to show them the same consideration. And Chhanchhan mentally promises to show him that.

SN - this is something like what I expected DABH to be like ... although the track will be short here, am so glad to actually see it happening in a show ... that too, with a strong woman at the helm, who won't 'sacrifice' her wishes and her job for her husband's insecurities, but will instead make him understand how a man needs to support a working wife. And how a wife needs to support her husband.

Morning - Chhanchhan still miffed with Manav, and he with her. Manek Manthan worried that Manav's deal will allow him to overtake them, Ranjana happy to see trouble in paradise Ouch

RanSan get busy with achar preparations ... Chhanchhan gives a helping hand to Kaumudi with her dupattas.

Did Chhanchhan's company move to a new office? And why did she have to fill in as receptionist suddenly?
Okay, new floor ... apparently the new deal was quite a big one!
Nerd Boy gifts Chhanchhan chocolates ... CC accepts them happily.
Manav visits CC in an attempt to make up ... CC melts and accepts ... and gets miffed again when he gets another call from Rupali! She's going to show him!

Ranjana attempts to sabotage Kaumudi's dupatta work. Foiled by her own sister LOL Ranjana wants to take shortcut ... Sanjana refuses, what if they get caught out? They have to do the work themselves.

Nerd Boy helps Chhanchhan locate the address for Kaumudi's dupatta delivery. Chhanchhan is impressed. Nerd Boy asks Chhanchhan to stay back for an important meeting ... she agrees very happily, after all, Manav had said this might happen, and he wouldn't mind at all. Time to call him out on that!

Chhanchhan reaches home late, Manav miffed, he was waiting for her. Chhanchhan apologises profusely, she got stuck in a meeting, phone was on silent, she forgot in the pressure of work ... all the excuses a husband gives his wife, she trots them out for him ... Manav left with not much choice but to accept with bad grace ... after all, he said exactly the same to her and expected her to understand. When a guy does it, it's okay ... when his wife does it, not so okay.
Chhanchhan knows exactly what he's going through ... she just went through the same. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Nerd Boy has progressed to the stage of dreaming about Chhanchhan ... poor guy, she needs to let him down gently ... and soon.
Dadaji puts Manek through some serious yoga ... Babuji calls all the sons to discuss progress of the competition.

Thursday 29th August - Epi 91 ... Deals and deals
 Mugut and Kaumudi are leading the pack, both working hand in hand.
Manav's score hasn't started yet ... Dadaji warns him that he needs to get a move on.
In his zeal to finalise a big deal, is it that Manav is not thinking about the day to day small ones he also needs to work on? Is he putting all his eggs into one basket? And is Rupali leading him on?
Mugut and Manek are genuinely pleased for Manav if he will clinch his deal. Manthan is worried about competition.

Manav decides to tell Chhanchan in person ... he does adore his wife completely, but he has a tendency (like most husbands) to take her for granted at times!

Kaumudi is worried about the competition, its effects on family unity, and the jealousies it might incite. Babuji tells her it is important and she has to stand by her husband at all times.
Did Umaben feel the same, and was that how Matilal got estranged from his brother? As husband wife, they stood together, but the competitiveness broke up the brothers ...
Darn, this promised to be an interesting track and because the show is ending, it will be dealt with as briefly as the rest Ouch

Chhanchhan's office ... Manav runs into Vineet Nerd boy, and gives him advice about buying gift for one's girlfriend. Nerd Boy follows advice faithfully and gifts Chhanchhan a bracelet. CC little hesitant about taking it ... he insists, it's because she helped him so much the previous day.
Chhanchhan takes it and leaves quickly.

Ranjana Manek and Sanjana-Manthan ... each couple has one partner who is the moral compass for the other. Seems like after Kaumudi, Manek and Sanjana will also want to back out ...

Mugut Kaumudi discuss the competition ... it doesn't matter if Manav does get ahead, but Mugut doesn't want to let down his father's expectations as eldest son ... they hang heavier on his shoulders than on the rest. Kaumudi says it's more important to win the family's hearts than just a competition. So Mugut's stand clarified ... he and Kaumudi are on the same track.

While Manav and Chhanchhan are on different tracks for once ... Manav is angry to see Chhanchhan's gift, Chhanchhan refuses to leave her job just because a guy there is in love with her.
And in the morning, she refuses to let him drop her to office ... Manav even more miffed.
Satyanash ... he chooses to confide in Manthan of all people! Manthan is only too happy to encourage Manav to concentrate on Chhanchhan, rather than his deal.

Rupali is getting me suspicious ... deal is almost final, almost final for many days now ... when will it be actually done? In this much time, Manav could have cemented a few other clients instead!
Party planning for the entire Borisagar family ... Manav wants Chhanchhan to wear a short dress? 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

22/8 - Epi 87 ... Double Trouble

Thursday 22nd August

Babuji sticks to his resolve of competition between his sons to judge who can take over his mantle ... daughters-in-law included in the competition.

This is where the other three score over Chhanchhan ... Kaumudi with her sewing skills, RanSan with achar making abilities. Chhanchhan knows nothing except dog training ... and there's not much scope for making too much money through that. Ranjana was rather pleased to have scored a point over Chhanchhan for once.

RanSan fumble at the start though, by neglecting home for their new found enthusiasm for work ... Chhachhan remembers that the house has to be run along with work ... besides she's still not thought of anything to do.

Manav fumbles at work by annoying an old client ... brothers are mad at him. Second fail ... first was when he didn't get the papers signed in time by Babuji.

Chhanchhan earns praise for remembering to run the house and look after Babuji's health alongside ... and remembers her old friend,, the internet ... job applications go out promptly.

RanSan are worried Kaumudi is sweeping ahead .... but their maayka can help them ... an order for achar for 6 lakhs.
Are they feeding an army?!

And two new entries make their appearance ... double trouble for ChhanMan ...
While Manav's old college friend is not happy with news of his marriage, Chhanchhan lands herself a job in double quick time, and manages to impress one nerdy looking fellow there ...
I noticed Chhanchhan's mangalsutra and sindoor was conspicuous by their absence in the scene with Mr Nerd ... trouble ahead for sure.
Manav has some not so good news for Chhanchhan ... what is it?

Precap - Manav is upset, RanSan's maayka have chipped in to help RanSan ... Chhanchhan is even more upset ... do you expect my family to bail you out? 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

21/8 - Epi 86 ... MugKau over, ChanMan starting ...

Wednesday 21st August

Uh oh ... Chhanchhan's mother wants to do something to save her daughter's marriage!

Kaumudi goes the English Vinglish way ... but does relapse into Hindi quite believably ... don't know why she had to speak in English in the first place, as the other men spoke Hindi! And Mugut bhai sees the light ... what a wonderful biwi he has!
Mayuri enters ... sees Mugut with arm around Kaumudi, sees Kaumudi and Mugut surrounded by family, and she very clearly the outsider ... plus Mugut is suddenly happy with his biwi ... Mayuri sees the writing on the wall and leaves quietly, without making a fuss ... while that part was more believable for a girl like her, leaving without creating a scene, this was another track ended without going into any depth at all.

Babuji has a heart attack ... no ECG, no oxygen, no IV fluids, nothing?!

The brothers immediately start fighting about POA and division ... much to Dadaji's distress and Manav's anger. Chhanchhan tries to pacify Manav ... she's sure he will prove himself to the rest.
So is this a business track coming up?

Dadaji goes and tells Babuji everything about what his sons were arguing about ... really? The man is supposedly recovering from a mild heart attack! Shouldn't he be spared this till he's better?
Seems he is better already, though, because Babuji forgets his angina, and starts plotting himself ... how to choose the heir apparent to his business. That was one quick recovery!

So the challenge is issued ... all the sons have to prove themselves ... not only that, they have to prove themselves as couples, not alone. A challenge for the bahus as well as the sons.

Umaben seems to have lost her throne ... no part in the decision-making process? I thought she was the major domo of the house?

Precap - Chhanchhan decides to look for a job ... Manav is not quite happy about this one.
Have no clue where this is leading!

*edit* Am on the move again, this time back to India :)  Packers in the house so I will not be online the next couple of weeks, will just pop in to post daily takes whenever I can. Will follow Chhanchhan till the end ... if Sanaya can act in it with her usual dedication, with the half baked tracks and poor execution, I can follow her in it till it winds up.

*Edit again* Sanaya in JDJ this weekend on Teen Ka Tadka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoWPXwZjv-o

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

20/8 - Epi 85 ... Getting Kaumudi Ready

Tuesday 20th August

Seems they are rushing the Mugut Kaumudi track ... exactly what I didn't want ... but in view of the end of the show, it was inevitable, I guess Confused So can we please have a ChhanMan track till the end of the show ... please, CV's?

Small sweet Rakhi segment in honor of Raksha Bandhan as Mansi ties raakhee to her four brothers ...
Manthan apparently always gives her money, and not a gift, to her disappointment. So does Manek. Manav gives her a gift ... and Mansi asks Mugut for her gift ... take Kaumudi bhabhi for the official dinner. Mugut doesn't answer, but he's in a fix ... can't deny his sister her rakhee gift. So he answers Mayuri rather shortly ... much to her concern. Did she make a mistake with her stunt?
They never explained why Mayuri changed her mind and wanted Mugut back. Did Mayur Patel fly away or something? Why did she give up on him? Confused
RanSan also changed their saree style ... and Dadaji compliments Umaben on her changing thoughts ... seems pallu was totally an Umaben decision, neither Babuji nor Dadaji has any problem with the absence of the sacred pallu ...

Rugved and Maithili arrive for Raksha Bandhan ... Maithili tries to corner first Umaben, then Chhanchhan with her questions about Manav ... Manav and Chhanchhan manage to ensure she doesn't get a chance. Maithili worris that Chhanchhan is ignoring Manav in her efforts to look after his family ... ah we had the same thoughts here ... CV's reading our discussions again?
But that seems to be the end of that ... it could have been a cute mini track Confused Wonder if they will take it up again, as it seems they're ending the Mugut track fairly quickly.

Manav and Chhanchhan get busy training Kaumudi for the upcoming dinner ... how to walk and talk Tongue ... and eat and drink ...
Apparently the Ahmedabad Businessmen's Association has a colonial hangover and only appreciates people who can walk English, talk English and eat English ... LOL

ChhanMan scene of the day ... CC in blue nighty ... thank you, cv's ... more of these please Day Dreaming And could we get Manav calling Chhanchhan Jaan again ... he only called her that once, that too in a letter ... want him to say it face to face Day Dreaming

And the day of the dinner is already here ... that was quick! Confused Umaben is worried that Mugut will take Mayuri, and the Borisagar family will lose major face ... seems she hasn't lost that aspect of her thinking yet ... but this one was quite understandable. Though her volte face towards Chhanchhan has happened very fast, but I like this saas bahu relationship much better, so am not complaining too much ... just enjoying it.

RanSan look much better in their new style of sarees, although still rather chamak challo ... Kaumudi is looking very nice in a more understated elegant saree. Liked Chhanchhan's red and white color combination very much too ... very pretty!!! Day Dreaming 

So Mugut did finally drop the idea of taking Mayuri, and was forced to take Kaumudi ... considering Kaumudi had already been introduced to his businessmen colleagues, don't know how he planned to explain Mayuri's presence anyway ...
And Kaumudi passes the first hurdle ... walking in heels ... then the next ... shaking hands and saying thanks ... one awkward moment for Mugut when she knows his allergy, and he has no clue as to her favorite drink ...
And onto the final hurdle ... speech in English ... 

Monday, August 19, 2013

19/8 - Epi 84 ... EMA - Work In Progress

Monday 19th August

Why is this show going off air?! It's such a cute show ... will really miss it!!

Revolution in the ranks is sorted out very quickly ... we know why :((( because there's no more time for Umaben's slow reformation. So Umaben has one flashback to her talk with Chhanchhan, tells RanSan that CC and Kaumudi got permission to change their clothes because of majboori, but she gives RanSan permission to change for their own happiness ... because she has seen the light ... umm, she saw that clothes do not maketh the woman, her sanskaar maketh her.  Ranjana is happy, but not yet fully grateful to Chhanchhan. Liked the little touch of RanSan avoiding the issue in front of Umaben, so she asks Chhanchhan directly, knowing RanSan will not tell her out of fear, but CC will.

Guests arrive to invite Mugut for the business dinner, they get impressed with Kaumudi's new improved modern look and talk to her in English. Kaumudi of course doesn't understand a word, and makes a booboo ... Chhanchhan steps in and saves the situation. Mugut gets annoyed again and refuses to take Kaumudi for the dinner, because she doesn't understand English.
Umm, Mugut bhai, the solution for that sort of problem is an English teacher ... not an EMA.

Kaumudi cries ... UB and CC comfort her ... Ub sends her to apologise to Mugut, to calm him down, CC agrees that's a good idea ... and follows Kaumudhi, with UB's permission ... cute UB-CC interaction and one more hug, with UB not quite so disgusted as the last time, and RanSan flummoxed.

CC follows Kaumudi and encourages her to sweet talk Mugut ... Kaumudi almost succeeds, Mayuri steps in with fake suicide ... Mugut and Chhanchhan rush to Mayuri's house, where CC discovers the fake and exposes Mayuri ... Mugut disgusted but Mayuri manages to sweet talk him ...
So is it over or not yet? Not yet, it seems. Kaumudi still has to learn some English.

Finally Chhanchhan manages to reach her room, where an anxious Manav awaits her with the news that his very scary MIL thinks he is the one having an EMA. Chhanchhan most amused, promises she will handle her mom. And her dad ... and her Dadi ... and her brother ...
Very short ChhanMan scene today ... want more tomorrow, but tomorrow is Rakhi. 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

14/8 - Epi 83 ... Unexpected Meeting Point

Wednesday 14th Aug

Cvs have got the message loud and clear ... ChhanMan scenes nahin toh episode nahin!
(Somewhat on the lines of Arnav Khushi nahin toh IPKKND nahin !)

So one cute ChhanMan scene to start the episode ... and Manav did bring a gift for Chhanchann, which she doesn't look at yet ... but okay, it's because she's too busy admiring her loving husband and herself as lucky wife ... don't think Manav minded that at all!
Manave tells Chhanchan that Mayuri is bad news ... only out for money, and is deceiving Mugut
One more meeting with Mayuri has to be fixed ... Manav does so pronto, with fierce nudges from Chhanchhan whenever she feels he's going more overboard than she deems necessary ... oh boy, she is one possessive wife!!!
Appointment made, he gets his reward ... awwww!!! This couple is just freaking adorable!!!

Breakfast next morning ... and Kaumudi makes an appearance in new, improved version ... much to the admiration of all concerned. Dadaji makes another very sensible remark ... change is an inevitable truth of life, and is good as long as it remains within appropriate limits. Kaumudi new improved version is approved ... much to the relief of Umaben and family, and delight of Chhanchhan. And Dadaji makes sure that nalayak Mugut says a few words of praise, grudging though they may be.

Chhanchhan reminds Manav of his lunch appointment, and tells him she will take care of the rest.

I did guess what was coming up, of course ... but the totally unexpected twist was ... well, totally unexpected!!! I adore Chhanchhan's scatty mom, but when I saw her, I went ... "oh teri!!!" 
And it added hilarity to what should have been, and was ... a serious showdown ...

Loved Sanaya's expressions all through the scenes in the second half ... the car ride, the restaurant when she sees Manav and Mayuri, the flying kiss between the conspiring couple ... while CC's mom looks on nonplussed and baffled ... and increasingly irate! Chhanchhan was adorable ... Sanaya just sparkled on screen today! That mischief in her eyes was totally irresistible!!!

Mukut sees Mayuri, Mayuri sees Mukut ... showdown happens ... surprisingly dignified for a public showdown, didn't attract a million public junta ... and Mayuri spoke some serious home truths, including on Mukut's double standards, his own narrow thinking that he accused his wife of, and his having a girlfriend outside marriage. And Mukut in turn accused her of lying ... which was true ...
But the break up hasn't happened yet ... good, cv's are taking this nice and slow. As Chhanchhan exults in the car, this was just the first step.

The hilarious side of the showdown was of course Chhanchhan's mom's expressions all through, as she gets increasingly annoyed on behalf of her daughter ... and Manav gets increasingly worried ... in saving my brother's marriage, I hope my own doesn't break! 
And he gets up and runs for his life from his ferocious MIL ...  :)))
CC's mom calls a clueless Chhanchhan and asks about her errant son-in-law's whereabouts ... CC is probably with Mukut, so she lies that Manav is in office ... unfortunately that just cements her mom's doubts! This is going to be hilarious!

Precap - the revolt in the ranks has started ... Chhanchhan gets to dress in suits, Kaumudi in fancy saree, why are RanSan left out? The beginning of the revolution ... is Umaben going to go back to being wicked MIL?


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

13/8 - Epi 82 ... Finally On The Right Track

Tuesday 13th August

Finally CV's are on the right track ... give us plenty of ChhanMan scenes in between the main story and the show livens up instantly!!!

And finally Chhanchhan is on the right track ... Kaumudi needs to change herself, her personality, develop her self-confidence ... and the rest will follow.

Thoroughly enjoyed the ChhanMan scenes ... am still in mushy frame of mind ... they were super cute today!

Episode update later - first we got
Jealous Chhanchhan - check Wink
Not once, but twice ... jealous Chhanchhan again with some bedroom teasing - double check LOL
Shopping trip where Manav is more interested in buying things for his beautiful biwi than for his boring bhabhi - check again LOL
ChhanMan baarish today!!! Thank you, cv's ... keep it up!!! ClapClapClap


Now for the episode ... Tongue
Manav calls Mayuri and flirts with her on the phone ... Chhanchhan's annoyance at that 'sweetheart' was most apt ... loved it!!! And Manav of course uses the opportunity to flirt some more with his wife ... he doesn't miss a chance, this guy! LOLDay Dreaming
Ah yes ... where was I?  ... *dragging back mind from ChhanMan cuteness to episode with difficulty* ... Manav fixes meeting with Mayuri, carefully dropping in hints of being rich business traveller ... Mayuri falls for it ...

 Kaumudi is tired after her 200 steps ki mannat which hasn't yielded much fruit yet ... Kaumudi, God works in mysterious ways, He's not on Speedpost! So plans under way ... tomorrow is shopping day.

More ChhanMan ... bonanza today PartySilly  Manav busy flirting with Mayuri on chat ... Chhanchhan don't like AT ALL ... and makes it very clear. This is one possessive biwi ... so what if I gave you permission to flirt ... you flirt exactly as much as I allow, and no more!!! LOL
You tell him, girl!!! Clap
SN - yet another cute nightie ... a blue one this time ... fitting, as Chhanchhan is going blue and purple with annoyance LOL ... more manaoing by a very pleased Manav ... I think he loves seeing his wife jealous and angry, so he gets a chance to woo her back ..Embarrassed

Shopping trip the next day ... Chhanchhan Manav Kaumudi Umaben are now the quartet in arms ... although Manav is most unwilling ... why me?!
Because Chhanchhan wants a man's perspective, that's why.
Manav points out he's only good for seeing what looks good on her, not on anyone else ... good boy, he doesn't look at any other women except his wife ... Brownie points for that LOL

Chhanchhan nearly has another fit seeing what Umaben chooses for Kaumudi ... Umaben sulks a bit at her choice being discarded and CC does the needful. Now I see why she brought Manav ... only to back her up in her choice. Wink He was pretty useless otherwise ... far too busy imagining a mannequin to be Chhanchhan and flirting with her Day Dreaming LOL

Two pronged attack starts ... Chhanchhan dresses up Kaumudi in the modern way of wearing a saree, minus pallu ... Umaben approves ...
And Manav starts to lay the ground with Mayuri. He actually used that cheesy 'Mayur and Mayuri' line LOL... and neatly brought in that he saw Mayuri on Mukut's friend list ...
So Mayuri is not all she seems ... now she's passionately interested in travel ... and apparently in rich businessmen ...
Okay, Mayuri might be a typical vamp after all ...

But on the other hand, Kaumudi's makeover is not all about outward appearances ... it's going to be far deeper! This is the right track!!!

Monday, August 12, 2013

12/8 - Epi 81 ... Plans Go Awry

Monday 12th August

The best laid plans of mice and men ... I forget the rest, but the general gist is ... they go haywire.
Not that this was a very good plan in the first place ... taking Kaumudi out for Italian food?

First of all ... Halleluiah ... the ChhanMan drought is over! One legit ChhanMan scene finally! Although if Chhanchhan doesn't watch out, she'll find herself going the Kaumudi way ... worrying more about family than about husband!!! Hope Manav stays in this Romeo avatar ... one of the two has to! Thank you, cvs for listening to our pleas!
Chhanchhan feels that Mayuri is just too perfect ... something is fishy!
I said the same after Thursday's episode ... good to know CV's and me are thinking along the same track!
Manav kidnaps Chhanchhan from the kitchen ... dupatta around his neck as he leans in for a kiss ... and of course ... rukawat ke liye khed hai!

Second halleluiah of the day ... Dadaji is back! And such an understanding Dadaji ... the glint in his eyes when he saw the dupatta around Manav's neck was hilarious! And Chhanchhan blushing madly even more so!
Wonder what tips he gave Manav ... hope we see them in action some time ... soonish!

Back to marital drama ... Mukut bhai chosen Businessman of the year, and has to attend some do with his wife. Manav makes sure that Mayuri will not show up, Chhanchhan decides to show Mukut that Kaumudi has to accompany him ... umm, some basic training here before that, please, Chhanchhan?! Of the knife and fork kind ... All Kaumudi does succeed in, is showing Mukut bhai how very unsuitable she is for accompanying such a sophisticated person like him!

I like Umaben for the way she keeps telling Kaumudi to stop crying ... Kaumudi does tend to dissolve into tears at the drop of a hat.
Like the small tu tu main main between Chhanchhan and Umaben, as Umaben ticks her off for her most unsuitable plan of  taking Kaumudi out to an Italian restaurant ... and then comes up with an even more unsuitable one ... a gaudy jhatak sari ... loved the horror on Chhanchhan/Sanaya's face when she saw it! Fortunately Mukut himself nixed it, saving her the trouble! And decalred that Mayuri will accompny him to the dinner, not Kaumudi. Kaumudi dissolves into tears again.
And yet another unsuitable plan from Umaben ... or rather, one even more unlikely to work ... climb some 200 steps of random mandir, and that will solve all the problems.

Chhanchhan thinks even less of this plan than Umaben thought of hers ... so she sets Manav to work ... in an AWFUL looking false beard and moustache! But he has the required sophistication in his looks and voice to carry off this plan ... and from the precap, it looks like Mayuri is on the way to being trapped.


Thursday, August 8, 2013

8/8 - Epi 80 ... An Unlikely Alliance

Thursday 8th Aug

Scene of the day ... Ranjana's face when Umaben drags Chhanchhan away from the kitchen to continue their planning! Today there is going to be a dhamaka!

Seems Umaben was convinced by Chhanchhan's speech after all .. not enough to abandon her mothods, but enough to give Chhanchhan's a try. After an abortive visit to the Mahila Mandal to start a Mukti Morcha ... that was such a bad idea ... but then, that's Umaben's tried and tested formula, she did the same for Purvi too, and it almost worked, she was just a little too late.

Seeing Chhanchhan and Umaben on friendly terms is .. weird!!! It happened too quickly!

Why do I feel that Chhanchhan's attempt to befriend Mayuri is going to backfire? Or is Mayuri just too perfect to be true? Today I got the vamp-ish vibe from her ... she doesn't want to give up Mukut, even knowing he is married ... so is she putting up an act? Is she really just in it for money?

So Umaben and Chhanchhan are on bi-pronged attack ... show Mukut that Mayuri is all wrong for him, and Kaumudi's makeover ... the second is most welcome ... the first seems will be more difficult than Chhanchhan counted on! A Biwi No 1 track coming up? Since Mayuri is so perfect in all other ways, will they finally plan to send the kids to her to handle? Since Mukut is apparently a concerned father after all, that might just do the trick!

CV's, when we said ChhanMan scene, we mean ChhanMan scene with only ChanMan, preferably in their bedroom, or gazebo, or even in that rooftop garden which magically disappears in the long shots ... we did not mean in public restaurant with MIL looking on!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

7/8 - EPi 79 ... Ek Lecture Ki Keemat Tum Kya Jano, Umaben

Wednesday 7th August

Alternately ... Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Tongue

That was a double quick turnaround by Umaben ... one long lecture from Chhanchhan was all it took! LOL

Also the fact of rebellion starting in the ranks could not have gone unnoticed ... looks like Manthan is next in line.  Manek too is not happy with Umaben's actions. Neither is Manav.

Seems Chhanchhan (or her dialogue writer Wink) was reading all our comments here ... she brought up almost every one of them ... how Umaben had driven Mukut away from Kaumudi by insisting on her being ideal bahu, and not leaving her time to be ideal patni ... since Umaben had refused to accept Chhanchhan by saying that she was fine as Manav's wife, but not as Borisagar bahu, this must have been sweet revenge ... stuffing Umaben's words down her throat with a vengeance! She basically told her this situation was all Umaben's fault!

And I enjoyed ... hackneyed though it was ... the way she reminded Umaben that she had once been a Borisagar bahu too ... that reminder is always useful for every saas now and again Tongue Kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi LOL That was one long lecture!!!

So Manthan, Manav and Chhanchhan manage to trace Kaumudi, of course at the inevitable last minute ... and Umaben lands up there, all reformed and ready to take her back home.

Chhanchhan did not manage to meet Mayuri, so we still have no clue what role Mayuri is going to play. Hopefully, this track has some more time to play out. Mukut is surprised that Kaumudi left, but doesn't seem to be anywhere near missing her in her absence, or appreciating her ...

Precap was the most surprising ... Umaben and Chhanchhan join forces to teach Mukut the error of his ways. Does that mean Umaben will also have to see the error of her ways? Or make a start, at least ...

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

6/8 - Epi 78 ... Showdown

Tuesday 6th August

Till yesterday, I felt that Kaumudi bhabhi was as much at fault as Mukut ... today when Umaben said the same thing, I felt like contradicting her! Contrary much! But Umaben is right in a way ... I did feel the same ...

However, Umaben's words as a mother reek of double standards. When Manav married a girl out of love, Umaben felt that the girl, Chhanchhan had tried to ensnare him for his money ... Mukut married a girl in an arranged marriage, and now she feels that the girl, Kaumudi must be at fault for not being a good wife and not living up to his standards. Either way, her sons are correct, and the girls are at fault! Sheer hypocrisy!
Umaben, have you ever stopped to look at either of your sons, and seen what they did and didn't do? Manav was the one who fell in love with Chhanchhan and was ready to leave the house for her. She did not ask him to leave his family for her.
And agreed, Mukut has been a good son, a good brother, a good father - not seen much of that yet ... but has he been a good husband? In the same way, why did Umaben not bother to think that Kaumudi has been a good DIL, a good mother ... why has she only failed as a wife? The fault in a breaking relationship is never one-sided, it always takes two hands to clap.

Similarly, Manav, Chhanchhan and the rest of the family have to accept that while Mukut chose the wrong way to deal with an unsatisfactory marriage, he had aspirations from his wife, which were not met. And rather than just blame him for everything, they need to figure out how Kaumudi as a wife can meet those expectations ... and also, how Mukut has to change himself and support her to change, rather than just blame her. Both have to change and meet halfway, not just one.
Chhanchhan did get some things right though ... two things, one when she stopped Mukut from leaving by talking about his kids ... okay, there he did show himself to be a concerned father ... and when she told Kaumudi that she needs to develop confidence in herself, then only could she help herself save her marriage. No one else can save it for her.

Poor Manav and Chhanchhan tried to keep things quiet, but Mukut bhai let the cat out of the bag himself! And he was pretty unapologetic about it too! If anything, he seemed relieved that he didn't have to live a double life any more.
But he made some very nasty and very hurtful comments about poor Kaumudi ... felt so bad for her! And again, not ready to stand up to his parents ... he was ready to tell Kaumudi that he did not approve her as a bride for himself, why could he not tell his mother the same thing?

The whole family confrontation scene was good ... the dialogues were good, Mukut was completely unapologetic, Babuji was furious, Umaben was completely distressed, her eldest son's dream marriage with an ideal bahu falling to bits ... and all the other family members were appropriately upset, especially for Kaumudi, everyone loves her. That's why Umaben's words came as such a shock to them all.

I liked the scene with the four bahus, the younger three trying to console Kaumudi, and Chhanchhan telling Kaumudi that she needs to have confidence in herself. That is the need of the hour - poor Kaumudi is already blaming herself for Mukut straying ... Baa's training has been a bit too good!  

The last Manav-Chhanchhan scene was cute ... Manav certainly has a lot of respect for Chhanchhan and complete faith in her problem-solving abilities, nice to see at least one husband in this family respects his wife. Apart from Babuji, of course, who worships the ground Umaben walks on. And nice to get a small dose of ChhanMan romance ... have been missing it! The dialogues were okay ... Chhanchhan has as much confidence in her own abilities as Manav does ... let's hope the confidence doesn't backfire!
So Chhanchhan wants to speak to Mayuri ... wonder what will happen next! Will Mayuri turn out to simply be in it for the money, or will there be anything more to her? And will Chhanchhan even get to meet her, with Kaumudi going missing? What did Kaumudi hear in the morning that prompted her to leave?


Monday, August 5, 2013

5/8 - Epi 77 ... Parallel Conversations

Monday 5th August

An interesting episode, bringing up an issue facing the peculiar way of thinking of Indian society, where a girl's responsibilities to family and in-laws take precedence over her duties and responsibilities to her husband. And how changing times mean that expectations are changing, and trouble arise when one partner has not kept pace.


The episode -
Manav and Chhanchhan discuss how good Kaumudi bhabhi is … Kaumudi didn’t hear anything – this time.
Manthan and Sanjana – Manthan isn’t too happy in his marriage either … and Sanjana is clueless. Kaumudi gets worried when Mukut doesn’t pick up the phone and goes to ask Manthan if he can help. Manthan sends her to Manav.

And this time Kaumudi does hear the damaging stuff … as Manav Chhanchhan discuss Mukut bhai’s girlfriend and how it will affect Kaumudi. And Chhanchhan makes a remark as to how she can understand Kaumudi’s fears because she also has faced the fear of losing the person she loves, and wonders how Kaumudi will react when she learns the truth about Mukut bhai’s girlfriend. 

Guys, keep your door SHUT when you discuss such confidential stuff … is it so hard to remember?! 

Kaumudi flees to her room, a worried Chhanchhan runs after her, and after a small altercation with Ranjana, Kaumudi finally opens the door to Chhanchhan … loved the way Kaumudi kept her dignity intact in front of Ranjana, and only broke down once she and Chhanchhan were alone inside her room – with the door shut this time, thankfully! 

Two parallel conversations – Manav-Mukut and Chhanchhan-Kaumudi … on one hand Kaumudi dreads the very thought of Mukut walking out on her and their kids, while Chhanchhan reassures Kaumudi about the sanctity of the marital bond and the strength of family ties, and tries to give her the courage to fight for her marriage. And tells her that whatever Mukut is doing is wrong, he can’t walk out on a marriage and kids just like that. 

And on the other hand, Mukut lists out to a shocked Manav, all the reasons he is friendly with Mayuri at Kaumudi’s expense. And he did make sense, which was why Manav actually listened quietly … it wasn’t just an affair, it was the feeling of neglect by his wife at the expense of her domestic chores and duties to the children, and a sharing of common interests with Mayuri. He has no intention of walking out on his responsibilities, but he has equally no intention of giving up a friendship which gives him the companionship he lacks in his marriage.

Hmm … tough one here … wonder what Manav will tell Chhanchhan about this, as he did seem to understand Mukut’s pov, shocked though he was. 

A very interesting juxtaposition of views – Chhanchhan, the girl with the so-called ‘modern’ upbringing, believes completely in the sanctity of marriage and the marital bond, and advises Kaumudi that she must fight for her marriage. While Mukut, from the so-called ‘traditional’ upbringing, stuffed to the gills with ‘sanskaar’ from childhood, is scathing about the bond and unapologetic about his relationship outside it, not only that, he is fully prepared to continue it while remaining married, and doesn’t see anything wrong in what he is doing, he has fully justified it to himself. Wonder what he would feel if Kaumudi felt the same and indulged in a fling of her own on the same grounds. 

Chhanchhan promises Kaumudi that they will try to sort the problem out, without the family’s knowledge, as Kaumudi dreads the thought of Baa coming to know anything.

In the meantime, Manthan is hauled up by furious Babuji about missing Rs 10 lakhs, and he promptly traces it to Mukut bhai’s personal account. Umaben tries to shield the missing Mukut while Manek returns with Manav’s tiffin – apparently Manav has spent the whole day chasing Mukut.

Umaben shelters Mukut again from Babuji’s wrath and sends him to change, and warns him they have something important to discuss with him.

Mukut asks Kaumudi what his parents want to talk about, and tries to evade Mayuri’s phone call. Kaumudi tells him she knows everything about Mayuri and he needn’t lie to her.

Precap – Babuji and Umaben want to talk presumably about the missing money, Mukut lets out the news about his girlfriend.And the issue is set to explode.


TV This Fortnight - 1st - 15th August

Have been travelling, so making this post late. Am completely out of touch with what is happening in all the shows ... any updates?

Veera - saw Gurpreet of Veera as Mandodari of Mahadev ... when did this happen? Did she leave Veera?

NBT - read about Mohan dying in an accident and some humshakal appearing - I thought that was supposed to be for Season 3 - what is happening?

Qabool Hai - who is this new villain Vikram? Why do Gul's shows all have so much negativity and such little positivity? Saw the stars scene in QH ... sorry to say, couldn't hold a candle to the Arhi scene in IPK. Also saw KSG's Salman Khan dance ... hey bhagwan, seems Gul loves Salman Khan a lot - all her heroines love him and all her heroes land up acting like him. I use the term 'acting' loosely, as Salman has not yet learned to act in all these years! KSG is unimpressive in the episode I caught.

Madhubala - no clue where the story is going. Sultan is firmly established as villain and now it's the turn of his 'junoon' for Madhubala? What happened to Madhubala becoming an actress?

Anybody watching
Indian Idol Junior ... really enjoying the show these days, the kids are all excellent singers and the judges and celebrity guests are very sweet with them. Completely feel good entertainment!

Tried Pammi Pyarelal solely for Karan Goddwani - the toilet humor in the first episode put me off completely. Will try the new show coming on Zee about a kaamwali bai ... seems interesting. Also will try Jee Le Zara on Sony about a working girl falling in love with a younger guy, although I doubt that anything can beat Astitva in that genre.


Thursday, August 1, 2013

1/8 - Epi 76 ...

Thursday 1st August

Yenna rascala Mukut bhaiya is having an affair ... with a modern girl! A doctor, at that! Hey bhagwan, what will Umaben say when she hears this?! It's not only Manav who wanted a modern educated girl as his life partner, so did his older brother! It runs in the family, Umaben ... for how long can you stem the tide?

The girl Mayuri seems quite sweet, not a vampish home-breaker type ... wonder how she will turn out. Just hope the cv's don't cut short this track!

The episode - Manav and Chhanchhan get the kids shots done ... and head back.
Umaben reaches the temple where the priest tells her no bachhas, no pujas ... and to be even more helpful, tells her to get a move on ... or the mahurat will end.
I thought Umaben could wake up the sleeping Gods, where did her powers disappear? Can't she stretch a mahurat now?

Umaben prefers to call Chhanchhan and blast Manav instead ... as she can't say anything to Chhanchhan for the moment. Can't ... or doesn't want to ...
Am glad they showed Manav getting into trouble for speaking on the mobile while driving ... good lesson! He should have told his mom that ...

So Umaben merely tells him to get a move on ... Manav tries to speed up ... and gets into an accident.
He almost gets beaten up too ... but Unknown Lady saves him ... she is a doctor and she is perfectly all right ... though her car is not.
So Manav and Chhanchhan take her to hospital ... thereby missing the mahurat deadline ... but of course!

Unknown Lady seems quite nice, not vampish at all ... wonder how she will evolve ... She tells them she's fine and her boyfriend is coming to pick her up.
Manav and CC are relieved, their duty done ... although still worried about mahurats and pujas ... but they really couldn't help this ... considering the lady had saved Manav from being beaten up, they were pretty much obliged to help her out.
Manav goes to pay the bill ... CC goes to buy fruit ... and they both come back to find Unknown Lady and Mysterious Boyfriend chatting cosily together ... Unknown Lady introduced her boyfriend sweetly ... while Manav and Chhanchhan stare shell-shocked at Mukut Bhai. Who stares equally shell-shocked back!

Mukut bhai tries to brazen out of the situation ... yes, she's a girl, she's my friend ... Manav is having none of that ... so Mukut lets loose his grievances ... yes, he is close to Mayuri, so what?!
And funnily, he says almost the same words to Manav that Kaumudi said to Chhanchhan ... Manav and Chhanchhan are happy together because they know and love each other, their views, their thinking is the same, they can talk about the same things, enjoy the same things ... while he has nothing in common with his ganwar wife ... she only knows how to cook, clean, look after the kids and obey his parents.
Hello, Mukut bhai ... you try doing all that yourself, and then talk further! Though I do agree with the rest ... somewhat ... must be tough to be married to someone with whom you have nothing in common at all.
And he tells Manav and CC to keep quiet about this, he will come back when he wants to. 

Mukut's daughter sees him outside and calls out ... he ignores and goes off ... she's sad ... CC tries to hush her up and they take the kids back home, both deep in thought, wondering what to do ...
Finally clarified ... Mukut Kaumudi have two girls, and Ranjana Manek have a son. Family tree finally sorted out. 

At home, Umaben is hopping mad and trying not to show it ... Manav and CC return with the kids, both still silent ... Sakshi again lets out the news about the accident ... and Dadaji admonishes Umaben for accusing them for being late without trying to ask why. He had a point. He usually does.

Manav is angry and shows it ... he almost lets the cat out, but CC stops him ...

Umaben thinks Chhanchhan did this purposely just to show her down ... CC is appalled how she could think so ... and even more, worried as to how to tell her and the family what it was that actually delayed them and why Manav could not have come alone with the kids.

Later at night, Manav-Chhanchhan wonder what to do and how to handle this ... Kaumudi enters with milk ... why do these people drink so much milk at night?! And did she hear anything important? Don't think so ... I think she only heard that there is a problem.

Edit - Weekend News
Good news for Chhanchhan- it has apparently got an extension till March 2014. So very few chances of it going off air prematurely! Yippee!!! 

 http://www.india-forums.com/tellybuzz/wassup/16081-shows-under-the-scanner-find-out-which-stay-and-which-go.htm

http://www.india-forums.com/tellybuzz/buzzin-hot/16083-chhanchhan-extended-till-march-saas-bina-sasural-2-coming-up-soo.htm

The only negative for Chhanchhan was that it was an expensive show and hence TRPs were important. If Sony feels that it's getting enough ad revenues despite low TRPs, then it will keep the show on air ... and definitely, the ads have not gone down for Chhanchhan, if anything, they have increased!

The positives for keeping it on air stay the same
- Sony knows it rushed CC on air too soon before the PH was ready.
- The disastrous choice of FK as ML was a result of that decision. So both were the fault of the channel, and it would be unfair to penalise the show and the PH for the same. Also Sony dragged its feet about changing FK for a long time, thus worsening the situation.

- Optimystix is an old favorite of Sony's, and they have many of their shows airing on the channel. Sony will give them a greater leeway than other PHs.
- If Sony has signed on Sanaya and Supriya for a full year, they will keep her on air for the full year ... no point her being in contract with them and not shooting. Unless they find a better show to shift her to, Chhanchhan and Sanaya will stay on air. Already it seems that Colors is courting Sanaya full steam, Sony will be loth to lose her, they know she will be snapped up by another GEC soon enough.

I just hope that the PH sticks to their original story, now that the sword is off their heads to some extent. I want to see a really good story of Mukut-Kaumudi and Chhanchhan's new thinking helping Kaumudi to emerge from being a backward gharelu housewife to becoming a true companion for Mukut, and Mukut acknowledging her good qualities too.

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