Samrat Gunjan 2

The most beautiful phase of the SG relationship - Samrat's struggle to win back Gunjan's trust and friendship. He didn't know why he was doing it, why it meant so much to him. Why was he so upset at her hurt, her pain, her tears. He didn't know, didnt think about it. All he knew was that he had hurt her and her hurt pained him more than he had thought possible. He had to get her back. her smiles had vanished because of him and he had to get them back.

Little sam, the RJ hunt, the notes from a friend, the phone, the friendship bracelet. For a friend? Wake up, Samrat!!! The dance practice for Valentine's day. By then slowly she was warming up to him, even smiling and teasing him gently. He taught her to dance ... taking the utmost care not to scare her off again. And Gunjan was also wondering, and half-hoping, that her secret friend is Samrat after all. Her hurt had melted slowly under his constant onslaughts of laughter, teasing and firm support.

Valentine's day ball - a magical night. Fist the games, where they were both ready to do anything for the other - including eat karelas, mirchi - even Benji wondered why Samrat was doing all this for Gunjan. He's never done this much for any other girl, thought Benji. The game, where they knew everything about each other, including their weaknesses. And then Gunjan came to know the truth about her 'secret friend' ... and she was happy, because she wanted Samrat back as much as he wanted her.

Khuda Jaane ... don't need to say more.

The magical night after the ball - one of the most sensitively handled scenes I've seen in a long time. Samrat Gunjan spent the whole time talking, just talking, eating at a roadside stall, driving, and the joy, the completeness they felt in each other's company was obvious and beautiful. It was as though that night was a night out of time, as though they didn't need anyone else, the world was theirs and theirs alone. And the last bit, when he dropped her back and their little spat - again she showed a flash of her zid, and then gave in so cutely that he thanked God that she was back. How fitting that they fell completely in love on Valentine's Day - for that's what it was.

Special mention to the acting here. When MJHT started, I turned it off because I couldn't stand this couple - his non-acting and her crying. (MN didn't impress me that much - same old AR fight stuff.) When I came back to MJHT around the KJ time, I was hooked to this very same couple - their acting, their expressions and their chemistry. From zilch it had zoomed to 100.

The next bit was very enjoyable. The teasing, the fun as SG were friends again and happy to enjoy each other's company, the finale of the RJ hunt where again Samrat was Gunjan's support system, firm as rock behind her, pushing her on, encouraging her and always giving her the confidence that he's there to catch her if she falls. That's why he was so good for her - if she was with a dominating guy like Mayank, he would protect her, cosset her and keep her wrapped in cotton wool. Samrat pushes her ahead, loves to see her shine and lets her know that he's always there behind her to catch her if she falls.
Gunjan's realisation was again beautifully done, the song and the after scene, especially where she tells him - I'm not sad, I'm happy. He was puzzled, relieved but puzzled. Something was wrong, but as long as she's not sad, it's ok.
The next bit, including Sheena was my least favourite part of the story, especially as Gunjan turned into the Weeping Wall. I just liked all the parts where she came to terms with the fact that Samrat only sees her as a friend, and determined to smile anyway. And they were getting even closer all through this friendship phase. Sheena had a right to be nervous. I'd be nervous too if my boyfriend was with his best friend, who happened to be a very beautiful girl, before and after every date with me, if his best friend knew all the details of our dates, his gifts, when he was going to propose etc.
Why did neither of them read their feelings correctly? Gunjan is easy - he told her so - repeatedly - that she was his best friend, confided in her that he liked Sheena. And Gunjan anyway had self esteem issues - it wasn't difficult for her to believe that she was only his friend.
But Samrat? My theory is that love had awakened in his heart but he read the arrow signs wrong. Sheena fitted his picture of what his girlfriend should be like, probably had always been - smart, classy, hot, modern. Plus all hot girls fell for Sam - it was the done thing. He played to his image, not realising that while it flattered him to see himself with Sheena, it was Gunjan he needed, couldn't do without.
Also - for him, love didn't last, friendships did. Benji had told Gunjan that Sam's girlfriends had a shelf life of a month or less. And making Gunjan his girlfriend, or acknowledging that she was more than a friend, meant running the risk of losing her. Because no one stayed with him except for his friends. Gunjan had to stay with him - he couldn't lose her. Ergo, she was his friend.