30/11 - Epi 398 ... Goodbye, IPKKND

Friday November 30th '12

Fitting somehow ... that I will watch IPKKND's last episode at around the same time that I watched almost 395 earlier ones, give or take the few weeks I was travelling.  A show I have watched from start to end, not missing a single episode - a first for me.

Am out for dinner ... will watch and post later tonight.

Quick edit ... watched very late ... will edit completely late on Sunday or Monday.

What do I say? An episode that was obviously rushed to meet an unexpected deadline. The disinterest of the PH shows again in the so-called "Finale" of a Mrs. India contest that has as an audience the family of one participant, the two judges who were also the selectors, the trainer and the MC in undetermined roles and no other audience whatsoever.  The flashbacks of the Sheesh Mahal only served to underline the grandeur with which the soap started, and the level to which it fell. How the cv's rushed to meet the deadline showed in the way that Khushi was not with the family in any frame, her last few scenes probably all had to be shot separately within a crazy time span as soon as she returned from the UK. Similarly for her scenes with Arnav, which were probably shot before the trip ... except for that one scene, they were not in any frame together ... even in the last scene when she tells him how he is her biggest strength and is always with her. Today I felt her emotions did not come through as well as they usually do ... Barun was very flat almost all through. Probably because they were shooting to a tight deadline and hardly ever together ... both Sanaya and Barun are far better when shooting with each other, especially Barun.

I liked the flashbacks tracing their journey ...

I wonder how the PH would have shown Arnav's accident ... and Khushi's reaction ... this ending was supposed to complete their story, and yet it left me feeling incomplete. Again the channel interfering and not allowing the PH to do things the way they had planned, because of the overwhelming popularity of one actor, and the unreasonable demands of fans. Is that the story of the show?

Epi 397 ... All for Khushi, Khushi For All

Second post ... thanks, Jaya! Please continue discussions here when the first one reaches 200 comments.

I will make a new episode post for tonight ... I will join you all late, but I will definitely be there!!! Please be around! And can we plan to meet up again on Sunday night if it suits everyone. I am out most of Saturday and Sunday, but will be back home by 11pm HK time ... 9.30 India time.

28/11 - Epi 397 ... All For Khushi, Khushi For All - The Raizadas

Wednesday 28th November '12

Khushi learns to say No all right ... but her mad family is not ready to hear it
So they all work on Khushi's soft heart ... individually, by turns ... and Khushi almost gives in to each one ... Arnav the Wicked is there to stop her from giving in to her soft heart and his mad family's emotional blackmail ... and Khushi ends up refusing everyone ...

Next day, Amrita gets a fake husband ... Jai catches her out ...

Arnav calls Khushi (who's looking drop dead gorgeous ... I actually caught my breath when she came on screen) ... and tells her he's always there with her, supporting her, loving her. Even if he can't be there with her physically.

Amrita gets caught out on stage by Jai ... disqualified from round, not from show ...
Natasha knows her husband much better than he knows her ...

Arnav starts worrying that Khushi took him a bit too seriously and said No to everyone ...

He needn't have worried ... Khushi's soft heart and the love she shares with his madcap family ensures that she will never be alone ... the whole family turns up to be with her. And they show how well they all know Khushi and she knows them ...
Again a great build up to the proposed end of Arnav having an accident and his whole family being there to support Khushi ... but ... oh well

The final question ... what can Khushi not live without?
NK answers 'food' ... Pretty close ... but what Khushi really can't live without is her pyaare pati ...

And a final Rabba Ve ...

Hey all ... I have house guests this weekend starting today, and a very hectic few days lined up ... will make the post for Friday, but will update both this and the last episode only on Sunday, I think ... won't have the time before that.

From Tuesday, I plan a series of posts on favorite scenes of IPKKND, hope you guys will join me on those.  

EDIT ... Finally editing episode posts for Wednesday and Friday ... with thanks to Devi Maiyya ... she obviously knew this was going to happen this weekend, and hence she planned such a hectic weekend for me that I could detox from the show 

Episode
Khushi grumbles about her autocratic LG and his lessons. which have put her in such a pickle ... the problem of saying 'No' to everyone she loves.

Nani arrives to comfort her, pamper her, understand her dilemma ... umm, not really Nani is here to promote her own candidature as chief cheerleader   Khushi starts to agree ... yes, Nani is the eldest, it's her right ...Nani waits with anticipation ...
NO ... One look from Arnav ... and poor Khushi has to repeat the lesson newly learned ... No, Nani, you can't ... 

Grumbling again, this time to Devi Maiyya about her dilemma ... please, Devi Maiyya, give him just a little bit of sense ... SN - I cracked up at this one! Give him sense!!!
Anjali arrives ... filled with love and affection for her dear bhabhi Khushi, how they are a lesson for all nanad-bhabhi's, the ideal NB pair ... and of course how good they will look on stage together ...
Khushi ready to agree ... one look from Arnav and the lesson again ... NO ... you can't come ... because my kismet is bad ... translated to mean - I have a dictator husband who's bent on giving me unpleasant life lessons at the worst possible time

Next candidate ... Dancing Mami ... Khushi closes her eyes quickly before Mami can make the inevitable speech ... and says NO again ... even more upset ...

She runs to her room to escape ... no escape, NK follows her there, ready with a prepared speech in shudh Hindi ... now can I come with you?
Of course you can ... how can Khushi refuse anyone? Arnav playing Narad muni Much to Khushi's complete dismay and annoyance ... he knows exactly how difficult this is for her! And he's not making it any easier! Quite the reverse.
Arav isn't to be left behind ... I love you ... Khushi moved ... he continues, now can I come with you?  

Khushi looks at Arnav for help ... not happening ...
Why are you looking at me?! Say yes ... unspoken ... I know you can't say No ...
It's a challenge again, not one she wants to win ... but she has to ... and he's actually impressed that she did ...
Not that it stops her from showing her annoyance ... to him, of course ... Khushi can show her annoyance to Arnav, because he understands her so well ... you are mean! And she flounces off ... much to his amusement. 

Khushi at the contest ... my breath hitched when I saw her, she was looking so beautiful ...
SN - why does she have just three blouses in total for all her sarees?
Worrying about being alone without her Mister, if he'd been there with her, we would have won without a doubt ... aww, poor Khushi ...
But when has it ever happened that she needed Arnav and he hasn't been there for her? So he calls ... 'I'm here ... maybe I can't be with you, walk hand in hand, claim you as my wife ... but I'm always with you ..'
And that's really all Khushi needs ...

Amrita very happy Khushi seems to be alone ... she seems to think Khushi is the only worthy competition for her ... methinks Amrita needs a reality check, is she worthy contestant at all?
Khushi sees Natasha and husband, both busy with their individual phones ...
Amrita has hired a husband ... who wants more money ... Jai overhears ...

Husband-wife round starts ... Amrita is caught out by Jai immediately ... exit from round, but not from contest ...
Natasha's turn ... she knows everything about her husband, but he knows nothing about her ...
SN - one thing I have to say about this PH, in one subtle scene, they manage to put in layers ... that explained why Natasha withdrew in the final round ...
While Arnav worries that Khushi took him a bit too seriously ... and called no one ... 

Khushi's turn ... she walks on stage alone and Riya wonders if no one wanted to accompany her ... Wrong ... problem was different, everyone wanted to accompany her ... and they did
First Nani ... then Mami ... nope, Jai, not two ... but three, four, five ... all there for Khushi ... because she can't choose just one ...
And Arnav isn't surprised ...what else to be expected from his crazy but loving family?!
The question-answers start ... of course, everyone knows everything about Khushi, and Khushi knows everything about everyone ...
NK thinks Khushi can't do without food ... oops, wrong answer ... she can even do without food if needed, but not without her pyaare pati ...

And a final Rabba Ve ... as Khushi stares mistily at her pyaare Arnavji, and he smiles lovingly and proudly back at her ...

27/11 - Epi 396 ... Life's Lessons ... Learn to Say No

Tuesday 27th November '12

Khushi ends her ramp walk, all smiles ...
Arnav gets a call and goes off ... Khushi tries to look for him, waylaid by efffusive Jai and Sam ... both full of praise ... she's a front runner now. Arnav is annoyed ... or jealous?
Amrita and Riya both not pleased.

Next morning, Khushi is surprised to see Arnav missing ... he's left instructions for her to take the car. Nani, Mami, NK, Anjali and Arav all fuss over her.
Khushi late ... told to do sit ups
Sit ups end barely two minutes later ... new task for the next day, the girls have to come with their husbands. Amrita and Natasha both look alarmed.
Khushi wishes she could bring Arnav, because the round would be a piece of cake with him. Girls pump her for ideas, which she happily gives away. She also asks Jai for permission to bring another family member as her husband is busy.

Back home ... Mami, Nani and NK are preparing their victory speeches, all ready to stake their claim to Khushi's fame. Aarav is sure his mom will thank him anyway ... all moms do. Filler scene ... but it was nice to see the mad Raizada family ... gonna miss them!

Arnav corners her furiously ... learn to say No! Don't give away everything to the girls, they're using you to get ideas. If you have to face the world if you're alone, then you have to learn to say No.
Khushi falters for a second ... rabba ve ... and then declares firmly ... she can face the world alone, she can say No.
SN - am sure this was shot pre-London.

So she goes home, and tells the family they have to accompany her the next day ... all are excited. Arnav arrives, and Khushi belatedly remembers her life's lesson for the day ... and slowly, less and less firmly, refuses all of them ... and almost crying, tells the reason ... she can take only one person. And run off ... feeling so bad for making them all feel bad. Didn't know whether to laugh or go awww at this ... so typically Khushi!
And Arnav looks after her satisfied ... she has learnt her lesson, though it was tough on her.

Note - timings changed here ... I get the episode at India time now!  

*edit*
Khushi completes her ramp walk ... stands with love, gratitude overflowing in her eyes as she looks at Arnav ... his eyes respond with love and pride and a quiet satisfaction ... his woman is the best, always.A smile maintained as he leaves with a phone call.
Riya is not very happy with Jai's open appreciation ... they could have made a nice parallel track on this, it looked promising.

Later Khushi looking for Arnav ... Jai compliments her ... so does Riya, but with a warning, don't try that on me again ... Khushi apologises if she hurt anyone ... typical Khushi ...
Arnav overhears the two admiring Khushi, and the jealous lover is back ...
So Sam did help Khushi by giving her a dress she could wear with ease ... now if only she would stop calling him 'bhaiyya!' But Jai says that whatever Sam does, Khushi can never be out of the competition now ... Amrita is annoyed and worried at Jai's open admiration ... so is Riya ... Khushi barely hears them, she is only worried about Arnav and his reaction ...

Manaoing annoyed, jealous Arnav is not easy ... Khushi tries her best ... did you see, they all liked me, I was so worried, they're not so bad after all, what do you think?
He's jealous, annoyed ... no one has the right to admire his wife but him ... I'm busy ...

Khushi puzzled ... then it clicks, oops, we're not husband and wife here, I'm not supposed to talk like this here ... doesn't enter her head that her man is one insanely jealous lover ...
But then confusion ... why is he so upset?

And she does get a hint when she overhears a conversation between Jai and Riya, Riya annoyed at Jai paying attention to everyone but her ... Jai accuses her of the same ... and Khushi wonders, these two are fighting like a husband-wife ... could they be ...?
Again, this could have been a nice parallel track ... the actors are decent, and they look the part ...

Next morning, Khushi again looking for Arnav ... he's left early but left instructions - take the car. Thank God ... finally! No autos for Mrs Raizada.
Entire family gets Khushi ready for work ... salad, drink, fruit ... and lots of encouragement and support ...

Some more timepass ... exercise for the girls, Khushi is late, gets situps as punishment, and within two minutes, called off as a new competition is happening ... a couple round. Khushi first happy ... then worried ... Arnav can't come to the sets. Amrita and Natasha are both worried. But Khushi clears the way for herself and for them ... she gets permission to bring a family member, because hubby is too busy. Of course Jai agrees - he's not going to disqualify Khushi

Amrita and the other girls happily pump Khushi for ideas, she equally happily and innocently gives them all away, watching movies together, gardening together, dancing together ... Arnav shakes his head ... this girl is pagal, not at all wordly-wise!

Filler family scene ... Manorama getting her thank you speech ready for Khushi's victory Nani and NK stake their claim for their share of glory Aarav says his mom will thank only him.

Arnav yanks Khushi into his room ... and puts forward a series of requests ... wear a mini dress and come for a party, shift away from the family with me, kiss me now ... Khushi, ek baat to sun lo!
Khushi refuses ... and Arnav makes his point ... if you can say no to me, learn to say No to others, they're all using you to get ideas!
SN - was that Arnav or Barun speaking? He's managed to say No pretty forcefully ...

Khushi refuses ... she wants to show him she's no less than him ... he repeats it's not about him or her, it's about living in the big bad world ... how will you manage if I'm not around?
And for a moment Khushi is shocked ... alone? Without him?
Then she gathers herself ... I will manage ... she's ready to face the world, and do it on her own terms too ...
He knows she can, but for that, she has to learn to say NO ... not let herself get taken for a ride, or for granted.
SN - somehow there seemed to be a lesson in there somewhere ...

Khushi comes home muttering to herself ... she's not that naive as he thinks. And announces to the family about the couple round ... and also that Arnav isn't coming, so she has permission to bring her family.
Family all overjoyed, all planning the outing immediately with full excitement ... and Khushi suddenly remembers she's only allowed one person, not a paltan ... just as Arnav arrives home, and she has to prove herself to him again ...  
So she says No ... with increasing sadness and guilt ... as Arnav pushes her buttons by mentioning each member and how much they have helped her ... and she dolefully sticks to her refusal, feeling worse and worse ... and finally blurts out the real reason ... that she's allowed only one person ... and runs to her room ... not even seeing the understanding on their faces ... and the satisfaction on Arnav's ... Lesson learned. Slowly Khushi is learning to face the world.







SN - I really wonder at Sanaya's capacity for work ... she was onscreen at least half the episode yesterday and most of today ... and she is away for three days to UK, where she did a Meet and Greet and three dances. How quickly does this girl can her scenes?! No wonder her producer called her the most professional actor on the sets. 

26/11 - Epi 395 ... Red Saree & Dori - Loops Closed

Monday 26th November '12

Episode discussions here please. All discussions on show ending in the previous post.

Continuation of Friday's Rabba ve ... broken by Khushi ... she really could write that book Arnav was talking about  ... 101 ways to kill romance!
Sam the trainer wants her to lose weight, ASR the sponsor agrees ... but Arnav the husband wants her to put on weight ... it's quite obvious what the guy is getting at ... 

Another loop closed today ... on Friday it was closure of wearing a revealing outfit loop ...
Today it was the closure of the first red saree loop ... this time a midnight blue spangly sleeveless evening dress does the trick ... as Arnav stops in his tracks to see a stunning, though nervous Khushi weave her way down the stairs ...
And his words ... 'Beautiful ... Amazing ...' give her the confidence and reassurance she needs to carry on ...
Sanaya has beautiful eyes ... and so expressive ... the eye talk between Arshi was beautiful today ... all the conversation was aankhon aankhon mein ...  And Arnav couldn't stop smiling with pride to see his gorgeous biwi ... who looked every inch Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada today ...

A talent contest ... and all the contestants come up with novel ideas ... we saw a floral dress and some magic tricks ...

Khushi's turn ... and she exhibits one of her major talents (she has quite a few actually) ... mimicry ... and gets the house laughing ... including one very proud husband ...

Wardrobe malfunction ... engineered by  a jealous Amrita ... why is she after Khushi? Does she realise that Khushi is actually big competition? And a watchful Arnav comes to the rescue ... and restores the back of her blouse ... a Dori 360 ...

*Edited* ... took a long time to get into the mood to edit today But it was a beautiful episode ... if we had known the show was ending, we could not have asked for anything different, or anything better than the closure of all the special Arhi loops one by one. So here goes ...

Continuing the Rabba ve by the poolside ... till Khushi remembers that she's not supposed to be romancing with her husband, she's supposed to be trying to reduce half an inch on her already non-existent waistline. Hey bhagwan, Sam ji, bachhi ki jaan loge kya?! How much can she reduce from that tiny waist?
Arnav understandably is a bit baffled ... he seems to have the same question. But biwi takes everything very seriously, if Sam ji said lose half an inch, she has to lose half an inch ...
And Arnav has learned the best way to rile his wife is to agree with her ... so he agrees that she's a bit fat much to her indignation ... like all supportive husbands who value their domestic bliss, he was supposed to tell her she was gorgeous as she was ... but adds ... as a sponsor, he agrees ... as a husband, he wants her to put on a bit of weight ... in all the right places
Was that a hint about a baby? Bitwa has been in the mood for quite a while now ... 
Khushi doesn't get it ... she can't put on weight right now till the competition is over ...
Arnav gives her a zinger about her career being more important than her personal life and leaves ... leaving Khushi confused and distressed ... torn between Sam ji's directive and her patni dharm to please her husband

Next day, Sam warns the girls not to behave like Khushi or risk professional suicide ... Khushi tells Sam bhaiyya she's ready ... he objects to bhaiyya ... strenuously ... But Khushi gets the bhaiyya feeling from him
Amrita gets alarmed that Khushi can do a decent catwalk ... and sabotages her costume ...

Red saree 360 ... Arnav enters talking to the reporters ... and gets totally gobsmacked as he suddenly sees a vision in blue descent the stairs ... a very nervous, self-conscious Khushi, who is completely nervous about wearing a dress for the first time ... and completely unaware of the vision she is in that long spangly figure-hugging sleeveless blue gown ... she looked a dream, her eye makeup was gorgeous, and for once her accessories were perfect, delicate waterfall diamante earrings, and two big diamante spangled flowers at one wrist, neck and other arm bare ... simple, graceful, elegant and oh so stunning! Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada to the T!
Khushi's nervousness at this unfamiliar outfit was so apparent in her eyes, her face ... the way her hands kept going nervously to her shoulder to tug at the straps, at her neckline ...

And have to admire Sanaya's acting here ... she wears short mini dresses in real life all the time! Khushi looked as though she was wearing such a scandalous outfit for the very first time!

Don't know why the other girls were sniggering ... at Khushi's nervousness? Couldn't be at her outfit - she looked gorgeous ...

And Khushi stops as she sees Arnav ... and looks at him very nervously, her eyes asking him a question ... do I look all right?
And his eyes say ... my darling, you look wonderful tonight ...

In case she missed what his eyes were saying ... he repeats it for her benefit and hers alone ... when a reporter asks him what he thinks of the contestants ...
'Beautiful ... Amazing ...' 
And his eyes never leave her ... leaving her in no doubt who he's talking about, he has eyes for no one else ... and her trembling smile dawns, acknowledging his message ... and with it, returns her confidence ... he thinks she looks fine, that's enough for her  ...

SN - Seems like Sam loves her, he gave her a rather nice long dress, while all the other contestants got mini dresses, one was a floral print! and Amrita got red leggings Phatichar PH - didn't even try to make this look authentic!

And all through that press conference (I use the term loosely ) as Arnav talks, his eyes stay on Khushi, with that smile, that pride shining through clearly ... and hers stay on him, as though drinking in his approval, and feeding her confidence with it ... a final questioning look as he winds up with the reporters ... enough confidence that she even starts to do a mini catwalk just for his benefit, with a touch of mischief in those beautiful eyes ...
Only to be waylaid by a reporter trying to maro line ... 'you look beautiful, very different from all the rest ...'
Arnav starts to get a bit worked up ... is that guy hitting on his wife? Khushi sees his mood change and quickly deals with the guy herself ... thanks, bhaiyyaji ... End of reporter ... end of Arnav's gussa, and he relaxes again, Khushi is capable of dealing with pesky guys on her own ...

The show begins ... every girl has to display her talent ... Natasha makes a dress with flowers, quite an unusual talent, actually ... Amrita does a magic trick ... I think she got the worst costume, red leggings?!
And Khushi is worried, everything she thought to do, has already been done ...
Amrita watches gleefully as Khushi is called on stage ...
Arnav watches carefully, on the lookout to step in if she needs help at any time ...
But Khushi is Khushi ... resourceful is her middle name ... Mimicry ... first of Riya, Jai, then Sam, then Amrita and Natasha ... and she even has the starchy Riya smiling and applauding ... Vikrant nods reluctantly in admiration ... the girls are laughing ...
And Arnav can't stop smiling in pride and delight ... that's his girl! Khushi gets lost for a moment in his eyes and his admiration ... recalled by Sam to the contest ... starts to walk with complete ease and confidence ... and discovers a wardrobe malfunction ... as her hand sneaks behind her back to check out her torn strap ... and a very quick, very worried look at Arnav, who has already picked up her unease, there's something wrong ...
Did he see Amrita's smirk?

And the lights go out ... Khushi is yanked to the side, and Arnav quickly does the needful ... a few judiciously applied staples and he's back to switch on the lights ... Khushi is back in position on stage ... and he puts down the stapler on the table with a slight smile, to show her she's safe ...
SN - Staples???!!! Really???!!!

Khushi continues her catwalk with more confidence, love, pride shining in her eyes ... as the applause breaks out, Arnav looks around with even more pride ... that's for his wife ... and he claps too ...
And Khushi looks at him with her love shining in her eyes ... she did it! And he was behind her, helping her, supporting her, every step of the way. As he always has been.  

Loved the look in their eyes as they look at each other ... almost bursting with pride, love, joy ... be it in a sea of people, or alone together, their world is the two of them together. No one and nothing else matters.

SHIDDAT ... I want the contest to end with a 360 of Khushi falling into Arnav's arms on the ramp, AFTER she wins ... and the whole world coming to know she is Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada ...

26/11 - Curtain Down :(

Monday 26th November '12

Opening today's post early with two completely conflicting pieces of news

http://www.tellychakkar.com/news/star-plus-press-release-puts-final-nail-coffin-barun-sobti-all-set-become-history-iss-pyaar-ko

Although this is a press release, the language is exactly the same as came out a few days ago. Is this more authentic or is this one ...?
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3310055

I checked TOI ... it's on their website.

Episode Discussions will begin later ... or I will make a new post for tonight and keep this separate.

EDITED ... SHOW IS ENDING - CONFIRMED FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES.
TellyBuzz article. Ved Raj quoted.
Viraf's tweet.
Lalit Mohan's tweet.
All the regular spoiler ladies on IF have confirmed it. Apparently Gul is playing spoilsport. I will fill in whatever details I get later.

Will make a new post for the episode. This one to discuss the ending. 

Movies, Music, Books

Watched two movies in the last two weeks ...

One was an obscure French movie some friends dragged us to ... Monsieur Lazhar. We wanted to see Argo, but it was House Full, so saw this instead without having a clue as to what we were going in for. A very serious, heavy movie, about a suicide of a teacher in a school, coupled with an Algerian refugee, who applies for refugee status in Canada, and winds up as a substitute teacher in the same school while waiting for his application to be approved. The story unravels with how the teacher, M. Lazhar, deals with the kids who are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, while he struggles with his own demons of losing his wife and kids to unrest in Algeria, and the bureaucracy of the Immigration process in Canada. A powerful movie ... had me in tears at more than one place.

Argo ... During the Iranian hostage crisis, a group of six American embassy staff took refuge in the Canadian Ambassador's house. The film follows the rescue mission which lifted them out, disguised as a Canadian film crew. This film is based on a true story. Produced by Ben Affleck and George Clooney, directed by Ben Affleck, who also plays the CIA operative who planned the operation and went in to get the six people out. Fabulous movie ... the last bit, as the plane is taking off, was probably dramatised for effect ... it was nail-biting, finger gripping types.
Never been so thankful for the lack of modern day communication devices like mobile phones and instant messaging ... if those had been present in those days, the hostages would never have gotten out.
Enjoyed the movie so much that when I returned home, I googled the story - The Canadian Caper as it was then called.  For those interested -
http://international.gc.ca/history-histoire/people-gens/ken_taylor.aspx?lang=eng&view=d

Other Shows We're Watching

Still managing to keep up with only two other shows ... have dropped Qabool Hai and Madhu Bala from my list. So those who are watching, please give updates.

Veera - enjoying it. The kid is a star!!! Ratan, his mom, starts pulling herself together ... she gets worried at the news that Sampooran has gone missing, but Kartar, his friend, lets out by mistake that he saw Sampooran on the bus to Mandi ... which is apparently the village where Amrita comes from. So Ratan fires up again, and where she had started to forgive Sampooran, she steels her heart against him and determines that she will bring up her son and be the man of her house. She goes out to the fields and uses the tractor ... all interspersed with loads of flashbacks. Ranvi finds clothes for his new sister, which were bought by Sampooran when Ratan was expecting him. Ratan is furious to see the baby wearing the clothes, but Chaiji calms down the situation. In the meantime, Ranvi is getting all excited about naming his baby sister. Haven't seen Friday's episode yet - will catch it on the re-runs tomorrow. The little baby is  a doll ... so smiley! Feel like picking her up and squeezing her!!

*edit* Just caught the Friday episode on the rerun ... and loved it. Special mention to some scenes - where Chaiji looks up and scold Rabji - why are you doing this to us, do you have no other work than to throw troubles our way? Now that you've put this naming business into his head, you sort it out! 
The scene where Ratan comes to tuck in her son at night, almost leaves when he throws the blanket over the baby's face, and then comes back against her will and uncovers the baby's face, and walks out quickly without looking back. The struggle, the conflict in her eyes and body language - well done!
And the last scene when Ranvi names his sister, and the last shot of brother and baby sister smiling - awwww, adorable!!!

Khamoshiyan ... the story is starting to pick up rather quickly ... Gauri finds out that her parents are not her real parents, and that her mother is in the mansion. I like the senior actors, they are all doing a good job. Mohit has been seen very little so far. Gauri is adequate, no more ... since it's her first show, need to give her some leeway ... but her breakdown on Friday was pretty unimpressive ... she didn't look shocked or devastated at the news that her parents were not her parents, she just kept crying. It was good to see Mrinal Kulkarni again on screen ... a very pretty actress.She plays Gauri's real mother.
Khamoshiyan is not supposed to be a love story, so Mohit fans might be disappointed. It's the story of a girl trying to find her mother. Since she has already found her, I don't quite know how they will proceed. I wasn't really watching it for Mohit, more for the story, so I am intrigued enough to keep watching. The acting is good enough to interest me, especially that of the senior actors.

I haven't watched anything else ... I made it a point to watch Veera, and Khamoshiyan airs just before IPK, so it's convenient to watch it. QH comes at very inconvenient times for me, and is aired only twice. I always miss it. If there is a good episode, please mention the day, so I can try to catch on YT :) Madhubala ditto.

Is there anything else worth watching? I caught a few minutes of DABH ... my hubby can't stand it and he switches it off within a minute. He still tries to catch up with IPK every now and then, but he also agrees it has gone completely downhill.

EDIT

Links for Star Parivar Live in the UK ... when the show is aired, hopefully we will get better YT links and I will post those. In the meantime here is what we have ... thanks to Jaya!

http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3309107
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3309174
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3309279
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3309327

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN1rQpwl3K8
Barun learns Dance from kokila ben ROFL
that is a fan's mobile upload, but the dialogues hayee LOL

barun and sanaya
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn2pA-6_PsM

whole program written update
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3309261 

23/11 - Epi 394 ... Knight in LG Armour

Friday 23rd Nov '12

Khushi's personal knight in not so shining LG armour ...

He saves her from the wrath of Vikrant and the danger of swimsuit round ...

He rescues her from her own stupidity in refusing his sensible offer of a lift ...

His appearance gives her the courage and bravado to chase off one loitering goon ... with empty threats of judo ... and tangible threats of one solid stick ...

He gets her fat-free pita sandwiches to ward off hunger pangs ...

And he "helps" her with her yoga ... the last was not completely altruistic in motive ... hayyeee ... 

Vikrant and ASR face -off ... agree with Khushi, it was good to see THE ASR back in action!!! This is what we wanted - ASR for the world, Arnav only for Khushi!
Arnav-Khushi in office - you didn't want my help, did you? No, of course, I didn't ... 
Natasha ... trying to warn Khushi not to get herself into trouble for others ... when has Khushi ever listened to that one?

Precap - interesting ... so Amita is revealing her bitchy self very early ... will Arnav rescue Khushi again? Or will Natasha?

*edit*
Last week of ASR and Barun ...

An episode which was vintage Khushi, vintage Arnav ...
Khushi .. darti hai par karti hai ... sticks up for her beliefs and values, even if at her own cost ... tells the ogling Vikrant to leave the hand of an obviously uncomfortable Natasha ... and draw his fire upon herself ... but holds her own in the argument. If you're the organiser, behave like one, not like a sadak chhap gunda ...
Vikrant mortified at the sight of the other girls sniggering at his tongue lashing by this middle class girl ... lashes back out with full force of the power he holds ... let's see if you're fit for this tournament ... Walk ... 
She does ... and stumbles, to the consternation and concern of the other girls ... all but the two faced Amrita ...
But Khushi might be down, but she's not out yet ... Bully Vikrant fires questions at her, which she manages to answer in a steady tone ... he doesn't manage to bully her, she continues to hold her own ... well done, Khushi! I always get irritated when girls go silent and dumb at such moments ... am so glad she didn't!!!
Liked the way the other girls were not laughing at Khushi, but seemed to be concerned and worried ... all except the two-faced Amrita ...
So Vikrant tries another tack ... swimsuit round ... and Khushi refuses ...
So she's disqualified ... Amrita is pleased, the other girls are worried ... Natasha hisses at her to say yes, and she will handle things later ... but Khushi is firm ... I won't wear it ...

360 back to another time, another office, another man trying to bully her with the power of his position and her helplessness, to force her out of her place by insisting she wear a short revealing outfit ... And she had refused to compromise with her principles ... and found a way out ...

Today, again she gets a way out ... this time with help ... his help ... the help of that same man ... who decrees that Khushi will not wear anything she is uncomfortable in ... and neither will any of the other girls ... the swimsuit round is cancelled.

ASR is back ... the new improved version ...

Vikrant the bully tries to fight back ... these are the rules, you can't change them ...
Of course he can. He's ASR ... Too bad. I just did.
Wish ASR had done the face off with Shyam in the same ASR way ... would have been epic!

Smile wiped off Amrita's face ... the extras are pretty bad, but Natasha did seem a spot relieved, if surprised.
And Vikrant isn't giving up easily either ... next round - Western dress.

Khushi agrees with Sam ... Arnav saved her not just for this round, but for this entire janam.
SN - thought their rishta was for seven janams?

An ebullient Khushi goes to Arnav's cabin to thank him and exult with him over how he trampled all over Vikrant ... Agree with you, Khushi, Arnav Singh Raizada is really back!
Arnav coolly tells her he did it for all the girls ... and neatly slides in ... 'do you want my help then?'
'No, of course, she doesn't' ... sulky, petulant ... so he didn't do it for her?! Enough to get her all annoyed. So when he wonders how she would have managed if he hadn't come along, Khushi of course has to put up a show of bravado ... she would have managed somehow ... she was managing perfectly well without him, thank you very much ...
And Arnav throws a challenge at her for the next round, because he knows that's how she works best ... when she's bent on defeating him. And this round, he can't get her out of ... she has to fight it through on her own.
So he riles her up satisfactorily, adding to it by telling her to shut the door on her way out, they're not husband-wife here ...

If there was anything left to wind up Khushi for the next round, Natasha provides it by berating her for 'helping' her out ... she would have handled Vikrant, she's used to handling these types ... Khushi needs to stop interfering ...
Khushi is upset, she saw the fear in Natasha's eyes ...
Natasha doesn't deny it, but says she's seen such people before, the world is full of them ... Khushi will get herself into trouble and her too ...
Natasha is another well-etched character ... bitchy on the surface and soft inside, a bit like ASR ... as opposed to Amrita, who's the opposite ... have to give credit to the PH for sketching out some characters with unexpected depth ...

So Khushi even more wound up, on the way home ... grumbling to herself ... she tried to help Natasha, and Natasha showed no gratitude whatsoever, instead yelled at her ... Arnav was right, this fashion world is ajeeb!
And she's sufficiently irritated to shoot herself in the foot when Arnav drives up to take her home ... you said we're not husband and wife here, I can go home by myself thank you, I didn't even bring the car from home because you said I have to be like any ordinary girl ... now go away ... 
So he goes ... much to her complete disgust and consternation ... he actually took her at her word and went?! This LG ... first he used to throw her out of the car, now he doesn't even let her get in!
Completely ignoring the fact that he tried to get her in, she was the one who refused so grandly!

SN - thank god she clarified that Mrs Khushi SR doesn't take autos any more, and does have a car at her disposal!

And Khushi has reason to regret her foolishness very quickly, as a roadside goon with very weird eyes start following her ... Fear starts to overcome bravado ... till she sees Arnav return ... and with him, her confidence returns immediately ... and she chases away the goon with a thick stick ...
As long as Arnav is around, she can be brave ... she knows he's there for her ... and always will be ... She doesn't even have to pretend to be grateful or acknowledge his help ... Arnav takes her nonsense with a pinch of salt, yeah right, she didn't know he was there, she could have dealt with the goon on her own, just as she dealt with Vikrant on her own ... now could she please get into the car for his sake?
Magnanimously, she does ... just for him ...

Back home at RM ... Khushi can't eat dinner, because Sam her trainer has decreed only salads for her ... Nani is sweet ... no housework for Khushi while she's in training
Khushi gets tempted by the aloo parathas ... NK rubs salt into her wounds, and Anjali very sweetly tries to console her by telling her the parathas are quite bad ... aww, the family is really sweet! Everyone helping her out ... including her husband who lands up with special fat-free pita sandwiches for Khushi ... because he knows his jhalli Khushi loves her food, but the determined girl that she is, she will not eat it ...
Khushi fires at him first ... her irritation of the entire day coming out ... you're trying to sabotage my contest, I know you!  You did the same at Karva Chauth ...
But he knows his biwi and how to cajole her ... how can you refuse to eat what I've got for you? Can that ever happen?
So she eats ... and stares at him dolefully ... 'what is this? If it tastes so good, it has to be fattening ... and Sam will kill me ...'
'Fat free pita sandwiches ... all the models eat them ... specially for you ...'

Mata pita whatever ... it feels fattening ... and she continues eating hungrily ... because if he says it's fat free and okay for her to eat, it is okay ... 

Later at night ... Khushi practices yoga by the poolside ... the determined Khushi ... if she's decided to do this, she will do it properly, and give it her all ... diet, exercise, the works ...
And Arnav stares at her ... his wife, his woman ... determined, strong-willed ... never ready to give up ... bright, beautiful and cute as a button ... she might stumble and fall, but she will always pick herself up ... and try again ... with a smile ...
And while he's around, he will do the picking up ... every time she falters, he will always be there, behind her, her support, her strength ... urging her on, holding her up, keeping her strong ... with his love ...
And she knows it ... however much they squabble, fight, argue ... at the end of the day, they are in each others' arms ... their own little world ...
Arnav Khushi ... Rabba ve by the poolside ... till death do us part ...