Saturday, November 24, 2012

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
 

86 comments:

  1. Dia,
    QH is looking quite good.
    Catch the friday epi, to see how Zoya handles Asad.

    What I really like about this serial is that it is not just a love story. It is a family story as was promised.

    The second wife, Shiree- I thought initially that she was a bad actress. I think I did noyt get the character then. She is supposed to be really dense, so, now I understand the actress is doing a very good job. She is expressionless- quite interesting to watch- like a blank paper.(I don't know why I am going on and on about her! She is quite intriguing.)

    Asad and Zoya- good choice of actors. (Seriously, I was totally unimpressed by Zoya at first, but now, I feel this girl is def better than Drashti.)

    Even the younger bro does not look that irritating now. I guess the fellow is growing as an actor.

    I like the female bonding in this show (I think Gul is good at this, only sometimes she forgets the continuity as it happened in IPK)- between Zoya nad Asad's mom and his sister.

    The other thing I love about the show is the dialogues- lot of shayari and all.

    Do try and watch it if you can. The timings are inconvenient for me also, even though it is aired 4 times a day. They are showing back to back on Saturday- I think must be starting around 11 or so.

    Veera- that boy! No words to describe him. How did they find him? And the story seems to be picking up pace.

    MB: Drashti is disappointing more than the character Madhu. She is reminding me more and more of Geet in the very few episodes I have watched on YT.

    PKDH: OK OK. I always felt they will maintain the same pace. Not too dragging, nothing VERY exciting either, other than the love story of the parents.

    BV: Didn't catch it the entire week. I liked the promos of mehendi. Sigh...I don't know why I can't sit down and watch the show- I feel it is good, but it does not have the pull- probably because the love story is not interesting at all. QH on the other hand- I'd very much love to watch it, but all 4 timings are inconvenient!

    This I know- no one does love stories like 4 lions.
    And this too- no one can repeat Sarun's success.

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    Replies
    1. Su,

      I am watching QH and even after a month, this show comes nowhere close to this PH's earlier two shows. Yes, it is family drama but somehow it fails to evoke any strong feelings from me. It is not necessary a show has to be a love story to feel emotionally connected. Veera is doing a great job holding viewer's interest. That is not happening here. Maybe I am put off with this whole two family thing. Nothing can justify Azad's father leaving his first family and now trying to worm his way back. I hope he does not get his cake and eat it too. he made a choice before. he needs to live with it. I agree that the children should not be compelled to stay away from each other if they want to show their affections openly.

      I agree that the actress playing Shireen is good. I have seen her in a vamp role in Hitler Didi where she had to play a loud and cunning character. Here she has to look and act dumb and she is doing a good job considering she had to play such a different role from her previous character.


      I do not agree with your observation that Zoya is better than Drashti. Drashti is not as good as she was in Geet or even in the earlier episodes of MB but even her current off colour form is better than the actress playing Zoya.Zoya is better now than she was before and does reasonable well in breezy, light scenes but totally lacks depth in emotional scenes. There was enough scope in the last couple of episodes but she fell short (in my opinion). hope the actress improves. KSG is the only one who is holding me to the show right now.

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    2. Opti,
      I LOVED Drashti when Madhubala started. In fact, after watching the break up with BF, I thought she might be better than Sanaya. (I gave very good comments on her acting and looks-she was a diva in some scenes!-back then in R&R.) Not any more. Sanaya rocks in emotional and comedy scenes.

      This Zoya girl, I am talking about the same point you brought out. She is better than Drashti in comedy; emotional scenes- she might be lacking. Right now, Z has light scenes, and even the emotional ones, her character is a super cool one. May be that is why I did not find anything amiss in her acting- quite good, considering I thought she was dumb in the first few epis.

      It is not the romance, I guess I am the only one who will be saying this here- somehow I am drawn to Gul's characters.And in QH now, we are witnessing Z's bonding with Asad's mom, sis and dad too. I find that very cute. The other thing I love is that usually there are no strong female negative characters- I am supposing Geet didn't have too.If I had watched Geet from the beginning, I am pretty sure I would've loved that too.

      These vamps like the SIL in MB really put me off- just too bolly wood for me. But Gul should reconsider her formula and introduce some vamps and monster -in- laws in small doses. It works for the trps, probably.

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    3. Su,

      Drashti was very good in comedy in Geet. Here is there is not much scope for it. I thought that she sucked in the scene where she got hurt by Azad's words. Her eyes did not show the pain. The dargah scene with Rashid was also supposed to be meloncholy to start with before she gave her 'cool' spin to it but I did not see the transition in the emotions that the scene demanded. She may improve with time but as of now, way below Drashti. Even in comedy I found her lacking - eg the bathroom scene with Azad in tub. Her expressions were so farcical. Thankfully KSG had the appropriate expressions and saved the scene to some extent.


      Guess we will never agree on this but much as I was drawn to Gul's characters in the earlier two shows, this one has still not gripped me and I think I'm not the only one to feel this way, going by the lukewarm response to the show till now. Let us see if it picks up.


      As to female vamps, Geet had a strong female vamp (the sister-in-law). Karishma who played the role was excellent. The show lost most of its lustre once she left and turning Dev into a saint without showing a proper redemption was another big blunder which the PH stubbornly refused to correct.


      My personal opinion of this PH is that they may have a great seed story to start with but fail to capitalise on it. After detailing their characters well in the initial phases of the show, they lose their way. They are absolutely hopeless in delivering on the climaxes which they build up very well but fail to execute it to the finish. They are extremely careless about closing loops. On the postive side, they have some of the best talents in screen play writing, photography and direction and they can make even ordinary scenes look extra-ordinary. My expectation from these people has gone down with every progressive show so I don't get disappointed. I've learnt to to watch them purely for entertainment.


      At present the show which is spectacular for me by all standards is Veera. MB is also improving and I am increasingly growing fond of it.

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    4. Whatever little I've seen of QH, I agree with Opti on the female lead ... she is most unimpressive as of now. Definitely not as good as Drashti ...

      I watched the first 2-3 weeks of Geet, before Maan's entry, and I remember liking Drashti from the beginning. She was playing a completely different role from Muskaan in DMG, which was her first show, and she did the change very well. I'm not so impressed with her in MB, but I think it's more the scope of the scenes that I have seen. Also I don't think her chemistry with Vivian is anything great ... the red and white Pareshan song was beautifully picturised, but it was just that - a beautifully picturised song. Plastic ... I didn't feel the emotions. And her later meeting with Vivian also - the screenplay didn't give Madhu much scope, and she didn't do anything great with it. She is adequate here, that's all. I still haven't seen anything to hook me to the show, though it's a pleasant watch when I do catch it ... more for Vivian's character, which he's doing well.

      QH on the other hand has completely failed to grip me. For one, I don't like male chauvinist heroes ... that's why I detested films like Raja Hindustani ... KSG is a good actor, but I don't care much for the character. And Zoya is flat ... very flat. She doesn't have the range .. it's as though the director tells her - now you're happy, now you're sad, now you're cool ... and she does it.

      Shireen, I agree with Su ... she is not bad ... once you realise that she is supposed to be this rather dumb lady who can be easily led, but with a strong streak of stubbornness and selfishness.

      This is from my last viewing two weeks ago ... haven't watched for a long while :)))

      Veera is really good ... Ranvi's interactions with Chaiji are a treat to watch ... they are so cute together! The scene in the ME when he's trying to put up the swing for Veera and refusing to let Chaji help ... then allowing her to help just a little ... adorable! Reminded me of Arnav trying to get Khushi to get into the car!
      And him with the baby always steal the show! I am a bit worried for the boy though ... he is on screen for a bulk of the time ... I hope he doesn't get overtired!

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    5. I couldn't catch the ME of Veera. Can you give me an update of it?

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    6. Opti,

      'On the postive side, they have some of the best talents in screen play writing, photography and direction and they can make even ordinary scenes look extra-ordinary.':

      I stopped watching hindi serials (and all serials altogether) after Kasam se and saat phere- actually I was forced to stop just before both started the decay phase. And somehow, serials have not held any appeal for me after that.I started watching BALH after a long break, but it did not addict me.

      The positive points you mentioned is precisely what draws me to ipk and 4 lions.

      MB- is to predictable for me and the dialogues are not memorable- that is why I will always be a detached viewer to the show, though i like the cast. Agree with Dia, the song was beautifully picturised (liked the coat dance), but it was just that. I don't know why Drashti is not getting the chemistry right here. Vivian is getting it!

      Veera- now that is a different story; the script and the kid (even the other actors are good) has me gripped to the show still.
      Plus I guess it is something that has not been told so far in telly...makes it interesting for me.

      Does this kid actor not have to go to school?
      I guess he is easily home schoolable. I admire the parents- they have seen his talent and have the courage to let him follow it so young in life.

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    7. OK, this sounds stupid- may be Drashti is careful not to repeat what happened with Gurmeet- may be she is scarred from the off screen drama of Geet?

      Or is it a universal thing with all telly writers? Their audience is female- they concentrate on the male leads in a romantic tale?

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    8. As a person who can only watch romances on screen becos i have seen other themes tend to get over dramatised and then lose effect...so my tv viewing has always been about watching the treatment of romance...shelf life is limited and u can just move on when the interesting part is over.....
      The fact is its not easy to make romances interesting...there is always this element....been there done that...so every once in a while when u have an IPK or Geet or MB (gong by wat u giys are saying), there will be tat deep interest....

      but obviously even things with a limited shelf life tend to come with their own complications... as serials like geet,IPk have shown....

      I am enjoying Veera at the moment and i can safely say that i will watch it until the little boy and the baby are on screen...beyond it i am not sure...becos when they have to show a grown up bro-sis relationship...its always not easy to stay away from cliches....

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    9. Rekh, I remember watching Aapki Antara on Zee a few years ago ... again it was based mainly on kids. As far as I remember, they planned to have a leap fairly early because the kids were really young ... five or so. But the kids acted so well and won so much appreciation that they stretched the kids part a lot longer. I think once the kids grew up, the show lost its charm.

      So the same thing might happen here ... the kids have definitely gotten the attention, how long they can sustain it, and how long can they run the story based on them ... depends on the makers ... unless they have already planned out future tracks properly. Again, the writer and director of the show being who they are, makes me feel the show will run well for a good length of time. Of course, ups and downs will be there.

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  2. i saw a parts of PKDH's weekly recap (the five epi in a row) - thought is was a good idea to see a couple planning something together (though i don't know the story)
    but the 'tu tarak' (as we call it) just did not let me enjoy it - first its not the language we use (at home) plus IPK has spoilt me - cant imagine ODB saying "Yu beth ja, tu chal.." type of language - specially when the hero is praising his wife, it just sounded so odd and ofc i compared it to IPK and had to switch off the show - talk about an un-successful attempt at detox!!

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    Replies
    1. Monu, i know exactly wat u mean...ofc i don't watch PKD anymore...gave up becos i couldn't warm up to a lack of a love story(rather the premise is odd for me,did not hold my interest)
      Coming back to the point of language,i am not saying that partners can't use casual form of address but somewhere, i wonder if its a language thing?

      For example,when its done in Marathi..it sounds very cute...i know of many Maharashtrian couples where the form of address is very casual,yet it sounds endearing,as if there is as much apnapan when u refer to r hubby with a "tu" as much as it with a "tumhi".

      In tamil,i wouldn't like it....similarly in Hindi,i wouldn't like it..
      like u, it soudned odd to me when i heard Aditya address Pankhudi as "tu chalna"kinds...can't really pt a finger to it...his casualness grates...is it an actor thing or a dialogue thing?

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    2. or its a "its not IPK" thing ;)

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    3. Sometimes it's just a delivery thing........the most mundane dialogue delivered by some people can sound endearing, and from another...odd, distasteful, etc. ... the sincerity of apnapan has to be there (or at least come across) for the 'tum' bit to sound good.

      That is exactly what put me off watching the QH epi - couldn't handle the language, esp after IPKKND....

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    4. Monu

      Or maybe its not a "lucknow"thing LOL...
      well another complaint that i have (sorry had) with IPK was that the Lucknow connection was never explored....and she never wore any chikankari for a woman who was shown to be doing her own thing for her clothes(in the promos!!)i know i should let go...but maine yeh baat ko dil pe laga liya...LOL

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    5. Aki,
      Hugs!!

      i was just groping for the words... u have exactly said what i was thinking but did not know how to put it in words (esp since i don't watch PKD to know whether its abot that)

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    6. i agree - and Rekha, ODG did wear chikankari in her original suits (the side panels always had it) but once they changes her style- they forgot the lucknow connection completely!!

      reminds me - i need a chikankari suit :)

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    7. Monu,i remember those...it was the last we saw of it too..

      I miss chikankaris too...but yahan ke weather mere kuch kaam ka nahin hain....
      I just saw Anupama Chopra wear a lovely off-white one in the Front row with AC ( today's epi)

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    8. i follow pkdh, two episodes a week.. and the reason adi is so casual to his wife is because he does not put much weight to the marriage equation.

      in his opinion, he married her just to get her out of a tight situation ( she was gonna be left alone by shivam at the wedding venue), she is just his friend.. and listening to a recent conversation, he accepts that she cares for him as a friend.. and that is why he cares for her.. so that tu chal type dialogues are there for a reason.

      she loves him, but has not told him yet.. she is going with his delusion,because she does not want to force love, KWIM?

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    9. last episode of madhubala had drashti in her nightwear.. a chikankari kurta ... and i remembered khushi. chikankari has great charm, hai na?

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    10. I catch bits and pieces of PKDH cos mom watches it and I
      agree with Jaya - Adi says tu cos she is his friend - he always said tu since they became friends and happened to marry her to get her out of a tight situation - in his mind the equation has not changed so I kind of like his continuing the tu:)

      Madhubala - like I said in last weeks post is the only serial I am now watching regularly - Veera comes too late , QH did not appeal so far ...

      Madhubala was gripping last week - VD has improved by leaps and bounds - Drashti at this point is ok since there is no fire in her character right now - will have to see how they take the story forward - but watchable just for VD's dialogs - the chemistry is not great - the pareshan song was not a patch on Arshi's teri meri - but like I said earlier there is enough meat in the story to keep it going - hopefully they do not take MB's goofiness OTT...

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    11. Jaya, Srisri - oh no no, i have no problems with people using the language and know friends do address each other like this ( i grew up in Delhi! have to know it :D) but what i meant was i am (personally) not used to it in AD and thanks to IPK, not used to it in SKD as well - so it felt jarring, alien - when i know its not meant to be
      IPK was so good on small things like this (except the 'ji' thing!)- i guess you realize it only when compared to others and as i don't watch anything else, did not notice it earlier

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    12. yeah, i get what you mean.. but considering the fact that i live among ppl who actually call their husband "tu", i dont really feel that adi is out of line.. and yes, the lucknowi language in IPK was amazingly memorable.. some lines just write themselves in your heart, only because it is so beautiful in the nawabi language :)

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  3. Seeing only snatches of Khamoshiyaan and Veera....
    Cast of Khamoshiyaan is interesting...story can't say....will have to keep watching to decide....

    every moment Ranvi of Veera is on screen,diffi to keep ur eyes on anything else..he is a wonderful talent...the dialogues for Ranvi have been written very well...as also for Chaiji and Ratan...in fact the one scene that i absolutely loved was the gurudwara ardas scene....they kept Ranvi's words very real,childlike...he did not spout any rhetoric...and yet it was very powerful in what was being conveyed,the power of the prayer for a believer....

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    Replies
    1. I loved the letter to Rabji scene - I think it was Thursday ... is that the one you're talking about, Rekh? It was simply beautiful ... as you said, the power and purity of the emotions shone through.
      And I loved the Guru Nanak and Nanki story ... I can see this show becoming popular in Punjab. It's the first time I have seen a show set in a Sikh setting, it's been done very well.

      I am loving Chaiji ... I love the actress since Saans days, and I just love her character here.

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    2. Yes, Dia...i mean that scene...in fact...whatever i have seen of Veera has impressed me tremendously.......

      in all of Ranvi's interactions with elders....even if there may be a cinematic attempt to draw out innocense,it does not appear cliched at any stage...either it has to be strength of the screenplay/dialogues or the acting of the little one that makes it look all poignant and cute all at the same time...

      for example the scene where Chaiji does not want Ratan to know that she is helping Ranvi...turns from the serious to playful becos of the reactions of Ranvi.....


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  4. Just watched Veera since you guys recommended it so highly - the kid Ranvi is an amazing actor and his baby sister is absolutely adorable!!!!

    Btw, did you guys see Priya's post on IF regarding ASR's untimely demise? What a way to go........... :(

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    Replies
    1. I am staying off IF, Aki, it is just too negative for me. I just saw the links Jaya posted about the SPL meet and greet, and have made my peace with Barun's departure from the show. Will take it as it comes now.

      I ADORE the baby girl ... she is just too cute for words. As it is, I have a weakness for baby girls :))) And that kid is a completely fabulous actor ... he lights up the screen every time he comes on!

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  5. wow opti, thanks for all the links.. and yes, now i see the chemistry.. should i spend my next week youtubing the whole serial? guess yes ;)

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  6. Jaya,

    Thanks. Considering that the show was 475 episodes long, I don't know whether you can watch the whole show. anyway the show started going down hill from March 2011 except for a few magical scenes with Maaneet. You can try watching all the Maaneet scenes. I've listed some of the memorable ones but there are many more. Gurti used to set the screen on fire in the passionate ones. Maybe when I get some time, will list them out.

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  7. I am sooooooooooo happy all of us are discussing other shows*Hugs*

    Okay so MB bak bak special to those who have not watched it earlier especially Rekhs. Rekhs, it is in the falling in love stage....which is always best in any show...so watch it and after it gets ridiculous I am sure we all will find some good replacement.

    A huuuuuuge thanks to the uploader, who uploads the scenes from MB.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/MEIEJshow?feature=watch

    Story so far: (This is from what I have deduced so far, not 100% sure)

    RK's dad was in the film industry who committed suicide for some reason when RK was 12 years old. He was very close to his dad and sometime later his mom remarried Mr. Bhatiya who already had a son. The reason why RK hates the Bhatiyas and his mom's remarriage is unclear.

    Mr. Kukku Bhatiya too is somehow involved in the film business who already has a son named Sikandar aka Sikki.

    Sikki is a flop actor or director dunno what and is married to Dips aka Deepali who is technically RK's bhabhi.

    Now Dips was an aspiring actress whom RK was madly in love with but she ditched him for Sikki whose career was taking off. RK was a struggler at that Time I think.

    Unfortunately Dips calculations fail and while RK's career eventually takes off making him a superstar, Sikki's falls flat, she now wants RK back but RK is not interested.

    So the entire family is now dependent on RK who barely tolerates them but does not throw them out of his home.

    Now so far RK's has three tragedies....Dad's suicide, Mom's remarriage, GF ditching him for his step brother which has made him cynical and arrogant.

    *any similarities to IPK is absolutely coincidental and incidental here and there is more to come, Read on*

    Madhubala's dad tried to kill her when she was a child dunno why and her mom dumped her hubby and ran away with her daughter. She either remarried or is living with dunno what Shamsher Mallik who too has a daughter of his own called, Trishna I think.

    MB calls him Mallik and the mom and daughter have immense respect for Mallik and so far they are a happy family unlike Rk and his bada sa DUKHI family *his own words, lol*

    RK crashes his new bike while drunk into a guy called Mukund. He offers to pay the damages to his family, but MB goes ahead and files a case against him.

    RK gets sent to jail, starts hating MB. MB hates RK

    *STAGE SET for love-hate yada yada yada*

    MB now gets engaged to Mukund and RK manipulates something that shows the MB and her family in a bad light, engagement breaks.

    Now Mallik realizes RK is behind the mess, confronts RK where RK's guys beat him up badly.

    Mallik is in hospital, he needs the money. MB tapkofies at RK's place don't ask why, have not seen those parts, he offers to pay for her dad provided she marries him and stays married to him till she repays the amount.

    *ya ya I know, YAWNNNNNNNNN*

    So she agrees, marriage happens, he treats her with contempt, Dudewa has a "dark sense of humor - his own words* and MB puts up a decent fight.

    RK's mother is happy, Bhatiyas are well not so happy especially Dips.

    Mallik when he finds out is furious and tries killing RK just so his daughter can be free.

    He shoots RK who comes this close to dying and with a perfect combination of Dawa & Dua including Dark pinkish red fake blood from biwi's side, he recovers.

    Now this near death experience sort of changes the equation between the two.

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    1. Shwetha,

      Trishna is not Shamsher's daughter. She is Madhu's half sister (her father's first wife's daughter). Madhu's father tried to kill her when her mother was pregnant with her because some fortune teller tells him that she will bring ill omen to him. So her mother escapes with Trishna. Shamsher, a stunt man saves her from her husband and she becomes a junior artiste with the help of another junior artiste who is Shamsher's friend. She gives birth to Madhu in the studio itself when she develops labour pains while shooting for a scene. Shamsher adopts the two girls but Madhu's mother does not have any relationship except one of friendship with Shamsher. Shamsher is extremely fond of the two girls and they are equally attached to him.

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    2. Oh thanks for this Opti:)

      I loved what you wrote bringing out the difference in the two shows especially this:

      {{{{{{{{This show is different for me from the shows I have seen before because here the trust and respect between two people who hated each other to the core before builds before love enters in. }}}}}}}

      I am still catching up with the old episodes and I Liked how RK tells Bittuji his PA, that MB has always been upfront about her dealings with him, if at all she hid something, it was that she was instrumental in saving him.

      Similarly MB asking him if he trusts her and him assuring her, he does.....kinda sets up things nicely.

      If you notice screenplay is the common factor here, remember the scene where MB is shown walking in RK's room where RK AND Shamsher are having confrontation and then it is shown that MB is walking inside a different room and it is one of RK's HP version who enters in the confrontation, there are loads of such similarities that are there, but I guess once you start watching, you do appreciate the difference between IPK & MB....Right now there isn't much difference between MB & Khushi - parents aside, if you see at a basic level, both are very similar.

      For the makers, the key was ensuring RK comes out different and they have done it by giving him loads of dialogues which are damn good...especially his sarcasm.

      While ASR was a bit of a loner, this guy has a sort of confidante in Bittuji and he is pretty open and vocal about how he feels.

      I like the guy, Bas!!!

      I finally found someone/some show I can do bak bak about:)

      Delete
    3. Shwethu,

      For me it is the characterisation of the leads which sets a show apart and I see more differences than similarities with IPK. Yes, you are right. This fellow does confide in Bittuji unlike ASR who never confinded his deepest feelings with anyone before he fell in love with Khushi. RK is a man with strong likes and dislikes and he doesn't hide both.


      I don't agree that both Madhu and Khushi are similar. In fact Khushi had more similarities with Geet than with Madhu. Yes, both are loving and will sacrifice anything for their families. Both are strong believers and righteous but as I said Madhu is a much more balanced person than Khushi is. She does not go crazy and do things under a whim. Right now she is acting goofy but then she is in love. Her goofiness is nowhere near Khushi's dhak dhak moments. She is aware she is in love unlike Khushi who seemed clueless for a long time. From whatever I have seen of Madhu, she does not lie. She also openly admitted about her growing feelings for RK to her mother and told her how she was feeling guilty for having those feelings for a man who harmed her father.


      Khushi does lie at times, sometimes out of fear and sometimes to protect someone. She also does not share her deepest feelings with anyone. Payal was clueless about her feelings for Arnav. Needless to say she is our very dear sanka devi, with a lot of sanki acts.

      Delete
    4. Forgot to add,

      RK is more evolved emotionally than ASR was. His dimag is more logical than ASR's shatir Dimag which is making a very late appearance in the show when ASR himself is on his way out.

      Delete
  8. contd:

    *rubs hands in excitement, now we enter a more interesting phase*

    Grudging respect, concern, teasing etc etc....

    Now RK finds out that Mallik was behind all the attempts on RK's life, flatly tells Mallik, I know you hate me and frankly I don't care much about you either.

    I understand your reasons for wanting to kill me so I am not going to put this aside and I suggest we look past our differences for MB's sake.

    Eventually police who are fairly good in this show, find enough clues and it is revealed to everyone that Mallik was the attacker.

    RK coolly forces the police to close the case down against Mallik, MB& her family go awwwwwww, he knew or even when he knew he withdrew.

    RK's family go, Whattttttttttttttt, grrrrrr, he knew and he is doing NOTHING.

    Bhatiya's officially turn against MB and want her thrown out.

    RK says this is my house, my wife, if all of you want to leave, get out or else shut up.

    *danger warning*

    Now the otherwise supposed to be sensible MB realizes she is in love with RK and looks like we might be headed for OTT comedy as RK is still clueless about her feelings or supposedly his feelings for MB.

    Abhi tak bas itna hi.

    Confession from her side happened in her dream.
    RK does not believe in rituals, but MB is keeping a fast for him that is coming up next week.

    Also RK's personal assistant is a guy called Bittuji who is always around.

    Next part, some good scenes of Rishbala as they are known

    I know it is hard to watch a show which is too similar to IPK, but the supporting cast is really good...I love Raza Murad aka Kukku Bhatiya, Dips is again really good, Sikki adds the dumb villain touch.

    Vivian as RK is showing tremendous improvement, RK is loud, has a sense of humor...dark+sarcastic, so far so good...actually very good.

    MB aka DD is a bit of disappointment, she is being currently overshadowed by Vivian. Though she has had her moments where she is really good...If they give us a strong MB, it will be good but if not it is going to be onesided, let us see what happens:)


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shwethu ...

      Have you ever seriously considered writing as a profession? You know, those tongue in cheek reviews that some people turn out so effortlessly that can have their readers in splits? You are bloody BRILLIANT!!!! *Applause and HUGS*

      Ok, just a little amendment, because I did watch the first few episodes of Madhubala ... her mother was her father's second wife, and Trishna is HIS daughter from his first wife, so she is Madhu's half-sister and her mother's step-daughter. MB's father was a tyrant of sorts and wanted only boys, so being a nice helpful sort of chappie, he killed off his first wife, and married Madhu's mom, hoping for a son. Some Daima then gave him a prophecy that his second daughter will be his downfall, so he was waiting for the child to be born - if it was a son, he would be happy, if it was a daughter, he would kill her.

      Also he was one of those sporting types, and his chief source of fun was shooting apples off his first daughter's head - she was a kid of 7-8. Daima at some point divined that Madhu's mom was pregnant with a girl (they didn't have the benefit of things like ultrasounds etc apparently) ... but Daima was struck by a fit of conscience, and told Madhu's dad the baby was a boy, meantime telling Madhu's mom that the baby was a girl and she should flee the palace. Madhu's dad was some phatichar riyasat ka raja or some such vague thing. So Madhu's mom fled with Trishna in tow, and heavily pregnant with Madhu, and reached Mumbai.

      I lost track of the story for some time then ... somehow the mother ended up delivering on a film set, and the baby was named Madhubala. I think the mom worked as an extra, got friendly with another extra called Roma, who helped her get a room in her chawl. Mallik befriended them there. I don't know whether he is married to Madhu's mom or they all just live together as one big happy family. Mallik apparently gave Trishna and Madhu all the love and care of a father and both the girls love him for that.

      Baaki kahani, Shwethu ki zabaani :)))

      Delete
    2. Shwethu......oh u cutie....there are no floors on which to roll on laughing.....

      Much as the story is "captivating"....its only ur style of narrating the story that has my complete attention right now....HUGS...I have said this before...U are PRICELESS!!

      here i was feeling traumatised after the IPK exp....and u have pt ur own spin on to this "dark love story" ( the kind i should ideally run a mile from ) ..almost giving me a new way to look at love stories....u girl are really something....I LOVE U DAMNIT!!

      Delete
    3. Although there are some similarities between MB and IPK, I think the differences are even more stark, particularly in the characterisation of the leads. The similarities: RK and Arnav both have been deeeply affected by the suicide of a parent. Both are arrogant who believe they cannot be wrong and they make their destinies and that of others too. MB and Khushi have been raised by a foster father and the two have a hate marriage, forced by the hero. Both the female leads are righteous, love their families to bits, doing anything for them and will not tolerate injustice. As far as I see the similarities between the two shows ends here.

      Coming to the characterisations, both RK and Madhu are very different from Arnav and Khushi.
      RK is loud and bitingly sarcastic, even with his own family whom he detests to the core. Arnav is a man of few words and although he did not always agree with his family, was fairly respectful towards them.


      RK has absolutely no one whom he can trust. His mom loves him but he feels betrayed by her decision to marry again and does not even address her as mom but as the woman who gave birth to him. He is therefore not emotionally attached to anyone before Madhu entered his life.


      Arnav, on the other hand, is very attached to his sister. She was his anchor in an otherwise empty life. He loved the rest of the family but did not shared his pain with anyone but his sister did get to see rare glimpses of it.


      RK was religious and had a close connect with ganesh before his father's untimely death. since then he absolutely abhored god and everything that is ritualistic. He did not let anyone have any pooja in the house.

      Arnav was a non-believer. We never saw him religious at any point in his life but he never stopped his family from following all the ceremonies although he did not get involved in them.

      RK was a very affectionate boy as a kid and displayed his affection openly before tragedy struck and he withdrew. Even then he let himself fall in love again (with Dips) and only when he got burnt again he shut himself off completely to emotions.


      Arnav had always had problems exhibiting his emotions even before the tragedy. He was uncomfortable with overt show of affection by others. He had a relationship with La which was more an arrangement of convenience. he kept himself emotionally uninvolved.


      Coming to Madhu, she is a loving and bright girl who is fairly well balanced. She is not a clumsy, crazy girl like Khushi. Right now she is acting a but crazy but I think that is to do with being in love for the first time. Yes, she was fond of her ex-fiance but she wasn't in love with him. He was the one who pursued her and she gave in because she did not want to break his heart. I hope they retain Madhu's strong character

      Delete
    4. What really moved me about the show MB was the way the two bonded after having entered into a hate marriage. another difference between MB and IPK is when the hate marriage happened, in MB both Madhu and RK couldn't stand each other whereas Arshi were in love but did not reveal their true feelings to the other.


      Coming back to the bond formation. Madhu helped RK to reconnect with his lost faith in God when she brought the Ganesh idol forcefully into the house despite his many taunts. She went to great lengths to bring him back from death after he was shot. So she saved his life. After all the sacrifices she went through for him, she wanted to keep her role in saving him from him because she knows he was a proud man and would not be happy to know that she had helped him. RK being the persceptoive man he is, comes to know Madhu's efforts to save him and he gets his lost trust restored. So in essence she helped him get his faith, life and trust back.


      What he did for her is even more touching. When he comes to know it is her father who attacked him, he goes to great lengths to hide that fact from her. Why? because he does not want her to get hurt the way he did. His dialogues when he later explains this to her was simply mindblowing. he says that the worst form of betrayal is the one inflicted by someone who is closest to us. He has repeatedly gone through it in his life and knowing how close she is to her father he could gauge she would be heart broken to learn that her father tried to kill the man she herself went through greath lengths to save. So he risked his own life to protect her from that hurt.


      This show is different for me from the shows I have seen before because here the trust and respect between two people who hated each other to the core before builds before love enters in.

      Delete
    5. awwwwwww, diya, rekhs....I mean really Awwwwwwwww, thanks so much guys, I have a wiidddddddddddddde goofy grin now:)

      Diyu, thanks for clarifying too.

      Rekhs: between Opti and I you will get a pretty good idea about the show and its characters. I am not venturing into the forum, just read the WU, as I watch it online whenever I get time and bas. No offscreen interviews/spoilers nothing, dekho and bak bak karo:)

      Sri: I agree, pareshaan was kinda okay....guess will have to rewatch it...this show has loadsssssssssss of movie songs, producers are pretty good at spending money unlike you know who.

      I think these two have had couple of song sequences shot on them earlier, I chanced upon one video where at her engagement while dancing with Mukund she falls in RKs arms, that was good...

      Delete
    6. Opti,
      Agree - so far the show is good because of a good balance between the characters, and their development - though RK's harrassment tactics in the begining churned my stomach..I fast forwarded thru some of them till the night in the studio where the transformation started - Radhaji's dialogs that sparked the change were really good :)
      Now the key factor will be retaining MB's character that RK has been eulogising to Bittu ji - jo bhi karegi aankhon mein ankhen daal ke karegi :)
      Will be interesting to see if she takes the same approach to professing her love too and challenges him that he will love again :)
      It would be very cliched if Bhatia goup of badmaash companies can put chinks in that trust now - one of the sites says he introduces her to stardom - so Abhimaan route is another possibility - as long as they do not reduce MB to a bumbling idiot I am fine with any story line they take as long as they keep their dialog writers for VD :)

      And the supporting cast is really good as all of you already stated - so lots of potential if the team does not cut off their nose to spite their face like you know who :)

      Shwetha,
      LOL at your write up :) Yes their willingness to spend shows in their sets ..liked the red on white theme for the song:)

      Jaya,
      So is IPK going into next gen with ASRised Sanaya as the daughter like we wanted way back (after the farmhouse and predictions of ASR's accident before remarriage ) - If it does I can go back to it watching it :)

      Delete
  9. Thanks, Opti.
    I was seriously considering asking you for this knowing how highly you recommended the show.
    I will defuinitely watch it.

    I have watched tgheir wedding scenes before and liked it.
    Then I watched the scene where Geet is forced to stay back in Maan's office and she resents it at first, later realises he did it because he wanted her near him. I particularly disliked the scene because it had a DABH feel- with th emonologue and all. Also felt, Drashti did not do a good job there. Probably this was the show hitting its rock bottom (Or did it go worse?). And Madhu now remind sme of Geet from the scene I mentioned above. Hence my grouse with Drashti- she should learn to improvise- considering Madfhu and Geet are entirely different characters.

    On QH: Are you watching it still?
    I did not get this part. Why did Azad's dad leave his mom?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Azad's dad fell for Ayaan's mom while still being married to his first wife. I think he married her too and maybe they all lived together at some point because Azad and Ayaan have developed a closeness which may not have been possible unless they had lived together as kids. Rashid mentioned to Dilshaad (his first wife) that it was their 31st wedding anniversary. It is also mentioned repeatedly that he left his first wife 17 years ago. I think Ayaan must be around 21-22 years old(going by the fact that he has finished graduation and is doing nothing for a while now). This means that the two families were separated when Ayaan was around 4-5 years old. The girls on both the sides may have been too young to remember the other family but Ayaan and Azad may have bonded, a bond they still hold on to.


    Now coming to why Rashid left Dilshad, in one of the episodes it was mentioned that Shireen's brother forced him to chose between his two wives. Maybe Shireen was insecure about Rashid's love for her, more so after Najma was born (as it showed that Rashid was as much physically involved with Dishad as he was with her). Or it could have been purely a monetary deal. Rashid may have had a rough patch financially and may have approached Shireen's brother for help. Since Rashid had two families to support, his bro-in-law did not want the burden of the first family, considering they were not directly related to him. So he could have given him an ultimatum that he leaves the first family and never meets them in return for becoming a partner in his business and moving into his house with Shireen and the kids. Rashid may have agreed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. since SPL comes under 'other shows", i am posting the links here


    SPL Updates
    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

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

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

      Delete
    3. I've spent half the morning trolling IF for SPL updates :))) Will post these links in the main post so that they are easier to find. Thanks, Jaya!!!

      Delete
    4. mention not, Dia, my plesher! ;)

      http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3309599
      http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3309583

      Delete
    5. after watching it all, my complaint... he should have been in ASR avatar onstage! that guy treats it all like a game.. 9yeah, he's sewwt and all, but) if he was The Arrogant ASR on stage, not one fangirl would have dared make noise while he spoke.. it is true.. the original ASR was intimidating. instead, barun was actually scared of the screamers, and being so cute, even the teens were not scared. in the video where they had the contest,( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b8vOq-quig ) the fans were actually obeying pratigya when she blocked them.. most probably because she works as such a (strong fearless no nonsense) character on screen.

      SN i had heard that UK had screamers .. i mean, the fans there literally scream when they see their fav celebs, but first hand experience (okay, secondhand) makes me wary.. uff what screaming!

      Delete
    6. I searched IF all morning for the links..

      oh the screams!! the poor guy was not allowed to speak :)

      forget Arnav and Khushi..mujhe Sanaya aur Barun se detox karna aur mushkil lagta hai...

      Delete
    7. Hey J,

      i managed to look only at one video and the screams scared me too...i wold rather wait for it to get edited/telecast and then watch ...

      ASR on stage....ok....i see some possibilities there...shut the freaking fans up...with his WT....

      Barun is a cutie...there's something very disarming about this guy..he truly doesn't enjoy all this attention...and there is not an inch of showmanship in him and just the fact that people love him so much (i know a lot of it has to do with fans loving his screen persona) makes it all very strange....

      Probably BS recognises in the truest sense (i mean in a philosophical way) all this fame being a transitory thing....so he takes it all in stride or how do i say it...with a pinch of salt.....

      Just the fact that BS doesn't play to the gallery makes it all endearing imo...ofc i wonder if he will have fans when the ASR tag is off and he is away from public glare but he doesn't seem like the kind to worry about it all....
      one thing is sure, if he stays away and yet manages to work up this frenzy whenever he is in public glare from now on,even he will have to grudgingly accept that destiny has written a special side note for him.....and surrender to the designs meant for him....

      Delete
    8. Oh..thanks a ton J for the links!!!

      Delete
    9. i felt a bid bad for the rest of them... the audience did cheer for them but it seemed like they were there mostly for Sanaya and Barun...

      Delete
    10. yes, the audience were there for sarun.. and the organisers knew it. it seemed the other actors had no problem with that.. maybe they know the overseas popularity of IPK too.

      i loved how Kokila ben was ragging arnav.. "you look at her, she looks at you...you look at her, she looks at you, and episode ends.. " the script writers seem to have had a ball, and IMO, what is saw of the event showed me how much the fans loved sarun..

      and rekha, i think you are right.. BS has been saying that many times.. he is not a child who thinks that TV acting and fame is the end-all in life.

      so if he wants to move on, and the PH knew of it two-three months ago, then (hey, lightbulb!) that accident during BFTP would have pitched him in a coma, and it would have been angstfest later.. which khushi can carry off amazingly, armed with some flashbacks.. for the next 50 episodes.

      but the CT decided to give a happy wedding, wrapped up sham story in a flash, then initiated the shital track... essentially pushing khushi to second wife status because i believe that was their plan, (acc to padfoot)
      but then overwhelming uproar made them wind up that plan in a week, and now arshi is happily married, and if arnav dies in an accident, i say the fans have done great work... the voice of fandom did win!

      so now if the fans are asking for the show to end, do you think Star would agree?

      (uh, reading back.. kahan se kahan pohunch gaya. rambling, as always)




      Delete
    11. J....

      IPK is strange in one way...It had caught the imagination of so many people with diff sensibilities...it appealed to regular viewers as something interesting, it appealed to typical teeny gen, it appealed to audiences, ages ranging from 7 to 70 (kinda)....it made non Hindi soap viewers watch it, it made even some of the usual "i don't care for TV soaps" watch it....so there was this strange appeal...

      obviously the appeal got stretched, the makers indulged in the attention, then started to engage with the audience in a strange way...with spoilers, behind the scenes gossip....then ofc there is no turning back...if u ask for opinions (covertly)..u will get it...its up to ur individual wisdom what opinions to take and what to discard.....but these things are always diffi to control...

      if this off-screen drama wasn't there..typically it wold mean....a break for BS and actually a salvaging of interest in the show considering they have been showing K goin hammer and tongs on "hum sab kuch khud kar sakte hain"...i wold have said...nice twist, u show the character having a genuine afterthot abot something like this becos life's lessons are always learnt the hard way....u get a jolt and then luckily in the reel world, u get a chance to live the lessons u learnt...unlike in real life....

      I am relating some incident which caused a deep impression im my life enuf for me to follow its lessons to this day...a cousin had a simple altercation with the parent( nothing serious..just the regular one that we have off and on) but only thing instead of making up they continued with their sulking for a few days. Unfortunately, the parent had a heart attack, (it was a sudden development and after going into coma(i think) the person passed away...and my cousin never had an opportunity to reconcile...I was very young then but my cousin's tears just shook me up..and altho we have put that incident well behind us...and have moved on .the lesson i learnt for life was as far as possible, never sleep on a quarrel...make sure a goodbye to a loved one is a happy one...not one with recriminations....life is too short to bear grudges of this kind...(that doesn't mean i am not up for a fight....that i do very well, just that i make up soon..LOL)

      Delete
    12. J,
      I am waiting to see the end of the show.
      If Arnav comes back in the end- returns from coma/ rises from the dead/ re-incarnation/ gets cured of amnesia- will we claim fandom made the makers do it?

      How do we know they have not scripted the last few episodes with Sarun already?

      Why do we take it for granted that Arhi has ended?

      There are so many possibilities, na. And Barun will def oblige if they request him to shoot in the end for a week or two. He will do it for Sanaya (and the ph too, I feel) and Sanaya knows what Arhi and Sarun is to fandom. So do the makers- they have said it so many times about Barun, ignoring Sanaya altogether. (May be that is my misconception too, since San said her director and co stars feel she deserves the awards. If not, this is the price the PH has to pay for ignoring such a fine actress.)

      If they had ended with the accident before remarriage, we wouldn't have got these many weeks of Barun. I feel the PH has been trying to give us the maximum possible of Sarun. If you read that day's blog, you can see padfoot replying to me that her source may not have been 100 pc accurate. I think that was the time the 200 people on the sets got wind of Barun's resignation and it was total mayhem- every one panicked- that is why there was a splurge of Anti- Barun posts from the spoiler girls.

      We read it as the PH trying to spoil Barun's image- I feel 4 lions cannot control the 200 people on their sets and their thinking. They let out their frustration some way or the other.

      Ofc, pure speculation- but Sanaya came out defending the PH when she did not have to. And even Barun has been supporting th ePH and the story. Agreed they cannot go against the giants, but they could have just kept quiet. Why did they choose to defend them?

      If the show ends with Khushi and some other guy, I will say Gul is crazy!

      Delete
    13. Jaya, if SP have decided to keep the show on, it shows me a number of things ... some or all in some combination :) These are my conclusions, may or may not be true.

      SP knows IPK is their biggest show overseas.
      They also know it's mainly due to Arnav-Khushi and BS/SI popularity. The script has been going haywire for a while.
      They knew that BS was slated to leave in November ... and instead of allowing another separation, they rushed the wedding.
      Conclusion - In effect, they rushed the track and gave Arnav Khushi their happy ending.

      They planned Arnav's exit with Sheetal ... that didn't work out/ was withdrawn due to fan pressure/BS himself protesting/ better sense prevailed/ BS gave a hint he might return (the last is equivocal, he could easily return even if he left with Sheetal).

      They know Sanaya held the show for six weeks during the kidnapping ... TRP's did not dip during the first four weeks, and only dipped slightly the last two.
      The storyline dipped slightly the last two weeks because Barun's film shooting was prolonged. Conclusion - a decent, tight script held the show together even during Barun's absence.

      TRP's dipped after Barun returned when the script started going haywire, and when Di ki Saut happened.
      Conclusion - Khushi can hold the show, but Anjali cannot. A negative/grey Anjali definitely not.

      TRP's recovered strongly during the wedding track and maintained for the week after when they were still available ... those weeks had a strong fighting Khushi, and then the Khushi who planned Shyam's downfall. Arnav was supportive and loving, no more.
      Conclusion - a strong Khushi translates into good TRP's.

      Will Barun's absence affect TRP's? Maybe, maybe not ... IF KHUSHI remains strong, and the script remains tight, TRP's might sustain. In IPK's history, TRP's have taken a hit only when Khushi was reduced to a caricature, not when either Barun, or ASR's shatir dimaag, was missing. Besides, TRP audience likes strong female leads ... see the leading TRP shows.

      Will Barun's absence affect the international popularity?
      Probably YES, it will dent it for sure ... because Barun/Sanaya together make a fabulous jodi, and their looks are what gives them that international appeal.

      Hence SP brings in another very good looking actor, with a classy sophisticated look ... and decent acting talent. The guy has been main lead in YRF shows, they would not cast rubbish. And they haven't ... I've watched Viraf, he is good.

      So SP will give IPK and especially Gul, a long rope ... bring back the show with the good script and tight direction that you gave it the first nine months ... and you have a deal. If you can't do that ... you're out. No excuses about 'my hero is leaving on break, he's leaving for good, my side actors are leaving, what could I do ...'

      Because Gul has mismanaged her show a heck of a lot, there is NO denying that. But she also gave SP a show with huge international appeal - probably their first in a long time ... SP has seen that in SPA and in both SPL's ... last time Sanaya was the star attraction, this time SaRun were.

      SO Gul will be given a chance. And if Barun is the one wanting to leave, SP knows that very well by now, because they have been IN the negotiations ... they know the real deal. So even more they will agree to wait a while ... the show is popular, the lead actress is popular and is a great ambassador for SP ... and by keeping the show on air, they keep a path open for Barun to return if they need him, or he needs them.

      Of course they can always cast him in another show, but if it's true he wanted to leave after a year, they might be a bit wary and want to let him try out his BW dreams, and then return ... he would be far more amenable to their terms if he tried and failed. Now he's in the driving seat. And if he succeeds ... well, great for him. They still have an international show.

      Delete
    14. Su,

      Our posts crossed each other..
      I mentioned something akin to wat u said only tat the off-screen noise ended up making it all diffi to enjoy...

      "Why do we take it for granted that Arhi has ended?"

      Su, when the first murmurs were heard..i actually thot it was just some news being milked for its worth...
      I thot in a regular way BS will not be able to go leave becos there would be this uproar...and somehow the channel and makers have been wary of the IF guys and their nuisance value...so i thot maybe this will be worked around in the script in such a way that everything will be hunky dory soon but the kind of hysteria that this whipped up and all the counterposts and interviews of BS, SI (i did not see any of them tho i read the updates) i thot my initial conjecture of this being just a kind of position taken is obv wrong..
      ab to khair...i feel a certain numbness when it comes to IPK...lost the energy to look at it with any kind of eye, jaundiced or otherwise.....have no real views just fatigue ...

      Delete
    15. Rekh,

      No one knows why Barun wants to leave now and not later. May be it is something he cannot share with every one.

      But I feel this. Gul and Barun are decent people- they will try to give us a good ending- if not, Gul has to bear the brunt of my wrath. LOL.

      Seriously, are you all suggesting to me that she is a crazy woman?

      Now I am praying QH never achieves the popularity of IPK. I want to see if Gul delivers without the pressures of fandom or channel.

      Jo bhi ho, IPK will will always be special for me...always, always...jab tak hai jaan!

      Delete
    16. Su,

      I have wholly believed all parties would have had their compulsions..I guess my crib with PH was more becos it was pre-dated to controversies..( atleast i thot there were none when the story did not take the promised turns)

      Its a catch -22 situation...IPK was never a real romance...it was supposed to have a hint of the surreal in it...personally would have never encouraged a woman to look at a man who was this dark guy having so many obvious flaws...but well it was a creative take and it has a strange kind of an appeal...and then it was be the star-crossed lovers tale...

      being in love with a woman the man obviously wanted to hate
      however couldn't stop himself falling in love
      was devastated to know that she had a guilty secret yet fate and he conspired to make them man and wife in a sham way
      yet as time passed was torn between hating and loving her and yet surrendered himself to love

      Then would have come another high point in this tale, the conflict between loving her and being a protective brother...(this was the DKS track..which according to me was mostly misunderstood by the fandom at large..can't say if it was an issue with fan sensibilities or lack of effective communication from the makers)if it was the former...well...the makers did the right thing by doing wat they subsequenltly did..quelling all points of conflict becos if majority does not appreciate the point u r making...u might as well bend in acceptance.

      To me, it was always there...that Khushi was DKS- from the day Shyam was unveiled as the husband of Anji...
      As i saw it..it was Arnav's issue as the story was from his perspective..that is why it was DKS....how he would struggle to keep this two relationships in harmony....

      and then added to that was the ultimate teaser of the BFTP....

      wat more could a star-crossed pair ask for in their romance....

      bt when u quell the conflict, what remains is only a whimper.....


      But despite not staying true to their org premise....they still gave an entertaining tale for a really long time...



      Delete
  12. Opti, you asked for an update of Veera ME ... here it is, as much as I can remember ...

    In the gurudwara, Ranvi names his sister Veera. Ratan leaves, and Chaiji follows her out. Ranvi is too happy to get disturbed, the rest of the junta doesn't react much. Ranvi takes over as host :))) and starts encouraging everyone to eat and drink properly because this was his sister's naming ceremony. The dhol players start off, and he dances ... his friends join him, and the adults stand around with grim faces.

    The mom of his nasty friend tries to tell the Paiji that he didn't do good by allowing the naming ceremony of the baby on such an auspicious day ... the Paiji tries to explain to her that the child has barely started her life, how can she be called paap? A person's sins are decided by their deeds, and this child has only learned to breathe and ask for food ... what paap has she done and why should she be punished for the deeds of someone else? He then turns around and tells her that Ranvi is a better person than she is ... because he has accepted the baby as his sister unconditionally.

    Back home, Ratan looks at the paper on which Sampooran had written his daughters' names ... Veera and Mehndi. So she gets upset, that this was her fate all along.
    Chaiji tries to reason with Ratan, that she has Ranvi to live for. Ratan says she can live with Ranvi, but can't accept the baby.

    Ranvi while dancing at the gurudwara notices that all his friends' hankies, and his, have their names on them. So his next mission is to Veera's hanky with her hanky. :))) He leaves Veera at home and goes off to buy a hanky for her. He can't find one with her name and the shopkeeper tells him that his mother has to embroider the name. So he buys it and goes home.

    Veera is crying, Ratan doesn't pick her up, yells to Ranvi to pick up his ... stops, and yells to pick "her" up. Ranvi returns and gets annoyed that his mom didn't pick up the baby. Chaiji tries to explain that his mom is overburdened with work as she has taken his dad's place. Ranvi then decides that if Ratan has taken his dad's place, he has to take his mom's place ... for Veera.

    He then marks all Veera's clothes and hanky with her name in marker pen. And declares that he is Veera's mother.

    There was a scene when Ranvi tries to make a jhoola for Veera, but can't manage it ... he refuses Chaiji's help, and then eventually has to take her help, which he does very grudgingly ... I forget whether that was in Friday's episode or the ME. It was a very cute scene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Next mission is to get a hanky for Veera with her name on it :))) edit from above.

      Delete
    2. Dia,
      I loved that scene where Ranvi gets the pencils(?) and explains how his mom has taken dad's place, so he has to be Veera ki maa- really nicely done. I really hope they maintain this quality.

      Promos show Ratan taking the baby to orphanage.Don't know if it Ranvi's nightmare.

      Delete
    3. Every scene involving Ranvi and the baby brings tears to my eyes. I literally choke up seeing the innocence of the boy in the face of all the resentment and ill will around him. A biblical quote says that unless one becomes like a little child one cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Ranvi shows us the meaning of this.

      Delete
    4. Opti.... u r absolutely right...normally i don't watch shows featuring kids becos i always feel they end up making the kid a caricature, a brat or too syrupy.......Veera is very different in that respect....there is this poignancy just becos of how the scenes are written/directed and obviously the way the boy acts...."tujhme rab dikhta hain" is what i always feel when i look at Ranvi...

      Delete
  13. Jaya,

    Talking of the power of fandom, I know of two cases - shows which were close to my heart at the time. One was Kayamath which was telecast in 2007-09 on Star Plus where the leads, Milind and Prachi were hugely popular. For a show which was in the 11.00 p.m. slot it had a trp of over 4 during one track. The track was about a baby born out of wedlock which was actually the kid of the hero's sister but the heroine claimed it as hers to protect the sister-in-law. The hero, who was obviously upset by his wife's betrayal, files for a divorce. They were all set to show the divorce and the remarriage of the female lead with her childhood sweetheart. The fans cried blue murder and threatened to take morchas. The story was altered and the hero discovers his wife's innocence in the nick of time to stop the divorce. The fans felt elated that their demands were met but the PH (Balaji in this case) had their revenge. The show went downhill from then on. They brought in a partial amnesia track for the hero, to be followed by a track where the hero was accused of murdering his ex-girl friend turned sis-in-law and the wife leaves him to protect him and ends up playing mum to a mother-less kid and the last, most unbelievable track of the dead sister-in-law returning as a ghost to seduce the hero which was finally supposed to be the heroine's hallucinations induced by hypnosis performed by her father's killer. Did your head spin at this? I am sure it did. I've left of a lot of details which are more convoluted. Imagine what we, the Michi addicts had to go through for over a year before the show finally wound up.


    The next show I was addicted to which repeatedly bowed down to fan pressure and still kept them grossly dissatisfied was Geet. Everytime the show showed signs of intensification of the dischord between the leads there was a big hue and cry about not having enough 'Mahi...' (the equivalent of Rabba Ve). The intense track used to be hastily wound up and a new more ridiculous track started. The original story was to bring back the hero's ex-girl friend at some point. They had even decided on the actress playing her role but the fans cried saying that Maan's character cannot be butchered. He could not have had a girl friend, even in the past. Hence they retained Maan's character and systematically butchered Geet's character. When they were done butchering her character and the channel kept dragging its feet in closing down, they came up with tracks which weakened Maan's character as well. At some point the show had no story and only 'Mahis' to keep the fandom happy. It was like throwing bones to dogs. Finally when they wound up the show, die hard fans heaved a sigh of relief. Atleast there was a happy ending with a closing shot of Maaneet with their baby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Opti,

      'Everytime the show showed signs of intensification of the dischord between the leads there was a big hue and cry about not having enough 'Mahi..'

      Sounds like the same story here. So hopefully in the end, arhi will reunite. And since it is not EK show, I am hoping we will be spared the ghost of Arnav.

      That is one lesson I learned well after I read up on what happened to Kasam se- never take EK serously. She is one mad woman. Gul might join that club soon too!

      Delete
    2. Su,

      In the earlier two shows I watched the actors who were playing the leads were there till the end. So they can give a happoy ending after all the crap they showed in between and the couples were true to each other, the only reason I stuck to them despite everything else.


      Here one of them has left. So the chances of a happy reunion are remote, especially if they are planning to show Arnav getting killed in front of Khushi's eyes. By the way, would Arnav's death not be a big blow to Khushi's faith? She did faithfully keep the fast on KC for his long life, resisting all temptations. So DM should be good to her favourite disciple, shouldn't she? Will that be the next track. Hope Khushi slowly regains her faith in God, having lost it when she lost Arnav?

      Delete
    3. Iss pyar ko kya naaam doon?

      We have seen Khushi's love and sacrifice. Have we seen enough of it from Arnav's end? Enough for Khushi to get it imprinted in her heart that he always has her best interests in mind- that he loves her more than himself?

      Even if it means he has to let go of her for her own good?

      Yes, she seems to be repeating like a parrot, "humein pataa hai aap humse kitna pyar karte hain". But does she really know?

      What does he have to do in order for her to believe in him as much as she believes in her DM?

      Delete
    4. Opti,

      The point about Dm came to my mind too - ki how can DM dole out so much hurt to her ardent devotee esp one who has seen so much and for teh first time ever has found a relation in which she is truly cherished.

      P.S: After Geet and IPK, hats off that you want to watch another show from their stables. I am done after just IPK :)

      Delete
  14. Whoa,

    Loads of shows tehre. I for one am drained. Maybe will catch Madhubala off and on for purely entretainment purposes but would rather switch off the soap box and get back to books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandy, Waisay best idea hai, there will be no sudden chutti of characters, author will not want to kill of any character for ego issues and no haircut problems, best solution bey!!!:)

      Delete
  15. MB 26.11.12 BAK BAK:)

    So KC preparations are on in the house minus MB ofcourse.

    MB is determined to keep the fast, RK's Mom and ex-GF cum current-Bhabhi are equally keen that she better not.

    So since RK does not believe in KC quoting the best 2 reasons:

    Dips who keeps a fast for one day of the year so she can suck the life out of her own hubby for the rest of the year*rofl, loved the way he said it* and diplomatically not mentioning that she is fasting for her hubby while lusting after her Devar

    His mom, who keeps a fast for Kukku Bhatiya who is pretty much a devil

    He hates the lies and hypocrisy and drags Madhu away from the Nautanki of the year as he calls it *So there is some almost as good as Hitesh in dialogues department, dialogue writerji jai ho* making sure she is not subjected to any taunts or dumb remarks that might hurt her, Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!

    So now MB has four technical difficulties regarding the fast:

    1.RK should not know ( waisay I am thinking what excuse she will give when she sees him through that chalni thingy, new specs???)

    2. Mehendi....., get a mehendi cone ya .......duhhhhhhh anyway that is taken care of from the precap:)

    3. Sargi from MIL, will see how she sneaks in that.

    4. Jewellery from Hubby.......Damn you karan johar and all the tele serial makers, how could you guys exclude this major important thing, grrrrrr...I never knew that.

    So all in all KC week this week in MB, which means more of lies, sneaking in to do a pooja, serials ki jai ho, koi baat nahin and also Less of RK cos we will see MB fixing all the technical difficulties one by one.

    Hmmmmmm, what else,

    Some rondu scene of Padmini and trishna, gleefully ffed....

    What is Trishna's panga with RK.....DID she have a crush on him or something which she knows or is unaware of her, did he mess up her career somehow, whatttttttt???

    RK does not seem to be a big fan of her either, will trishna and Dips pair up in future?

    RK gets demoted from Dudewa to Bhaiyyaji as he needs to start hitting the gym fast and daily, bas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Swethu,

    i have not a single frame of this serial MB....somehow tera update ka visual picture is looking so mouth watering...the real serial cannot even come close....

    atm, there is a paradigm shift for me as far as love stories go....will take me some time to recover LOL...so i will go with ur update...its very entertaining....dudewa to bhaiyaji....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rekhs, try watching it is not so bad...It has its moments:)

      Delete
  17. 27.11.12

    Okay so Read the written update and only watched RK & MB parts thankfully they come in the first part itself.

    First comment on the parts I didn't watch..

    Mehendi war - Aiyyyyooooooooo, what is this yaar, she needs to put mehendi so bittuji calls a stranger in the middle of the night so mehendi can be put on her.

    See being a south indian has its advantages, kuch bhi bolo, you can't beat the trademark gol gol design..... One big circle surrounded by smaller circles....Can't beat that and the best part, one can do it without anyone's help.

    Bittuji it seems has put up a huge hoarding, did he had it tapkofied from a helicopter, itna bada hoarding and no one in the house notices it, selective blindness yahan bhi, wah wah!!

    And then ofcourse Dips has to see all this and taunting drama shuru:

    Meri mehendi tumhari mehendi say laal kaisay, okay so it is green, result is red...you get the drift.

    Now in such a scenario, one can always say, my mehendi is Laaler than you cos of eucalyptus, body heat etc....but THAT won't be good viewing.

    So guess we are in for you my hubby/saas loves me more depending on what show and which region you belong to....

    Anyway apparantly Dips does some ramanchi with the sargi..and MB manages to outwit her*yawn* woh kal hai...aaj toh kal ki day planning hai, what will happen tomorrow rather the whole week.

    Now the part I actually sawwww, he he, episode dekho ya padho, my bak bak never stops:)

    So Jayuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, I ROFLED at this, wish you were watching this show yaar.

    You guys you won't believe there is a scene where RK is supposed to shut Madhu up by keeping his hand on her mouth and GUESS WHAT, The guy kept his hand in Midair,

    Are you freaking kidding me, his fiancee is that possessive, read that she is always around, but this is ridiculous yaar, jayu ho sake toh confirm karna.

    Rekhs you should watch this show bey, unexpected comedy pucca.

    Anyway.....this phase I hate where one is in love cos that means usually the heroine goes all nutty and goofy and Hero goes completely clueless, yeh writers bhi na:(

    Anyway, basically Bittuji (who was bloody brilliant, he outshone everyone) and MB are planning KC, Bhaiyyaji thins hairstylist didnt turn up cos of KC(Whatttttttttt, how did he come to that conclusion, oh yeah bhaiyyaji needs a haircut)and says get another one.

    MB-B are relieved, Bhaiyyaji goes kuch toh gadbad hai, but is not able to put a finger or hand on it*PUN ABSOLUTELY INTENDED*, so he tries to find, MB barely manages to get out of it.

    Now the gehana part, I thought hubby was supposed to get a new one, here toh he is returning her own earrings.........Dhattttt, iskay liye itna drama for a gehna...hubby just had to give her own jewels to her...anyway she gets her earrings back and is relieved.

    Now why does he have them in the first place?
    Why did he give into her so easily?You want it, you are not going to stop until you have it, there you go..........Mehhhhhhhhh!!

    Why didnt she push him enough, you are not returning my earrings why are you going to wear them, use them in your movie, you are keeping them cos it reminds you of me.......Lost chance writers*head desk*

    Bit of a lackluster episode frnakly, tomorrow is chori ki sargi and laal mehendi day, hmmmmmmmmmm.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeh tere serial ke hero aur unke haircut ka kya chakkar hain bhai?

      Delete
    2. ROFL Shwetha, You are too good!

      It is exactly as you said, Rekh.
      The serial is not half as good as Shwetha's update.

      And I discovered this. Drashti is good in all scenes except the ones with RK. She is esp good in the scenes with Dips- I like the possessive fiancee theory here.

      Delete

    3. Shweta,

      I actually saw the episode but your update is more fun. :-)))))

      Delete
    4. Rekhs, what to do yaar:(

      When I start watching, yeh actors are in their character, uskay baad na jaanay kya ho jaata hai, Hairstylist ka existence bhool jaatay hain, grrrrrrr..

      If you note the earlier epis, he actually looked damn good, a guy in his late 20s, 5 kg thinner and a trim haircut....he looked like the young, arrogant actor he was portraying.

      example - look up in my 2 fav scenes....one where she disposes off all his liquor, the guy looked dapper in his orange jacked, with a nice trim, so much so even though it was supposed to DD's scene to own, he chuckles at the end at having been outsmarted, with that he totally owned that scene.

      Now look at the second of my fav scene, the guy is heavier, hair thicker and Dudewa say bhaiyyaji ho gaya, if he continues like this he will be promoted to uncleji...bas bol diya!!!

      Awww, Su, thanks bey. I feel DD is very good in most of the scenes except the romantic ones...the one where she is being sarcasting, angry, emotional she is pretty good, romantic passion may she needs to improve. But can't blame her too, if the hero is keeping his hand on thin air rather than the mouth and is being monitored, she will have to be careful:(

      Usha:*Hugs* do you watch the show? Can you answer why Trishna and RK may panga hai?

      Diya & the gang, when are you all going to start watching this unexpected romantic comedy?*wink*

      Delete
  18. 28.11.12

    Only read the written update....Bahu eats the sargi from trash can, vamp mixes something in the food.............*checking the date, Oh good, it is not 1960s, it is still 2012, it is not a b grade movie,but a telly show*

    Out of town till Sunday, will come back on monday for the bak bak:)

    take care everyone*Hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Ladies.....Loved reading all your posts...I dont get Colors here, but will try MB online....I watch QH to see what the PH is going to dish out...the last couple of episodes had Asad getting increasingly more angry with Zoya over different things. There was a scene where he corners her with both his arms against the wall, trapping her so that he can intimidate her into fixing his phone...but the scene was such a damp one.....And all I could think of was the 'character dheela' scene between ASR and ODG! Every scene of KSG in QH seems to be a pale imitation of ASR. The last episode of QH had the leads watching a meteor shower and at the end Zoya trips and Asad catches her....it was totally lame! Sorry.....am just not feeling it! And let me not get started on Ayan, both the character and the actor! The rest of the cast are ok; actually Rashid and Dilshad are more interesting than any of the others.

    I have actually started watching a Pakistani serial online, Zindagi Gulzar Hai on HumTV. It started exactly on the day that IPK ended! This the first outing of Fawad Khan after the hugely successful Humsafar. The character of Asher, played by Fawad, had given him enormous success among the Urdu-speaking diaspora, and is easily one of my favorites. Humsafar is one of the best TV serials in recent times....only 35 episodes long...with a very tight story. The production values are nothing like the Indian serials....they are shot like plays with few sets, the characters are very believable; the emphasis is on the story. I am watching Zindagi Gulzar Hai to see how this serial will do after the huge success of Humsafar....Fawad is eye-candy.... but like an everyday person. A lot of the original supporting cast from Humsafar has also been repeated in ZGH....so will watch regularly.

    IPK may have ended, but R&R is a daily ritual that I intend to continue! Thank God!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Harini,

    Harini,

    Fully agree with ou on QH. The leads are just not working for me. Zoya is pretty annoying and the actress is not making it easier for me to like her. Ayan i dreadful, both the character and actor. The show has a more theatrical feel with loud characters with exaggerated expressions. that is why we are not able to feel it. It lacks subtle display of emotions, which is the advantage of a t.v. or movie show where closeups can catch good expressions if the actors are talented enough to show them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. opti, you hit the nail on its head.. the show QH has a more theatrical feel to it.. and like harini said, Rashid and Dilshad are the most watchable actors on the show.. and you get such deja vu moments there.. it totally robs the whole enjoyment of the show.. same with MB.. to be fair, i get deja vu moments even while watching movies now.. IPK seems to have totally ruined me against cheap talentless actors!

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    2. Yess, MB too has some theatrical moments but considering that it is to pay homage to the Indian cinema industry, I can go with it. What works for me in MB is RK's characterisation and the way it is being played by Vivian. I love the lines he gets to utter and he does so with great ease, with that tinge of sarcasm. The mischief in his eyes is also endearing. Drashti is good in parts. Together they are still to reach the levels of Arshi or even Maaneet but lets see if they get there at some point.

      Delete

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