28/3 ... Epi 4 - The Aftermath

Thurs 28th Mar '13

After the tense drama of yesterday, today felt a little flat.

So Uma Ben is not above white lies ... or has she really convinced herself that she broke off the marriage? And she is not going to tell anyone the real reason why it broke.

Manav needs to shape up much more ... and can they please not have him call his mom 'Mummee?' Sounds juvenile!!!

Scene at Uma Ben's residence was supposed to be funny, it fell a little flat for me. Seemed a Xerox of Housewife or any other saas bahu show ... no difference at all.
The characters of the three daughters-in-law etched out briefly, as well as the terror under which they live. One gharelu nervous type, one silly ... not sure yet about the third. Uma Ben gifting them silver coins because she realises that she's been correct in her choice of DIL's, through the contrast she just saw, was funny, though ... as was the fact that none of them seemed to get exactly what she meant. Till she said she just saw the type of DIL she was sure she didn't want!!!
Tempting fate, lady ... tempting fate!!!


Much better was the scene at Chhanchhan's house ... both the aftermath of the broken wedding ... sensitively done, and the next morning. Liking Chhanchhan's family ... they are such a normal family!!! The actors are good too. Where have the two friends disappeared? Only three of the five left now ... Chhanchhan, Simple and Purvi. Cute little scene between the three friends ... too short!

SN - Supriya P is struggling to hold the boy's end of the show up ... the other actors are not that great, and neither is Farhan yet, by a long shot. On the other hand, the scenes at Chhanchhan's house are much better, all the actors are good, not only Sanaya. However today was the first day the bahus appeared, so have to give them a couple of days to settle. The Sarabhai family is already into their roles nicely. 

Purvi worried about her father going to meet Uma Ben ... predictably UB throws him out of job and house. And CC correctly estimates who UB blames for the mess ... unfortunately, she's going to meet UB, and try and solve matters. Uh oh, Chhanchhan ... no, please ... bad idea! This is not going to work!!!

Loved Sanaya's look today, both at night in red kurti, and morning in jacket and jeans. She looks gorgeous when she's simply dressed. She also looks gorgeous when she's all dressed up. I'm confused ... does she ever not look gorgeous?!

*Edit*
Just caught the first five minutes of the episode ... had missed that last night (live stream not working :( ) So Uma B announced that the boy's parents had broken off the alliance ... eww! Hiding her own role in the drama.
SN - Hope this is not going to turn into evil saas ...

Manav arrives belatedly ... his scene with his mom made me feel sorry for Uma B. If all her sons are equally big dolts, no wonder she needs to run her household with rod of iron. What a dimwit!
Another character that needs some work! Happy go lucky doesn't necessarily mean daft and birdbrained!
Oh wait ... when bubbly and chirpy girl usually means dim-witted six year old, guess the same goes for guys!
So Uma Ben determines that she will check out her own future bahu far more thoroughly than she checked out Purvi. 

Nice scene at Chhanchhan's house, where the family tries to cheer up Purvi and her dad. Liking Chhanchhan's family more and more, especially the teasing.
SN - Hope they show Purvi getting married .. and that too,  very soon!

 Uma Ben's house - the three daughter-in-law ... whose main qualification seems to be that they should shiver at Ba's footsteps. And be minus spine, brain or any other thinking organs which might allow dissent in any form whatsoever.
So one bahu is gharelu, one is silly and one is a trifle vain. And all three are dressed identically. (They also seemed clones of every saas bahu show on telly today).
And Uma B gifts them all silver coins ... celebrating the fact, which she never appreciated enough ... that they are NOT Chhanchhan! Even if they are dumb! But they never go against her ... smart girls! Bahus seem a bit dumbfounded at the unexpected praise. :)))

The scene was the first reminder of Khubsoorat, where Dina Pathak rules with rod of iron.

Manav needs to grow up! Mummee? Like really?! 

Night scene with the three girls ... sweet, but too short! Discussing the happenings at the wedding, the guys they met, cheering up Purvi, all fun and laughs ... typical friends' scene.
Morning - again very cute scene. Enjoying the Chhanchhan family interactions ... very real and sweet. JSK was cute! Like the mother ... very sweet, graceful lady. Again liked the interactions between Purvi and Chhanchhan ... Purvi's worry about her father was sweet and very touching.

Purvi tells Chhanchhan that her dad is going to meet Uma Ben. And Chhanchhan remembers that Uma Ben blamed her for the wedding fiasco.
Precap - And when Tushar uncle loses his job (expectedly so), Chanchan decides to try sort things out. Uh oh.

27/3 ... Epi 3 - Intense!!!

Wednesday 27th Mar '13

Who said this was not going to be an intense love-hate story?! This is as intense as it can get!!  Only thing is, the love-hate is between the saas bahu. The guy is going to be sandwiched between two very strong women ... I feel sorry for him already.

The way it's going, Chhanchhan and Manav will fall in love without knowing the hate between Uma Ben and Chhanchhan ... without Chhanchhan even knowing he is Uma Ben's son.
Manav, NOT being Mama's boy, will insist on marrying Chhanchhan, Mommy dearest will not be able to stop him. Then will start the challenge of Uma Ben throwing Chhanchhan out in thirty days, as was written in the Sony website.

So this week will be intense, and next week things will lighten up.
Enjoyed the episode today again ... tension-packed drama! So the poor groom was not even consulted? And Purvi had not even met him earlier? Didn't think this happened in this day and age! No wonder such arranged marriages are NOT to be encouraged!

In the first episode, Chhanchhan said 'aisi saas kisi ko na mile.'
In the second, Uma Ben said 'aisi bahu kisi ko na mile'.
Well matched saas and bahu! They will both have to eat their words!
Today Uma Ben vowed she would never forget Chhanchhan. Don't think she will be given a chance!
Tomorrow will Chhanchhan say she will never forget Uma Ben?

*edit later*
 My download is very slow Will edit as soon as done. Till then, a couple of positive reviews

 DNA india.com/entertainment/report -Looks promisingWhat is it about: A Gujarati joint family wherein the grandmother is worried about her granddaughter Chanchan —who is of a marriageable age — not finding a groom and wants her son and daughter-in-law to start the hunt for a groom pronto.

Characters: It has a nice blend of contemporary and traditional characters. Even the professions each of them follows is out-of-the-box. The protagonist Chanchan is a dog trainer, her brother is pursuing to be a wild life photographer, sister is a tattoo artist, father's a painter and mother's a history professor. On the other hand, Supriya Pathak's character Umaben is as orthodox as can be. Her son Manav (newbie Farhan Khan) is the hero and sparks have already flown between Chanchan and him in a typical filmi manner where they accidentally bump into each other.
But it's the sparks between Chanchan and Umaben, whose house she will eventually come as a bahu that will prove to be explosive and interesting. One has to mention the four dogs, especially the fluffy Pooch Pooch who is oh-so-cute and undoubtedly the scene-stealer!

Visuals: That most serials these days have good production values is heartening and Chanchan is no exception. From the lavish house to the outdoors to the ostentatious wedding sequence, the visuals are pleasing to the eye.
Dialogue: Whether it's the casual conversation between Chanchan and her friends — which is very today — or the simmering undertones in the dialogue between Umaben and Chanchan, it's quite engaging. Worth mentioning is the one where the priest tells Chanchan that the temple is closed and cannot be opened because Vishnuji is sleeping and in the next instant is willing to open when Umaben offers him a thousand rupee note. When Chanchan cries foul, Umanben coolly tells her, 'Kya tum yeh nahi jaanti soye huye Vishnu ko Laksmi hi jagati hai!'

Way forward: It is undoubtedly a saas-bahu saga but with a difference. With Supriya Pathak's strict sarcy act providing the perfect foil to Sanaya Irani's chutzpah, this should turn out interesting, provided the pace is maintained.

Tellychakkar review ... also fairly good
http://www.tellychakkar.com/news/review-sony-tvs-chhanchhan
Another one on iDubba (whatever that is !)
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3506253

*Edit*
Episode update - As expected, Chhanchhan tells Purvi during the pheras aboutt he dowry demands, adds that more will be coming, reminds her of Aarti and their vow, and then leaves it to her. Purvi is caught in major dilemma, what to do ... Tough call!
Uma Ben wondering why Chhanchhan is accompanying Purvi during the pheras, Purvi's dad assures her it's because Purvi is nervous.
Purvi stops midway through fourth phera ... and wants to talk to her father in private.
SN - I loved it in IPK when the talk of breaking Arnav's engagement was done in private, and not in front of all guests ... good to see the same thing happen here.

Purvi upset ... apparently she was the shy, nervous sort, never excelling at anything, poor self-esteem ... but did her father really need to buy her a husband? Is she not even good enough on her own for that?
SN - Some script loopholes here - the dad knew Purvi had sworn against dahej, and about her friend's death ... why did he go ahead with it? They could have put in a line that the demands came too late for him to stop anything, to cover that one up.
And how come Purvi didn't even meet her fiance once? They don't look the ultra-conservative types ...a girl who did a computer course, can meet her fiance once surely?
That's why I enjoy Veera - it never leaves these minor loopholes in the script.

The rest was good ... Supriya P was very good, smooth-talking over the 25 lakhs issue, subtle threats about breaking the alliance she has arranged ... it was a 'gift', not a dowry demand, it's for his daughter after all, it will ensure her greater happiness ... all the usual excuses ...
As Chhanchhan points out ... aren't these all the excuses people use to give and take dowry today?

Liked the line by the boy's dad that 'unki naak kat jayegi' ... thank God somebody said that one! Always wondered that if an alliance breaks at the mandap, it's equally humiliating for the boy too ... why does no one ever bring that up?
Boy's dad says, no, no, we like Purvi for her virtues ... and can't name a single one ... so Chhanchhan obliges ... methinks her dad also realised belatedly that his daughter is not that hopeless and he doesn't need to buy a groom after all ... 
Chhanchhan says, we have all decided we will not give or take dowry ... we can change these traditions ...
Uma Ben not happy ... you are far too young to talk about changing society, you can't even change the color of the wall behind you ... umm, is Chhanchhan a painter?
And hello Uma Ben ... quite a few recent changes have been bought about by youngsters, don't you know ... aided by the power of the internet and technology ...
Pretty much all the elders say this too ... the young should not interfere, you are too idealistic, these things happen, don't talk in elders' matters ... can see this striking a chord with both young and old audiences.
Chhanchhan is taken aback at Uma Ben's barely veiled dislike ... you can fight corruption if you like, but don't try to battle society norms ... 
Uma Ben tries to steamroll the opposition ... let's get going now ... five minutes, if you please. And banishes Purvi's friends, judging correctly where the rebellion is finding its strength. Purvi smartly holds her back.
Some subtle and not-so-subtle threats about Purvi's dad working for Uma Ben's husband ... we are old and wise, these girls are young and foolish ... don't make me lose face. And passes some rude remarks on Purvi's choice of friends ...

Manav and friend on the way back ... Manav still thinking of revenge ... his friend mooning over Simple ...
And the scene showed that Manav does not share his mother's views on the inferiority of either middle-class people or those who work for him ... his interactions with the driver are friendly and back-slapping types, with no hint of social superiority ...

Uma Ben back to call Purvi to complete the wedding ... papa says 'no thanks ... I'll work for you even harder, but am not prepared to put my daughter's happiness at stake here.' 
Hey bhagwan, wish he had thought so before ... he realises this at the wedding mandap, halfway through the pheras?
Like I said, one dialogue saying the demand came late and threw him into a tizzy, would have been apt.
Purvi and Chhanchhan delighted and relieved ... while Uma Ben has no hesitation in laying the blame for the broken alliance where it belongs ... Chhanchhan. And she will double her memory pills, to ensure she doesn't forget her face.

... methinks she won't be allowed to forget her in a hurry, even if she wanted to!

Today was Supriya Pathak's day ... she is getting into character slowly and steadily. Will she be frankly evil saas, or just orthodox matriarch, strict to a fault, and intolerant of those who dare to oppose her? So far she still seems like a female ASR, now with a mix of Daadi added ... orthodox and intolerant with it, added to an exaggerated sense of her own importance, and pride in her wealth and position.
Farhan needs to improve his dialogue delivery and expressions. His character is also slowly getting defined more and more with each brief scene.
Sanaya was good as usual ... very much in character, a bewildered Chhanchhan ... who has probably for the first time encountered such strict orthodoxy, given that her own upbringing has been so different. Or encountered such open dislike and contempt for her thoughts ... again, given that her own family encourages the youngsters to follow their own paths in life, she has never encountered such disdain for the values and open thinking that she takes for granted. 

26/3 ... Epi 2 - An Unexpected Punch

Tues 26th March

Didn't expect this one coming! I said yesterday that anti-dowry statements cannot be made often enough on telly ... didn't know this would pack such a strong punch. Actually showing that the girls lost a friend to dowry demands was a great idea ... many of us, if not most, are strongly anti-dowry in principle already but often the demands are sugar-coated with the name of 'gifts' ... but going through an experience like that would ensure that we follow the principle to the T ...

So will Chhanchhan actually stop Purvi's wedding?

Manav-Chhanchhan's arguments were quite silly ... Farhan so far is not very impressive.
Need to re-watch ... Live stream is very iffy. Don't get more than the gist of the episode.

*Edited*
Watching the episode in HD on big screen does make a difference I liked the episode better than the first on live streaming, but when I saw it again, the impact was much greater.

First the not so good. Did not really care for the nok jhok between Chhanchhan and Manav and the way it started ... felt Chhanchhan should have been more empathic to Manav sneezing, after all, she's a dog trainer, not just a dog lover, so she should know that people can have dog allergies. Also the peeing on his shoes was not in good taste ... or rather, her reaction to it was not. Most dog owners would be apologetic. Although a toy dog doing such antics is more forgiveable ... my Maltese did it all the time, and it feels like a kid's antics, they are such babies!
Farhan's voice ... was it dubbed?
The rest of the teasing was okay ... light and fun, with no malice or nastiness. Having lived in two countries for ten years where the local word for milk was 'susu' ... really!!! and having brought up my kids with frequent reminders to drink their susu, I laughed at the susu-sherbet teasing ...Besides, it was just teasing, done in fun. No 'intense hate' or anything ...

Now the good ... the Manav-Uma Ben scene ... Farhan was better in this scene ... is he less nervous with Supriya than with Sanaya? Mother-son interaction started to lay down the respective characters ... nice. Mother caught up in her arrogance of money and position (more and more reminds me of ASR ... how much a person can be forgiven for being a jerk, if he is tall, dark and handsome!) ... while son, although affectionate with his mom, sets his own rules and boundaries, and will not blindly follow everything she says. Already see a difference between Manav, and Ahemji and Suraj dikra ...hope it stays.

More good ... Farhan was better in the later scenes with Sanaya ... I did see a spark in their tiny eyelock ... both are good-looking actors, if Farhan's acting improves, the chemistry will come. 

What I loved ...
The Chhanchhan-Purvi scene, a typical scene between two best friends, and Purvi worrying about her father, how is he doing, she's heard him crying, he's not been well, she wants to see him one last time before her wedding ... loved that scene. The bond between father and daughter, the worry of the daughter for her father ... (does Purvi not have a mother?)
The entire dowry conversation ... Chhanchhan overhearing ... Supriya mediating the give and take. Unfortunately there are still many parents of boys who feel that they are superior to the girls' parents, and there is nothing wrong in giving 'gifts' to the boy's side ... after all, it will all go to their daughter eventually, won't it?And these are not 'vamps' who feel this way, these are many average, perfectly normal, educated women in society.

The best part ... the flashback to losing a friend to dowry demands, and the pledge made by the five to never give or take dowry. This was the most impactful scene of the episode ... well done by the writing team! Until the youngsters themselves decide to fight the evils inherent in our society, they will never end.

It was heartening in the recent Nirbhaya protests to see so many youngsters taking part, even more heartening to see so many men. When those who are in the privileged position start to see the negatives of that position, the time for change is near.
So I was happy to see that there was a solid reason for the girls to have taken that pledge, a solid reason for them to stick to it regardless of everything. Nirbhaya impacted those who did not even know her ... how much more impact would the death of a dear friend have! Loved the way they did this part!

And loved more ... Chhanchhan goes to tell her friends, they confer between themselves, and then decide they have to tell Purvi, and leave the decision to her. After all, it is her future, and her life at stake.

Yes, they are keeping this serial very real.

25/3 ... Epi 1 Chhanchhan - A New Journey Begins

Monday 25th March '13

Teaser for first episode
http://www.india-forums.com/video/sony-tv/273468-chhan-chhan-first-episode-teaser.htm

Will update episode later ... soooo good to be back to daily updates!

Sanayalicious ... and doggilicious episode :)
Good to see Sanaya back on screen. Loved her intro!
Battle lines set up already.
IPK had arrogant egoistic hero, here we have arrogant egoistic MIL ... the power of money.
Liked the friends' scenes ... reminded me of my college friends :(
The Supriya Sanaya face offs will be good ... both awesome actresses! 

*Edited* 

The start of a new journey ... hope this one is as big a milestone in Sanaya's career as MJHT and IPKKND were. Fingers crossed ...

The episode -Daadi trying to fix up rishta for rebellious granddaughter, who according to her is way past marriageable age ... first refreshing change - the girl is not 18 and fresh out of school.
Daadi's one-liner of the day - marriages are made in heaven ... 'so do you expect me to wait for you to go up and throw a guy down from there for my granddaughter?'
Marriage counsellor provides suitable boy ... with the face of a dog Because apparently said granddaughter, apart from being old, also has another disadvantage ... she loves dogs! And this is a sanskaari dog - he does namaste too So Daadi, please adjust with his face, after all, he is adjusting with Chhanchhan's age

Daadi wakes up in panic and runs to her son's room ... Dad manages to placate and calm her down, barely managing to hide his amusement ... tells her to recite the Gayatri mantra to calm herself down.
By morning, the whole house knows about Daadi's dream ... much to Daadi's indignation!

Introduction of Chhanchhan ... with dogs ... considering this is Sanaya's show, the intro could have been a bit grander! CC playing with dogs as she goes about her job of training ... Moti aunty is happy and pays her ... sent off with a reminder to feed her dog less than she feeds herself!

Chhanchhan returns home, where Daadi is grumbling about her unconventional family and their lack of concern about her eldest grand daughter's marriage ... dad, an artist, mom, a history professor, brother a wildlife photographer and sister, a tattoo artist ... liked the way they neatly brought in the fact that getting God's or husband's name tattooed was the norm in the old days! Mom couldn't cook when she got married, was taught by Daadi ... me liking both Mom and Daadi! People after my own heart!
Chhanchhan returns, and is as amused as the rest about Daadi's dream ... rushes off for her friend's wedding ... first she has to get PuchPuch ready an adorable Shih Tzu ... She  almost forgets to get ready herself in the rush!
Friends scene ... ready made sarees for all ... my daughter would appreciate this one! Cute bonding between the friends ... Chhanchhan and one friend set off on scooty to get prasad from temple ... first deja vu of Khushi with the scooty scene ... pretty much the only one I felt during the episode.

Temple scene - the first clash ... as panditji tells Chhanchhan and friend that Vishnuji is sleeping so no darshan ... Uma Ben arrives, a quick greasing of palms and Vishnuji can be woken up from his slumber. As Uma Ben superciliously tells Chhanchhan ... 'Vishnuji wakes up only for Lakshmi.' Great voice inflections by Supriya P there. Also the way she tells her servant - 'upar karo' the umbrella ... pure arrogance in the voice - I'm talking to an inferior being.
Chhanchhan calls a spade a spade ... 'this is bribery.' Uma Ben not amused. Pandit wisely removes himself from the battlefield. CC's friend equally wisely reminds CC that they don't have the time to battle over ideals, because Purvi is waiting for the prasad. Chhanchhan unwillingly agrees ... Uma Ben rubs it in by asking her for thanks ... Chhanchhan thanks her politely ... but her eyes give her away. This is not right ... 
The clashes between Sanaya and Supriya are going to be good to watch. 


Back to the friends ... as Purvi gets ready worriedly (pity the girl is only there for a cameo, I liked her) ... and Chhanchhan arrives ... again, sweet friends's scene, they promise to stay together, and refuse to take or give dowry ... nice to see this, I wish they would show guys of today also pledging the same thing! A message that cannot be repeated too often in our country!

Chhanchhan has left the gift in her scooty, so she goes with friend to fetch it ... and bumps into male lead ... who apparently is allergic to dogs ... and as rude as his mom. And Chhanchhan isn't the apologetic sorts either!

My take -
First of all, GOOD to see Sanaya back on screen again! Lights up the screen with her sheer presence! TV just got interesting again!

Uma Ben is not the same as Dina Pathak from Khubsoorat ... she is more like a female ASR, with her arrogance about her money and position. And Chhanchhan is as feisty as Khushi, but more balanced and thehri hui, can hold her tongue when required ... the way she bit her tongue when asked by Uma Ben to say sorry, and then said the words politely enough, even with a smile, but one which didn't reach her eyes ... no disrespect to elders, but has the courage of her convictions. Nice!   Very much my kind of girl!

I love the way Sanaya has managed to shake off Khushi ... the exaggerated mannerisms and facial gestures were missing, the acting was much more restrained, the clash with Supriya was very restrained, quiet and dignified, the objections voiced very politely, yet firmly ... no 'darti hai par karti hai' here ... it's very much 'dil ka kahaa maanti hai' ... she will do what she feels is right, and has the confidence to do so. More like Dr. Simran from Astitva ... firm-voiced, confident, yet polite and graceful with it.

I liked the friends' scene ... the girls were not great actors, but they were decent, and the loudness and chirpiness reminded me of my gang from college ... as did the soft-voiced farewells and bitter-sweet happiness at the first of many weddings, which would eventually break up the friends' circle. We wondered how we would survive not being able to talk to each other every day, twenty times a day, after living in the same hostel for almost ten years ... the scenes brought back those memories.

The introduction of an unconventional family was the only scene which seemed a bit forced ... introducing each member and their profession, and emphasizing on the unconventionality of the family ...
Loved the dogs in the show ... Sanaya is obviously completely comfortable with dogs, and it shows.

All in all, a good first episode ... will take a little while for everyone to sink into character ... Sanaya, Supriya and Chhanchhan's parents are already pretty much in synch ... the friends, CC's brother and sister will take a little time. Male lead ... didn't notice him much today, he was barely there. He has a tough time ahead trying to match up to both Sanaya and Supriya.

TV This Fortnight ... 18th - 31st March

Veera ...
Monday 18th - the innocence of Ranvi as he tries to fulfill Veera's wish, and then is stuck in quicksand of his own making, as she asks for her Papaji to return ... and he has to try to fulfill her wish, after all, it is his Veera's wish, and he fulfills every one.
The helplessness of Ratan ... Rabba, you've turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to me, but at least listen to Veera's ardas ... she is just a child ... Chaiji ever-supportive ...
And Ranvi decides to go to Amritsar to fetch his Papaji ... and I am really scared for the boy ...

Qabool Hai

Madhubala

Others ... not watching anything much. PKDH became too negative for me today with the vampish Latika trying to show Adi in playboy light, and Shiela encouraging her ... will give this one a skip till the negativity lessens. Why do all shows have such horrible villains/vamps?Now I know why YRKKH does so well ... there is no negativity!

Bade Achhe Lagte Hain ... had appearance of Sanaya to promote Chhanchhan ... looking absolutely stunning in bright pink ... with major Khushi hangover in her way of speaking "Nehaji, aap aise kijiye ... " I guess she will get over that soon enough! And I still like Vikram and Neha in BALH ... the nicest couple in the show, and the best friends to have!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=seXM5n3YuJg

*Edit*
Interview of Gautam Hegde  .. talks about IPK. Isn't he writing Madhubala now? He doesn't mention it much.
http://www.fuzionproductions.com/the-man-behind-a-characters-mask-gautam-hegde/comment-page-1/#comment-1346
I liked his comment - 'I don't think I have fans, but my shows do.' Very down to earth and pragmatic.

Make labour laws stringent for TV: Barun Sobti
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Make-labour-laws-stringent-for-TV-Barun-Sobti/articleshow/19127101.cms

Chhanchhan ... The Countdown begins :)

18th March ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEj2kUtGqIw
SBB on Chhanchhan ... scenes from Promo 5, small interview with Sanaya, where she describes her 'look' as Chhanchhan ... no specific look of the same dress in different colors, as she's had before as Gunjan and then Khushi, but instead, much more realistic and true to life, where she changes clothes and hairstyles every day like any normal girl would. Am loving the sound of this! Sanaya wearing a purple lehnga and pink chunni with golden blouse ... from my latest research into fashion scene in Delhi today, can happily say she's in the IN colors ... apparently, purple is IN. So is lemon yellow - have seen some lovely clothes in yellow, and yellow suits Sanaya, so hope we'll see her in that color too.
Another small interview with Sanaya and Supriya, where the VO says that Supriya P will be strict MIL, so will she slap Chhanchhan?  Supriya laughs and says no, she will pull her cheeks. And proceeds to do so

Male lead for Chhanchhan is finalised. We have a name now, but still no face ... at least not from the PH or channel though we do have a couple of photographs from TC and TOI. Since there are about 45 Farhan Khans in the industry, will wait till we get final confirmation before I post a pic here. He is a rookie model apparently, and is good looking.
SN - Hope the guy can act.
SN2 - Hope the guy can dance ... after two costars blessed with two left feet, I want a good dance partner for Sanaya! Though Mohit was better than Barun, and at least he tried.

Exactly a week for Chhanchhan to air

*Edit*
Have lost count of the TOI articles on this show. Here's the latest.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Modern-Bahu-is-new-fresh-Sanaya-Irani/articleshow/19038528.cms

Don't know where this is from
http://www.imagebam.com/image/5d5019243804109

*Edit*
SBB segment 19th March - Sanaya photoshoot for Chhanchhan posters for Advertising. Posters to be put up in all major cities.


http://tv.desitvforum.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=219472&Itemid=109
Sanaya in different looks - pink kurti with jeans, yellow salwar suit, and multicolored lehnga. She likes the jeans and kurti look best ... no surprises there! She looks gorgeous in all ... and the VO agrees. Sanaya seemed tired in the segment between shots, although during the shoot, there is no sign of tiredness on her face and her smile is as radiant as ever.

Have seen major posters of Khubsoorat all over town while I've been in Delhi, and I was wondering if Sony would advertise Chhanchhan the same way. Glad to see they will Only I won't be there to see it 

Pics of the launch of Chhanchhan 19th March 2013
http://www.solarisimages.com/event_gallery.php?id=5098&page=1&a=1&b=2
Now I am getting excited about the show. Sanaya and Farhan looking good together!



More articles - links here. Will post articles below.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Farhan-Khan-didnt-knew-Sanaya-Irani/articleshow/19087941.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Chanchan-is-new-age-woman-oriented-show/articleshow/19086951.cms 
This one I really like ... always wondered why Indian TV couldn't show that a modern woman can be connected to her roots, and that wearing jeans or dresses doesn't necessarily mean that she's a vamp!

Press conference of Sony TV's Chhanchhan
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2684/sanaya-irani/video/272920-press-conference-of-sony-tv-chanchan.htm#4939113
Youtube link -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9N88HQwVWI&list=PLEPmHukTq7D6BI4k-q5o-w0-4VUueZIy8

More Youtube links for 20th March

SBS-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jAA_Rgiv7U

SBB- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE2rbvDYs3c

IF Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EjsKW-drYI

Far more links for the launch of Chhanchhan as compared to IPK ... Sanaya was known as Gunjan but not so widely, Barun was pretty unknown ... and Star Plus doesn't seem to do these grand launches anyway. IPKKND was itself an experiment on Star Plus, so they kept it pretty low key, and it never generated this kind of interest.

Sony did big launches for BALH and KTLH ... I remember those. I heard they also did for Hongey Judaa Na Hum. Have seen hoardings for Khubsoorat all over Delhi ... now apparently there are hoardings for Chhanchhan all over Mumbai, including on all BEST buses and bus stops. So apparently Sony goes all out in their launches. And Sanaya is, of course, a much bigger face and name now than she was at the start of IPK. Just hope and pray this show hits the jackpot for Sony. And gives a hat trick for Sanaya :)

Posted in the comments, posting here as well - Chhanchhan is very much like Sanaya, Vipul talking about casting the dogs, Farhan's first interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3CAswcLbw

*edit* The last few updates for this post - next post will be on Episode 1

Two TB articles
http://www.india-forums.com/tellybuzz/buzzin-hot/14285-chanchan-is-new-fresh-sanaya-irani.htm

http://www.india-forums.com/tellybuzz/wassup/14360-i-am-playing-a-happy-go-lucky-romantic-guy-farhan-khan.htm
Confidence much?! Badmouting Ekta Kapoor? Bachhu, you want to stay long term in TV industry or not? Paani mein reh kar magarmach se bair karna types ... Learn from Sanaya - all she says is that she doesn't want to do rona dhona roles ... no names mentioned ... diplomacy bhi koi cheez hoti hai!
Anyway, the guy seems confident, he has done theater, so he's not a total rookie ... but TV with the speed of shooting and the pressure of constant deadlines, is a different ball game, and he seems to realise this completely.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Chanchan-is-not-a-regressive-show-Sanaya-Irani/articleshow/19166190.cms
Article pasted below - Sanaya's father calls her Chanchan? That is sweet!!!
And from the pics, she doesn't have a pug, she has a very hairy Shitzu? Don't recognise the breed - have seen it before, but don't remember what it is.

Another TOI article - article pasted below.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/The-two-generations-of-feisty-women--Chhanchhan/articleshow/19185580.cms

Sanaya this week

Promo 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pykmhqAsenA
Posted by Sony - excellent quality

Promo 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_857640&feature=iv&src_vid=8Agf2iAWH8A&v=w5UgJN2dkSc

Promo 3 - 6th March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvKoxdepwPA
I LOVE THE DOGS!!!!

Promo 4 - 9th March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wQK4z2C5_M
Sanaya reminds me of Kajol in this one.

Promo 5 - 15th March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-zhSOr-Ad0
Reminded me of a clash many years ago ... involving myself, my friends and my mom Did I think there was going to be nothing much to discuss on this show?

New SBS on Sanaya's new show 5th March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Xl2zZBIHo

The first SBS (don't remember if I posted it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAm6GEmzjtk

6th March SBS/SBB
Will post links - hope it's not Mohit!   The guy is cute, but he can't act! Suddenly there seem to be a lot of names in the running!

Waiting for more news this week, including telecast date and time.
Will tag the show's name when it is final ... Sony website says Coming Soon - Chhanchhan, so do both the promos ... but all the articles keep saying Modern Bahu.

Name finalized - Chhanchhan.
Telecast date and time finalised - From 25th March. Mon-Thurs 9 pm

Sanaya at the Sony CID Veerta Awards Red Carpet ... her new look as Chhanchhan? Love the look - she looks gorgeous! Sleeves are very Gujju but the fishtail look is very IN ... the latest trend these days. And I love the two toned dupatta - subtle and smart. Seems that Chhanchhan is going to be very stylish and trendy ... very different from both Gunjan and Khushi. What fun  

SBB/SBS segments today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxQhe8kuM5s
Sanaya teasing reporter on how she will play Holi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sukFwRNuacI
Report on Sony CID Veerta Awards - Red Carpet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SsXt0hONM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7CIOd5xx4
These last two are the edited Sanaya parts of the segment. So no specific look for Chhanchhan ... like most normal girls, she will change her clothes and her style every day, not be in the multicolored uniform that Khushi and Gunjan wore of same style, different colors! Thank God! 

TV This Week/Fortnight ... 4th - 17th March

Post for the week ... will join the discussions later if I can :)

Veera

Saraswatichandra

Madhubala

Qabool Hai

Others

Team Sarun posted video interview with Akshay Dogra ... will post it later.