31/7 - Epi 75 ... The Winds of Change

Wednesday 31st July

So Umaben was doing exactly what I thought she was - isolating Chhanchhan - and Manav, since they are a package deal now - from being a disruptive influence on her family. And she continues to instill into Ranjana's head that she still thinks Chhanchhan is a bad influence ... Chhanchhan almost catches her at it and she has to stop. Left me wondering what she was really trying to do ... but she did explain it to Chhanchhan (and the audience) later.

In the meantime, Manav pulls a breaking leg stunt, and gets the move cancelled.
The only thing I did not agree with him in his speech was his line, a mother has first right on her son and a son on his mother. Dude, didn't Dadaji clarify that just a couple of days ago? After marriage, wife has first right on husband and vice versa. If it hadn't been so, it would have been Mata Kaushalya accompanying Sri Ram to vanvaas, not Sita Maiyya!
Family rejoices at the cancellation of the vanvaas ... ChanMan earn more of Dadaji's blessings.
Mukut leaves for a two day 'business trip'.

After the rejoicing,, Chhanchhan continues her interrupted conversation with Umaben in private - lady, what exactly are you up to? I thought we cleared all that crap about breaking up my marriage last night ...

Umaben clarifies that since she failed in her first goal, and Manav Chhanchhan are apparently an unbreakable Fevicol jodi, she has moved on to her next goal ... making sure that Chhanchhan's new thinking doesn't challenge her old rules and regulations, because she likes her fiefdom unchallenged, thank you very much. So much as it pains her to part from her laadla beta, she will do so ... for the greater good.

Methinks Chhanchhan should have taken her up on it ... good riddance! But no such luck, Chhanchhan is adarsh bahu, and wants to continue staying in the BS zoo ... although she does issue a veiled challenge to Mummyji ... just give me one chance ...
Umaben doesn't have much choice ... Chhanchhan is going to get multiple chances. And the winds of change have already started sweeping through the house, whether she likes it or not.

Starting with a gentle breeze ... Next day, two of the kids drop a bombshell  ... their friends are down with chickenpox. Umaben panics and starts all the old-fashioned treatment for chicken-pox, neem leaves, strange dhoop batti and kadha - poor kids! Hello, lady, even in your old-fashioned remedies, you are way off ... all this neem bath etc is done when the kids actually have chicken pox ... not before!
(In the Coming Up, I was all ready to beat my head at CC's words about getting the kids vaccinated when it appeared the kids had got chicken pox already ... fortunately they haven't contracted it yet, so she was right after all!)

So Umaben gets all ready to asphyxiate the kids to prevent their chicken pox, and includes a visit from local neighbourhood priest to pray to Sheetla Mata ... again, wrong goddess, Sheetla Mata was for smallpox, and she didn't do much good there either! Chhanchhan tells her all that is well and good, but could she also include a visit to friendly neighbourhood doctor - that might actually do the kids some good! Umaben refuses ... what was good enough for her saas is good enough for her ... RS agree ... Kaumudi is not so sure, but doesn't say anything.

Chhanchhan confides in Manav in the mandatory ChanMan scene of the day ... and together they kidnap the kids and take them to the doctor for their shots.

Umaben is most displeased ... and shows it. And gives the example of her sainted saas ... probably sure that Dadaji will side with her on this one.
Bravo Dadaji! What an example he drew ... your saas cooked on a kerosene stove, why do you use a gas cooker?! Progress, honey ... the word is progress ...
Manthan is most impressed ... he loves that example!

Precap - again dhamaka ... ChanMan with the kids in the car ... accident? Or Mukut?

Adding -

Adding a more serious note to the update ...

A lot changed in that confrontation between Umaben and Chhanchhan on Monday night. 

The Chhanchhan Umaben confrontation changed the equation between Chhanchhan and Umaben ... 

Chhanchhan has got rid of the threat to her marriage once and for all by disclosing the Sonali story, but also she saved Umaben's face as well as her relationship with Manav ... both Umaben and CC knew that if Manav got to know of UB's role, he would have walked out of the house. He had done it once before, he would have done it again. CC saved that relationship along with her marriage ... hence UB acknowledged that she was wrong in thinking CC was wrong for Manav ... CC was the right girl for Manav, because she valued ALL his relationships, not only her own. 

And Chhanchhan understood where UB was coming from ... hence she deleted the video ... by doing that she acknowledged UB's explanations of her actions, and that UB's actions had basis in her own history, and were not just out of sheer evilry ... 

That was where she forgave UB ... After all, Manav had said very similar things to Chhanchhan too ... that Umaben did what she did only for the sake of the family.  

But UB still feels that she has preserved the family unity and Chhanchhan with her modern thinking will split the family ... so while she acknowledges CC is right as Manav's wife, she feels she is still wrong for the family. UB has preserved the family by following the path set by her MIL ... Chhanchhan wants to preserve the family but NOT by following UB's path, but by treading her own. Which UB is not ready for ... 

This is not a regular antagonistic saas fights bahu story ... this is a situation where both women actually have started respecting each other, albeit grudgingly ... started to see the other's POV ... but still both hold that their own path is correct. 

  

30/7 - Epi 74 ... Retreat? Or Counterattack?

Tuesday 30th July

Chhanchhan rebuts ... Umaben refutes, retreats ... but refuses to bow. Is this new move a retreat? Or is it a counter-attack?
There is a story about at oak and a slender birch. The oak was proud of its strength, its height, its stature, and mocked the slender birch. She was weak, he told her, she swayed with every breeze, while he stood tall and upright, not bowing, not bending to anyone or anything.
Then came a fierce storm. Winds raged and roared. The birch swayed with the winds, while the oak stood tall and firm. But the storm was too strong ... and soon the oak felt his roots being torn out of the ground. Uprooted, he crashed and fell. The birch swayed with the changing winds, and when the storm had passed, she stood firm and upright again.
Umaben is like the old oak. Standing proud and firm, confident that her roots give her strength, she is unbending. After all, she has withstood many storms in her life and survived them ...even more important, she has led her family through the storms safely.
But has she really? Or has her unbending nature actually weakened the roots slowly over time? Does she need to emulate the birch ... a slender Chhanchhan, who is willing to move with the times, because she knows that in life, the only constant is change ... and to bend is not always to admit defeat. Chhanchhan is willing to bend to the rules in her new home, to go along with them, because this is her home, her family and she wants to keep it safe too. Her roots are as strong as Umaben's, but she can move with the winds of change. Or maybe because her roots are so strong, she is able to move safely and withstand all the storms that come her way.
And Umaben, the old oak does not like change ... her roots are weakened by constant attack, and are pulling out from the ground. She fears that one day they will be ripped out totally. Before that happens, she wants to divert the storm along a different path altogether ...

Episode starts with Chhanchhan showing Umaben proof of her perfidy ... Umaben sheds crocodile tears and tells her she can show the proof to the family and shred her image to pieces ... Chhanchhan tells her to wipe her tears as she is the one not seeing clearly now, while she has seen Umaben's thinking ... have you really, Chhanchhan? Am not too sure about that one ...
Chhanchhan tells Umaben that yes, she wants to fly, yet can stay grounded ... the mind boggles at the mental picture this conjures up ... she doesn't want control of the house, but neither does she want the freedom of others to be curtailed ... their fight is not personal, but that of two different streams of thought ... however she will neither let Umaben's image be sullied, nor will she let her be separated from the family, especially not from her son ...  Chhanchhan deletes the video ... WHY, CC, WHY??!!!
Umaben has to respect Chhanchhan, although grudgingly ... but feels that Chhanchhan's new ways can never keep the family united ... for that, it needs her rules and regulations.
Left alone in the gazebo, Chhanchhan disagrees ... a family needs not rules, but love to stay united ... and the freedom to find their own paths in life ... the freedom to try their wings to fly ... and she will prove that to Umaben.

Manav finds Chhanchhan alone in the gazebo ... since his life is on even keel, with mom and wife both happy with each other, he gets back to his primary aim in life ... romancing his biwi ... who is quite happy to oblige!

Next morning, Kaumudi takes Mansi, Chhanchhan and Sanjana to the temple to do some rituals for their fast, they all wonder where Umaben has disappeared early morning.

Return home, the men are hogging breakfast ... this family eats a lot! Dadaji stops Kaumudi from rushing to the kitchen and decrees that the men will feed their fasting wives.
Dadaji is an example of tradition bending to the needs of the family and its members ... to hell with tradition if the women's health gets affected!
Manthan's face was a picture ... he was like ... hey, I was with the women, I'm fasting too! 
So the men feed their wives ... Manav and Manthan happily, Mukut with very bad grace ... is this man just a male chauvinist pig of the highest order, or is there some other reason for his perpetual disgust with his poor wife?
More discussion on where Baa has disappeared ... does this woman not even tell her own husband what she plans to do?!

Umaben reappears with vrat gifts ... why did Sanjana get the smallest one? Manthan was the keenest for his wife's gift.
And Umaben drops her bombshell ... Manav and Chhanchhan are to move out of the house.
Umaben makes it clear, fairly subtly, that she doesn't think Chhanchhan is adjusting within the house and family ... and that's why she's giving her her freedom. Both she and Chhanchhan know the real reason ... is this another challenge? A counter-attack?

For once, the family does not agree ... except for babuji, who really is without any mati of his own! And the cracks start appearing ...
Dadaji is worried that history is repeating itself ... there will be another division in the family ...
Manthan is worried about the same thing ... division ... added grudge, the division is unfair ... he is getting shaded. Sanjana is happy with the gold sikka ... No wonder Umaben chose a simpleton for Manthan ... given a smarter wife, he would have demanded his share years ago!
Ranjana is frankly envious of the good time Chhanchhan will have alone in her own house ... lots of privacy, lots of freedom, lots of romance ... Manek is only worried about his anek bimaris, and that his brother is going to live separately ... how will he manage?
Kaumudi is more worried ... but about Chhanchhan. How will she manage alone? And how will they manage without her? Mukut is a grouch as usual ... his wife only worries about family and food, never about him ...

Manav and Chhanchhan equally worried ... CC decides to confront Umaben again ...

So Umaben, in her quest to keep the family together, is actually driving the members further and further apart ... will Chhanchhan manage to stem the rot?

29/7 - Epi 73 ... The Gloves Are Off

Monday 29th July

What a riveting episode! The second half with the Chhanchhan-Umaben confrontation went by so fast I couldn't believe the episode really was for a full hour ... it seemed far too short!

And now the real clash begins ... the clash between two strong women, two different generations, one backed by centuries of tradition, cultural conditioning and old-fashioned values and struggling to preserve them in the modern world, fiercely believing that is the only way to go ... the other, modern, educated, aware, her thinking moulded both by tradition as well as by modernity, who believes that tradition and people both have to keep pace with the changing times.

Episode starts with Chhanchhan deeply disturbed and heartbroken at what she witnesses in the temple ... her marriage is under attack, and she will do anything to save it ... anything except destroy her family. And exposing the whole truth will destroy her family for sure. So what should she do?!

On the other side, Sanjana and Mansi are fasting for their husbands, present and future ... and Manav to his surprise and concern, discovers from Kaumudi, that Chhanchhan is fasting too. And Kaumudi urges him again to bring Chhanchhan back home ... Manav says he tried, she didn't listen ... Kaumudi reminds him how much Chhanchhan did to appease him when he was upset with Chhanchhan, he has to do as much for her. Seems that Manav didn't need much urging ... he was quite happy to be persuaded!
So off he goes to cajole Chhanchan into coming back home ... and Chhanchhan doesn't need much persuasion either ... her over-helpful, over-affectionate family is dispatched pronto and Manav and Chhanchhan return home.
Much to Umaben's dismay ... she tries to cover with her sweet demeanour, Chhanchhan is not buying it this time.
Dadaji is cute! Happy to see Chhanchhan back, covers it with scolding ... CC says she has something to tell the family, but will say it when everyone is together ... Umaben wonders what she has to say ...

The family is ready to help Mansi, Chhanchhan and Sanjana stay awake the whole night with a family dandiya ...
One song later, Chhanchhan tells the family the Sonali story ... much to Umaben's worry and Manav's not too happy surprise ... but with a twist ... her fears were unfounded, Umaben is as pure as the driven snow and she is ashamed she thought such things about her saintly saas.
Babuji starts to get a little annoyed, but Dadaji is having none of it ... CC emerges with honors for her honest confession, Manav is proud of his wife, and their whole fight is blown over and out of sight, the marriage is safe again ... the danger of Sonali is blown to smithereens, for now even if Sonali appears, the whole family will be alert to any signs of trouble ... and Umaben is not sure whether to be worried or relieved. Has she fooled Chhanchhan ... or not? Interestingly, Umaben being the shrewd lady she is, seems to realise that Chhanchhan has not told the whole truth here. Chhanchhan's words about a mother only wanting her son's happiness, seemed to strike a tender spot ... as intended.

Dandiya resumes, this time Chhanchhan with Umaben ... and Chhanchhan remembers all that Umaben has done, all her deceit ... unable to wear a mask any more, she flees the dance floor ... followed by Umaben.

Dialogue of the day for me were ... Umaben - 'I forgive you, why are you still upset?'
Chhanchhan - 'you have forgiven me, but tell me, how am I supposed to forgive you?' and shows Umaben the recording at the temple ...

Sanaya and Supriya aced the scene ...  shock, pain and heartbreak still on Chhanchhan's face, along with the determination to find her answers ... Umaben shocked beyond belief that Chhanchhan knows the whole truth and yet did not expose her ...
'Why?'
Because Chhanchhan could not bring herself to break a son's relationship with his mother.

And finally the gloves are off ... two strong women face each other, both with a common goal, both determined to keep their family together and intact, but their ways are so, so different. And each believes her way is right.
No longer is Umaben black or evil ... she has her reasons for behaving the way she does ... her ways have stood her family in good stead all these years, have saved the family time and again ... she is right, her ways are right, and Chhanchhan is wrong. And that is why she wanted Chhanchhan out ... not because she hates her ... but because she hates her new, 'modern' thoughts and ideas. Thoughts which she believes will break up her family.
Today were Umaben's thoughts ... tomorrow will be Chhanchhan's turn.
And judging from the precap, the next challenge ... whose ways are the right way for keeping the family intact?
No deceit, no lies, no covert plots now ... it's all out in the open. The clash begins.

25/7 - Epi 72 ... Expose!!!

Thursday 25th July

Sonali doesn't have much of a back story ... other than being willing to marry Manav if he was just married once, but she does object if he has another girlfriend tucked away as well ... did she and Thakkarbhai really swallow the part about Chhanchhan trapping him into marriage because of the Borisagar wealth? And isn't that what Thakkarbhai also wants - a wealthy husband for his daughter and a wealthy damaad for himself? So his motives and what he thinks are CC's, are the same! Very confusing! 

What I liked ... 

Dadi asking where Manav was and why he hadn't come to drop CC ... 

Dadaji asking about CC's family, since she had gone so suddenly to her maayka ... that was a sweet touch. Also DDji now wants tea made by CC only ... cute!!!   

CC and Manav missing each other ... so Manav did not go after CC after all ... and Kaumudi had to push him into going ... hmm, maa ka dikra is still winning over good husband ... more training needed. 

Mukut-Kaumudi track continues to develop ... 

CC has brains and uses them ... best part of the episode  The parlour scene was ok, again I wondered at Sonali, she was ready to marry Manav even after hearing he was already married, but once she hears he is also a Casanova, she has doubts? So did she believe Umaben when she said that Manav was trapped into marriage by Chhanchhan?

I am glad those curls for CC were only for the scene ... and are not going to be permanent. Would advise CC to avoid that parlour henceforth! 

The mandir scene was the best ... Thakkarbhai sounded and acted like a father of  daughter finally, and also finally developed doubts about whether he wanted this match or not ... 

And CC gets to know the full extent of UB's duplicity and cunning ... including the fact that she was in cahoots with Thakkarbhai to plan the engagement fiasco too ... so she has never ever accepted Chhanchhan from the beginning. Everything was a drama by Umaben, and she has been trying to break the Manav-Chhanchhan relationship from the start, almost from the moment she agreed to it.

Sanaya's expressions in that scene were perfect ... shock and horror and grief and heartbreak all together ... as the knowledge sinks in that everything Umaben has done has been one big lie. 

Chhanchhan is really at a crossroads now ... save her marriage? save Manav's relationship with his mom? Also bring out to the entire family that Umaben has been deceiving not just her, but all of them ? 

And with the Mukut-Kaumudi track opening up in paralel, it seems that the Mukut-Kaumudi marriage was also an example of the same thing ... Umaben enforcing her choice on Mukut, with the difference being that he gave in or was forced or deceived into giving in ... and Umaben got a docile bahu of her choice, but an unhappily married son and a silently suffering DIL. So her sons' happiness does not seem to have importance in her eyes, as compared to the importance of keeping the family intact ... or her own fiefdom intact. The problem is that the family is intact only superficially ... which is but natural. When the foundation is built on lies and deceit, it can never be strong.

Can't wait to see how Chhanchhan handles this ... will she tackle Umaben first? Will there be a confrontation of the two feisty women? Chhanchhan's methods have always been very direct ... she doesn't believe in doing things deceitfully, this was a first ...  but can she be so direct here? Because it's not only a question of saving her marriage, telling the truth will mean destroying the foundation of the Borisagar family - their complete faith in Umaben and what they think is her devotion to the good of the family.

Weekend news and updates 

Sanaya on JDJ to cheer Drashti  ... this girl cannot keep quiet, and she is not in awe of any celebrity, not even Karan Johar!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x12es1f_sanaya-irani-jdj_shortfilms?start=7

Sanaya-Anuj performance in the Gold Awards - beautiful ... soft, lyrical, utterly romantic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfitu4f6ALQ

24/7 - Epi 71 - Relationship Status - It's Complicated

Wednesday 24th July

Manav is becoming blinded in his quest to prove to Chhanchhan that she is wrong about his mother. He sees that Umaben gave Chhanchhan Manav's first salary ... but he did not note that she did so only on Dadaji's say so. So true is the old saying that one sees only what one wants to see.

Dadaji is one shrewd old man ... and very observant with it ... plus he is firmly on Team Chhanchhan. He notes the tension between Chhanchhan and Manav, and acts immediately.
A good point made there - the right to a man's earnings is first his wife's - and that's what he promises in his wedding vows as well. Of course, many guys - and girls - give their first earnings to their parents, and that is quite justified too ... but most of them are not such nithallas that they start earning only after marriage, most do so before marriage.  Thus keeping both happy! 

Manav also did not see the bad grace with which Umaben almost slapped the envelope into Chhanchhan's hands. Dadaji noted Chhanchhan's graceful gesture of returning the money to Umaben with approval ... his position on Team Chhanchhan strengthens further  

Did Manav mistake Chhanchhan's feelings on the whole salary issue? Or did he himself feel guilty about not giving his earnings to his wife? Why did he ask her if she felt bad about it? Was it to make a point to her that his mother was gracious enough to give her the money? Or was it also to tell her the reason he did so ... a reason which Babuji has also mentioned in an earlier episode ... that the family has seen many ups and downs, and it was Umaben's cleverness?/cunning?/ smart thinking? which rescued them time and again ...
Again the ChhanMan scene was good ... the tension still persists between the couple, but easing very slightly ... till Chhanchhan ups the ante the next day herself!

Sweet Chhanchhan-Kaumudi kitchen scene, as Kaumudi makes pakodas for Mukut because he skipped dinner ... Mukut is lucky, he just doesn't realise it!
And Mukut-Kaumudi tensions also persist ... is Mukut having an extra-marital affair? For whom was he ordering flowers - orchid bouquet, no less! No wonder he is not happy with Kaumudi, that poor girl wouldn't even know what orchids are! And Manav is an idiot ... he can't imagine his brother having an affair, or in fact even thinking of another woman, so he happily tells Kaumudi bhabhi to expect a bouquet.

And Chhanchhan decides to step on it ... not lose any time and get cracking. If she is going to find out whether her MIL is really playing tricks on her, Manav and indeed the whole family, she is going to start her investigations right now ... no time like the present! But she has two goals in mind - showing Manav the truth, and trying to keep his relationship with his mom intact ... because he did threaten to break it, not once, but twice! And he actually walked out once ... he will do it again ...

So a very staged fight between Manav and Chhanchhan - staged by Chhanchhan, of course, carefully thought out ...
SN - Ranjana's face when Chhanchhan stormed off muttering loudly about Manav's anger was hilarious - mouth open, till she catches Umaben's eye and promptly shuts it! 
And Manav is totally befuddled as to why Chhanchhan is taking things so far ... poor guy probably thought he had sorted everything out last night, or pretty much so ... and suddenly Chhanchhan blows up over nothing ... he's never seen this side of her earlier!  And Chhanchhan cleverly brings in the doubts Manav was voicing about her acceptance in the family ... all for the benefit of the eagerly listening Umaben ... enough truth in what she says to ring a bell for Manav, so that his worries about her anger are all real enough ... it seems justified completely!

Chhanchhan also tells Umaben not to say anything to Dadaji or Babuji ... so obviously, she does not expect it will take very long for this showdown to happen ...
Poor Manav comes rushing down to stop Chhanchhan from leaving ... doesn't say anything to Umaben about why Chhanchhan left, subconsciously following Chhanchhan's heated order ... but Umaben can barely hide her glee. Does she really think Manav will throw Chhanchhan out so easily?

Precap - I thought Chhanchhan would bring Sonali into the equation, because Sonali is her only proof of Umaben's intentions ... but will Sonali play ball?

23/7 - Epi 70 ... Acceptance and Non-Acceptance

Tuesday 23rd July

A fairly serious episode today on the whole ... drama and tension nicely balanced with a few light moments, but shape of things to come further laid out ...

And the precap promises another drama ... this PH seems to specialise in leaving us hanging on the edge for the next day ...

Chhanchhan's drama - for that's what it proved to be - about doing the asthi visarjan did the trick ... it melted Dadaji's frozen grief and he did what the doctor had prescribed ... he cried 
It was a very nicely done scene ... Dadaji's dialogues were really touching ... his grief was heartfelt and deeply moving ... the whole scene was very moving and beautiful, with the talk about holding on to the memories. Since today was my dad's birthday, I found it even more so.
Babuji is delighted to see Dadaji finally let go and cry ... and the entire family is happy.
Chhanchhan produces the real kalash ... and requests Dadaji to finally let go the physical remains of his wife, because her memories are with him and will always remain so ... Dadaji agrees and the family prepares for the immersion of the ashes.
The acting by Arvind Vaidya as Dadaji was excellent, with Sanaya lending great support ... as usual, so good in the emotional scenes ... here she was the strong support and I loved her character and acting both.

During the preparations for the immersion, the children upset water over an important document belonging to Mukut ... goes unnoticed by Kaumudi.

Puja over, the kalash is prepared for the immersion, and Dadaji stops Umaben from laying the garland ... since Chhanchhan is responsible for his change of heart, she gets to lay the garland. And Matilal, the son, will do the immersion.
Manav is impressed by his mother's ready acceptance of Chhanchhan's elevated status ... and tells Chhanchhan so. He's still most upset that Chhanchhan accused his mother of wanting to break their marriage.

Immersion over, Dadaji is in a very amiable frame of mind, and allows PuchPuch not only permanent residence in the house, but also free access inside the house. He apparently was a dog lover in his distant childhood. Chhanchhan demurs because Mummyji won't like it, and Manthan might take up permanent residence on the sofa  ... but Dadji has decreed so and so it will be. Much to Chhanchhan's delight! Umaben also agrees very gracefully. Babuji is not very happy but has to agree too - no one can go against Dadaji!
So Dadaji is won over by Chhanchhan completely .. and moreover he just had a makeover and is now a jolly old man! 
Now where is that pooch?!
Manav gives Chhanchhan an "I told you so" look and walks off. Umaben gloats. There is trouble in paradise!

More trouble in not-so-paradise ... Mukut discovers the spoiled papers and yells at Kaumudi in front of the other three bahus ... much to Chhanchhan's disapproval. Apparently he feels Kaumudi is only good for shedding tears and cooking meals ... she does nothing else.
With a family of ten to feed, that itself is pretty much a full time job, I would think ... 
The Mukut-Kaumudi problems are surfacing more and more ...
The three other bahus feel bad for Kaumudi, Chhanchhan feels Mukut bhai should take better care of his papers himself if they're so important ... Sanjana tells her that it wouldn't make a difference, because Mukut bhai always yells at Kaumudi anyway. And Kaumudi tells Chhanchhan why her marriage is so different ... unsaid are the words that everything Manav and Chhanchhan have, Mukut and Kaumudi still don't, after so many years of marriage.
Poor Kaumudi!
Again a nice scene ... especially with the words left unsaid ...

Back in ChhanMan bedroom ... the tense ChhanMan scenes are becoming my favorite part of the episode ... both actors do them so well.
Manav thanks Chhanchhan with a red rose  for restoring their old Dadaji ... Chhanchhan wants her old Manav restored too. He asks her to accept his mother ... she says she will try.
Both know the other is still sticking to their own point of view ... but they can't stop talking to each other for too long. The lines of communication start opening again ... slowly, tentatively ... Manav was disappointed that Chhanchhan did not accept Umaben with open arms ...
But Chhanchhan is not convinced at all about Umaben ... and this time she will only say something when she has proof.

And next morning, Chhanchhan thinks she is getting somewhere ... a courier with a bill for two kadas ... which have already been delivered elsewhere. CC wonders ... are these the kadas Sonali was wearing?

Precap ... Chhanchhan leaving the house? Now what is she up to?! 
Can bet Umaben will slide out of this again ... will that worsen the ChhanMan relationship further? 

22/7 - Epi 69 ... ChhanMan Tension, Dadaji Delusions

Monday 22nd July

Major ChhanMan tension as Sonali changes her statement about her fiance's name ... Manav is upset and furious that Chhanchhan could think so badly of his mother. Uh oh ... dikra is back.
But he does ask his Umaben if she is fully happy with Chhanchhan, despite having to change so many rules for her ... of course Umaben reassures him she is doing all this out of love for her children ... pretty unarguable.

The ChhanMan tension persists unabated ...
Chhanchhan still perturbed ... asks Umaben the same question, are you happy with me as bahu? Umaben is very smart in her answer .. she actually told her the truth and made it sound like a lie ... but it seems Chhanchhan is not swallowing it now ...

And Umaben discloses why she does not want Chhanchhan as a bahu ... she changes too many rules, asks to many questions, and challenges Umaben's undisputed fiefdom ...

One loop closed, and some questions answered ... Sonali did not know that Manav was married, the tattoo parlour meeting was an accident ... but now that Sonali does know, she is still all right with marrying Manav? Or did she agree to change the name for some other reason ... like not wanting to rock the ChhanMan marriage? Sonali is still an unknown entity as of now ...

More cracks appear in the Mukut-Kaumudi relationship ... it's not just that Kaumudi is too involved in the housework, Mukut seems to have some problem with her otherwise too ...

Umaben appears at night in ChhanMan's bedroom - does she make a nightly visit there every single night? Presents Chhanchhan with a new suit for the barsi and an alarm clock ...
A barbed conversation between ChhanMan ... 'the alarm clock does not work ...' 'that's because the battery is loose, there is nothing else wrong ...' 
Both equally certain that they are right in their thinking ... she still suspecting something wrong, he still sure that nothing is wrong ...

Dadaji has an attack of "I think I'm dying" at night ... the doctor tells the family it's all in his mind and if only he could get rid of his delusion that his wife is residing in that kalash and actually mourn her death, he will get better instantly ...
In Hindu tradition, ashes are not kept in the house ever ... they are never brought back home after cremation ... they are taken straight for immersion ...
So Chhanchhan decides to do the needful ...
Next morning, Dadaji throws the grandfather of all tantrums at his precious kalash going missing ... and Chhanchhan appears with the empty urn ... she has immersed the ashes in the Ganges at Sabarmati ...

And tomorrow there is going to be major drama ... 

18/7 - Epi 68 ... Total Turnaround!

Thursday 18th July

What a complete turnaround in the last two minutes of the episode!

Good episode again ... had all the elements of family, humor, Umaben getting some more payback from Dadaji ... Manav-Chhanchhan and a total turnaround at the end!

Cute scene with the brothers ... moaning and groaning after their forced yoga session, and grumbling about how Manav used them to get his wife out of trouble. Manav smirks, completely unrepentant ... Mukut remarks that Manav is newly married, hence this concern for his wife, later his wife will forget about him in the worry about all her domestic responsibilities - seems to be the problem that Mukut has with Kaumudi. Umaben slides in a snide one about Chhanchhan becoming the same and forgetting her husbands in the midst of household toils ... Manav is sure his Chhanchhan will be different. 

Troubled Chhanchhan goes home, where among the noisy Sarabhais, she tries to sort out what to do. Of course her perceptive family notices ... after a while! Chhanchhan makes up a story of a friend who's marriage has been fixed elsewhere ... Dadi advises her to tell her friend the truth ... CC's dad, more perceptive than the rest as always ... he always has his antennae up for the least sign of trouble for his darling daughter! I love Papa Sarabhai!   Chhanchhan has trouble trying to calm his apprehensions.

Back in BS zoo ... lunch is ten minutes late so the bahus, all of them, get a lecture.
Umaben tries to slip some blame on to Chhanchhan - because she went off to her maayka, the rest had more work to do.
CC is all of two weeks old in the house ... how much work does she do?!
Dadaji is not impressed with the excuse, and rightly so ... if one bahu is missing, it doesn't mean the punctuality suffers. And he gives them all a lesson to learn on Punctuality ... including Umaben! I loved that!
And the lesson is in English ... even better!!! 

All the bahus feverishly trying to decipher the English ... Chhanchhan comes in and solves their problem ... translates for all, including Umaben. And her suspicions are high ... she checks with Umaben about the kangan ... Umaben has an answer ready, but CC is not swallowing it now.

Bahus recite the lesson on punctuality for Dadaji ... except for Umaben ... she hasn't learned anything! 

ChhanMan in bedroom ... Chhanchhan still worried ... plucks up the courage to tell Manav about Sonali. Manav believes her, and they decide to check out Sonali's story. He's ready to walk out of the house if his mom is really up to such tricks.

Park the next day ... they meet Sonali ... Chhanchhan shows Manav the kangan ... check.
Joint family in business - check.
Place of residence - check.
Name - Manav Nagar.
Total turnaround! 

Sonali denies she ever said Manav Borisagar ... she said Manav Nagar.
Chhanchhan tries to tell Manav Sonali did say Manav Borisagar ... but Manav does not believe her.

But Chhanchhan is sure what she heard.
Now what will Chanchan do? 

Edit - weekend news - there is not rain, but a downpour 

Sanaya featured in People India magazine July issue - quote - "one of televisions' most formidable actresses"
Proud feelings come 
Sanaya features in 5th anniversary issue of People magazine India

Pics and update of the full interview - I love this girl! The best thing about her is her ability to laugh at herself and to recognise her shortcomings and try to overcome them ... that is what makes her so successful
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3672517

Daily soaps are using rain to highlight pivotal moments
Article in TOI
Link to article
Daily soaps are using rain to highlight pivotal moments

Tellytadka video and E24 news segments - both are similar, the SaNuj segments are a total riot! After SaRun, I am really enjoying SaNuj, Sanaya and Anuj are both equally loud and talkative and fun ... and it's great to see Sanaya laughing and joking around with her costar again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDTXXb_G4-Q
http://www.tellytadka.net/video-gallery/events/exclusive-chat-anuj-sachdeva-sanaya-irani-aka-manav-chanchan/

New Article in HT
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3673867
Cute one! Sanaya irritates Anuj by talking about Barun! And Anuj says she is like him, they both don't think before they talk! No wonder they get along so well, their off-screen segments are a hoot. Especially the last couple of segments seem to indicate they get along really well!
Agree with Anuj that the story has gotten stable post-marriage. Hope what the article says is confirmed by the TRPs when they come - that the show has stabilized post-marriage. 

17/7 - Epi 67 ... The Penny Drops

Wednesday 17th July

Umaben hadn't spiked the milk ... she just didn't expect Chhanchhan would actually wake up early enough!
But since CC did wake up and get breakfast ready on time, of course Umaben had to try to sabotage it ... sending Chhanchhan out of the kitchen in order to do so.

Unfortunately for Umaben, Manav came in when Chhanchhan saw her breakfast spoiled ... and he was there to help ... at the expense of his brothers ... but does Manav care? Nope, its all for a good cause - for his wife!!!

A hilarious yoga class ... dadaji ne sabki class le li ... best part - including Umaben!!! Good thing too, else Umaben was all set to go back and do some more sabotage if required ... as it was, Dadaji kept her usefully occupied in doing pranayam instead ... while the brothers were made to contort themselves further in the name of health. Vaise, Tadasan and cobra pose are not all that tough ... they got off easy! Should make them meet my yoga teacher ... especially when she doesn't let us get any easier than downward dog!
Manthan was not happy ... he knew exactly why they were caught here ... for Manav's precious Chhanchhan and Dadaji's breakfast ... since punishment for late breakfast would likely extend to the entire family, that probably ensured his cooperation!

Chhanchhan gets the breakfast done all over again ... and when she's good and ready, Manav signals an end to the class. He can manipulate his mom ... it appears he can manipulate his Dadaji too!

A sweet ChanMan scene ... apparently breakfast went off well, dadaji was happy ... Chhanchhan thanks her ever-supportive hubby ... who wants thanks in more than just words.  Manav doesn't lose a chance, does he? 

So off Chhanchhan goes to her sister's tattoo place ... was she really planning to get a tattoo of Manav's name as her thanks? I think Manav had other forms of thanks in his mind 

Methinks it was the cv's way of engineering a meeting between Sonali and Chhanchhan ... where they exclaim again at the coincidences in their lives ... Sonali is also there to get her future husband's name tattooed. Even though she has never met the guy!
Chhanchhan calls out to Rushali her choice of tattoo ... she wants Manav's name inked in .. Sonali remarks on another coincidence ... her future husband's name is also Manav. Manav Borisagar.

The penny drops. Or starts to drop ... slowly and surely ...
A few more details ... joint family, family business, traditional saas ... and most damning, the gold kangan which Umaben bought for her youngest bahu's birthday ...

The penny drops further ...
Flashback of Manav's first angry visit to Chhanchhan's house in the middle of the night, after discovering his mom's drama and walking out on her ... his mom's rigidity, and his conviction she will never change
SN - time out ... yippeeeee!!! Another flashback changed!!! 

Chhanchhan recalls Umaben's words ... she will never accept a modern girl as her bahu ...
Their orphanage confrontation ... their court confrontation ... Umaben will never allow Chhanchhan to be her bahu, will expel her from her and her son's life ...

And the penny has finally dropped ... as Chhanchhan adds up two and two and surprise, surprise actually reaches the right answer ... was her saas doing a big drama all this while?

Precap ... CC talks to Manav ... and they both meet Sonali ... Manav sees the kangan on Sonali's wrist.

Fab episode ... aren't they going very fast? 

16/7 - Epi 66 ... Sense and Sensibility

Tuesday 16th July

Manav tries his best to get some support to cajole Dadaji into forgiving Chhanchhan ... did he really think Ranjana would help?! Ranjana never helps anyone except herself!
Ranjana refuses pointblank ... Sanjana is already suffering ... she's not planning to join the ranks.
Sanjana is not suffering too much though ... because her husband Manthan is actually helping her. Till Dadaji catches them both ... more punishments meted out.
He really is a schoolmaster!!!

Chhanchhan reassures her worried father again that things are all right ... a white lie from her, but with Manav by her side, and pretty much all the family as well, not really that bad! Manav getting more and more agitated, he is not going to let Chhanchhan stay out at night alone, not if he has anything to do with it! So in he goes, to co-opt next bhabhi ... this time, wiser choice - Kaumudi. Although she's scared, but she agrees to try.

So Kaumudi tries ... with the help of sheera ... this time sheera was made for a guest! Dadaji approves ... he does like Kaumudi after all ... but that doesn't mean he will forgive Chhanchhan.

Found it sweet that Mansi was sitting outside with Chhanchhan, while Jigu brought her sheera ... the whole family ... with one or two exceptions, of course ... are upset about her punishment and are trying to be with her.

Dadaji refuses Kaumudi, and Manav takes matters into his own hands. Cajoling doesn't work, so he addresses his Dadi in the urn ... Dada and pota have an interesting conversation via the ashes ... and finally Manav loses his cool, and marches off with Dadaji's blanket and pillow, and with dialogue of the day ... if my wife can't come in, I can go out ... I cannot stay without my wife! Like you!  
Dadaji addresses Dadi again ... See his effrontery! Dadi apparently was a very sensible lady, because even her ashes speak sense ... he's like you! 

Babuji is very confident where Manav is going ... to Chhanchhan. He won't let her stay alone outside.
Babuji does know his son well. Seems Umaben does not.

Manav is learning fast ... Chhanchhan has to fulfill her duty of bahu, while he has to fulfill his duty of a husband. Another good dialogue ... and very true!
Of course Chhanchhan has not eaten anything the whole day, and of course neither has Manav. So they feed each other ... more good dialogues, very matter-of-fact but their sweetness was in the sheer matter-of-fact nature!
Why is it that NO meals get completed in any TV show?! Makes me feel hungry! This time, rain and thunder interrupt the meal.

Dadaji continues his conversation with the Ashes ... they are apparently his own conscience, and he's battling it, already feeling bad about the punishment he meted out ... and since he is basically a nice guy, the rain and thunder makes him feel worse.

Manav wants CC to fake something, find a way and get inside the house anyhow ... Chhanchhan refuses pointblank, and tries to explain to Manav that it's just not the right thing to do, and will make things worse. She made a mistake and she'll take the punishment. And she knows Dadaji will forgive her eventually  ... if she respects him, he will respect her.
Obviously after that, Dadaji couldn't do much else ... especially since his own grandson was calling him old, sanki etc ... and CC was defending him 
How far is the verandah from the house ... that Dadaji, Babuji and UB could hear every word? No matter - finally a conversation overheard that gave the correct picture!
Was cute the way Dadaji tried to save face by couching his forgiveness in worry about his blanket ... Babuji is very happy. So is Kaumudi.

Manav throws a mini tantrum because Dadaji wasn't worried about him but his blanket. Chhanchhan explains to him it was face-saving, buddhu!!!

One cute ChhanMan scene to end the day ... Manav out of his sulks now that he's back in his bedroom with his beautiful biwi ...
Umaben always interrupts by asking if she's interrupting ... woman, newly married son and DIL in bedroom at night are not going to play Ludo! Yes, you ARE disturbing!
And Umaben has Chhanchhan's next task ready ... since CC emerged from the first one with flying colors, things need to step up ... so CC can make breakfast for Dadaji tomorrow.

Bombshell precap .. will CC find out about Umaben's planning tomorrow? So soon? 

TV This Fortnight - 16th - 31st July

Am finding that most of the shows I was following off and on are all at an unwatchable or uninteresting stage at the moment - really have nothing else apart from Chhanchhan that I am liking!

Veera - I am waiting for the leap now. The kids are losing their charm, the scenes are repetitive and the story is not progressing an inch. Heard that the leap is planned for August-September, but they have not finalised the actors for the lead roles yet. Ratan is irritating me big time, and Veera was cute earlier, she's precocious now.

Qabool Hai - have lost track ... Zee has been removed from my box, and uploads are difficult to find. From the updates, it seems to be going better than the rest, but not enough to motivate me to hunt actively for links.

Madhubala - is the pits these days ... the only sparks i find these days whenever I tune in, are in Dipali and Sikki. Dhrashti is looking dead beat ... she must be exhausted with JDJ and MB.

Na Bole Tum - another show going in for a revamp, I heard that Nanhi, Beera and Addu are going to be out. So what is left? Mohan Megha are happily married, what is left in their story? As it is, the winding up of the Beera-Daddu track has been abrupt and silly. And Addu's extreme hatred for Mohan does not make sense, so much hatred that he can jettison his own sister and mother's happiness. Lost connect with this show.

Gave up on Meri Bhabhi in the second week - another pious do-gooder SP bahu who is a know-it-all, an obsessed dad, a weepy nanad, and a dumb family who can't see past the newly returned son-in-law's tricks ... and don't trust the son of the house, who's the only one who can. What really annoyed me - the bahu not trusting or siding with her own husband, and siding with her FIL instead ... and lying to her husband.

On the other hand, have been tuning in more often to
Pyaar Ka Dard Hai  ... it is more watchable these days.

Balika Vadhu ... Jagya-Sanchi-Ganga track continues to hold my interest ... although, as before, the show is so slow moving that it's strictly a once/twice a week watch. The new Anandi ... I was withholding judgement till she settled down ... but she's had enough time, and she is not as good as the first one. Again, the Shiv-Anandi marriage is a happy one, so no story left there ... except now Sanchi will try to disrupt it .. *yawn*. I like Anandi's old family much better than her new one.

Indian Idol Junior - Little Sugandha singing Meri Maa ... speechless! Am watching this regularly ... I'm so glad there will be no eliminations! All the kids are so good, it's really unfair to eliminate any of them! And it's a pleasure to hear them sing!

15/7 - Epi 65 ... Interesting Encounters

Monday 15th July

Chhanchhan is getting more and more interesting and enjoyable day by day. And unpredictable too ... loved today's episode.

First interesting encounter - Chhanchhan meets Sonali. That was a twist I did not expect! And CC remembers she is a professional dog trainer ... so hopefully she will go back to her work sooner or later ... or at least, make a noise about it. Another issue ... but this one is for the future.
For the present .. Chhanchhan saves Sonali from a dog ... and earns her gratitude and help ... Sonali in turn helps her to find PuchPuch. Both girls strike a chord.
CC notices Sonali's kada ... that was rather quick work on Umaben's part, Sonali already got that kada? CC remarks on the similarity ... your MIL gave it? My MIL also wants to give me the same one ... Before they can exchange names, Manav calls Chhanchhan back home.

Dadaji is blowing a fuse about the new bahu and her tardiness ... he doesn't like modern bahus and modern ways. He doesn't like lies either ... and he catches Umaben out in her lie about her coffee very quickly.

Chhanchhan arrives ... to face irate Dadaji ... who thinks she loves PuchPuch just as much as he loves his wife. Chhanchhan tries to explain that there are all kinds of love, and one kind doesn't negate or diminish the other, but Dadaji is bent on punishment. So he repeats - she loves PuchPuch as much as he loves his wife, he can't live without her, CC can't live without PP, but CC can't live with PP inside the house, so out to the verandah she must go. Chhanchhan is banished to the verandah.
Family is appalled. Babuji tries to speak up for Chhanchhan and is told he can join her. He goes quietly off to office.
Manav gestures to his mom frantically, Umaben does drama of 'punish me in Chhanchhan's place' ... and is worried for a moment that Dadaji will actually take her up on it.
Chhanchhan goes out quietly ...

Dadaji has an encunter with Sanjana, which infuriates him further ... I thought he liked all the sanskaari bahus? Apparently not!

 Manav joins Chhanchhan outside with PuchPuch, hopping mad and actually ashamed of his family. Poor guy, what a place to be in. Chhanchhan, ever sensible, pacifies him ... all old people are like this, even my grandfather was exactly the same ... don't worry. When he cools down, he'll be all right.
I was right - Dadaji was a school headmaster!!!
Manav tells Chhanchhan to go home, or to Simple's house. Chhanchhan refuses.

Manav and Chhanchhan seem quite happily settled outside, looking after PuchPuch .. as long as they're together, no punishment can be all that bad. Umaben comes out to rub in the humiliation further ... Chhanchhan has only one question ... where's the loo? Umaben directs her to the public toilet ... and gives her some change.
Uh oh ... Umaben always does manage to go a bit too far ... that settles it for Manav ... he's not taking this nonsense any more!!! He's had enough!

Precap - the one dialogue I wanted Manav to say to his dadaji, he said in the precap - if you can't live without your wife, neither can I ... I'm going to stay with her. 
He stopped short of saying 'so there!' and sticking out his tongue ... but the general feeling came through!

11/7 - Epi 64 ... PuchPuch Leaves ... Dadaji Arrives

Thursday 11th July


Damn ... the week really goes by quickly ... Thursday already?! Three more days to wait for CC again! 

Cv's seem to have realised the ChhanMan jodi has caught on very quickly ... so we get very cute ChhanMan scenes in almost every episode ... as well as being lovey dovey, they also showcase why ChhanMan are pretty unique on telly, they actually COMMUNICATE!!! Manav is disappointed that CC is more worried about PuchPuch than about him, sulks a bit, and tells CC what Umaben told him ... Chhanchhan is horrified and reassures him that she feels no such way about his mom ... and manages to coax him out of his sulks pretty darn quick ... she's figured out that her hubby, like most men, needs loads of pampering and assuring that he is the lodestone of her life ... which she's happy to do. 

But that leaves Umaben free to carry out her dastardly plans ... which involve freeing PuchPuch from his doghouse. Unfortunately for her, PuchPuch is in no hurry to leave ... she has to physically pick him up, much to her disgust and throw him outside the gate ... poor baby!!!  

Next morning, Mukut leaves to pick up Dadaji, and we get a glimpse of some more of Dadaji's endearing qualities ... like his refusal to travel in cars or trains ...
The women of the house get busy cleaning everything in sight ... shape of things to come, Chhanchhan drops PuchPuch's milk all over the table, and gets busy cleaning it up, while Mansi offers to feed PP. Good to see Mansi back on screen! Of course PuchPuch is nowhere to be found ... which sparks off The Great Dog Hunt ... just in time for the arrival of the feared Dadaji ...

Chhanchhan's first encounter with the dreaded man doesn't go quite as well as it could have gone  more disturbed about the loss of her beloved PuchPuch than about any punishments she could get, Chhanchhan bumps into Dadaji, almost knocks down Dadaji's precious kalash, manages to save it just in time ... ducks down in a brief 'payee lagoo' and disappears before Dadaji can utter a word 

Dadaji is not amused. 

Rest of the episode was a hilarious line up of the family, all quaking in their shoes, paying obeisance to Dadiji's ashes, Dadaji learning more and more about his modern bahu, and Umaben fanning the flames as best she could. Manav tries to redeem his absent biwi, but doesn't get very far ... and he is in line for the first punishment of the season.
One thing I did like about Dadaji ... the line about the daughters of the house not touching the feet of the elders ... that was the custom in my home as well.

Precap - Chhanchhan is banished to the verandah to live with her dog. Now what will Chhanchhan do?

10/7 - Epi 63 ... Two New Entries and PuchPuch

Wednesday 10th July

What smell was it that disturbed Babuji ... that was never quite cleared up. Also, did Umaben actually make Babuji forgo his dinner just to prove her point to Chhanchhan that dogs were persona non grata in the BS house?
Probably not ... Umaben already knows that Chhanchhan has a very strong sense of family and right and wrong ... just the hint that PuchPuch can create trouble is enough to trouble her ... hopefully enough to send the dog packing? Or enough to send CC home with her dog?

ChhanMan at night ... Manav getting all romantic, while Chhanchhan is worried about her dog! Poor Manav takes it quite sportingly ... coming second to a dog in his wife's affections is not great for a man's ego!

PuchPuch whines at night ... Umaben is most annoyed and decides to do something about it. Why she thought that drenching the dog would make him shut up, is beyond me though ...
Chhanchhan equally worried about PuchPuch whining ... and reaches just in time to prevent his midnight bath. Umaben has a cover story quickly ready ... all she wanted to do was cool the place for the dog ...

For the first time, Chhanchhan is not quite convinced ... doesn't say anything, just cuddles PuchPuch ...

Next morning Babuji announces the arrival of the most-feared Dadaji for Dadiji's barsi ... and everyone quakes in their shoes. Except for Chhanchhan who is merely curious as to why everyone is shaking at the thought of the man ...

Manthan and Ranjana go through their flashbacks of their terror days ... Dadaji is apparently a school headmaster in his other life ... a headmaster of the old orthodox 'spare the rod and spoil the child' school of thought.

Manav tells a curious Chhanchhan that Dadaji is very strict ... there might be trouble ahead ...
Umaben arrives and reinforces the statement, adding that she has a headache at the mere thought, and it would be better to tie him up. After some more similar statements, she clarifies she is talking about PuchPuch ... not about Dadaji ... Babuji is relieved, and Chhanchhan is even more thoughtful.

Chhanchhan asks Manav to check with Umaben ... she doesn't think Umaben is happy with PuchPuch being there.
Methinks Umaben could have taken the opportunity of Dadaji's arrival to banish PP back to his maayka ... but of course, Umaben has already seen a window of opportunity to banish both PP and his mistress ... kill two birds with one stone ...

So she reassures Manav that she doesn't mind PuchPuch being there, and Chhanchhan doesn't believe her only because CC hasn't accepted her as a mother ... also clarifies her night escapade with PuchPuch, just in case CC has told Manav about it ... UB has figured out that CC and Manav talk to each other a lot so better to play it very safe. And of course lay the foundation of blame of non-acceptance on Chhanchhan ...
Manav is taken in completely, it appears ... and assures his mom that he will tell ChhanChhan she was mistaken ... his mom loves PuchPuch almost as much as she, CC does ... does he really believe that?

And in between, Umaben orders new gold kangans for her new to-be bahu ... unfortunately Chhanchhan sees them, but no matter, Umaben slides out of that situation too ... and after talking to Manav, she speaks to wannabe bahu and tells her about her new kangans.
Does wannabe bahu even know that Manav is already married?

Precap - Dadaji arrives ... Chhanchhan upsets his kalash of ashes ... and saves it ... all at once ...
Sanaya was looking gorgeous in pink!

9/7 - Epi 62 ... The Throne is Shaking

Tuesday 9th July

Umaben is in trouble ... her throne is shaking. The carefully preserved kingdom, with its rigid rules and regulations, all meant to snuff out any hint of rebellion even before it arises, is shuddering ... its foundation is under attack. All by a slip of a young girl, who cheerfully and blithely refuses to follow any rules whatsoever, and is impossible to crush, because she takes permission before breaking the rules .. but break the rules she does ... and with impunity!

Umaben hears about the ChhanMan terrace escapade from Manthan ... so that's how Chhanchhan coaxed her Manav out of his bad mood.

And before Umaben can formulate any further plans ... or if she did, before she can begin to put any plans into action, Chhanchhan strikes again. Her dog is sick ... so she has to bring him home and nurse him back to health.
Manav is a little doubtful ... make that very doubtful ... but Chhanchhan is adamant ... her baby needs her. And she'll ask Mummyji's permission, of course she will. Mummyji never refuses her anything. Their happiness means everything to her.
Manav looked very doubtful at that one ...

Mummyji grits her teeth wondering how the hell she can refuse Chhanchhan this one, without antagonising Manav, who is standing there listening to every word, and without breaking the facade of wonderful doting saas ... she comes to the inescapable conclusion that she can't ... not when Chhanchhan asks permission with so much confidence that Umaben will not refuse ... refutes her every argument about dogs, animals and seva ... and when Manav doesn't even allow his wife to go to her maayka for a few days to nurse the wretched dog. So dog has to come here.
besides, Umaben remembers the chaos Puch Puch created in five minutes of grihapravesh ... how much more chaos he will create in a few days. This might work in her favour after all.
Chhanchhan is ecstatic with the permission ... Umaben is disgusted with Chhanchhan's expression of ecstacy!  

A quick visit to the maayka, where Chhanchhan is far more worried about Puch Puch than about the human inhabitants ... well, she's been meeting them or talking to them almost every day since she got married ... understandable! Especially for dog-lovers!
Madhur milan of Puch Puch and Chhanchhan ... family is shocked that Chhanchhan has been allowed to bring Puch Puch back ...

BS house ... CC arrives with PP, much to delight of kids ... but Umaben bans PP from living inside the house, much to Chhanchhan's distress.
This round to Umaben ... Chhanchhan agrees after some attempts to persuade Umaben otherwise. Manthan is happy too ... he would be banished to the sofa if PP was inside! Umaben fires from Babuji's shoulder again ... and Chhanchhan takes Puch Puch outside ...

Of course the kids are very happy with Puch Puch ... so is Mansi.

Three stooges with Umaben ... poor Umaben's throne is shaking madly. Sanjana busy making sheera for Puch Puch ... after all, he is a guest! Umaben nearly loses it ... and I don't blame her! Hilarious scene! Ranjana adds to her fury ... the kids like the dog.

Babuji really doesn't like dogs ... Umaben hears him berating an employee about keeping a dog and getting bitten, and purposely refrains from telling him anything ...

Manav returns with a doghouse for Puch Puch ... and Chhanchhan is delighted. Just the thing!

Babuji and sons return ... and Umaben starts to fan some flames ... non-veg smell in pakoras ... what a way to break the news to Babuji that there is a dog in the house.

precap is very interesting ... am sure Umaben will slide out of the situation, though.

8/7 - Epi 61 ... Jungle Mein Mangal

Monday 8th July

All mangal in the jungle that is the Borisagar house ...

Repeat of Baahon Mein Chale Aao ... I didn't mind at all ... since the song was so beautifully picturised, watching it again was no hardship at all
Glad that ChhanMan had a conversation, brief though it was ... I was hoping CC would tell Manav about her talk with Umaben, but he was already manaoed out from his anger well before, and she didn't need to tell him anything at all, he understood that she did what she did for the family, while he was thinking only about them. CC had told him earlier about Sanjana's cut finger and UB having to work ... so he did know the bare facts.
I like the way this couple is always quick to say sorry to each other. 
CC's second surprise ... aww, Manav liked that one too ... but of course. Sanaya looked ravishing in the red nighty.
So that put paid well and truly to UB's plans for separating ChhanMan ... for now, that is. ChhanMan have their own private honeymoon after all. Liked the choice of song there too ... Yeh Saazish hai Boondon ki ... Small, sweet scene ...


Next morning, CC all bright and chirpy, ready to cook a different breakfast for the family ... a light and healthy one. RanSan not very impressed. Sanjana asks where she and Manav were in the morning ... CC is very embarrassed
Kaumudi Bhabhi and Manthan discover where ChhanMan were ... not only in the morning, but apparently the whole night. Kaumudi is all happy, Manthan ribs Manav ... Manav is completely embarrassed

Kaumudi tells RanSan about ChhanMan's terrace outing ... Ranjana fumes again, while Sanjana is very impressed with the romantic 'jungle mein mangal'. Methinks whole Borisagara house is jungle with no mangal ... CC is embarrassed again, after admitting she did it to coax Manav out of his upset. And runs away ... aww, blushing Sanaya is too cute!

Manav well and truly out of his bad mood, and in full mood to do masti with his wife ... and they both get caught in the act by a shell-shocked Umaben ... both embarrassed
Umaben's face was worth seeing - was waiting for this and it was worth the wait As she wonders, she thought they would be at each others' throats, and here they are even closer than before
I knew that would happen! Shyam babua, I remember you a lot ... you and UB have so much in common! 

Chhanchhan serves breakfast ... light and healthy ... Babuji appreciates the thought behind the deed, but is not ready to try it. Neither are any of the sons ... Umaben gloats quietly and offers to give the poha to Jigu.
Manav watches it all ... including Chhanchhan's crestfallen face ... and as Kaumudi is taking the bowl away, he interjects ... he wants the poha.
Finally, a husband who speaks up for his wife when it matters! And Manav is watching CC making all the efforts to fit into the family ... and the cold reception she gets.

Umaben catches hold of Manthan to find out what the heck happened ... how did ChhanMan get close again ... Manthan gives spark to a fire and leaves, very happy with himself (that actor is good!) ... leaving Umaben deep in thought ... now what?

Precap - Puch Puch is back ... but not allowed into the house. How did that happen?

4/7 - Epi 60 ... Chhanchhan Demanipulates

Thursday 4th July

Most of the episode was a filler leading up to the song ... but an amusing and entertaining filler all right!

Manav Chhanchhan continue their fight ... or rather, Manav fights and Chhanchhan apologises ... while Umaben listens gleefully ... she's managed to develop not just a rift, but a chasm ... Chhanchhan is so going to be on her way back to her maayka soon ...

Umaben dear, ever heard of a saying ... don't count your chickens before they're hatched ...? 

And to continue the unrest, Umaben cancels Ranjana's leave ... mission accomplished, she doesn't need to inconvenience herself by losing one of her slaves ... err, bahus ... for a few days ... forget about giving her an enjoyable holiday.
So Ranjana finds her leave cancelled at the last minute ... that to, due to Chhanchhan .. CC's selfless act of sacrificing her honeymoon twisted smoothly around to suit Umaben's purpose ... so Ranjana fumes some more ... why did CC cancel her honeymoon? My trip got cancelled as well!
Honey, if you'd only told Chhanchhan that your holiday depended on her going on her honeymoon, instead of grudging it, life would have been so much simpler ... and fun ... for both of you! Ab bhugto!!! 

Manek is befuddled ... his usual state ...

Manav goes to bed still annoyed ... Chhanchhan is very upset ... how does she deal with a sulking husband?
Fortunately, Chhanchhan is woman enough to know the answer to that one! Seduce the man, of course!

The next few minutes was devoted to Chhanchhan making preparations ... and my discovery that CC is actually an engineer and interior decorator rolled into one, or else, Tellywood's answer to Hermoine Granger ... with her magic bag equipped with all the requirements to construct a couple of romantic gazebos within a few minutes ... complete with billowing white curtains stolen from the lions' den, lanterns, flowers, candles ... the works!
It looked very beautiful, I have to say ... what a perfectly romantic setting!

Interspersed with Ranjana and the water bottle ... and CC, also the friendly, not to mention thirsty, ghost ...

And finally Manav wakes up ... he first sulks some more that he's the one angry, and Chhanchhan is the one not talking ... typical woman ... being a decent bloke, and truly madly in love with his beautiful biwi, he tries to wake her up ... only to find her missing ... and promptly goes hunting for her ...
Liked the touch of him trying to call Rugved at night ... and Mukut bhai watching TV late at night because his wife was busy with the kids ...

And finally the scene of the day ... don't know who started the trend of using the older movie songs in shows these days, whoever it was ... brilliant idea !!! The older songs are so completely beautiful and melodious ... and this one was so apt for the situation ... a naughty impish wife trying to manao her rootha hua husband by seducing him ...

Baahon mein chale aao ... humse sanam kya parda, humse sanam kya parda ...
Yeh raat ka milan nahin, yeh sang hai umar bhar ka ...

The song was beautifully picturised ... it actually could have been in any BW movie. 
Sanaya was FAN-TASTIC ... her moves, her expressions ... the smiles, the teasing, the sexy moves always accompanied by the sparkling mischief in her eyes ... . she was just perfect!!!! Had a wide grin on my face the entire time, watching the siren in white move so gracefully to the beautiful song ... I love the song, the words were so apt and her expressions so cute, flirtatious and seductive and sweet and mischievous all at the same time ...  
Anuj complemented her beautifully ... I love the song, the words were so cute and apt ... choreography was good, and they were fab together!!! Fell in love with this jodi today!!!
And so good to have a guy who can move with Sanaya in a dance!!! 

*Edit*

More on the last scene and the song ... it was so beautiful! 

SHE TOOK MY BREATH AWAY ...   

I'm still there on the terrace in the rain with that beautiful nymph dressed all in white ... mischief and love sparkling in her eyes ... as well as that blend of innocence and sensuality that only Sanaya can bring to a scene ... no other telly actress is anywhere close!  

Did not even notice Anuj after Sanaya appeared on the screen ... Sanaya is such a scene stealer ... her movements were graceful and sexy without being vulgar in the slightest ... her smile lit up the screen with the wattage of a thousand bulbs ... 

Sanaya was dressed so simply, white churidar kameez, big jhumkas and her mangal sutra her only ornaments ... no skin show, no gaudy clothes, no heavy jewellery ... and she took my breath away ... Beauty in simplicity ... that defines her ...  A water nymph, a forest sprite ... she looked ethereal ... and her smile was to die for ... 

And her dance movements were seductive without being vulgar in the least ... I  have no idea how she managed that, but she did ... the dance was full of love, teasing, mischief, hidden passion ... nothing overt or blatant about it at all ... neither from her nor from Anuj (oh yes, I finally noticed, he was good too ) ... a young wife deeply in love and not shy to show it ... and her husband trying to keep up pretence of being angry, but failing completely ... and letting himself enjoy the pleasure of being seduced by his little nymph of a wife ... their LOVE all pervasive in the romantic setting ... 

I will add ... loved the choice of song ... perfect for the occasion ... the original is picturised on an identical scenario of a wife trying to lure her husband ... Jaya Bhaduri the thespian there, and Sanaya did full justice to the original ... 

 I also loved the background score before the song started ... the music department has definitely got their act together ... it was perfect ...