Rangrasiya - 26th-31st May ... Epi 106 - 111

Post for the new week, including the ME on Saturday.

Monday 26th May ... Tum Paas Aaye 
Lovely episode today, good balance of romance, comedy, drama and emotions. Sanaya did say in a recent interview that the passion quotient hadn't even started, it was going to come in ... she was right. The passion is just about starting now.

Loved all the Parudilicious scenes ... starting with the first ... paas aayiye, door jaayiye ... paas aayiye ... seems like a foreshadowing of things to dome ... especially when Rudra asks Paro, how many times will you tell me to go far ... and she says,  just once more ... Also her words, door to jaan hi hoga ... an indicator of her vow to Bholenath ... and an upcoming separation.
That was one sensuous sari folding session! The way their hands were touching, releasing, moving reluctantly away, then coming close to touch again ...

Then Paro's trip, Rudra's failed catch and fall ... and the blue dye ... Rudra's uninhibited laughter ... and Paro's shy wonder at this new, unfamiliar sight ... before she too dissolved into soft, sweet giggles ... delighted at seeing her man happy for the first time.

One of the most important things in a relationship is laughter .. laughing together, teasing ... and it was significant that it was Paro who released the carefree laughter of Rudra, that was caged inside him for the last fifteen years ... caged so tightly that Rudra felt embarrassed to be seen laughing by the other family members, and stopped as soon as he realised he and Paro were not alone ... with Paro, he can laugh, smile ... but not as yet with anyone else.

Dilsher's face when he saw Rudra laughing ... his choked emotions ... his heartfelt thanks to Paro ... loved the small Dilsher - Paro scene. The emotions of a father who knows he has gone very wrong with his son ... but sees his son getting a second chance at life because of a young girl ... his gratitude to that girl is the foundation of the deep affection he holds for her, because she has saved his son's soul.

Paro washing the blue dye off Rudra's face  ... another soft, uninhibitedly sensuous scene ... both actors were par excellence in this scene. The awakening of new unfamiliar feelings of passion in Paro, the blazing heat in Rudra's eyes, passion he has known before, but not this type ... for once, he is not in control, he loses himself in the soft touches, the gentle caresses as Paro wipes his face clean of the dye, her touch lingering more than needed, her hands moving slowly, softly ...
And he recollects himself only when Paro reminds him ... he came to give her something, what?
Her earring ... and suddenly it's important that he put it on himself ... he remove the one she's wearing himself, and switch it with this one ... a memory of their memorable night in Jaipur.
But when she asks, you kept it safely all this time? ... he doesn't answer ... he never answers any of Paro's awkward questions.
Not that it stops her asking them ... not getting an answer is an answer in itself ... as her shy barely there smile says.

In the meantime ...
Samrat gets his first order in his new business, and runs to celebrate with Maithili ... sweet Maithili-Samrat scene.
Laila and Sumer try to outdrink each other ... Sumer gets maudin about missing his mother and home, Laila offers that he marry her and they can go back together.
Sumer laughs at her suggestion ... much to Laila's fury. Another man who is ready to touch her, feel her up ... but she's not good enough for anything more than that. And she tries to goad him, shame him into the idea .. but he's not buying it.
Yet.

PaRud ... as usual, Paro is nothing if not tenacious ... so back to the subject fascinating her. She wants answers, in words, please ... none of this, my actions speak louder business ...  towelled dry, she asks Rudra again ... can I have my earring back, the one you just took off?
Rudra doesn't want to give it back ... he likes having something of hers with him always.
Fortunately for him, Maithili interrupts ... much to her embarrassment ... and sweet cupid Maithili makes up for her interruption by giving Rudra the excuse to take his wife out on a date ... to buy vegetables. Kaddu is urgently required in the house.
Maithili is a sweetheart!
Rudra realises what she's trying to do, and cooperates immediately ... he'll go buy the kaddu ... no, he doesn't know anything about vegetables so Paro has to come along ... Paro shouldn't go alone, she might get lost ... Paro looked baffled at that one ... so Maithili has to physically beat some sense into her ... this is a date, bewakoof ladki! Get ready and go with your hubby! 

Laila in the marketplace ... swinging along in a temper ... some strange man wrapped in a blanket in the desert heat, recognises her as Rudra's khabri,  Laila is kidnapped!

While Paro and Rudra are happily enjoying an ice cream date.

Tuesday 27th May ... Ranawat Family Woes 
So the PaRud marriage continues to deepen and strengthen ... small things that make up the fabric of life, humdrum shopping, bargaining ... Or rather, Paro bargaining while Rudra looks on indulgently and amuse duly, his pride apparent as Paro blithely declares herself the wife of a BSD major, and then self-consciously peeps at him to see if this bravado is acceptable, or will he bite her head off for her daring ... Her confidence grows with every step, every time Rudra's anger does not erupt to silence her ... An exuberance, a childlike delight emerging from within the earlier quiet staid Paro ... For Paro wore her soft smile and demure exterior as a mask to hide her own sorrows as much as Rudra wore his ever present anger to hide his. And now both their masks are slowly peeling away. 

In the Ranawat haveli, in the meantime, Mohini's insecurity grown deeper as another one of her children goes away from her. First Sumer was thrown out, more by her own greed and selfishness than anything else ... and now Samrat wants to emerge from the shadows to do his own thing. And to Mohini's mortification, everyone else in the family seems to know and support his ambitions ... except for herself. Mohini's control over her family seems to be unravelling slowly and steadily. 
While Dilsher, with the wisdom that age and experience ... and his own lifetime of regrets ... taught him ... tries to play peacemaker and family elder for the first time ... not replying to Mohini's barbs with his own for once, but instead trying to make peace. 

Paro and Rudra share a gola date ... Again Paro's exuberance to the fore as Rudra indulges her ... You saved ten rupees with your bargaining skills, so I can afford an ice cream for both of us. And Paro tries to choose ... so many colors, so many flavours, she wants them all. Much like herself ... wanting to try all the colours that life has to offer, while she has the opportunity ... for tomorrow she might have to leave Rudra, and only have the memories to live on. So she wants to make as many memories as she can, enjoy her time with him, as much time as her Bholenath allows her.  

Not too much time ... Laila interrupts again ... by her absence rather than her presence. Just as Paro asks Rudra another pointed question he doesn't want to answer ... Why did he take leave from office? 
To take her to the doctor, of course.
But they've been back from the doctor for four hours, he didn't go back to office ... Why? 
An embarrassed Rudra isn't ready to answer ... saved by the bell. Or by the phone ... Laila is missing. 

Paro and Rudra in the BSD office, where Rudra is sure Laila was doing drama all along ... Paro is saddened that he still finds it difficult to trust anyone.
Aman comes with evidence that Laila did in fact escape ... she left bolsters in her bed to fool her guards and the window is open. Faced with this proof, Paro has to let go her faith in Laila's goodness ... and she returns home, deeply upset that Laila was trying to fool her all along ... she remembers the other girl's confidence that she knew Rudra so much better than Paro did, her honeyed sympathy towards Paro ... all of it was false. Laila was trying to deepen the wedge between Paro and Rudra so that Paro would lose her confidence and step back from Rudra's life ... Rudra knew it, and tried to tell Paro so, but Paro could not see it. Again she put her faith in the goodness of people, only to have it betrayed. 
So Paro determines that she will trust Rudra from now onwards ...

What will happen when they discover that Laila was in fact kidnapped by Thakur? Will they believe her this time, and get fooled by her again? Or will this be a case of Laila crying wolf? 

Thakursa is back! 

I liked the episode on the whole, because the entire cast was brought in, and the parallel tracks were given due importance and space. Probably because Ashish is busy with JDJ, so his time constraints mean that other tracks were needed. Something good emerging out of JDJ after all. However, the episode was rushed ... with so much happening, they need to slow down on all the scenes.  

Wednesday 28th May ... 

19th-23rd May - Epi 101 - 105 ... The Ousting of Laila

Making a post for the week as I am travelling. I will update as and when I watch the episodes. Please continue discussions here, and the first person to write about the new episode every day, add the date and episode number in capitals.

Monday 19th May ... Shaken Faith
Ever since Paro put together the signs, her meeting with Rudra as children, his protection, his name ... she put together a belief that he and she were meant to be, ordained by her Bholenath himself. And that she knew the man, that she saw the lost child, the lonely unloved man behind that rocky facade .. he needed love, she was the one who would love him and bring him out of his past ... and sooner or later, he would realise it and love her back. He had to ... after all, they were meant to be.

Today with Rudra's disclosure, that belief, that faith is shaken ... has she been wrong all along? Is she really the one for him? Is he the one for her? If he could have a relationship with Laila, who is beautiful, who is as devoted to Rudra as she is, and still remain untouched by her love for eight long years, then will he ever love Paro? When he entered into a relationship with Laila of his own free will, but with Paro, he was forced? Yes, she means something to him, he says so himself, he says that he can't bear to see her hurt ... but if everything is truly over between him and Laila, as he says it is, then why does Laila's presence trouble him? Why can't he ignore her, or treat her like any other guest? Why is he so hot and bothered around her?

Paro should have allowed Rudra to kick Laila out ... she really should. If she can question him about her rights in the house, if she can say she doesn't know her rights, her position, then she shouldn't interfere in his desire to throw Laila out. (Alas, cvs need Laila to stay in the house, Rudra cannot be sacrificed, so Paro has to do the needful).

Liked Dilsher - he told Rudra some pertinent points ... your timing sucks, boy!
Liked Rudra - he had to tell Paro before Laila got in first with her twisted version ... although he didn't tell Dilsher that, he just said he had to tell Paro the truth.
Loved Paro - as she questions Rudra ... what is my position in your life? Am I a token wife? How committed is Rudra to this marriage, she needs to know. If he is committed, then a hundred Laila's can come and go, she doesn't care. But if he isn't committed, then she can get rid of a hundred Laila's, there will be a 101st.

Liked the PaRud scene ... love seeing Rudra frustrated, angry and upset ... his Paro is upset, not smiling, not even looking at him ... and it drives him nuts. He seems to have forgotten every single one of the hate vows he took!

Liked the opening of the Dilsher Samrat business track ... hopefully Samrat will co-opt Paro into the embroidery business.

Tuesday 20th May ... One Heart Falters, One Heart Strengthens

Wednesday 21st May ... Vulnerable Paro 
Today saw for the first time, Rudra taking the lead in this marriage, telling Paro what he would do, and not listening to Paro ... first in the scene after the puppet show, and then in their room. Till now, Paro has been the one committed to their marriage, believed in it ... and Rudra was in it by compulsion ... or so he claimed. But the moment Paro shows her vulnerability and her doubts, he steps in ... he will do what it takes to get rid of Laila because she's poisoning what is between him and Paro. In short, he's taking the lead.

So is this what Paro really wants? Is she really succumbing to Laila's emotional tricks ... or is she allowing Laila to play her games, and expose her true face to Rudra? There is unfinished business between Laila and Rudra ... by throwing Laila out of the house, it will not end. Until and unless Laila is convinced there is no hope for Rudra, she will not exit their lives. And unless Rudra believes he is committed to this marriage and to Paro, and shows Laila so, Laila will not exit.

Thursday 22nd May ... PaRud Stand as One, Laila Out
So Laila's bluff was called ... her anger, her tears, her emotional blackmail ... nothing worked. Rudra had all bases covered ... doctor's report, security cover in the form of Aman, and even spiked Mohini's guns ... he didn't want Mohini troubled any more than she already had been. And Paro stood in silent support. Not so silent ... she encouraged Laila on her way out with gracious words ... words from a hostess and lady of the house to a guest. Do call us if you need us ... 
On reflection, Rudra was rather ungracious to Laila ... his confidante and lover of eight years. She never tried to harm Rudra, after all ... she merely loved him. While she did try to harm Paro, yet Paro remained gracious and kind ... and true to her character, forgiving and understanding. Rudra stood to protect his wife ... he did his duty. Paro stayed true to hers.
Did Rudra never wonder at the sympathy and support Mohini showed Laila? Or did he attribute it to Mohini's perverse nature and hatred for Rudra ... the moment she felt Rudra detested Laila, Laila became her best friend?

Friday 23rd May ... One Step Forward 
So what did the Laila episode achieve?
Both Rudra and Paro got reality checks.
Rudra got a jhatka that Paro is not as secure as she appears about the marriage and her place as his wife ... she might even be insecure enough to leave if not reassured of her place in his life. When Paro is reassured that he means what he says (which often he does not!) ... like taking care of Laila's safety and health, yet still wanting her out ... Paro is ready to trust his words.

And while he's not yet ready to face his own feelings for her, he realises that he's more than comfortable in this marriage ... and does not like the possibility of her going away, or not having her as his wife.
And also realises that maybe he should do something to reassure her about that. So he tries. Takes an off from office ... much to the surprise, even shock .. of both father and wife ... takes wife to doctor ... and even wants to take her out for a meal ... if the woman would just realise what he's getting at ... he's too diffident to come right out and say so directly.

Paro got the bigger jhatka, of course ... that maybe her love story is not the human equivalent of the divine Shiv-Parvati one ... that Rudra is not God, that he is a man, with human failings, a history ... and a man's needs and wants. And major doubts as to her position in his life ... just when she was getting more confident of her place as his wife ... Laila's arrival gave her the biggest jhatka ... would he be able to commit to her at all? If he could not commit to Laila for eight years, was her cautious optimism completely unfounded?
But she got some reassurance ... not in the form of a love declaration ... but something equally reassuring ... a declaration that she was his wife, she had the right to look after him, and no one else ... and Laila was only a guest and a friend.
She felt for Laila, compassion .. concern for her wounds, worry for her safety ... after all, both were victims of the same man. And when Rudra assured her of Laila's health and safety, and still wanted Laila to leave ... that reassured Paro too ... not only of Laila's health and safety, but also of her place, or lack of it, in Rudra's life. And of Paro's place ... she was Rudra's wife ... and that was another vow broken ... he declared her his wife in front of all.
So Paro recovers that optimism she had developed just before Laila's entry ... that things will be all right after all ...

And both move one step closer on the long journey towards trust, understanding ... and love.  

16/5 - Epi 100 ... Voh bhi Hai kuch Aadha aadha, Voh bhi Rahe Adhuri

Friday 16th May

Will ignore all Laila parts except for a small comment at the end. She didn't add much value ... she was basically exulting about her victory ... which was reassuring, because it me feel that victory is not going to be hers as easily as she thinks.

So Rudra takes Paro to an old, abandoned house ... a relic of his childhood, where he tells her of his days spent in loneliness and solitude ... till the solitude grew too much for him ... the silence grew too deafening to give him comfort any more...  and he sought a different kind of comfort.

Halfway through his tale, he asks Paro ... why are you not saying anything?
She holds his hand and tells him ... because I'm waiting for you to finish ...
Maybe encouraged by that show of strength, of togetherness, reassured that she is still by his side, with him, Rudra goes on to tell her more ... the worst ...

This time, since solitude had not served its purpose, he sought the reverse ... he sought crowds, dirt, filth ... he sought people ... he drowned himself in drink ... he buried his human side, and let the animal in him surface. Only animal needs ... and to fill those ... he sought a woman. Laila. But he hastens to tell Paro, he left Laila, he broke off with her ... there was nothing between them any more ... no emotions, no feelings, no expectations ... he told Laila that from the start, and she agreed.

Paro asks one question, and one only.
Did you love her?
The answer is instantaneous, bursts from him without hesitation. No!!! 
He doesn't even know why he's telling her all this ... except that she needs to know and he'd rather she heard it from him, not anyone else ...

But Paro isn't there.
The clouds burst ... and with the, so does the storm within Paro ... the tears come thick and fast as the memories ... the hate marriage, the hate filled vows ... the slow change ... the ebbing of hatred ... their dance ... their kiss ...
Did it mean anything at all? Does she mean anything at all to him?

Rudra rushes from room to room, hunting frantically for Paro ... while she sinks down in a corner and weeps ... for her dreams, her hopes, her love ...
But when he finds her, she wipes her eyes ... and only says ... 'shall we go home?' 

Back at the haveli ... He wants her to talk, to say something ... he's told her the truth, told her everything ... why won't she talk to him?

Laila exults ... she's succeeded ... she's driven a wedge between Rudra and Paro ... the first step to getting Rudra back. And she tells Mohini as much. Mohini is not so sure ... Paro is his wife, she can ust as easily throw Laila out. Laila is confident she's read Paro's innocence clearly ... Paro is bholi, ... read dumb ... Paro will swallow Laila's tears and sob story and leave Rudra.

I think Laila just made her biggest mistake ... of underestimating Paro.
Mohini did that before too ... more than once.

Back in their room, Paro continues to perform her wifely duties ... she gives Rudra a towel, she even helps him dry his hair ...
But she won't look at him. She won't talk to him. She won't even sleep on the same bed.
And her silence is killing Rudra.

He reaches out again ... she turns her back. Silent tears trickle down in a never ending stream ... but not a word escapes her lips.
He leaves the room. He knows she's hurt ... deeply hurt ... but she is Paro ... she loves him. She will forgive him. She will sulk, get angry, pout, and then let him cajole her into smiling again.

So he sits outside and waits ... Paro will come to him.

But before Paro comes, someone else does.
Laila.

A Laila who drapes herself around Rudra, and speaks softly of love ... while Rudra stands stock still, frozen at her words ... is this love?  

Only to emerge from his haze to see ... Paro staring at him and Laila together ... shock, hurt, disbelief, heartbreak in her eyes ... and something more.


Two addendums .. Sanaya ROCKS in emotional scenes!!! I had a lump in my throat at her breakdown in the abandoned house, and then back in the haveli as she gives Rudra the silent treatment ... which is something I was ardently wishing for ... hurrah!!! 
And I love this hairstyle of hers, the loose unbraided ponytail :)

And ... since Laila is so sure that Paro will swallow her story, that makes me very sure that Paro will NOT. But what will Paro do? 

Third - Ankita, the actress is TERRIBLE. 

15/5 - Epi 99 ... An Affair to Forget

Thursday 15th May

Laila overdose ... the woman was literally in every single damn scene!!! GRRRR!!!!!

Nice parts ... Rudra tells Laila that eating burnt sabzi was his compulsion, not his choice. And he has tasted better food now, which he prefers. And tells Paro to make him something else tomorrow.
Laila got the message all right.
Rudra goes back to caring husband ... Paro forgets about Laila, and enjoys his care and attention.

Paro hears the Rudra Laila convo and directly asks Rudra for an answer. Direct and straight forward as usual.

The rest ...
Laila realises Rudra hasn't told Paro about their relationship ... and he's scared to tell her. Bas, that's all she needs! Rudra is not amused by her taunts ... and holds her wrist to threaten her ... mistake ...

Paro scared by the thunder ... Laila sees her approach and immediately starts nautanki ... leave my hand, Rudra ... 
Paro, direct and straightforward as ever ... asks Rudra what the matter is ... Rudra stomps off in a rage ... he doesn't owe her any answers or explanations. Mistake again, Rudra ... you left Paro at Laila's mercy ... which she took full advantage of ... Grrrrr

And then he proceeds to wonder over exactly that ... Laila's taunts, which hit a bit too close to home for comfort ... is he scared to tell Paro about his relationship? For fear of what Paro will think? Why should what Paro think, matter to him?


Laila extremely satisfied by a good day's work ... but she isn't done yet ...
So she escorts Paro back to the room ... Paro, shake the woman off, for Gods sake! Grr!!

And then proceeds to take advantage of Paro's temporary blindness, to fiddle with her things ... grrr, I HATE women who do that ... and this was Laila, picking up Paro's bangles, her sindoor in an entirely proprietary way ... hears that Rudra bought Paro those pink bangles, and promptly wears them herself ... grrr!!!
I spent a lot of time during the episode gnashing my teeth at Laila's antics ...

Paro still guileless, answers Laila's questions about her missing mangalsutra, but asserts there was no fight between her and Rudra ...
Laila tells her that once the bandage is removed from her eyes, she will see clearly again ... fiddling with Paro's sindoor ... I thought she was going to put that sindoor in her maang and was getting ready to smash my TV ... fortunately for my TV, she didn't ... she went off, just as the lights went off ...

Rudra comes back ... worried how did Paro get back to the room ... even more worried when Paro says Laila brought her ... so what did Laila say to Paro?
Paro is evasive .. something about my bandage coming off and being able to see clearly ... Rudra is even more perturbed ... don't let her talk crap with you ...
And Paro asks again ... what is the matter? Because she's sure something is ...

Before Rudra can say anything, Laila is back with a candle ... and some more honeyed words, which Rudra can see through instantly ... enough to set even Paro's unsuspicious brain into thinking mode. Which was Laila's intention all along, of course.

Can Laila please stop entering PaRud's bedroom every few seconds?! Its the room of a married couple, for Pete's sake! Why doesn't Rudra throw her out?!

I liked ... his annoyance at Laila ... why are you wearing Paro's bangles? 
Message to Laila again ... hers, not yours ... bangles, and the person who bought them for her.

I didn't like ... that he let Laila keep them while he took Paro out of the room ... not that he will let Paro wear them again once Laila has touched them ...
He's got no choice ... he has to tell Paro the truth now ... otherwise he knows Laila will ... in the worst possible way.

So Laila exults ... while Mohini wonders ... 

And I think ... someone get this overacting ki dukaan off my screen ... now!!! 

Hopefully now that Laila has wrought her destruction, she will leave ... and let Rudra and Paro get on with their story. Today seemed like a filler to set up the base of the next phase of the PaRud story ... tomorrow the real tension between them will start. 

Paro's tension will not be because Rudra has a 'past' ... that he had an affair. Her tension will be ... that affair lasted eight years, with a girl who was in love with Rudra, yet Rudra gave her no commitment, never loved her back. An affair that Rudra entered into knowingly, of his own will.

What hope then for Paro ... for a girl whom he was forced to marry, against his will, only to save his job? All her dreams of Rudra accepting her as his wife, even maybe loving her back in the distant future ... all those dreams will crumble ... 

14/5 - Epi 98 ... Ishaqzaade

Wednesday 14th May

First of all, Laila dear, Paro knows very well the rotis and aalu sabzi Rudra has been eating all these years ... he's made it for her and fed her himself. More to the point, hope he realised what Laila was up to.

So Mohini and Laila reach a truce, as Laila realises her plan backfired spectacularly ... she has no choice but  to toe Mohini's line.

Maithili is one fierce lioness protecting her little sister ... she's damn cute! Loved her today facing up to Laila with answers for all Laila's excuses for going to PaRud's room.

Can Rudra please tell Laila that it's bad manners to enter a couple's bedroom without knocking? Grrrrr!!!! Better still, can he just shut the door when he's planning a quiet dinner with his biwi?

Paro was thoroughly enjoying all the attention from Rudra ... her turn to behave like a spoiled brat, and lap up all his concern and worry. He even apologised to Maithili ... that was cute! And sang Kuch Kuch Hota hai for Paro to make her smile ... aww ...
Might as well enjoy these cute moments before the next storm hits.

And for the first time, the awareness between a man and a woman steals in ... Ishaqzaade ... another uncut to be made today :)

No precap ... what does that mean?

More later :) 

13/5 - Epi 97 ... Blinded by Love, Blinded by Hate

Tuesday 13th May

Updating in a while ... enjoyed the episode today!

Quick update .... nice episode, well balanced ... if Ashish being off for JDJ means we get more of Paro's side of the story, then long may he dance! And we actually got a decent doctor scene ... although how he discovered mirchi powder when it would have dissolved, I don't understand ... but that's a small issue!

I got all excited seeing Aman and Rudra in interrogation mode in the BSD office ... but I think it was to make Rudra believe Laila enough to allow her to stay on for longer in the haveli. But I hope Tejawat is back in action ... while the PH gets the hunt for a new Tejawat underway.

Mohini has more brains than Laila ... proved. She gives Laila a talking to for losing her brains and hurting Paro ... that is not going to accomplish anything other than to make Rudra stick even more firmly to Paro's side. Laila is losing her temper seeing Paro close to Rudra ... and when temper is lost, brains are lost ... that's a proven thing.

Laila also discovered that Mohini has a weak spot ... Sumer. Now that is a dangerous discovery.

Now the good - loved the Maithili - Paro scenes ... Maithili's antennae are up regarding Laila, and she tries to warn Paro ... but Paro has complete faith in her husband. And she's too excited about the first signs of Rudra softening towards her, maybe his hatred is lessening (if only she knew hate is nowhere near the emotion he feels for her) and he's beginning to accept the marriage.
As for Paro ... marriage is marriage ... hers might not have happened the way she would have liked ... but once done, it's up to her to keep it going.
And with a wisdom beyond her years, she doesn't bother too much about Laila, she's more bothered about the relationship between her and Rudra ... if that is strong, no one can come between them. Which is actually true for most marriages ... the break happens when there is already some strain between husband and wife ... the other woman is usually only the catalyst, not the cause.

Which is why the revelation of Rudra's past relationship with Laila is going to cause a major upheaval for Paro ... from the question of Laila coming between them, the question will shift to, did she come between Laila and Rudra? Was Laila the reason he keeps saying he was forced to marry Paro to save his job?

And loved the protective roaring Rudra, shouting at everyone in sight for not taking care of his precious wife, and allowing her to be hurt. And shouting at her too, for being careless ... and then getting upset when she cried ... Rudra can't stand two things ... Paro's pain and Paro's tears ... today he saw both.
Paro was upset because of Maithili's tears ... or because he said again that his main concern was not her, but his job. He just broke her heart a little, after it had started singing.
She did remember that she has to leave him at some point ... but Paro being Paro, she's not going to think about it till it happens.

And precap - seems like Laila continues to act as stupid Cupid ... now Rudra wants to eat in his room with Paro.

12/5 - Epi 96 ... Envy, Passion, Pride

Monday 12th May

Quick take ... liked Sanaya's dance.

Paro's expressions of pain, terror and panic at the end were outstanding ... made you feel Paro's pain, and hate Laila. And why the hell they had to freeze on Laila's face at the end, beats me .... grrr!!!

Rudra banna has become very good hubby ... but why does he have to lose his brains if Paro has lost hers? Why give in to Paro to keep Laila in the haveli? That's not one of her brightest ideas!

Laila's and Mohini's one-upmanship is annoying ... and its not leading anywhere. Laila knows Mohini won't kick her out in a hurry, or let her leave.

Liked the Parud scene, especially the part when Rudra leaves, stops and looks back, and Paro's joy that he turned and actually smiled. He did.

Few more comments on the episode -

Laila still seems to be behaving very irrationally ... for a woman who wants Rudra back, she shows time and again that she doesn't understand the man at all ... and definitely not the man he is changing into. Hurting Paro? When she herself was the first one to notice his changed behaviour towards Paro? What does she hope to achieve by that? This seems more the jealous rage of a jilted woman than any carefully thought out plan. And jealous rage will get her nowhere ... Rudra will become even more protective of Paro, and more determined to throw Laila out, if she harms his precious wife.

After the Jaipur trip, and then Rudra's breakdown in Paro's arms, there has been a marked change in their equation. He seems well on the way to accepting her as his wife, with all the rights that position gives her ...  although accepting that he loves her, is still way off. Love will make him vulnerable ... but Paro as his wife can fuss over him, tease him, do 'tilak' ... all those little gestures can be garbed under the cloak of 'wifely duties' ... hence they don't make him vulnerable. 

And Paro of course has completely lost her fear of Rudra ... a girl can't be scared of a man who has bawled like a baby in her arms, and told her his deepest darkest secrets, his most vulnerable moments ... and not when he was drunk, but in his full senses. 

And so her confidence with Rudra, as his wife, as someone who holds some meaning for him, grows more and more each day ... and every little gesture makes her hopeful that one day he will care for her as much as she cares for him... including the way he grumbles and rants, but accepts her wishes and follows them, including the one about giving Laila a second chance and allowing her to stay in the house. That was not the brightest thing for Paro to ask for, and definitely the one Rudra should have put his foot down on.

But all these little gestures are adding up ... Rudra's call to check if she reached home safely, his allowing her to put tilak ... his drinking tea with nothing more than a few perfunctory grumbles and scolds, which Paro took with a pinch of salt. Hence her happiness today when he looked back and gave her a smile. 

Sanaya's dance was beautiful ... vigorous and energetic, oozing pure joy ... 

Paro's scream at the end was gutwrenching ... hats off to Sanaya for that single scene, that was the scene of the episode. 

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful girls here ... hope you have a great day and pamper your moms ... and your kids pamper you!

A cute article on Mothers Day ... interviews with Sanaya and other TV personalities. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/I-bake-a-special-cake-for-my-mom-every-year-on-Mothers-Day-Sanaya-Irani

I wonder how much of the cake she feeds her mom, and how much she eats herself! :)

This is also the weekend post for other shows we're watching ... so chat away!

I'm watching Yeh Hain Mohabbatein ... it's keeping my interest as of now.

Also re-started watching Ek Bood Ishq, now that Nandu is getting a taste of her own medicine and it looks like time for good to win over evil finally.

I started watching Kumkum Bhagya, but it comes at a very awkward time for me ... can watch either the 9 pm show or the 9.30, not both ... and Rangrasiya takes priority! So watching it off and on.

Anyone watching Ek Haseena Thi? It is shaping up as a mix of Revenge and Khoon Bhari Maang ... very strongly. I find very strong similarities with both those shows.

Nothing much to discuss in the shows, they're all fairly standard run of the mill fare, easy to watch and switch off.

In other news, have you girls seen this article? Have I posted it before?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/New-rule-binds-artistes-to-shows-for-3-years

I can see a can of worms opening here ... on the face of it, the agreement is heavily weighted in favour of the producers. I guess in recent years, the movement of TV actors for BW has increased sharply, AND also their popularity has also increased ... probably a cause and effect phenomenon. So while no one blames them for trying to make hay while the sun shines, but for the producers and channels, it's a headache when the actors leave, especially if they are the face of the show, are popular ... and fans these days are vocal enough about it to create a major headache for the channels. Gone are the days when an actor could be replaced overnight, and no questions asked.

Actors on TV must be cursing Barun loud and long ... his leaving IPK, the subsequent fans' hysteria and the show shutting down, is the one which set the ball rolling ... although later exits like Vivian and KSG, must have added to the producers' determination to stop this exodus, since the impact on the show is huge. For IPK, the buck stops with Star Plus though ... they took the decision to shut the show down ... blaming him for leaving midway for greener pastures and spoiling the show is justified, but blaming him for the closure is not. The blame for that goes to his fans and their hysteria. No wonder he has been struggling so much in BW ... this obviously had a huge impact. And really not good timing for him to have this news come out now, when he has finally gotten a decent break ... opens the whole can of worms again. To be branded disloyal to the people who made you famous, is frowned upon in BW ... loyalty is a key requirement.

But to be fair to the actors,  three years seems a long tie in period. And what happens if the shows don't last three years?
This agreement is actually more unfair on the women, because the shelf life of heroines is shorter than the men's. On the other hand, most actresses seem more dedicated and loyal to their TV work ... also, TV is a woman's medium even now, while in BW, good female roles are few and far between, and the struggle is much more. More male actors have left for BW than female ones.

What Gunjan Utreja said, makes the most sense ... look after content, have shorter shows, have seasons, so that the TV actors can get a break to do other things ... and they won't leave. Doing the same character for years on end, must get boring, and kills creativity. And who wants shows to last three years anyway?
On the other hand, TV producers say that they starts to recover money only after the first year, so they want the shows to run for a minimum of two years. Tough situation ... no easy answers. 

9/5 - Epi 95 ... Mixed Bag

Friday 9th May

Bit of a khichdi of an episode ... looks like the makers are not sure how to take this track.

Laila singing aarti was an overkill for Rudra ... he did sound as though his brains were very firmly in working order. Pity he wasn't the one to notice that piece of paper ... I hoped he or Paro would notice it.

Laila is another one whose brains are in working order ... she warns Mohini NOT to be so nice to her.
Did Rudra really not smell a rat with Mohini's warm welcome for his guest? Or does he think Mohini is trying to be nice after the laddoo mess, in the hope of getting Sumer back? If so, it would be nice if the cvs put in some dialogues to that effect ... it seems very unlikely that Rudra would not smell a rat. Or Paro, for that matter ... she trusts Mohini even less than Rudra does. However Paro seemed to be fully buying Laila's change of heart ... her smile during the aarti showed what she was thinking ... 'see, Rudra, I told you Laila can be trusted ... she's even started praying to Bholenath!'

Maithili is adorable ... her one line in the episode was worth its weight in gold ... Laila, you'd better take your stuff and shift to another room, you can't stay in Paro Rudra's room. 
Bas!!!

And Mohini realises she might just have bitten off more than she can chew ... so she determines to keep Laila under her thumb by keeping her position suspect ... hence the discovery of the paper.

The best scene as usual was the PaRud scene ... Laila plays unwitting Cupid by tearing off Rudra's button, thinking she will stitch it back on ... Paro is back in time to do the needful ... and for Laila to overhear some very normal husband-wife conversations between Rudra-Paro ... including Paro scolding Rudra, telling him to look up ... and Rudra meekly obeying ... burn, Laila, burn!

Though I do wonder what Laila  hoped to accomplish by telling Rudra that he is changing from a lion into a lamb. Did she think Rudra will back away from Paro the same way as he backed off from Laila fiercely every time she tried to stake a claim on him? Because that's what she has seen every time ... he said he belongs to no one ... Laila believed him. He resisted every time she tried to get close or be soft or tried to look after him ... he spurned her every advance. He didn't need anyone, he belonged to no one.

This time Laila will see that's not true any more ... Rudra belongs to someone now. To Paro.

And how and where and why does that dance come in? Waiting for Monday!

8/5 - Epi 94 ... The Difference Between ...

Thursday 8th May

The difference between Laila and Paro ... one wants to hold, the other wants to heal.

Laila spelled out today why she is all wrong for Rudra, and Paro is the right one for him. She wants to hold Rudra, Paro wants to heal him. Laila doesn't mind if Rudra stays in the grip of his demons all his life long, unhappy, bitter, angry, miserable ... as long as he is hers in that state.

Paro wants him to let go of his demons, and find happiness. Whether she is there or not, it doesn't matter. As long as he is happy and free. 

Loved the PaRud bed scene.

*edit*

Did not like the way Paro stopped Rudra from throwing out Laila ... but since his sleeping dimaag has awakened, as have his feelings for Paro, there was no way he would want Laila to stay. But Paro, soft-hearted as usual, falls for Laila's story. Thankfully Rudra retains the use of his dimaag, and keeps the investigation on ... or rather, tells Aman to do so.

The Paro Laila scene was sweet, despite knowing Laila is playacting ... she is better as positive than negative character ... it would be good if she changes over and becomes positive like Lavanya ...

Cute touches in the scene as Paro takes out clothes for Rudra ... so wifely! and Rudra asks her irritably ... where were you? in a completely husbandly tone.
Thank god they remembered that physiotherapy is required.
Paro repeats her nursery rhyme ... and Rudra has to smile ... almost. All this of course after he grumps about no need to deal with his pain, and she ignores him ... Paro has learned how to deal with Rudra and his ever-present sulks. Methinks he enjoys the mothering care she gives him.
Next problem ... where should he change? Again he asks Paro ... again SUCH a husbandly thing to do ... wife is in charge in the house for the smallest things!

Paro takes the opportunity to ask him ... why did you say I'm different, I had to stay here?
Because she stumbles and falls all the time, he needs to take care of her. 

Paro's smile was an unspoken "Yeah right!' 
Every woman loves being told by her man that he will take care of her ... so does Paro.

Another vachan broken as they reach the door of their room ... Rudra still irritable ... Laila has to go tomorrow morning ... I don't want her to stay ...
Because she loves you ... Paro is calm, unmoved.
Rudra aghast ... she told you?!
Paro ... nope ... it was obvious. 
Rudra even more upset ... you're my wife! How can you let her stay when you know she loves me? What are you made of?! 
Paro even more relaxed ... well, that made you agree I'm your wife ... we both know it ... so what can she do? 

Rudra starts to make the bed on the floor ... Paro wonders where she will sleep ... his turn to be calm, matter-of-fact, as though he never had to think about it ... that woman is on the bed , we have to sleep here.
We ... not you, not me. We. 
And so they sleep ... Paro turns to look at him, and goes to sleep with a contented smile ... Rudra looks at her back, and ... sleeps. As though this is the most natural and comfortable thing in the world. And in sleep, his hand goes out to protect paro's head from falling off the pillow ... caring even in sleep.

And he slept well too ... because he never stirred when Laila got up and went out for her midnight meeting with ... who else but Kakisa.
So this was all Kakisa's plan ... but she might have bitten off more than she could chew ... because Laila isn't planning to leave the haveli ... or Rudra ... in a hurry.
Ankita is a bad actress as vamp ... she makes too many faces and jerks her head around too much. Far too affected mannerisms for a nachnewali.  

Laila wants the jaanwar Rudra back ... no matter if he remains angry, upset bitter ...

In the room, Paro worries ... Rudra wanted to unburden himself, she won't force him ...but she hopes he will do so before she leaves ... he needs to get rid of the burden on his heart and mind. She wants him to heal.

Rudra wants to do just that ... he wants to unburden himself to Paro ... for the first time he has found someone to whom he can lay bare his sorrows, his anger, his hurt, his bitterness ... and know she will be with him always. Why does his past always catch up with him again and again?

Rest of the episode was Mohini Laila plotting ... Mohini gives her clothes ... won't anyone in the family wonder where she got them? And tells her to behave like a good girl, part of the family ...

Does Mohini really think Laila can endear herself to the rest of the family and win Paro's place?

Mohini hiding behind the temple, and Laila blows the conch. The battle is on ... between good and evil. 

7/5 - Epi 93 ... Blast From the Past

Wednesday 7th May

Quick update ... when I saw the promo, I didn't like it at all ... Rudra's 'Patthar hun ..." etc was very theatrical and artificial ... and Paro's lines about Bholenath melting seemed out of place.

But the way the scene played out in the episode was so much better ... I loved it. And Paro's words were beautiful ... he says he is a stone, a fire ... she replies ... moorat patthar ki, diye mein aag ... and then goes on about why does the sun rise in the east, why is the world round ... there are no answers for some questions ... and why does she love him, is one of them.

Will update the rest later ... rushing for work, and today was a really beautiful episode ... except for Rudra's nth breakdown !!! Even that was slightly better and more restrained than usual.

*Edit*
Episode starts with Rudra releasing Paro's hand ... she stares at him for a moment, then takes his rebuff in her her stride, and offers him his medicine. At that he cracks ... Why? He's been trying to push her away, he has nothing to offer her ... how can she keep loving him? He is fire, he is stone, without emotion (without emotions?! Then what were all those 50 breakdowns all about?!)

And Paro answers his questions with some of her own ... why is an idol made of stone? Why does a diya hold fire? Why does poison fight poison? Why is the earth round, the sunrise in the east ... why, why, why ... so many questions which don't have an answer. And neither does his. She doesn't know why she loves him, why she keeps loving him, despite his best efforts to push her away.
He wants to push her away to save her from himself ... he will destroy her ... she doesn't even understand how much he's injured from within ...
But she does ... he told her himself, when he was not in his senses ... she knows.

And her clear eyes, her calm acceptance ... her knowledge of the man he is, free him ... she has seen him at his worst and most vulnerable ... now what is there to hide ... from her?
So Rudra lets lose his control ... and seeks comfort ... he lays bare his heart, his hurt, his wounds ... he's tried to move on ... but every time he does, his past sneaks around and holds him back ... and pushes him to the ground him all over again.

'Your maasa.'  

Two words which stop him in his tracks. Yes, she knows ... the root of his wounds, is the betrayal he has never quite gotten over.

She encourages him to speak ... let it out ... and for the first time, he does ... talks chokingly of his childhood ... ac childhood spent in waiting, waiting for a mother who never came back ... he scattered, broke ... and then hated ... it was easier to hate than to cry. Yet he still waited ... and she returned ... the woman he tried with all his might, to hate ... she came back ... not in tears, and crying for having left him, but happy, secure, complete in her new life. She didn't need him, she didn't want him ... the son who had waited all his life for her. She would laugh at him for waiting for her, for she had moved on a long time ago.

And as he tells Paro all this, his deepest hurt, his sharpest wounds ... he clings to her hand as though it's a lifeline ... drawing strength from it, from her selfless love ... the love he's been starved of since childhood.

And he starts to tell her who his mother is, where he saw her again ... but before he can tell her, the phone rings, with the news that a woman has escaped from Tejawat and come to him.
And hope rises again in Rudra's heart ... the hope he can never completely stamp out ... the hope that his mother does regret leaving him, and will come back ... is this her? Has she fled from Tejawat and come back to him?

Why oh why, did the cv's release the promo showing it was Laila ... the way they built up this scene, all towards Rudra expecting to see his mother ... the slow walk to the front door ... with all the flashbacks going through his mind ... the buildup was perfect ... but for the little problem ... the viewers already KNEW it wasn't his mother! So the entire tension fell flat. 
And Ashish was again OTT in this part ... and during the long walk to the front door ... 

Flashbacks of Dilsher telling him not to trust beautiful women, Mohini fake commiserating ... and the last meeting in the rain ... as Rudra builds up the courage, and the hope ... of seeing his mother again. And as he opens the front door, and Paro comes up beside him, he holds her hand firmly ... for strength. He needs her ... at this moment of his life ... he needs Paro's calm strength, her quiet unflinching support ... without it, he will collapse.
And Paro looks at him wonderingly ... the first time he has reached out to her ... needed her, wanted her with him ...

And they stand together, holding hands firmly as the woman reveals her face ... Laila.
Yep, we knew it all along.

Paro recognises Laila, and moves behind Rudra ... this is the woman who tried to kill her.
Rudra does not want Paro to see the seedy side of his past life ... he tries to shut her inside the haveli door, and send the BSD man away ...
Laila starts her nautanki ... Tejawat tried to kill her because of her relationship with Rudra ... she ran away.

How did Tejawat know ... she fumbles with the answer, and turns his attention to her wounds ... and then does a fake faint ... which galvanises soft-hearted Paro into action ... they have to look after Laila.
Terrible acting .. by Laila ... or by Ankita? :)

The rest of the episode was Laila nautanki ... the most interesting part was that Paro knows that Laila loves Rudra ... as she points out with calm common sense, if a woman she doesn't know, attacks her out of nowhere, it's not rocket science that she feels Paro stole something from her.

Rudra doesn't trust Laila an inch ... soft hearted Paro says they have to take care of her anyway.
Rudra says Laila is untrustworthy, she's worked as khabri for him for a long time, he knows her ... and she tried to kill Paro.
Paro replies, so did you kill my husband...
Rudra's reply is swift ... he wasn't your husband!

The man is possessive ... Paro can be no one's but his.
8th vachan, Rudra? ... he will never be Paro's. Seems like he just broke that one too.

Paro calmly points out that yes, Varun wasn't her husband, she misunderstood the situation, and look how much pain that gave her. So give Laila a chance.

Rudra isn't convinced at all ... and hurrah, he uses his brains! Calls Aman ... is there any activity on the Teju front? Could Laila's story be true? Finally does some fact finding before making a decision. Looks like Paro's calm good sense is already having some impact ... or maybe, now that he's sure of Paro by his side, his brain can work in other matters.

Paro looks after Laila ... instead of Paro distrusting Laila, she asks Laila if she trusts her!
Laila does nautanki of being bechari ... Paro stuns her by telling her that she knows Laila loves Rudra ...
Laila tries to tell her it's over between her and Rudra ...
Par already knows that!

And Laila does nautanki of leaving ... of course Paro will stop her.

Laila was obviously faking ... or was it Ankita who was unimpressive? Ashish was good today, more restrained than his usual breakdowns ... except for the last tears and the walk to the door. Sanaya was lovely as the calm, strong Paro ... the strength behind her man. Her dialogues in the first scene were lovely. 

6/5 - Epi 92 ... Love Is In The Air

Tuesday 6th May

Feel good episode ... as Rudra finally starts to soften ...

Dilsher is back ... whoopiee!!!

Mohini sacrifices Sumer for the greater good ... er, goal ... she still hasn't given up. So poor Sumer is consigned to the outhouse, much to his disgust. He still is his mom's faithful follower, though.
Danveer was unexpectedly stern and unyielding ... don't think Mohini expected that.

For once, she's happy at Dilsher's unexpected arrival ... he saves Sumer.

The episode was full of cute moments

Dilsher is very happy with his new daughter-in-law ... not so happy with his son.
He notices Paro's perceptiveness in recognising and pandering to Rudra's ego, not allowing him to feel bad about his frozen hand ... by feeding him the laddoo with her right hand.
Paro gesturing to Rudra that they should take Dilsher's blessings ... Rudra clueless ... Dilsher explains, Paro does the needful for both of them.
Paro starts to ask Rudra ... he replies to her unspoken question ... yes, he took his medicines ... Dilsher even happier ... they have started unspoken communication already!
And as Rudra follows Paro out, Dilsher murmurs delightedly ... the boy is changing. 

Rudra finally back in office ... Aman having a good laugh over his Major's love life, points out helpfully that Rudra took Paro's name when he woke up from coma ... something which Dilsher also just pointed out to Rudra a short while back.
Surprise surprise, Rudra doesn't snap or growl.
Paro arrives with Rudra's medicines ... surprise, surprise, Rudra doesn't bark or growl at her either ... he even manages a thanks ... and asks her how will she get back home ...
Paro thrilled at that little show of concern. Actually it's just good manners, Paro, but kya karein, your hubby never had a mom to teach him the basics ... he has a lot of learning to do!
Aman can't stop grinning ... his boss has fallen hard!

Not content with checking with Paro, Rudra then calls Dilsher to check if Paro reached back safely ... Dilsher even more tickled ... confirms it ... Rudra is acting like a normal human being, and not a bear with a sore head ... Dilsher always knew Paro was the right girl for him.

Paro, listening, is even more thrilled ... he actually called to check on her ... he does care ... he is starting to care ...
Then she remembers ... these days of happiness are numbered ... she has promised to leave once he recovers, these small moments of happiness will soon be the only memories she has to carry her through the rest of her life.

Rudra returns home in completely maudlin mode ... the beginning of realisation of love, everything seems sweet, everything seems good, everything makes him smile ... including the doll propped up on the cabinet ... Memories of Paro assail him ... Paro smiling, laughing, teasing ... and his own face breaks into the smallest of smiles. Paro has finally brought a smile to his face. The stone is melting. Love is in the air.

And loved the last PaRud scene, as Paro tells Rudra to hold on to her, and not let her go ... not now, not ever.

Now it remains to be seen how Laila will alter this happy state. Uurrghhh!!!

Liked Ashish's acting today ... he was restrained and quiet, and the absence of the perennially grouchy look from his face was a welcome change. Good to see the back of the angry young man ... at least for some time ... his expressions and his dialogues were getting very repetitive.
Sanaya was adorable in all her scenes. Especially the solo scene, where Paro smiles shyly with delight that Rudra is finally showing some concern for her ... and then remembers that this happiness will be short-lived.

And loved her in the last PaRud scene, as Paro holds Rudra's hand, tells him to imagine she is the person he hates and to hold on to her ... and finally tells him ... hold on to me, and don't let me go ... not now, not ever. 
Her heart's wish ... that he holds on to her even if she tries to leave.

5/5 - Epi 91 ... Nautanki Drama Queen

Monday 5th May

Cannot believe Mohini kakisa ... she doesn't even hesitate to sacrifice her own son for her greed. Or maybe she figured that Danveer would go easier on Sumer and just throw him out ...

Rudra was silent during the dinner because he had the proof that Paro and Maithili had painstakingly collected ... the report that they forgot to pick up ... so I was partially right.
Of course he makes it a point to rub into Paro that he always does things properly with proof, and she was silly to go ahead without it ... and I was so glad when Paro turned around and gave it right back to him ... always?! Not in her case, he didn't bother with any proof in her case ... just went ahead and condemned her blindly. Anyway, she's glad that this time he trusted her and the proof that she and Maithili had collected before they levelled their accusations. So Rudra was temporarily silenced ... until he saw Sumer skulking around, and left Paro for the more urgent task of catching Sumer and Mohini red-handed.

Have to add ... Rudra's pompous lecture to Paro on collecting proof was rather misplaced ... for more than one reason. Paro is the one who HAS collected proof ... Paro and Maithili both ... for the fire incident, and again for this laddoo incident. Rudra just collected the report! And for the fire incident, he didn't do a damn thing!
For the photograph incident too, he came across the envelope, and then only did he start thinking about the culprit. Before that, he condemned Paro straight off.

So Mohini KcM is caught ... and in a long drawn out drama, she confesses, and then turns around and pins the blame on a flabbergasted Sumer ... Sumer's reactions were epic today!

The entire episode was dominated by Mohini's OTT drama - Mohini's, not Ananya's - Mohini was meant to be OTT and over-dramatic today, and she was ... VERY OTT! 

But that one scene stood out ... where Rudra very pompously lectures Paro about collecting proof before making any accusations ... proof which she HAS collected, she and Maithili ... he only collected the report ... so his lecture was pretty out of place in any case! 

And she turns around quietly and asks him ... except in my case? 

Every time he accused her without proof ... and what was more, he made not an iota of effort to FIND proof to prove her guilty or innocent ...

Yet this girl is not angry ... she just points out directly and without a shred of rancour or mallice ... where was that proof in my case, when you judged, condemned and punished me ... with no proof? 

Paro holds up a mirror to Rudra ... she is his conscience  keeper as well as his soul mate ... hopefully the direct words will kick him into a realisation of the many times he has been unfair to her and misjudged her ... without any proof. 

Loved Sanaya's expressions in that scene ... Sanaya's restrained acting, the calmness that she brings to Paro ... her ever changing expressions are all in her eyes. And I am loving the character Paro more and more ... the calm strength, the quiet courage ... developing beautifully from a timid shy village girl into a woman of substance, an equal to her man.  

Addendum- Also posting link of Sanaya's interview in a Nagpur newspaper - lovely interview. This girl is so straight forward and honest.
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4010863

Direct HD link of the interview - http://www.ehitavada.com/news.detail/paper_type/13/news_id/362207/date/2014-05-05 

2/5 - Epi 90 ... Exposed ... Or Not?

Friday 2nd May

Mohini is one confident vixen ... and desperate when cornered. Next week things should be interesting.

First scene was nice, the rest was a pretty TRP oriented episode ... I enjoyed it, with Paro taking centre-stage and daring Mohini to come clean. And Mohini actually eats the laddoo ... what a woman!

So Paro tells Rudra he has to learn to help himself, instead of just sitting and grouching, and leaves him to it ... but keeps a watchful eye on him from outside. And Rudra, maybe spurred into action by her words, which held a sting, tries ... tries ... and manages, after a few abortive attempts, to get one piece of apple to his mouth ... his left hand aiding the right.
So when you lose something, remember what you still have left with you.

Ashish and director ... that was probably the worst piece of acting of a paralysed arm that I have ever seen. Hands and fingers don't tremble when they're paralysed, they are STILL.

Maithili tells Paro what she has learned ... and the girls try to decide how to expose Mohini.

Back home ... Mohini welcomes Rudra with ulta aarti ... Paro steps in straight away ... putting Mohini on the back foot, wondering at this new, confident, suddenly aggressive Paro.
Paro wants to help Rudra in ... he growls at her as usual, that he doesn't need help ... so she soothes his ego by saying she's the one who needs help ...
Rudra is such a grouch!!!

And the dinner table was all about exposing Mohini ... first by putting her on the defensive by Paro refusing to let Rudra eat what was served by her ... then tasting it herself ... then bringing out the poisoned laddoos and challenging her to taste them.
Interesting ... only Sumer stood to defend Mohini. Neither Samrat nor Danveer.
Danveer finally snapped and told Mohini to taste the laddoo ... to put his fears at rest ... interesting way of putting it. So Danveer believes that Mohini's greed can drive her to these lengths.

Rudra stayed quiet ... only intervening to admonish Mohini not to call his wife any names. Watchful, alert, listening to everything going on ...

And Mohini finally driven into a corner, eats a laddoo ... that was a shocker. So will Paro be thrown out? Will Mohini get away with this?
The precap was even more shocking ... Mohini is trying to hide the effects of the poisoning.
So again ... will she actually get away with this?

Very TRP type episode ... the fort was held by Paro and Mohini ... able support by Maithili.
Rudra had nothing much to do ...he didn't even look too shocked at most of Paro's revelations ... but he did look well rested  ... and good in his white kurta :)
Danveer was good ... effective.


Posting this pic here because it's simply WOW!!!

1/5 - Epi 89 ... Some Home Truths

1st May Thursday


Maithili jasoos - Maithili is smart, as smart as Paro ... the doctor tells her the report, and she puts together all the pieces ... Mohini refusing to do the SN puja, then her sudden about turn, the laddoos in a separate plate for Paro ... so Maithili knows the identity of the poisoner. Will the doctor give the report to the BSD?

The mandir scene -
Slightly melodramatic ... less melodramatic than I expected, and Sanaya was beautiful in the scene. Loved her acting there.
I think the dear panditji was hinting that Paro give something of value to the temple ... a favourite piece of jewelry, some gold ... maybe if he was lucky, she might even donate some land or somethingHe went on and on about donating 'amulya vastu' ... valuable thing.

Instead poor fellow was taken aback when she donated her husband ... something he had no value forNo wonder he gave her one measly flower as prasad!

For Paro, of course, Rudra and her relationship with Rudra is the most valuable and precious thing in her life ... also the last thing he told her before eating the laddoo was that he wished she would leave him ... he wanted chutkara from her.

I loved the flashbacks in the temple scene as Paro thought about what was the most precious thing in her life ... very well chosen, put together, they strung a beautiful tale.

So Rudra will get what he wished for ... always a two edged sword. Paro wished for a husband with Lord Shiv's name, and look what it got her - an active volcano.

I'm very glad this is happening ... Rudra banna had it very easy ... Paro has been fussing around him, and giving him no space with her frequent declarations of love ... and he's been taking Paro completely for granted ... something most men do Good thing she will back off from him, and he will realise what he's missing!

The last PaRud scene - 

Everyone in the family is petrified of Rudra's anger ... but when Paro deal with him so calmly and firmly, his anger looks and sounds like the sulky tantrums of a two year old child ... not scary at all. 

I loved the way she gave him the last of the apple and said, now feed yourself ... I've helped you till here, now you can have to do the rest alone. Wise words ... and perfect truth in those words ... people can shower their love and affection on him all they like ... and they do ... Paro, Kakusa, Dilsher ... even Maithili in her own quiet way ... Aman, Col Singh, Mrs Singh ... Rudra has a lot of people in his life who care about him. Yet he stays imprisoned in his anger and his bitterness, and refuses to come out. That self-realisation has to hit him ... before he takes hold of himself and works to overcome it. And only he can do it ... but he has to WANT to do so. Not remain imprisoned in his cage of self-pity and bitterness all his life, and continue to blame the world, and specifically 'beautiful women' all his life. 

Also he did lose his job, and while he wanted to marry Paro, a fact he will die before he admits, in his current state of mind ... he didn't want to be forced into it. And Paro, ever since she admitted she loved him, has pretty much been smothering him with her frequent vows of eternal love, Shiv-Parvati and they were meant to be tales ... he's already having a tough time fighting his feelings, he doesn't want to be told that yes, he does love her, because he doesn't WANT to love her ... and he's furious enough that he can't control himself. And that all comes out in his roughness and rudeness to Paro. 

Paro is right ... she has lost much more in life that Rudra has ... she has only a single living relative, whom she is not even allowed to see ... she has a husband who professes to hate her, was forced into marrying her, and instead of making the best of it, grouches and grumbles and rants and raves about how he was forced into marrying her to save his job 24/7 ... completely forgetting his own role in the entire marriage drama. She has a witch for a MIL. But she chooses to concentrate on the positives ... she forges relationships where she can find them, builds bridges where she finds a scrap of cement ... and moves ahead.

So I'm very glad that she will step back from him ... very glad that she already stepped back from him today. His surprise was evident when she calmly and briskly handed the last of the apple to him, and told him ... now you manage yourself, I'm sure you can. 

Liked Aman again today ... he was very cute as he attempted to translate Rudra's mumbled words into sense for Paro ... not that she really needed the translation. And loved the way Rudra's gaze zeroed in on Paro's hurt feet, and his demand she see a doctor ... although he spoiled the effect later by telling her that her temple visit didn't mean anything to him, and wouldn't win him back to her. Not realising that she had just promised to give him up.

Ah Rudra ... be careful what you wish for. That social worker Damyanti was very wise ... words spoken in anger can destroy relationships.