Sanaya's visit to Egypt

Updated ... lots of gorgeous pics and a couple of interviews.

For now, a collage of some of the pics I like the best.

Translations of some of the interviews - there were quite a few! All translations courtesy Feten Melliti.

Sanaya's interview in Nesf El Dunia

(Cover story) 

Sanaya Irani the famous Khushi: " I didn't enjoy Egypt's beauty coz of my sickness"

Started her career as a model in some promos and left her studies to focus on it. Got huge fame in India & now in the arab world after she portrayed Khushi in IPKKND

She is the Indian Actress Sanaya Irani. Nesf al Dunia (name of the mag) met her in her 1st visit to Egypt & revealed some secrets: Is Indian Drama will be a trend as Turkish ones? & what is Habibi Daiman (Rangrasiya) & wht abt her wed details that will talk abt it for the first time & other revealed secrets.

Mag: 1st I' d like to welcome u in Egypt & is it ur 1st coming & wht's ur impressions?

SI: I m happy I m here in Egypt & it's my 1st time but I m really upset coz it's only for 2 days & unfortunately I got sick so I didn't hang out but I m very happy because I m here.

Mag: Wht do u feel after ur serial success in arab world?

SI: I don't knw exactly wht ppl found in my character Khushi but I m really happy that ppl loved it & interacted with & they want to have pic with me. I really feel like I ve got success here & that's wht I can see frm the audiences.

Mag: did u expect the serial success in Egypt?

SI: actually this success is like having my fav chocolate cake

Mag: Khushi was so perfect, is all Indian girls like her?

SI: each one has his own personality. Maybe we have some ppl that they look as khushi but ppl are very different

Mag: IPKKND was over than 300 eps did u feel bored that time?

SI: I really loved my character that time that I didn't feel at all that we crossed 300 ep & whn the show was over I was like I want 2 add more events for it coz I really loved it

Mag: is there any 4th season for IPKKNd ( here coz in arab world IPKKNd was cut into 3 seasons)?

SI: actually I don't knw if there is a new season

Mag: usually steps after success are very hard, why have u chosen Habibi Daiman (RR)?

SI: 1st I wanted sth different frm khushi that's why I chose Paru. 2nd RR was a very exciting story & I really wanted to work with the crew since beginning

Both experiences are very different, in IPKKND khushi had a romantic story since beginning, but in RR paro is having a great life with her husband till Rudra destroys her life by killing her husband & takes her with him & changes her life & love starts. Actually I enjoyed both the experiences ( meant khushi & paro) actually u ll see me in a different role

Mag: Do u think Indian drama will be a trend as Turkish drama then everything is over or will continue?

SI: finally it's a business & it's not related abt India or Turkey. If it's a good project they will pursue on it & they will ask for more if not they will stop it. Actually we have some serials that were stopped after 30 ep coz it doesn't have success.

Mag: coming back 2 ur identity, u re a Parsi Indian girl hw did this affected u?

SI: I was born in India & my grand mother is Parsi that s how I have choosen my surname. That's my relation with Iran but I lived all my life in India.

Mag: Indian Medias talked about your wedding & your relation with Mohit Sehgal. Is it true & r u going 2 marry soon?

SI: of course we r preparing for our wed in January after a cute love story. I believe that my private life is only for me, but I ll tell about my wed. actually Indian medias r talking a lot about my wed & I let them talk whatever they want.

Mag: In India they believe that after the marriage a 2nd life starts r u afraid frm that?

SI: laughing: yeah in india they believe in this but I don't feel like I ll start a new life. Actually society is suffering frm this problem I ll pursue my same life & wht will change the fact that I ll live with the person that I love

Mag: u participated only in Fanaa hw do u find this experience?

 SI: whn I participated in Fanaa I was a model & had no commitments & I was waiting to have some other commercials. Despite that I had a small role the move had success & it's not one of my movie projects.

Mag: u got an award recently as u were named in the list of the 10th best Indian Tv actresses hw did u find it?

SI: thx to God. I m only working & doing my characters but I really didn't expect this & especially for Khushi I ve never thought IPKKND will get that success

Mag: r u satisfied with ur success?

SI: I don't have any aspirations but I m really happy of wht I got & I don't knw wht I ll have in the future

Sanaya's interview with ET Bil Arabi 

Habibi Dayman (Rangrasiya) is another famous serial which now aired on mbc bollywood & for its promotion the heroine Sanaya Irani visited Egypt 
Narden ( the host who made the IV) met her & talked to her & felt a lil bit surprised frm her character
Narden said hundreds of Egyptians went 2 C the Indian Actress Sanaya Irani in a big feast made in Porto cairo while she came to promote her serial RR on mbc bollywood 
whn they showed Scenes of IPK the host Nardeen was saying: "in a very short period Khushi or Sanaya was crowned the Best Indian Serial Actress in arab world through her 1st serial IPK & now with her serial Habibi Daiman which is telecasting exclusively on mbc bollywood"
whn they put RR scenes host said: "this fame isn't new coz sanaya is already a TV star & had so many successful serials in India & also had a film experience in Fanaa with Aamir Khan & Kajol "
whn showed promos host Said :" & that's wht made her accepts 2 be part with famous Bollywood actors in small roles"
then comeback to the two hosts
boy: these character made her wins 2 days ago the most popular actress in India ( i think he meant TV personnality of the year) 
girl: i think the end of 2015 will b successful for Sanaya because in addition to this title so many ppl said that Sanaya got engaged but till now she didn't say anything abt that 

the link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksh3V29YDBA&feature=youtu.be

Sanaya's Interview with Al Masri Alyawn

Sanaya Irani's huge serial success IPK in Egypt was due 2 several things as best scenario,music, idea acting...
Sanaya said that had some troubles in the begining while making khushi coz she s not that romantic as her & said also that till now there is no new part of this show 
she also added that she wished RR will have a success coz it already doesn't have that huge success in India & hopes that Egyptian serials will be dubbed in Hindi 2 have an opportunity
NP: According 2 u wht made IPK a huge success in Egypt & Arab world?
SI: the great work imposes itself. actually it was an incredible project starting frm acting till actors, direction, music, quality of the pic everything was good & each thing is another missing part 4 d other that's why it had a success
NP: did u expect this success & have u found some difficulties in this role?
SI: I expected the success coz it's a romantic & comedy show & i think according 2 some assumptions arabs love this. i tried 2 make khushi as simple as possible not that much complicated despite that she s not like me i m a lil bit practical & that was a big challenge 4 me
NP: r u preparing another part frm this show?
SI: i don't have any idea abt this & i didn't talk abt this
NP: Do u have an idea abt Egyptian movies & serials?
SI: actually no, coz i speak english & these works r not dubbed in english. i think they have to start making it like that it will help it a lot 2 b spreaded worldwide as wht happened 2 indian projects that s y we can see now specific channels 4 them as mbc bollywood
NP: hw did u choose RR?
SI: it's very different frm IPK as the whole story & my role too. RR talks abt some family issues & there is a love story there also i really loved it since 1st time i ve read the story. i wish it will have success here coz already in india it didn't take that success of IPK coz the latter was delivering the smile & laugh 4 everybody & that wht they really need. But RR is a social & romantic one so here is the difference
NP: Wht do u think abt the long serials & do u think that Indian serials r kind of trend & will disappear one day as wht happened 2 Turkish serials in Egypt?
SI: I believe in the good work & any producer wants 2 earn money coz he already spent a lot of course. so if it will succeed he s gonna look 4 other parts 2 it. it's not abt the nationality of the work but it's actually abt if u accept 2 telecast it despite u knw the huge nbr of episodes.

Finally, a long interview with Porte Cairo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7pDYlgv14I

What a Lovely IV! I still cant believe that there was such a massive crowd to see and meet her.

She is enjoying herself and seems so happy to see the crowds ... incidentally, they were all shouting 'we love Sanaya' ... what an achievement for her as a TV actress, where actors are more often remembered for their roles, and not for their real selves. This kind of treatment is usually given to BW stars; I am so happy for her.

She spoke at length about IPKKND ... I loved how much she respects the show and role that made her what she is, even after 4 years and in spite of having moved on!

Also loved how she described Rangrasiya, Paro and the Indian culture. She respects all her shows, and gives her best to every role she does, and it shows in the pride she takes in describing Rangrasiya and Paro. 

She also spoke so fondly about her chemistry with Ashish and how she thinks it was as good as her chemistry with BS (or more IMO). 

The host, so much like everyone who interviews her,  seemed smitten by her enthusiasm and zest and kept reminding her about how popular she is in the Arab world and how much the fans love her. And she could see that for herself ... she was genuinely delighted by the fans' reactions. 

Pics from the interview:

IPKKND Ek Jashn - Epi 8 ... Arshi Hamesha

Will update episode 8 as soon as I get time ... just want to say ... fitting ending to the show, the ending we all wanted three years ago ... we didn't get it then, but we got it now. Ek Jashn was badly scripted and poorly presented, but Sanaya and Barun still managed to re-create some of the magic ...  mainly Sanaya, I would say ... barun looked pretty much out of it all along.

Khushi's monologues .... nope, can't call them monologues .... her animated conversations with Devi Maiyya were so much more in character than Arnav's rambling mumbling ... and finally we saw an Arnav lost in love with his Khushi, who truly is his Khushi, who has brought happiness and joy into his life ... and a Khushi who is finally secure and confident in her husband's love, and her sense of belonging.

Lots of bloopers ... will update in detail later. 

IPKKND - ek Jashn ... epi 7 - Khushi is back!

Epi Seven ... and Khushi is back! The sunshine of the show, the heart and soul of the show (even more so after watching six episodes of a boring, lifeless Arnav/BS) is back .... and with her, some life and spark finally comes into the jashn.

Though before that we have to sit through some six minutes of BS (I don't even bother to call him Arnav any more) again reminiscing about forgotten events ... to be fair, about events he did not know about ... Khushi's first birthday after marriage ... Buaji's completely unreasonable, yet completely justified demand ;) that Khushi did not need to tell him it was her  birthday, he should have known!!! Such a typically illogical argument from Buaji!!!! 

The flashbacks have obviously been put in after BS shot for the narration, and he either had no clue what they were all about, or he didn't care to put in the right expressions ... the flashbacks were so intense, especially the second one, and when they end, today's Arnav goes amiably back to reminiscing or talking to Babuji on the phone, without an iota of guilt, regret, amusement, or any feeling at all about that day three years ago ... in that case, what exactly was the point of the flashback? And this has happened throughout this jashn.  Bad writing, bad direction, poor acting and very poor acting ... blame goes to all four departments, whoever was responsible. His expressions and dialogues should have had some connect with the flashbacks as they ended ... they had none.

Finally Khushi calls ... and lo and behold ... she is in the house ... has been all along! The little drama about leaving for Lucknow was just to give him a jolt ... a day that means so much to her ... and her beloved husband has forgotten it three years in a row! He deserved some punishment, and that's what he got. Khushi being Khushi, she didn't carry out her threat of leaving him, of course!!!

Dia's note - Also, the writers needed some excuse for an Arshi fight ... this was as good as any ... considering the singular lack of thought that has gone into the writing of this jashn.

So Arnav guided by Khushi's voice on the phone ... Dia's note .. so good to hear that naughty mischievous voice ... even her voice has a sparkle in it! ... goes to Naniji's room ... to find a smiling Khushi waiting for him.



Expectedly he loses his temper ... and justifiably so ... how dare she put him through this ... and finally we get a glimpse of the old Arnav/ASR!  Halleluiah!!! One of the best aspects of the Arnav-Khushi relationship was their fiery fights, where they both fought as equals ... both actors were so good at these intense confrontations, the lightening quick repartee's and quickfire responses. For the first time, it felt that Arnav and Khushi were really back. 

Khushi in turn gets annoyed ... well, she was never one to cow down before his temper ... so equally expectedly, she fights back ... he forgot the anniversary, and now he's getting angry with her?! And she shuts him out of the room. An ordinary date for him, but a date which means so much to her, a date she remembers every year with gratitude and prayers to Devi Maiyya ...

And Arnav struck finally with remorse, goes into pleading mode ... he's sorry, he knows it's his fault, but he missed her, he hasn't spoken to her the whole day ... she knows he can't live without her ... he missed her ... aww ... Nice to see the angry ASR tamed into this pleading pussycat ... he put Khushi through a lot, she deserves all the love and care she gets.

I didn't listen much to him though ... I was concentrating on Sanaya's face, and the myriad of expressions that chased through it ... Khushi trying to retain a hold on her temper and her anger, but in reality melting with his words and his regret ... trying to stop herself from rushing out into his arms ... because she does know how much he loves her ... and she can't really bear to see him hurt ot upset even a bit ... especially not due to her. So much in character ... Khushi was always a fiery fiesty tigress in the face of ASR's anger, but melted completely in the face of a mushy loving Arnav ... and we saw both sides of Khushi warring with each other as she listened to Arnav's pleas.  
Sanaya is always brilliant at portraying emotions through her eyes, and her face is a delight and pleasure to watch!
And the episode ends just as Khushi has melted and is ready to rush out to Arnav ...

So good to see Sanaya acting again ... every time I watch her, she reminds me as to why I love her as an actress first and foremost. Barun was much more in character today ... an actor needs other actors to feed off, long monologues can be carried only by very few actors, and he is not one of them. His dialogue delivery is bad at the best of times ... whose idea was it to give him the narrator's role?! A really, really bad idea. 

The final episode will be Arnav and Khushi celebrating their anniversary ... in solitude? Again such bad planning ... would be lovely to see the entire family there ... IPKKND was special not just because of Arnav-Khushi, but because of each and every member of the family. 

IPKKND - ek Jashn ... epi 5 & 6

So apparently feedback has gone to Hotstar about the complete idiocy of this jashn ... imagine celebrating an epic love story without the heroine ... so whom exactly is the hero romancing? Himself?! Or HP?!
Whoever came up with this script for the Jashn should shoot himself in the head ... or in the hand, so that he/she doesn't do any more writing for some time. Unless this was their intention ... to effectively kill Arnav Singh Raizada once and for  all, and give a complete closure to the show ... after all, it was supposed to end with his death ... or rather, his part was to end with his death, and the show was to go on. In which case, they have achieved their purpose. ASR is definitely dead and gone. RIP, Arnav bitwa.

Saw both episodes in ffwd mode ... again not much to write or review ... again lazy writing, as Arnav actually mocked Khushi's suicide attempt, and the despair that led her to take that step ... even the flashbacks were boring today. The Holi one was cute. Arnav still can't say 'I love you'? He needs to be kidnapped to say it? Wish they had shown some of Khushi and Mami sleuthing ... those were cute scenes.

A good actor is a good actor, regardless of show, regardless of director. Utkarshaji proved it when she reprised Mamiji today ... despite doing a number of other roles since IPKKND, and despite being in another show currently, she did her homework and put up a very creditable act of Mamiji. Barun was Barun. That bhaang making bit made me cringe ... blame it all on the shoddy writing! Seems that the writers have put no thought at all into these reunion episodes ... and Barun is useless as narrator ... he cannot summon any enthusiasm or expression in his voice ... at best, he sounds faintly amused most of the time.

And HS seems to be in damage control mode ... after the outcry on Twitter of yet another Khushi-less episode, they put up the next one very quickly today itself, which finally had Khushi in the precap. So let's hope Saturday is better.

One small glimpse of Sanaya and her smile is enough to light up the screen. 

IPKKND - ek Jashn ... Day 4

Saturday 5 Nov

Not really inspired to write much ... there is no new content at all. Another conversation, this time between Anjali and Arnav, again more about how he fell in love with Khushi ... entire IPKKND seems to be about how Arnav fell in love with Khushi. Would have liked to see at least half the jashn devoted to how Khushi fell in love with Arnav too ... she had reason to love him and hate him both. And Sanaya would have acted it out much better.

I liked the Anjali Arnav interaction ... it's so true that actors feed off each other, and their level of performance depends on their coactors. Akshay is a mediocre actor at best, and with him, Barun was equally bad, so was the Akash-Arnav scene last episode. Neither of two put any effort into their acting, and it showed in the lazy interactions which were much more Akshay-Barun than Akash-Arnav.
Daljeet is a better actress, and she made more effort, and Barun was better with her, though again the essence of ASR is gone completely. What on earth was that wink and thumbs up to the audience when he tells Anjali, that yes, Khushi was looking 'not bad' at Diwali ... it was so completely out of character that I cringed. Actually, the whole idea of the jashn with Barun talking to the audience is bad ... he is bad as an anchor, and ASR as anchor is anyway a poor choice.

Also, I did not like Anjali joking about the hate marriage and how Khushi didn't talk to Devi Maiyya for so long ... that was a traumatic period in all their lives, and the guilt of the hate marriage and how Khushi was treated after that, is something that should haunt Anjali and Arnav all their lives ... not be made a joke off. Especially by someone as devout as Anjali ... if Arnav had made that joke, it might have sounded more in character ... but again, he cannot joke about the biggest mistake he made in his life. Again, lazy writing and lack of thought by the writers ... they have definitely forgotten the characters they created. And the actors seem to have done this just for a lark, and for the love of the show ... all except BS, of course, who had no great love for the show, and has done it just for the money!

The bulk of the episode was flashback scenes, which I enjoyed ... New Year was hilarious, Sanaya was brilliant there as the harassed, harried Khushi. I realised while watching this, Barun gets a very dumb look on his face when he is acting confused and out of his depth Arnav. He was much better in the Diwali and the Teri Meri scenes. Those flashbacks were great to watch.

So next episode will be mami ... Khushi will be there in the last two episodes, I guess ... three,  if we're lucky.

Sanaya - Mohit Wedding

Making a separate post for this important day in Sanaya's life, and articles are flooding in, will post the ones I like, many are copied.



From the flood of articles coming in, this news is true this time ... also it is good timing for the couple ... Mohit is settled in a job, a show which will has steadied and will go on for a few years probably, Sanaya is on a break, and is at the peak of her popularity in the industry as well as with the viewers, so she will find it easy to return ... both their careers are stable.

Article in TOI ... 

Following our report about Sanaya Irani tying the knot with Mohit Sehgal in January in Goa - the details are being concealed fiercely by the TV couple. 

We have now learnt that the date has been fixed for the fag end of the month. A reliable source informs that the two will exchange marital vows on January 25 amid the beautiful locales of Goa. 

"It will be a two-day affair and the rituals will begin on 24th. The wedding will take place on 25. Even those who have been invited didn't know of the date until recently." 

The actors chose not to revert to our text message. Mohit is currently seen in 'Sarojini', while Sanaya was last seen in 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'.

Colors suddenly posted a pic of Sanaya as Paro on twitter .. wonder why they woke up! Posted it ehre because she is looking so pretty!!!





3rd Dec - 
Very nice article in Bollywoodlife ... a site I normally dislike, but for once, they have published a good one.

http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/five-reasons-why-we-just-love-mohit-sehgal-and-sanaya-irani/

On the occasion of the Sarojini actor’s birthday, we do a lowdown on what makes Sanaya and him such a lovable pair

Actor Mohit Sehgal who is now seen as Somendra in the show, Sarojini celebrates his birthday today. The cute actor is all set to tie the knot with his girlfriend of seven years, Sanaya Irani in January 2016. On his birthday today, we list down five reasons why Mohit and Sanaya’s jodi is loved by fans.

Rock steady
In an industry where relationships are known to be fickle, these two have stuck together for seven long years. They met for the first time on the sets of Miley Jab Hum Tum and have been together since then. No rumour ever came in between them.

Lovey-dovey
Unlike many couples who don’t admit to their relationship, Mohit-Sanaya have always been open about their relationship. They don’t hesitate from supporting each other. We saw how Mohit cheered Sanaya during Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded.

Respect
The two have enough faith and respect for each other. We never hear about how they interfere in each other’s work or do things just to gain publicity. We have never seen them indulging in cheap publicity.

Secure
They love each other and know it. Mohit and Sanaya have never discussed their marriage plans or spoke about taking it to the next level in these seven years. They knew they would get married and finally the time has come.

Opposites attract
Sanaya is extremely chirpy and can talk non-stop but Mohit is a lot quieter. She is the firecracker while he’s the calm sort though he’s younger to her by a couple of years.

Other Shows and Movies

Have started watching Parvarish Season 2 ... and still watching the Iqbak Khan show, both on Sony ... the latter has such a long name, I don't remember it! Both are going okay ...

Parvarish has just started, and this time around, it seems to be more about the aspirations and ambitions of the parents, rather than the upbringing of the children. Acting is good all through, the parents, the children, and the grandparents.

The Iqbal Khan show - IK is excellent, Mona Singh is very average, but watchable. The supporting cast is all good, except the new entrants, Naina is mediocre ... her parents are senior actors, they are quite average actors too.

Watched the movie Tamasha this evening .. I liked it a lot. Well done ... there was an admixture of the street theatre tradition in the narration, and a constant movement of time frames, past, present, back to past, and then an intermingling of past and present ... a departure from the usual linear narrative of films ... which made it a very interesting watch.

The acting of the two leads was excellent. I read reviews saying that Deepika had less screen space, but I found her screen space quite adequate, and she completely excelled in her scenes ... her presence was felt even when she wasn't there ... she was brilliant. And she looked gorgeous ... she wore fabulous clothes, short dresses and shorts with sneakers for the Corsica part, and formal wear for her return to real life ... she looked amazing! She overshadowed Ranbir for both my daughter and me ... and that's saying something. Both of us came out raving about her looks and her clothes and her acting. I had also read that Ranbir's acting was similar to his role in Barfii ... I found no similarity at all. He was very good too. The little boy who plays junior Ved was also brilliant. All in all, a good watch ... not a brainless movie, so it might not do as well as the Dabangg and Rowdy Rathore types.

The trailers of both Dilwale and Bajirao Mastaani are quite spectacular ... want to watch them both. 

IPKKND - ek Jashn ... Day 3

Tuesday 1st December

Am going on a rant ... all stalkers,  especially BS fans ... can stay away!

What crap are they dishing out in the name of a reunion? No Sanaya/Khushi for three episodes out of the eight, a wishy washy watered down Arnav Singh Raizada ... first episode I called him a tame pussycat ... in the third episode, he seems to have become a mouse! So he's going by train to Lucknow because Khushi is scared of flying ... in 3 years, haven't they gone anywhere by plane? And Khushi was the most intrepid one in trying out new adventures ... darti hai par karti hai was her motto in life ... she was ready to fly to London when he was kidnapped ... this was ridiculous ... just to show that Arnav has become such a good husband ... or that Khushi's word is law even on stupid matters.

Khushi breaking a coconut for the new car, and tying Devi Maiyya ki chunni on the rear view mirror was at least believable ... very much so!

The Akash Arnav scene was rubbish  ... badly written, badly directed and badly acted ... both men were hanging uncomfortably somewhere between their real selves and their characters ... trying to be their characters, and failing miserably, because their real life relationship is obviously very different from the much more formal one Akash and Arnav share. Arnav asking Akash if Payal's baby bump is showing yet, when she's eight months pregnant, was such a crappy piece of writing ... how many months has it been since Arnav saw Payal?!
And the Arnav-Mami flashback was frankly boring ... I wanted to ffwd it. Absence of Khushi robs the episodes and scenes of all their spark.

The only part worth a  watch was the Payash flashback, their confession engineered by Arnav and Khushi ... at least we saw the original characters there. And that scene was funny ... I had enjoyed it a lot in the show ... and hadn't really watched it again much ... was good to do a rewind review of this one.

And if Arnav is asking Di to talk about family planing and babies to Khushi, it's going to slip from ridiculous to absurd.

Daljeet was looking sweet though ... looking forward to seeing her in the next episode. Looks like Sanaya was too busy to give this RU much time ... but the men can't hold the show together even for three short episodes ... Sanaya held it together for three months!!!

Not giving a detailed update because I watched this once, and it holds no repeat value whatsoever.

In other news ... Sanaya and Mohit probably getting married in Jan 2016 ... :)



All the news portals are abuzz with the news, it sounds like it's true this time. It's good timing for both of them ... Sanaya is on a break, but is very much in demand and is at the peak of her career, so she can afford to take the break and come back in a few months. Mohit finally has a steady job with a show that's doing well for the slot it's in. I feel that's what they were waiting for ... for his career to stabilise ... that's something I remember from one of San's earliest interviews after they started going out together.

So wish them all the best, and hope Mohit always keeps Sanaya as happy as he has been doing the last few years. Otherwise he is in trouble ... San fans will skin him alive!!!

And of course, hope to hear news of Sanaya's comeback soon in a rocking new show. Preferably hope we get the news before the wedding, or just after ... and hope we get some pics of Sanaya ... she will make a beautiful bride! 

IPKKND ek Jashn ... Day 2

Saturday 28th November



My beautiful banner, made by Shweta ... thanks, Shwets!


Day two 
More flashbacks from Arnav ... starting with rewind of Khushi's annoyed phone call ... why is he bad-mouthing her? She's leaving! To which all Arnav can say is, 'haven't you already left?' Which infuriates Khushi further ... Arnav's response is to tell HP not to relay all he says to his wife ... considering that Arnav is mainly reminiscing about his love story, would have thought it would be good for that to get back to Khushi!

So Arnav gets back to reminiscing ... he loves plants, Khushi says that's because they don't answer him back, and he likes that ... which is possibly true ... or maybe not ... because Khushi answers him back all the time. And he remembers their first meeting in the dargah when he told her he doesn't believe in God, and her reaction ...

Time for another flashback ... the dargah one ...  

Gifts arrive for Khushi from the Guptas ...

Nani calls ... (not in the flesh, sadly) ... and expresses annoyance that Arnav forgot his anniversary ... yet again.
Arnav not noticeably bothered ... he has a plan in place. He will take Khushi to the dargah and they will both open their locks with their mannat ki chaabis. A few fumbles later, he locates his key, and the Lucknow tickets. And muses that if Khushi saw him fumbling around, she would start talking nineteen to the dozen ... how can anyone talk so much? He can't ...

Dia's note - Considering that he's been giving running commentary for the last episode and a half, that sounded quite out of place! 

More reminiscences ... how Khushi remembers and celebrates every anniversary ... the day he first spoke nicely to her, the day he first wiped her tears ... and he admits he too remembers quite a few firsts ... the first time she made him laugh ...

Flashback time again ... besan smeared Khushi trying to apologise ... ASR laughing for the first time in years ... much to the delight of Anjali Di ...

Arnav wonders ... how can anyone not know when they have besan all over their face? Only Khushi can ... and look so adorable and cute and confused at the same time ...

Time for gifts from the Guptas ... and a quick tie up of loose ends ... babuji is now fine, and his sweet shop is up and running back in Lucknow ... Anjali now runs an NGO for street kids.

Glad they remembered these two ... good to know Anjali found a vocation in life, and is not either pining after Shyam, or happily married to another man.

Aman calls again ... like in the original show, Aman's calls are omniscient. Arnav locates the key ... not his mannat, he clarifies ... Di's mannat. And the answer to Di's mannat was Khushi ... never could Di have expected that! And now that he thinks about it, Khushi was always there ... everywhere ... in his office, his house, the boot of his car ... 

Arnav opens the letter ... startled ... reaches for his phone ...

Again no Khushi ...which is why the delayed update :(

Precap ... Akash Arnav bromance ...

IPKKND - ek Jashn ... Day One ... Rewind Replay

Tuesday 24th November



Banner and collages from my dear friend, Shweta ... thanks, Shwets!!!




IPKKND Ek Jashn  - One Day in the lives of Arnav and Khushi, three years later. 

The Jashn starts with a bland voiceover detailing a synopsis of the USP of the show ... Arnav and Khusi's 'nafrat paas aane na de, mohabbat door jaane na de' love story ... accompanied by flashbacks of their moments. The ones I liked were the Teri Meri and Diwali flashbacks and commentary on their mohabbat, and the temple engagement with the voiceover sonorously recounting how they always separated to meet again ...

Episode (if you can call it that) starts with a groggy Arnav reaching out to Khushi, her name on his lips, and Khushi on his mind, first thing in the morning, as it often was during the show. She's missing. A new HP in a long line of Prakash's (the makers remembered this little detail ... hope they remember more too) enters, apparently under strict instructions from Khushi not to remind Arnav what day it is, and why she's mad at him ... and hands over a smartphone with a video message ... where the new improved Mrs. Raizada yells at Arnav for forgetting ... forgetting what, she doesn't tell him. But she makes sure he remembers, by yelling at a harried HP till he lets it out in Arnav's hearing ... smart on Khushi's part ... given Arnav's history, as he proceeds to tell us. Cue bit where Khushi apparently knows her husband very well, as she forbids him to ask HP for help, just as he looks at HP for exactly that ... and both master and servant look away guiltily ... HP is cute!!! Very apparent he's far more scared of his hot-tempered mistress than of his mellow master!

There seems to be lots of progress in Khushi, simple cheap phones to  smart phones and video messaging, from Hari Prakshji to just Hari prakash.

And Arnav Singh Raizada realises he is in deep doodoo because in three years of marriage, he has forgotten their wedding anniversary for the third time. First time he planned ... but wrong date. Second time he simply forgot.
Actually, he's not Arnav Singh Raizada here, he's plain Arnav, lion turned domesticated pussy cat ... tense like all husbands at this unthinkable crime her has committed, and wondering what his next steps towards redemption are going to be.

Vaise, Arnavji, you forgot three times in three years?! Alzheimer's ho raha hai kya?!
Either you're a glutton for punishment at the hands of your beautiful biwi ... or you enjoy the silent treatment as temporary respite from your chatterbox wife ... or you are as brain dead as Barun claimed to be (sorry, couldn't resist the last!)

So while Arnav tries to figure out what he's going to do to get his wife back, we go down Arnav's memory lane as he reminisces about their unconventional love story ... and how he's changed in three years. Balloons, decorations ... so different from Khushi's  akdu Laad Governer ...

Sanaya was right when she saidASR is a tamed lion ... right now he's looking more like a pussy cat.

And lots of flashbacks of Khushi ensue ... their first meeting at the fashion show where she fell into his arms ... and Arnav wonders, how kismet makes the most unlikely bedfellows meet ... the girl who is now Mrs. Raizada, was once a scooter-borrowing, helmeted lehnga clad girl weaving her way crazily through busy traffic ... after their first bitter meeting, when they never thought they would meet again, she actually landed up in his office ...

And we finally get a peek into Arnav's thoughts ...

Khushi's lighting the diya in the office, and causing the fire alarm to go off ... typical Khushi mayhem ... the new mellow Arnav chuckles at the memory, and how angry he was then ...  now the recollection only amuses him. That's just Khushi ... and her Devi Maiyya.

The red saree first ever Rabba Ve ... where ASR stood mesmerised staring at an innocent beauty in red ... Arnav says, Khushi looked 'not bad' ... then he sheepishly admits, actually she looked like the kind of girl one could fall in love with at one look .... admitting that's exactly what he did ... and that he fought strenuously against this feeling for the longest time ... a moment when she took over all his thoughts, when all he saw was Khushi everywhere ...
Barun's expressions in that scene were so good, he looked gobsmacked and totally mesmerised ... while Khushi looked like a dream in red ... anyone would be forgiven for falling for her like a ton of bricks.

The guest house flashback ... more admissions from Arnav, that he did wrong to send her there, that in his fight against his won feelings, he was mean to her ... and how flabbergasted he was to see this tiny slip of a girl transformed into a raging tigress  ... this scene and the previous one rank among my top five Arshi scenes ...

And the episode ends with Khushi's angry call ...  she's leaving ... Arnav's bemused 'but you've already left' ... and Arnav's belated attempts to manao his roothi hui biwi with jalebis ...

Hope next episode has flashbacks of Khushi's journey ... this episode had too little Khushi.

And some things never change ... when will Barun learn to  ENUNCIATE???

Sanaya and AKRTHZ, 22/11/2015

I would have titled this post, Sanaya on AKRHZ, but there was so much in the episode apart from Sanaya, that this seems more appropriate.

I have been watching this show the last few weeks, ever since I heard that Sanaya was making an appearance on it ... and have liked it tremendously. It's a feel good show, highlighting the good work that many people are doing quietly, in different parts of India, in different ways, in different fields ... and shows how much there is to do in India, and how every little effort can make a  big difference. One person can affect the lives of one, two, maybe a hundred, maybe a thousand people ... but for those hundred or thousand people, that difference can change their lives.  And if any of these stories or these people inspire even one or two other people to try to do something that can make a difference ... well, that's a chain reaction started ... drop by drop the ocean forms ...

The last episode I saw, had as guest a doctor, who doesn't  charge for the female babies born at his hospital. He started the practice when he found that many parents and families didn't want to pay for a girl baby ... so he turned it around, and simply stopped charging for them. He also saw that they celebrated a boy's birth, but not a girl's ... so he and his staff started celebrating the girl babies' births. Simple things ... but doctors are revered in India, and his practice has started making a difference to the way girl babies are welcomed in his hospital.
There was also a couple who establish helplines for deaf-mute people, and especially in police stations, where often there is no one to take the statement from a deaf mute person. Again, a small effort, but ask the people he has helped, how much this help means to them. Another man, who is visually handicapped himself, has started adventure sports for visually handicapped people, and also takes normal people in his programs, thus getting them into contact with the handicapped ones. This has resulted in some visually handicapped people getting jobs, as the aam junta realises how much work they can actually do.

Today, 22nd Nov, there were a number of guests. First was a gentleman, Sam Singh, who retired to India after 32 years abroad as CEO of a multinational, and started a school for girls in his home town. Starting a school was the least of his problems ... far bigger was the problem of getting permission from parents for the girls to attend, despite free education, meals and clothes. So he started PAYING them to attend. Every day of attendance, gets each girl Rs 10, which is deposited in an account for her ... when she completes school, she gets the money. Along with this, they ensure jobs for the girls, so that after they graduate, they have means of a livelihood.  Starting with 30, he now has over 1400 girls enrolled in his school. A noble cause indeed ... and what dedication! At an age when he can retire and live out his life comfortably, he works tirelessly raising funds for his school, so that he can help more and more girls.

Sanaya's performance was with the girls from his school ... she danced to Gun Guna and Aaja Nachle ... the second song was with the girls ... and it was touching to see this old man tear up and be so visibly affected at this surprise planned for him. He said, after the performance, that never in his life did he imagine that his girls would ever share the platform with such personalities as Amitabh Bacchan and girls like Sanaya ... and he hoped they would aspire to achieve as much in life themselves too.
Sanaya's little speech echoed my feelings, what I had felt earlier, that it was an honor for her to be on this platform with a person like him ... I noticed after the dance when she and the girls danced down to escort AB Sr and Sam Singh up the stairs to the podium, Sanaya stayed with Sam Singh, helping him up the stairs ... these little gestures come so naturally to her, and it was really sweet to see her escort the older gentleman. And of course, soft hearted Sanaya got teary eyed when the little girl from the school broke down during her speech ... how sweetly she was consoling her!

Later they showed offscreen moments of Sanaya playing games with the girls, as usual she was as ebullient and chirpy as the kids, and enjoying herself thoroughly. Also noticed when the doughnuts came in for the girls, she realised that they had no clue what they were, and told them the name most naturally and without a trace of  surprise. And how thrilled she was to win their game!!!
Sanaya looked gorgeous in a bottle green lehnga with red trim ... she has toned up during her JDJ stint ... and seems to have regained some of the weight she lost then ... she was looking fit and utterly sexy!!!

Other guests included a man who set up toilets in his home town, again after returning from overseas ... and made sure they toilets were used regularly ... and were cleaned regularly, to the point that his business cards proclaim him as Chief Toilet Cleaner. Now his toilets have become convenience points, for phone charging, making small bill payments etc. A small initiative, and so useful!!! He was introduced by Rajdeep Sardesai, who has decided ... after watching this show ... that every news segment of his, will end with a positive story, like the ones aired here.

Ayushman Khurana and Ruhi from YHM introduced their heroes too ... a young girl  who changed the water fountain design in her school to be convenient for children of different ages ... and a group of kids in Mumbai who shame people they catch littering or peeing in public by whistling at them :) Again, small things, which can make a small difference ... which can become bigger if more people take it up ...

Anurag Basu introduced the last guest, who is a true hero ... a young boy of 23, his father walked out/disappeared seven years ago and has never returned ... a year ago, his mother got cancer, AML, and died within a few months of diagnosis. He and his brother struggled with finances to pay for her treatment, and occasionally they got help from the most unexpected places. That inspired him so much that he wanted to do the same for others. He used to play the guitar and sing for his mother, and found that she liked it, so did other patients. He also used to sing on trains during his commute to college ... Now he started singing to raise funds, which he donates to poor cancer patients to help in their treatment. His salary is Rs 7000, and from his singing, he raises Rs 8000 which he donates. It seems that those who are less fortunate than us, seem to be richer in one thing ... they have far bigger hearts.
As a surprise for Saurabh, the singer, AB Sr had invited Mohit Chauhan, his favorite singer ... who not only sang with the boy, but also presented him with a guitar, autographed by both AB Sr and Mohit. Such a sweet gesture ... Saurabh was visibly touched. Also, in the final offscreen segment, Hussain the host, AB Sr,  and the team of AKRHZ, travelled with Saurabh in his local train and sang with him ... much to the delight of all the commuters. I had read this on my twitter feed ... comments from regular commuters, who saw AB Sr travelling on the train that day ... was interesting to see the segment on TV. I hope this segment increases his uptake from his regular commuters.

All in all, a nice watch, a positive show, and an inspiring one ... I am so happy Sanaya was invited for this, it was an honour for her to be on such a platform, and meet someone like Sam Singh. She is always empathetic towards those less fortunate than her ... it is nice to see her on such meaningful shows.
And I do hope that Sanaya being on this Star Plus show means that she is in talks with them for her own next show. Can't wait to see her back on TV after the IPKKND Jashn is over. 

IPKKND- Ek Jashan

20/11/2015 

Posting latest updates on top - older ones below.

First, two gorgeous pics of Arnav-Khushi - Sanaya is looking simply stunning as Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada - a fitting look for a tycoon's wife, 3-4 years into her marriage. Gorgeous, subtly yet beautifully dressed - love the big earrings and the understated necklace, the gorgeous red saree, rich looking without being ostentatious, classy and tasteful, with brocade blouse ... she is looking stunning and sophisticated, a tycoon's wife to the T. What a stunner she is!!!

And  for the first time since the recent pics, BS looks good as Arnav Singh Raizada, he has finally shaved and trimmed his beard and hair, and the difference it makes to his looks is amazing.  Still looks a little scrawny, and he has aged at least ten years, but at least he has neatened up. They make such a good looking onscreen couple ... no wonder they became so iconic and popular.








20/11/2015 - New article  in TC - http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/not-only-fans-even-we-are-glad-be-back-barun-and-sanaya-151120#

Fans of the iconic show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon are in for a treat. Arnav and Khushi are all set to return with fresh episodes after a gap of almost three years. The show, renamed as Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon Ek Jashn, will be available exclusively on hotstar, from 24^th November 2015.

New episodes will be available to the fans every week on Tuesday and Saturday, under the popular hotstarOriginals brand.

Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon was a top rated show in 2011-12, and its popularity amongst the youth had turned its lead actors Barun Sobti and Sanaya Irani into superstars. The show went off air in November 2012, disappointing millions.

And now Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon Ek Jashn will return with eight 10-minute episodes, showing a day in the life of Arnav and Khushi, set 3 years into their marriage.

Talking on the same, Sanaya shares, “I am confident of the success of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon Ek Jashn. It’s not only the fans but even we are all glad to be back. I think hotstar’s popularity among the youth will do well for the show and vice-versa.”

Adds Barun, “It never felt like the show ended. I kept receiving feedback and mails from fans as they continued to watch the previous season on hotstar. The entire team of the show is back for this series and we hope to recreate the same magic.”

So we get some clarity on the number of episodes and the duration. Well, something to look forward to ... hopefully a decent ending for the show, that will give permanent closure once and for all to the phenomenon that was IPKKND. I don't miss the show so much now ... BS's exit and its untimely end has tinged it with bitterness that has not quite faded ... but I do still wish that SP and Gul had replaced BS when he first wanted to leave in Feb ... we might have gotten the actual story they had planned. of all regrets about the ending, that one will always remain the strongest.

Though I really wonder that no one has called  out Barun on his hypocrisy ... three years ago, the show made him "brain dead" and he couldn't wait to leave it ...according to him, "anyone could play ASR' ... and the abrupt ending of the show was due to a combination of his leaving and the hysteria of Arshi fans, who completely ignored Sanaya and her wishes, in their mad outbursts of hysteria and rage to end the show if he wasn't there ... and now he says he doesn't feel that the show ever ended. Well obviously he would feel that way, since he has really not done anything substantial since then ... and now he wants to recreate the same magic ...  Coming down to earth with a bang.

Sanaya sounds more down to earth when she says the new episodes are to boost the popularity of the web channel among the youth ... and diplomatic, when she says the channel's popularity will do well for IPK - EJ!

Promo pic - 19/11/2015

Promo for IPKKND Ek Jashn - 19/11/2015 

Promo for the IPKKND reunion episodes

Article in TC - confusing - they say 9 episodes, while Raj Baddhan says only two.

http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/barun-sanayas-iss-pyaar-ko-mini-series-launch-24-november-151119

All you Arnav-Khushi fans, time to shout in joy!

As some of you may know, the popular jodi of Barun Sobti and Sanaya Irani will be soon back with their love story, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon.

The show on hotstar will recreate the magic of Arnav Khushi once again.

Titled Iss Pyaar Ko Naam Doon, Ek Jashn, the nine episode mini-series has been produced by The Entertainment Mafia.

Now unlike reports in the media, here we bring you some ‘super exciting’ developments.

The couple, Sanaya and Barun will not be ‘only’ part of the first episode, but the entire season.

Yippee! Isn’t it great news?

And the ‘Jashn’ special will air from 24 November on hostar Originals and not 30 November, as reported earlier.

The love drama on Star Plus had surely created a niche with fans going crazy over the jodi. Barun and Sanaya, both became icons and the world went into a tizzy when news of the show’s end was announced.

This ‘comeback’ sort has surely brought a smile on the faces of the fans who had long been demanding a season 2.

The CEO of Star Plus, Anil Jha, also tweeted confirmation of the reunion, but no official clarification yet about the number of episodes, or the content. Barun in an interview confirmed there are new scenes, and Akshay also confirmed that many of the original cast members are back, articles say there will be interviews with the cast about their experience working on the show, and the feedback they got. 

Sanaya has been silent so far ... knowing her, a single episode, or a week-long series of episodes is not a big deal for her ... she will open her mouth now for her new show ... after the mandatory interviews during the official airing, of  course. However, she has always maintained that she loved Khushi, she loved the cast and crew of IPKKND, she was deeply upset and saddened when it ended so suddenly ... so she really has nothing new to say. And she knew very well the amount of love and hysteria the show generated overseas, she saw it all firsthand. I hope this gives her some closure as well, although she has moved on with other shows, but the abrupt ending of this must hurt her somewhere, especially as she was ready to continue with it as long as required.

BS has been giving multiple interviews about the new episodes ... considering his singular lack  of success in anything else so far, guess this remains his only claim to fame, and he seems to be desperately milking it for all he's worth. The show that made him 'brain dead', the show he couldn't wait to leave, the show he said he would rather sell milk than continue in ... rather ironic that the same show  is his only path to resurrection three years down the line. A famous saying goes ... respect your work, or it won't respect you. 

So the wait for the new episodes is shortened - they will air from the 24th November, and probably air till the 30th November, the day that IPKKND went off air three years ago.

And I hope we get a satisfactory ending, and with this, a final closure to the show ... and Sanaya can move ahead with something new and rocking. Also hope that with her appearances on Star, this means that she is already on board with them again, or in the process of doing so ... and once IPKKND - Ek Jashan has aired, we will get news of her next show. 

TV Shows I'm Watching

Siya Ke Raam started last night - first episode was an hour long, and dealt with the birth of Sita ma. Beautiful sets and locations, and amazing cinematography. They have shot in many outdoor locations for the first few episodes, and on very lavish sets.

The richness and wealth of the Ayodhya kingdom contrasted well with the austerity of the drought-stricken Mithila kingdom, and was accentuated by the lavish clothes and jewelry worn by King Dashrath and his queens, and the lavishness of their richly decorated living quarters (can't call them mere rooms!) in contrast again to the much darker simplicity and decor of the Mithila palace. Both the sets are amazing ... a visual treat.

I liked the way they brought out King Janak's character as Raj Rishi ... an ascetic king ... and his wife, Sunaina, is very well cast. She looks regal yet kind and gentle, and very affectionate. Her character was well brought out as well. Liked the way she told the King to marry again, as he needed an heir, and maybe the drought in the kingdom was due to her barren state, and liked even more that King Janak refused. Liked the opening scene with the drought stricken land - what an amazing landscape ... and the distribution of relief to the population. King Janak's kindness and generosity as a kign further brought out, how he was an ideal king for his subjects ... again something which I have read only briefly in passing.

Ayodhya ... King Dashrath is well cast - Dilip Taahil with  his booming baritone. Not sure about the three queens. I had no clue about the story about Raam having an elder sister, so that part was completely  new to me. So was Kaushalya's bitterness towards the King, and her almost lack of affection towards Ram. I didn't like that characterization. From all the stories I have heard or read, Kaushalya was an ideal queen, and very patient and loving.  The actress seems good, but the characterization is surprising.
Sumitra and Keikeyi should have been interchanged, in terms of looks, Sumitra is prettier and younger looking than Keikeyi. But the actress was a little stiff, maybe that's why they chose Grusha for Keikeyi. Keikeyi has a bigger role later than Sumitra does, and Grusha is a more experienced actress. They did bring out her love for Ram well, hope they emphasize it even more later before the banishment.
They also brought out Dashrath's nightmare of killing Shravan, and the curse he received from Shravan's parents.

Sage Vashishta was surprisingly youthful looking behind that white beard. The crow story was interesting ... again something I have never heard before. The visual of Ram meditating on the mountain top, and the revelation of His Godly roop was amazing. Another visual treat. The scenes in the Gurukul were okay ... Ram's kingly demeanor and his wisdom beyond his years brought out well.

The last scene with the birth of Sita ma ... her discovery in the furrow, and the clouds and rain as King Janak and Queen Sunaina cradle the baby close to them was again a beautiful scene. A fitting end for a good first episode.

Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi - main reason for tuning in - the fact that Sanaya will be performing on the show this coming Sunday. But I tuned in when I heard the news, which came three weeks ago when she recorded her performance, and found that it is a nice show ... it honors ordinary people from all walks of life, who in their own ways, small and big, are trying to make a difference to the world. A feel good show, and an inspiring one. Watched last week with Ranbir and Deepika as celeb guests, where the guests being honored are a couple who are working to help deaf mute people ... and it was really nice to see Ranbir and Deepika trying to communicate with them in sign language. Ranbir had actually learned sign language for Barfii. Also nice to see that no movie promotion happened ... it was all about the guests only.

Sanaya will be there this week to honor Sam Singh, a man working for the education of women in his home village. Don't know if she chose him, or he chose her, or Star Plus chose her ... whatever it is,  am happy.

TV Shows and Movies

Watched Spectre over the weekend ... Daniel Craig is not my favorite James Bond, and the movie was high on emotional quotient, surprising for a Bond movie, and much lower than expected on stunts, high tech gadgets and exciting chase scenes. The climax was straight out of Bollywood, with the beautiful love interest strapped to a chair, triggered to the bomb, and James Bond had to rescue her in three minutes and get out of the building before the bomb went off!

Started watching a new show ... Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do ... Iqbal Khan and Mona Singh. Apparently it's a finite show, it started off as very stereotyped, and the only thing that made it watchable was the actors ... IK is really good, Mona Singh is OTT in many scenes, and is typical Ekta mahaan bahu, again whenever the character is interesting, I find myself wondering how Sanaya would have played her ... and so far nobody else has come up to scratch.
The rest of the family is enjoyable... not stereotyped, and that is refreshing ... Niti and her loving husband, and her two 'vampires' who drive her mad ... Trisha, who wants to be involved in the family business, despite being a girl, and Sid, who doesn't want to be in it, despite being the only son ... unfortunately they have sidetracked that plot in favour of Trisha's love affair with Bilal, a Muslim boy, and the ensuing conflicts, which will presumably tie in with the main conflict between Ishaan and Preet ... how he hates India because Indian spies killed his parents, while Preet hates Pakistan, because Pakistani terrorists destroyed her family. Ever since the revelation that Ishaan is not what he seems, the show has picked up pace and is more interesting. And because it's finite, one hopes the story and the characters will not be butchered.

Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani has gone down the tubes ... so the Rana's first wife is back, but in the meantime he has fallen for the second wife ... and since the second wife is the heroine, of course he will dump his first wife at some point ... because second wife is so much better, and he is in love with her now ... despite being madly in love with the memory of first wife for the last six years. So a month long marriage is enough to wipe out the memories of his first marriage ... doesn't say much for Ranaji or his vows. And Gayatri is expected to 'fight' for her love ... because she is his true love. Never mind that he took saat pheras with first wife, so she is still his legally wedded wife.  *head desk* So according to the IF junta, Sula should step back gracefully despite being Ranaji's  first wife, because he has now fallen for a younger, more beautiful version. I much prefer ranaji's stand ... that he has to find out whether this lady is really is first wife or not ... because if she is, his first duty is to her ... notwithstanding 'true love' for Gayatri.

Reminds me of the movie 'Basera' and the conflicts there ...  how much better done that was! Of course when the first wife came back, she was accepted very much as the lawful wife, and the onus was on everyone as to how to hide the second marriage. And how gracefully the first wife, when she realised the entire situation, pretended she was mad again, and quietly went back to the asylum. Those were real conflicts,  shown in a realistic way ... Here, because DD is heroine, she has to be the lawful queen ... so of course the first queen will be shown either negative or an imposter ... or she will bow out gracefully ...  which so far she doesn't show signs of wanting to do. So she turn into a vamp at some point. I thought the show was about how a trader's daughter learned to become a wise gracious queen ... they already lost the plot in three months!