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.
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.
Hi Dia
ReplyDeleteStill popping in now and then. Hope you are well.
Just read that Sanaya and Barun and the cast getting back for one episode. Is this correct. If it is where can I watch it.
Take care
Lin xx
Hi Lin,
Deleteyes, Sanaya and Barun and the cast are getting together for one special episode of IPKKND, to be aired on 30th November on Hotstar, Star's online channel. I don't know whether it will be available outside India ... I have Hotstar, it works for old shows, but not for new content :( Anyway, someone will upload it somewhere for sure, or maybe SP will make it available outside India as well, since IPK has so many international fans.
I will post the articles and pics here ... I forgot that I hadn't posted anything about it here!
Hi Dia
ReplyDeleteThanks, I will try and watch online if possible.
Hope you do a write up for it. Still miss those days
Take care
Lin xx
Lin,
DeleteHotstar, the web channel of Star, is now available online in the UK, and the episodes will be available every Tuesday and Saturday for the next four weeks, starting 24th November. I will update with reviews of the episodes ... they will be just ten minute long episodes, so I'm guessing not much new to see! Just the happy ending we were deprived of, which should give us a good closure to the show.