6/6/11 - Epi 1 ... Beauty and the Beast - the show begins!

First things first ... just downloaded the episode, and holy cow ... it was all of 29 minutes and 41 seconds long ... without a break! They have to slow things down now onwards ... but it was a dhamaka episode all right!

So it starts with scenes of Lucknow, panning slowly to Gomti Nivas, a typical middle-class home (how come all middle class homes are so huge with these gorgeous central courtyards - wish I lived in a home like that!).

And in this Gomti Nivas, preparations afoot for a wedding - one plump cheerful Bua bustling around exhorting people to sing and dance and make merry ... what I liked, the clothes etc are NOT all gawdy, or overly so, especially those of the older women.

Pan to scene inside where a worried Payal stands at window while a figure behind her walks up and down talking all the while (digression here for a minute - big grin - Sanaya is BACK!!!).

So the sisters talk ... I like Payal, wasn't very impressed with her in Manzil, but she was nice here ... worried about her marriage breaking, and also about her father having to mortgage his shop for last-minute dowry demand ... Khushi reassures her that it's not right that their father has to mortgage the shop and she's sure that unseen 'jijaji' doesn't know about the demand, so they need to tell him and he will stop his parents ... (Khushi's intro in bits, they show her eyes, her lips, but not her face yet ... and I'm so glad that in this show we'll see her eyes, so expressive and pretty as they are, and were always hidden behind chashmas in MJHT).

Sisters decide that Khushi will go and try to talk to 'jijaji' ...

More cuteness outside - old ladies giggling away, handing over dentures *rofl* ... buaji wants to lagao 'thumkas' ... Payal comes out, and the Banno songs start (I remember my bua from Allahabad and her Banno songs at weddings ... aww, these old ladies are so sweet, and the old songs are so raunchy, far more than the Bollywood ones!)

Meantimes Khushi is changing her shoes ... to white canvas keds LOLZZZZ ... practical girl, I love her!!! And hats off to whoever in the cv's team who thought of this touch - now if they took six hours to figure this one, was worth it for sheer *rofl* value!

Banno ki behna ... and they figure out Khushi is missing ...

Cut to Khushi mumbling away to scooter ... no, to devi maa ... LOLZZZZ ... they finally show Khushi's face :))) ... her little chat with devi maa is cute, when she tells her, it's not right that they make this demand right now, is it ... lolzz, as though devi maa is gonna answer her right back. So Khushi gets on her scooty in wedding lehnga with white keds and bright yellow helmet ... ONLY Sanaya could carry this off and look cute rather than ridiculous *rofl*

Talk between parents ... the dad wonders if they're doing the right thing by marrying their daughter into such a house ... but mom is typical Indian mom, and says, no, we're ladki-valas, we have to bow to their demands ... the fact that she's Payal's step-mother and not real mom makes this scene touching rather than irritating as always ... that she's not wicked step-mom, and she's ready to mortgage their livelihood for Payal.

Khushi getting stares from everyone ... lolzzz ... fat family staring at her ... more lolzzz, Khushi's explanation paves way for entry of 'rajkumar' ... in helicopter, no less! Big budget show? Then why couldn't they get Nikes for Khushi? lolzzz

Entry of Arnav with dhinchak background music ... pesky reporters asking questions which he ignores and walks off ... ok, the guy looks good as tycoon, I agree.
Stares at Sheesh Mahal - memories of a wedding, Daljit as bride, woman in sari running, gunshot, 'maa' ... Business meeting where AR buys Sheesh Mahal from his uncle, who had turned him and sister out of the house after their mom's death ... so he's back for revenge ... Hmm, is this all to his past? Or is there going to be more?
BS needs Strepsils. Work on dialogue delivery, mate ...

Back to Khushi on scooty ... her phone rings - not devi maaiya ringtone but Dabangg *rofl* ... I like Khushi, I REALLY do!!! :D Payal asks, have you reached, Khushi says, stop calling, phone dying ... ok, this was to be expected ... but the shoes and Dabangg make up for it ;) Khushi tells her sister that one needs usool and zameer in life, not only money ...

cut to AR saying he doesn't need usool, only money ... (fb of uncle throwing him and sister out) ... smart boy changed his name, so uncle won't recognise him?

The bit which I couldn't quite digest - in one day, AR buys SM, converts it to hotel, organises fashion show ... all in the same time that Khushi still hasn't reached from her house to said SM. That was a slow scooty all right... or does A move so fast?!

Entry of Arnav's sister ... Daljit, looking pretty, but she also needs to work on her dialogue delivery. BS has to be blank, stone-faced - he manages to do that all right ;) he does manage to get expression in his eyes when his sister is talking ...

So it's evening in Gupta house, getting ready for wedding, no sign of Khushi or papers ...
Khushi reaches SM ... Side note - why didn't Khushi take the time to take those milkcans off her scooty?!
Asks devi maiyya like she's her best friend - stay with me, ok? Twirls round in her canvas shoes to decide which way to go *rofl*

Fashion show ... clicheeeee ... Khushi lands up on ramp, mistaken for model ... ok, we guessed this ages ago ... absolutely no surprises here ... K whispers to devi maiya ... forced onto ramp, trips, and falls right into Arnav's arms ...

Sanaya's eyes ... *dream*

Precap ... oh boyyyy :))) Waiting for tomorrow!

Sanaya back as Khushi :)

Finally what I was waiting for ... Sanaya as Khushi - no SBS/SBB yet, but segments on House Arrest and E24. And again, watching Sanaya on her offscreen moments leaves me, as always, with a huge grin. She shows off her new look, including her 'trademark' pompoms ... sums it up as 'gawdy Gunjan with hair tied up' ... wish I had that *rofl* emoticon here! Adds that whatever look she came in, her fans would have found it different ... I need multiple *rofl* emoticons here ... has she actually read the comments of all the self-styled Sanaya experts everywhere, who've been busy dissing her new look, and offering their free opinions on what they felt it should have been?! Or is she just laughing at herself as usual - I love this girl, I really do!

Like her tagline for Khushi ... "darti hai par karti hai" :)

BS was ... to put it mildly ... unimpressive. Or maybe, Sanaya just didn't give him a chance to talk ... as usual! But they seem to share a good camaraderie and are comfortable offscreen, so I am very glad for her ... have this protective instinct about this gal somehow ;)

Another *rofl* segment - the reporter askes them to show us around Arnav's house, and Sanaya says she doesn't know much about it, then promptly takes over the tour, saying he's a rich guy, so lots of nice-nice things *rofl* ... she finds a silver dish to ooh and aah over, then looks at the light, and says in a tone of mild surprise - Oh this is actually quite pretty! And I cracked up again ...
A bundle of clothes - she says, main kapde bechne aayi thi ... now is she kidding as usual, or does that happen in the show? And a room where she says, mera murder hone vaala hai ... with a delighted grin on her face ...

At the end, San says, don't be confused, watch the episode and everything will be clear. And I'm left with a big grin on face, and the interest in the show is back full time, just to see this girl back on screen! Sanaya, you rock!

Khushi is back
 Khushi is back ... the sparkle on tv is back. Am finally looking forward to switching on the tv set again!



*edit*
And now an SBB segment - seems to have been done the same day, giving the same information ;) Arnav is akdu, sarphira rich businessman and Khushi is just a normal girl, who becomes abnormal because of Arnav - according to Sanaya, of course - only she says things like this! Again Sanaya comments on her looks - more gawdy than Gunjan was, with trademark pompoms - why did they choose pompoms as a trademark look of all things?!

Sanaya Barun SBB

Title song ... Meet Arnav and Khushi

This torrent means that I have no time to comment ... just keep adding links to follow what's going on!
Finally editing ...:)

So one article on names of new shows being based on songs ... Bade Achhe Lagte Hain takes the cake, of course, for being the longest title - not just the line, the entire first stanza lolzzz. I love the song, and I love the new version sung by Shreya Ghoshal, she has such a beautiful voice ... and the old-worldliness of the song suits the age of the characters.

And next on the list is Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Dun? ... before the show even starts airing, from the promo articles, the song seems apt for the theme, but will have to watch the show to see how it really fits. Wonder if they will do a new song for the show ... would be quite happy if they did, because although Sonu is a great singer, I'm not that fond of the song.
Song based titles

Meet the characters - starting with Arnav.
Meet Arnav Singh Raizada
Different character? Really? Oh well, I guess no actor in his right mind would say he's doing the same old run-of-the-mill stuff ... remains to be seen if BS can actually make it different.

Meet Khushi ... opposites do attract
Well, Gunjan and Sanaya both know all about that ... does Khushi feel the same way?
Meet Khushi

Again, same comment - different? Sounds very much like Gunjan to me, minus the big sister worship - which is such a big relief that I'm ready to watch almost anything now!

More thoughts - Sanaya-centric as usual ;)
What caught my interest - BS saying that San is very hard-working and focused on her character, and Sanaya saying that she's finding her character very difficult to get into.

I found Gunjan awkward and unconvincing the first few weeks of MJHT, and when I tuned in again during the bet episodes, I found a sea change. Partly, of course, the character of Gunjan appealed to me - a LOT. But looking back in the wake of this interview, I now think that it was also partly due to Sanaya finding her feet as Gunjan - it took some time for her to switch into the Gunjan mould. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Gunjan and Sanaya were poles apart, not just in character and dialogues, but in body language, way of talking, way of smiling, laughing ... Sanaya moulded herself into Gunjan so completely that if you met Sanaya on the street, you would never even realise that she was Gunjan.

The few promos of IPK that we've seen, in the chirpy parts, Khushi reminds me of Sanaya. Gunjan never did.

So, even though the basic character might be somewhat similar to Gunjan's, am thinking ... and hoping ... that it will be sufficiently different to actually BE different. And judging by the hard work Sanaya puts into her work, and the one end-result I have seen - Gunjan - am pretty confident that Sanaya will make it happen.

IPK hotting up :)

So much action in one day :)

New forum, new promo, message from the makers ...

New promo is definitely the best of the lot so far ... just hope it's an indicator of the story ahead and will not happen very early ... want this to go nice and slow :)

IPK promo 4

Seems intense and with Nissar's previous record, can hope for something good.

New forum finally up, after the MJHT forum went totally dead when IPK discussions were stopped there. So new adda opens :)

And the makers seem to be working really hard on the show - for the PH's as well as for the actors, especially the main leads, it's a great career op - to be a prime time show on the leading channel after being associated mainly with Star One, which has such a limited reach. So they will all give it everything they've got ... hopefully!!!!

Let's see ... am trying to keep expectations low, but am waiting for this show with a very positive attitude. Unless they serve absolute crap, it will be difficult to put me off ... and because of the actress, the director, and the concept, I think I will be pretty hooked very soon!

Let's see

1st episode of Bade Achhe Lagte Hain ...

Starts well - with Vakratunda mahakaya and then Gayatri mantra ... ahhh, both such beautiful mantras ...
Priya waiting in line, uncaring mother, Priya gets yelled at by counter guy ... ok, this begins already to lapse into typical Ekta drama ... Scene in dressing room wobbles between typical and okay-ish ... younger sister very much selfcentred - not selfish yet, not completely, but getting there ... and mom not worried about Priya's job at all in the worry about wrinkles on precious younger daughter's beautiful forehead. They weren't downright rude or obnoxious to Priya, just uncaring and unthinkingly mean, without purposely meaning to be. Taken for granted. Benign neglect.

Ahh, now we reach the typical illogical stuff - in the Ram scenes. Start off okay, with Ram detailing all the reasons for not buying said company ... dude, why did you schedule this meeting on the morning of your sister's wedding in the first place? Anyway, then appears equivalent of uncaring stepmom on this side as well, making last-minute demands about some jewelry - why would said lady want to copy someone else in the first place? Besides, aren't all these things decided WAY before the actual wedding day???
So Ram goes back to buy company for its private jet - why not charter a flight, sirjee? Plus if big Airbuses are not flying due to bad weather, stands to reason small planes will be totally grounded. Besides - really - business deals are conducted this way? No problem about buying a worthless company and compromising your own company etc. because you have to reach your sister's wedding???

Ahhhh ... I remember the first few scenes of Astitva SOOOO clearly here ... what got me hooked to that show ... Simran misses her sister's wedding because her patient Anandi develops complications and she HAS to stay to look after her. Three times she tries to leave for home, and every time she is held back. But she doesn't desert her patient - or her duty ... and she hopes that her sister and family will understand, but if they don't ... well, she can't help it. Her duty to her work and her patient's life is paramount.

Ok, this Ram part put me off big time ... lets see whether the show can hold my interest and for how long.

Rest of the episode was again very typical ... why exactly is Priya lecturing on Keats and love when she's a TOEFL teacher?
Last scene was the only one really worth watching ...

Hmm ... performances of Ram and Sakshi are decent ... Ram's characterization - same as Akshay Kumar in Dhadkan. Will follow for a few days and see ...

Story again ... Dual Emotions

Okay, I know I'm waiting for this show ... and so are many Sanaya fans and Barun fans ... but seriously ... so many articles??? Haven't updated my blog so frequently since the time MJHT was on air! Can we just start the show now please ... we know the story now ... with the flood, torrent, downpour of articles ... now just want to watch it!

Dual Emotions

Dual Emotions
A new show offers a fresh perspective on love-hate relationships. The show takes the case of two individuals to highlight the dilemma of how they cannot do with or without one another. The show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, which starts next week, features the tale of Khushi and Arnav, played by Sanaya Irani and Barun Sobti, who have diametrically opposite ideologies in life. Find out if the two find love against all odds in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? from June 6th at 8 pm on Star Plus.

IPK - more links and pics

More links for IPKKND - as usual, comments later ... *sigh* Keeping up with the flood is becoming more and more difficult!

Arnav Khushi pics

Gear up for IPK
Slightly different from the previous article - this is on the SP site

'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' is a star-crossed love story presenting an interesting contrast of personalities entwined in a relationship swinging between love & hate. Khushi and Arnav have diametrically opposite ideologies. If Khushi believes in means, Arnav believes only in ends. Khushi's relationships are the most important to her, whereas Arnav believes all people come with a price and can be manipulated for one's benefit. Khushi, an 18 year old from UP, is simple, rooted in family and is driven by a clear moral compass. She stands for what she believes in, and never lets go of her inculcated values. She will not change herself to conform to people's shallow expectations. In stark contrast, Arnav is a 28 year old self made, ruthless, 'win at all costs' man who believes everything can be bought in the world, including love. He has no consideration for relationships and no qualms for using & manipulating people as pawns to achieve his ambitions. As the story progresses, their love-hate relationship witnesses a series of dramatic conflicts. While Arnav constantly tries to break Khushi's steadfast morals just in order to prove to himself that he can control everyone; Khushi on the other hand, tries to always follow her values & morals.
Produced by Panglosean Entertainment Private Limited, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon stars seasoned actors Sanaya Irani and Barun Sobti essaying the lead roles of Khushi and Arnav respectively. Apart from the leads, the ensemble cast also has many well-known actors from the industry like Abha Parmar, Tuhina Vora, Daljeet Kaur Banot, Abhaas Mehta, Sanjay Batra, Deepali Pansare and Akshay Dogra. While producers Rajesh Chaddha and Gul Khan have lent their expertise to the show, director Nissar Parvez and his talented crew have infused fresh energy into the story with some aesthetically shot scenes in the classic locales of Lucknow.

Meet the characters

Khushi
An 18 year old small town girl from UP. Simple rooted in family and is driven by a clear moral compass. She stands for what she believes in, and never lets go of her inculcated values. She will not change herself to conform to people's shallow expectations. She is righteous, intelligent but slightly nave at the same time.


Arnav
A 28 year old self made, ruthless, 'win at all costs' man. He believes everything can be bought in the world, including love. He has no consideration for relationships and can even manipulate people to achieve his ambitions.

Payal
Payal is Khushi's elder sister. She is thoughtful and mature, as opposed to the impulsive Khushi. Payal understands and supports Khushi in all matters. Her marriage breaks when Khushi takes a stand against the dowry demand. Yet she is rationalises the whole issue and stands by Khushi when the entire family denounces her.

Garima Gupta
Garima is Khushi and Payal's mother. She is somebody who considers self respect and family honour topmost. Fear of infamy haunts her, as she has gone through that ordeal when she was a young woman.

Shashi Gupta
Shashi Gupta runs a sweet shop, Saatvik Mishtaan Bhandaar, in a interior lower middle class area of Lucknow. A man of modest and honest means, he has belived that "ties of the heart are stronger than ties of blood". He is married to Garima, who is his second wife. Payal is his real daughter from his first marriage, and Khushi was brought in as an orphan by Garima. Nevertheless, he has never treated Khushi any different from Paytal. Both his daughters are the apples of his eye.

Buaji
Though everyone calls her Buaji, her real name is Indira Gupta. She is Shashi Gupta's elder sister. Bua is a widow, very conservative and traditional in her approach. She is strict and appears rude, though somewhere deep down, she means well. She had migrated Lucknow to Delhi with her husband. Their marriage was issueless. She runs a small-time business from her house.


Khushi is 18??? :( :( :(