Rishton Ka Chakravyuh week 6, Ep 31-35, 11th-15th Sept

Monday 11th Sept

The DNA saga begins in earnest.
Dadi tries to persuade Baldev to agree.
Satrupa tries to tell an unconscious Vikram that she needs to prove Anami is his granddaughter.
Adhiraj tries to push Baldev into agreeing for the test ... and on the way out, tells Anami she needs to do something if she wants her ticket to  freedom.
Anami tries her wiles ... telling Baldev it's his best chance of getting rid of her ... Baldev is suspicious ... what if she has been coached by Satrupa, and the test shows what Satrupa wants it to show? Not that he thinks for a moment that Anami is his daughter ... but Satrupa, that wily lady is quite capable of doctoring the test.
Ironic ... since Satrupa is most invested in making sure the test is done accurately and honestly!
However Anami reassures him that she will ensure the test shows what she and Baldev want it to show ... since they have a common goal - her to leave Lal mahal as soon as possible.

Baldev finally caves in ... and summons Satrupa to tell her so ...  after insulting her and questioning her motives ... he really seems to hate Satrupa. Satrupa listens quietly .. she is just so relieved that Baldev has agreed for the test.
Pujan in the meanwhile fumes that Baldev has agreed for the test ... he is worried the girl is really the true heir.

Adhiraj is summoned to take the signed permission for the DNA test ... and on his way out, informs a jubilant Anami of the latest development.

Anami starts her plotting immediately ... Poonam will give the DNA sample instead of her ...  so Poonam has to come with her to the hospital.
However, Satrupa is up to Anami's wiles ... from the precap, Poonam is busted!

12th Sept Tuesday

The whole episode was cat and mouse of Anami trying to get Poonam to the hospital, and Satrupa trying to prevent her ... a fairly light episode, stretching credibility at places.
Pujan bribed the lab head  ... lab head said he would test the sample he was given ... so Pujan has to make sure he gives a sample. Credible, as most tests are run through machines and the lab reports are printed by the machines as well, so not much opportunity to tamper there.
Pujan also told Avdhoot to keep Adhiraj out of the way for some time while he did the switch ... so Avdhoot will target Tanya.

Poonam's car dicky foray was amusing ... smart thinking, as she tied up her own hands to show Satrupa she was taken by Anami forcibly :)
Poonam eating a banana in the dicky was cute too.



13th Sept Wednesday 

Swap ... and double swap ... Anami manages to take Poonam's blood sample and substitute it for her own ... she then walks around with her blood sample, collides with Pujan, and her blood sample gets exchanged with the one he was planning to substitute ... so he ends up substituting Poonam's blood sample with Anami's. Phew!!!

The only stretch was how Poonam managed to label her blood sample with Anami's name ... given that her slip had the random pregnant lady's name on it ... and then managed to walk out with her own sample ... instead of leaving it in the tray to be analysed.

Avdhoot manages to distract Adhiraj from the hospital ... and seems to be falling for his sister in the process.

I was very annoyed with Vikram Singh ... why is he so adamant that Anami is not his granddaughter, and he doesn't even want to allow for the possibility?

Kamini has another one of her daydreams, as Pujan returns home flushed with the success of his plan.

Satrupa is suspicious of Poonam ... but Poonam manages to cover up ... down to the wound of the supposed rose bush. Was that Poonam or Anami ... either way, Satrupa is happy that Anami has found her own Damo ... someone who will be with her no matter what.

14th Sept Thursday

Anami is flushed and exultant with the success of her plan - her goodbye game with the kids.
Poonam is very disturbed ... Anami is worried, has she leaked her plan to Satrupa? But then she sees Poonam's wound, and is unbearably touched ... Poonam deliberately hurt herself for Anami? Anami is indebted for life ... can't Poonam come with her to Benaras?
Narottam is angry and disappointed ... why is Anami leaving? She promised to stay and protect him.
Anami suggests he comes with her as well ...

Unknowingly Anami has already started building some bonds in Lal Mahal ... some true, some false.
Narottam gloats as he walks away ... Anami will leave, Satrupa has lost ...

Adhiraj's house ... his father is back. And we have already seen the connection between his father and Vikram Singh and Lal Mahal ... there is a connection ... but what is it?
Adhiraj is a little suspicious ... why is his father here? And he's wrapped up his work, and come here for good?  Why? For love of his children?
Adhiraj doesn't seem completely convinced.

Anami calls ... and Adhiraj forgets about his father ... Benarsi girl and Benarsi kachoris beckon.
Anami's kachoris are a farewell party ... she's getting ready to leave, after all the DNA test will be negative. She thinks she has ensured that. Adhiraj also thinks he has ensured that ... after all, Anami is Satrupa's pawn, not her real daughter.
(Would like Mahima to tone down her acting just slightly ... she tends to be a little OTT at times. Well, it suits her character of a hyper teenager, so for now it's okay ... I do just hope her character matures a little over time.)
Anami comments how easily Adhiraj trusted her, believed in her ... and helped her.
He believed she was being kept here against her will ... that much was true :)
But how is she so sure the test will be negative?

Because every truth has a source ... and the source of the truth of the DNA test is her blood.

Anami should have pondered on the truth of that statement ... well, she will get plenty of time to ponder it. The source of the truth of the DNA test was indeed her blood ...

Kachoris eaten, time to say farewell. he offers to help in Benaras ... she retorts Benaras is her home ground, she won't need his help.
Adhiraj is a little miffed ... he's not planning a pleasure trip to Benaras any time soon.

And then ensues a sleepless night ... for Anami, Satrupa, Dadi and Baldev ... and Pujan.
Loved the song they used :)

In the morning Anami is chirpy and happy ... sure of the success of her plan. Satrupa is suspicious ... Baldev still angry ... Pujan and family confident and ready to gloat ... Satrupa's suspicions and tension deepen as she sees Anami's confidence and pleasurable anticipation.

And the result is announced ... Anami is Baldev Singh's daughter.

Anami is shocked ..
Pujan and family likewise ... he can't believe his ears.
Satrupa is immeasurably relieved ... Dadi is frankly delighted ...
Baldev astounded ...
Adhiraj inscrutable at first ... then directs an accusing glare at Anami ... did she fool him all along?
(Must say his fool proof arrangements were no where near foolproof ... not one but two, sample substitutions happened ... and no one any the wiser!)
Satrupa and gayatri almost smile at each other ... they are the only two happy with the result ... Satrupa for more reason than one ... as her 'I told you so' look to Baldev indicates.

Anami is in complete shock. What happened? How?! Adhiraj glares at her, but she cannot respond ... she is too shocked. As tears run down her face ... did her plan fail somehow? Did someone ... Adhiraj .. get wind of it and correct the sample switch? Is that why he's angry with her ... because he knows she did something? But none of that matters any more ... her escape route from Lal Mahal is closed now ... for good. She is trapped.

Small media scene ... why was Anami kept away from the family for so long? At the question, Baldev directs an angry look at Satrupa ... yes, he also wants to know the answer to that.

Pujan roughs up the lab head ... lab head insists he tested the sample Pujan gave him ... And Pujan remembers the collision with Anami in the corridor. He messed up his own plan.

Precap - Anami planning to escape.

15th Sept Friday 

The best scenes - Satrupa confronting a silent Vikram Singh ... why is he so angry and unwilling to accept Anami as his grand daughter? Would he have been as unhappy if Anami had been a son?
Sometimes silence speaks louder than words. And Vikram Singh's silence gave her her answer.
But she will fight for the rights of her daughter.
Is that why Satrupa sent away the daughter and not the son 17 years ago? Because she knew this would happen?
(Side note - love Satrupa's jewelry)

Anami entering Laal Mahal and feeling claustrophobic ... the scene was very well shot, and Mahima emoted very well.

Before that, Dadi's obvious pleasure and happiness in welcoming her grand daughter home ... contrasts with Vikram's and Baldev's displeasure. A mere girl can never make up for the loss of their grandson. Especially not this jatadhaari jungli girl.

Narottam is angry? upset? annoyed? Not happy for sure.

Pandit and panditayin recognise the angst and despair in Anami's voice, and are ready to do anything for her ... including leaving their home of so many years ... just as long as they can be together. Anami draws her strength from her pandit family ... if they are with her, she can be strong again.

And Anami is back to her temper tantrums with Satrupa ... she is angry as hell ... it's all due to her matlabi maataji ... and she will not stay here ... she will not even talk to her mother. Satrupa tells her sternly that she needs to accept the truth ... but that's just what Anami is not prepared to do. She wants her Pandit and panditayin ... failing that, she wants to listen to music.

A small encounter with dadi later that night, as Anami sneaks into Lal Mahal to get the keys from Satrupa ...
While the Pandits pack their belongings. Another lovely scene as they pack their belongings and look around at their home ... including Laddoo's look at his only familiar home ... as they get ready to leave for the unknown. But it's all worth it for their child.

Dadi is probably the only person who has shown Anami some genuine affection since she arrived at the Lal Mahal ... because Anami reminds her of her beloved Vatsalya .. and Dadi is old and wise enough to recognise and accept the truth ... and accept Anami. Anami hears again how much she is like Vatsalya ... but she doesn't want to listen ... she just wants to leave.

So the final attempt ... she needs to get the keys from Satrupa's bedside ...

16th Sept Saturday
This episode deserves a separate post

Rishton Ka Chakravyuh Week 5, Ep 25-30, 4th-9th Sept

Monday 4th Sept
Pujan get dirt all over him ... literally :) Some smart one liners from Anami ... especially when Pujan dares to insult her beloved parents ... 'you see everyone as a beggar' ... unspoken, since you're a beggar yourself. 
Narottam becoming fan of Anami? Another one after Vatsalya to defend him ... but in a different way.
Satrupa missing Vatsalya ... and Anami's curiosity is aroused at the sight of the locked door.

Adhiraj questions the residents of LM about the jewels.

Tuesday 5th Sept
Pujan has an explanation ... but of course ... emotional atyachaar.
Adhiraj is not moved. Kamini is a weak link ... he presses her ... Kamini has a sudden headache.
Pujan fabricates the story of a robbery ... with some round and round story of company files and Kamini's jewels ... he even has an FIR copy. But Adhiraj is smarter ... unfortunately he finds no cooperation from Vikram.
Satrupa's suspicions seem to be very much aroused ... and she is definitely smarter than any of the men in the house.
Amend that ... most of the women seem to be smarter than most of the men in the house. be it Dadi, Satrupa, or the latest chip off the block, Anami :)

Speaking of Anami ... she's up tp no good as usual. Now trying to get a peep into  Vatsalya's room ... and falls ... straight on to Adhiraj.
Adhiraj thinks Anami is an unwilling captive ... so he tries to help her by telling her about the upcoming DNA test. Anami of course is going to try to use it for her own ends ...to get out. He thinks the test will be negative, and assures her it will be done without Satrupa's interference, so she will be able to get out. But Anami knows if that happens, the test will show the truth and she will never be able to get out!

Vikram is really an idiot. Kamini uses the opportunity to play martyr ... Satrupa is not impressed at all. Neither is Baldev, surprisingly ... finally showing an iota of brain. Satrupa's suspicions are slowly and surely crystalising around Pujan.
And Narottam sees an opportunity.

Sudha makes an appearance. Mental rehabilitation centre.

Adhiraj and boss ... Adhiraj gets a warning ... and of course, Pujan has already doctored the file.

Anami and Poonam ... Anami is excited at the possibility of getting away from LM. Poonam teases her about love :) But then Anami explains ... she will sort out the DNA test.

Satrupa is hopping mad ...
Narottam has to tell her something about Vatsalya. The night V left, Pujan spoke to him ... maybe he knew V was running away from home.
Satrupa is a dangerous woman. Precap is exciting ... wow!

Wednesday 6th Sept
Saturpa disappointed me today ... thought she was smarter than Pujan ... but he is two steps ahead. Was he really willing to sacrifice his son? Or was he sure enough of Satrupa, the mother, to know she would not let harm come to another child? I feel the latter.

While Satrupa pulling back at the last minute did not surprise me too much, her apology to Avdhoot and Pujan did ... I hope she is as smart as I have been giving her credit for, and the apology was merely to throw them off and make Pujan feel he is no longer under suspicion.
A nice touch of symbolism there as Pujan falls into muddy water again as he rushes to his son. First he was drenched by Anami ... now he is dunked by Satrupa ... he's not having a very good week!

Adhiraj is falling for Anami ... and from the precap, it seems she's developing a crush on him too.

It does seem that Satrupa has been thrown off the scent ... as she warns Narottam from using her shoulder to fire his gun from ... again, was she warning him? His words set her off to catch Pujan without complete preparation ... the mother triumphed over the cold calculating power seeking head of Royal Steel, and lost the first battle.

Anami tries again to find out the secret behind the closed door ... did she get the keys?

Thursday 7th Sept

A sweet mellow episode ... whenever Vatsalya's flashbacks are interjected in the episode, his sweetness of character lights up the screen.  Such a well written character ... and it seems the writers are aware of his popularity, so we keep getting flashbacks. Or maybe they were intended to be there all along ... this show is so well written, it feels like everything is planned well in advance.

As Anami hides behind the curtain, she sees for the first time, a grieving Satrupa ... a mother who has lost her child ... and how broken she is inside.
The scene brought me to tears ... the lovely interlude of Vatsalya and Satrupa playing the piano together, their playful oneupmanship, their friendship ... in Vatsalya's death, Satrupa lost not only her child, but also a friend, a playmate ... the only person in the house with whom she could unleash her playful, happy self. For the rest of the family she was dutiful bahu, unforgiving wife, strict CEO of Royal Steel ... with Vatsalya, she could be free and childlike ... she could be a child with him. She could be happy.
As the flashback fades, reality kicks in ... and with it, Satrupa's realisation of what she has lost. And she hlds Vatsalya's memories close ... wears his watch and holds it close ...
Anami is affected ... she tries to steal out quietly, but stumbles ... Satrupa opens her eyes from her quiet grief.

Was so glad that Anami was sensitive enough to not be her usual brattish self ... she tries to brazen out her presence, probably thinking she will encounter the usual curt, distant Satrupa. But Satrupa is uncharacteristically mild ... soft ... as she tells Anami, 'you can come here any time you want, the door is always open.' For you.
Anami nods and leaves quietly.
Satrupa sees her broken bracelet left behind, and picks it up ... looks at it, then at Vatsalya's watch ... as the realisation sinks in ... she had two children, not one ... and she still has one left.
Narayani was brilliant in that scene ... her eyes say it all. As she holds the watch and bracelet and looks from one to the other ... 'he was my child ... she is my child too.'

And Anami for the time saw her mother as a mother.

A fairly standard, slightly melodramatic scene between Pujan and Avdhoot and Pujan reassures him ... and the viewers ... that no, he is not a bad father, he just knew Satrupa would never kill a child. Nor would she create such drama. She would fire directly.
And now Satrupa's attention is fully diverted away from them. They can do what they like.
Or so he thinks.
I hope he is wrong.

Adhiraj and sister ... he has started falling for Anami :) And his sister, like all sisters, has a blast teasing him.
So right now Adhiraj is falling for Anami... and she is developing a crush on him. I can't call  it more than a crush for her, because she's just 17. But she knows the truth, that she is Satrupa's daughter ... he thinks she is not. When he finds out that she is ... that she is part of the family he detests so much ... then how will that change the dynamics? when she finds out that he has his own agenda, that he wishes ill for her family, will that change the way she feels about him?
Another twist in the chakravyuh of relationships in this show.

Adhiraj-Anami ... another encounter. Ila is not happy that Adhiraj trusts Anami so much, Adhiraj assures her he trusts Anami as much as he needs to.
He's not quite accurate there.
Anami happily playing with kids ... she really is a baccha herself. Adhiraj tells her (trusting her much more than he should!) that the DNA test is going to be soon ... Anami is delighted and runs off with the kids into the garden, where mosquito spray is being sprayed.

And there comes another similarity between Anami and Vatsalya ... both are allergic to mosquito spray. As Dadi sees ... and remembers. Another flashback with Vatsalya ...

Later that night, a thoughtful Dadi reminisces about wanting pota-poti ... she apparently had a good relationship with Satrupa at the time ... very sweet scene, with both ladies looking pretty and so happy.
(Wonder what happened with Adhiraj's visit ... that was glossed over completely. Maybe he just interviewed some servants ;) )

Vikram warns her not to talk again about Anami being their grand daughter.
Dadi's expressions at that are classic ... 'we'll see about that' is written clearly on her face! The women in this family are kickass ... not one is anything less than a lioness! So of course when she's told by her husband not to talk about similarities between Anami and Vatsalya, Dadi goes about promptly trying to find more similarities ... modus operandi - peanuts in the poha.
And she finds them.

Only problem is ... will Pujan get the wind up about Anami actually being the real granddaughter?
As it is, he was not happy when Dadi said she stopped the mosquito spraying because Anami was allergic ... much to Vikram and Baldev's displeasure. So he shot a few barbs about the upcoming DNA test ... just in time for the peanut reaction. Now Pujan babu might be a little worried.
Another one who wants to interfere with the DNA test? or at least get a peek at the results before they are made public?
The DNA test saga promises to be an interesting one.

Brief updates for Friday and Saturday, as I was travelling 
Friday 8th Sept 
Peanuts in the poha bring the desired result  Anami, like Vatsalya, is allergic to peanuts, and has exactly the same reactions. Not very wise of Dadi to try this - severity of allergic reactions can differ in siblings, and Anami's reaction could have been less severe, or more ...
Anami refuses Vatsalya's medicine, and has her own home remedies, which work like magic! Sarson ka tel? Like seriously? I must remember to try that some time!
Dadi is pleasedwith the result of her experiment, and turns to Dada watching from the balcony (with Baldev and Pujan) with a "See? I told you so" expression. Vikran might not be fully convinced yet, but Pujan is definitely getting suspicious.
And Satrupa is dumbfounded at Dadi's quiet triumphant smile ...
Anami doesn't know why Dadi likes looking at her ... Dadi tells her 'tum nahin samjhogi'. She could have added 'kuch kuch hota hai' :D

Back at the dining table, Baldev quite unfairly accuses Satrupa of using their son's allergy as a means of manipulating the family. Vikram agrees.

Damo tries to tell Baldev he's being unfair ... he's having none of it.

I thought Baldev was supposed to be alcoholic ... Pujan is the one always having a tipple.
Pujan is up to his tricks ... attack Lal Mahal through Royal Steel. And tells Avdhoot to track and find Adhiraj's weakness. While he ensures Vikram will attend the RS meeting.
Did Pujan do something to precipitate Vikram's heart attack.
Avdhoot in the meantime locates Adhiraj's weakness ... his sister, Tanya.
Royal Steel investors meeting - ends in Vikram having a heart attack.
Noticed that Baldev was not at the investors' meeting. Vikram, Gayatri, Satrupa and Pujan were there. So has Baldev been thrown out even from the board? No wonder he is so bitter.

As usual, medical scenes in Indian shows are the pits ... sadly, this show is no different.
Operation theatre for a heart attack? Have they never heard of ICU? And ECG monitors? At least try to make things a little authentic ... some basic research please!

And the shocker at the end ... which was not really such a shocker, as we had guessed as much ... Narottam is Sudha's son.

Saturday 9th Sept
Narottam - the Pawn or the Player?
The Chess Game
Either could be the title of this episode ... which brings out Narottam's true colors ... or rather, his many shades.

Some brilliant double edged dialogues
You play from both sides ... black and white.
I like the color black, so you take white.
I will defeat you in your own game ... tabhi to mazaa aayega. What's the fun otherwise?
Play whatever side you will ... I will defeat you in six moves ... you won't get a chance to play the seventh. 

I still feel sorry for Narottam. Does he have anyone at all in his life who  cares for him as a person, an individual? His mother seems to think of him only as a pawn, an instrument, in her thirst for revenge. Her words ... tumhari maa ko maaf karna nahin aata ... is she the one who gave Narottam the choice of flogging himself as punishment for his mistakes, or she would do it? His father and father's family detests him, barely tolerates him ... his stepmother was not his stepmother by choice, she was not told about his existence before marrying his father, so she hates him too. Pujan chacha and family are frankly abusive, with the promise of more abuse should they get more power in their hands. Vatsalya seems to have been the only person who gave Narottam any shred of affection ... yet, for all that, Narottam did not show much grief when he died. Was that because his mother engineered the accident? And also  Narottam's reactions?

Now he has Anami ... who promises to stand up for him, to defend him, to punish anyone who dares to punish him. But his mother has told him ... she is your pawn, your means to an end ... befriending her is just a means to his mother's revenge.

Shkhandi in the Mahabharat was born eunuch by her own wish, so that she could avenge her insult from Bheeshma. But she was avenging her own insult. Narottam, the man-woman ... or rather, the man forced to be woman ... is being used, almost from birth, it seems, to avenge the insult of his mother. Will he turn against her? Will Anami's genuine affection and strong support change his path?

The actor playing Narottam is brilliant. The scene when Anami enters the Lal Mahal and his body language changes from normal man to effeminate ... subtle yet obvious. the shift is all in his body language and his eyes ... which go from menacing, calculating, to soft, meek, defenseless, entreating ...

The episode ...
Sudha-Narottam ... she decides who lives, who dies. It is not yet Vikram's time to die.
Did she decide it was Vatsalya's time to die?
For Sudha, her life, even her son, is all about her revenge. Even when she caresses her son as he is about to leave, her caress is accompanied by a threat ... don't make any mistakes ... you know I can't forgive mistakes. Motherly love, there is not an iota.

Hospital scene ... was fairly cringeworthy ... operation for a heart attack :(
Gayatri blames Satrupa ...  Baldev draws her away ... Satrupa has been uncharacteristically silent through the accusations, first at the dining table scene yesterday, and again today ... as though on the verge of giving up ... why is she putting herself and her daughter through all this? For what? She could give up, let Anami go back to the Pandits, and leave herself ...  But she has to follow the right path. Anami is the heir ... this is her birthright ... Satrupa has to fight, till Anami sees the right path and starts fighting herself.

Noticed that Avdhoot makes a move to comfort his grandmother ... and Pujan stops him. Will there be some redemption for Avdhoot? He seems to be not such a villain as his father, only dumb.

Anami-Narottam-chess ... the chess game was the major part of the episode ... forecasting the battle ahead?
Anami wishes for the first time that she could have met Vatsalya. In this house where everyone is at each other's throats all the time, he is the only person about whom no one has a single bad word.
The chess game starts ..
Anami - Tumhare game mein tumko nahin haraya to kya haraya ... 
Narottam - Humein kaala rang pasand hai ...
Anami - Tum safed bhi chunte, to chhe chaal mein tumko hara dete ... saatvein chaal ki naubat nahin aayegi ... 

She asks why does he stay here ... he says he has no choice ... then asks in turn, neither does she, isn't it?
She agrees ... but her stay is going to be short ... she will leave soon.
Then she broaches a forbidden topic ... his mother.
He is not allowed to talk about her ... he gets up and leaves ...
Was the tearing of the kurta accidental? if so, it was a lucky accident for Narottam's plans ... he definitely thinks so.
Anami is furious ... who hurt you? Narottam did it to himself ... but of course, he's not going to tell her that.
Narottam plays martyr ... my only fault is that I'm an illegitimate child of Baldev Sigh. 

Anami vows to change history ... she will be his friend ... and if anyone touches him, she will hurt them ten times more.
She actually sheds a tear for him. Wonder what will happen when Anami realises Narottam has been playing her all along!
Narottam is touched ... let's finish the game. Anami finished it already ... defeated him in six moves like she promised.
What was that last evil look? Narottam just being evil? or unhappy that she actually managed to beat him?

Hospital again ... Dheeru makes a very dramatic ... and rather filmy ... entry. The actor is very good, though ... look forward to seeing what his role is like. He is also the co-producer of the show ... kudos to him for making such a good show!
So Dheeru warns the doctor that Vikram has to live or his family will die ...
Side note - doctor washing blood off gloves??!!! Seriously??!!! *head desk*
Has the doctor been paid by Pujan to kill off Vikram? Now he's being paid to keep him alive ...
And Dheeru visits Vikram ... (when the family was not allowed in ... seriously?!) ... and tells the unconscious man (finally on oxygen) that he can't die ... not till scores are settled.
The last scene was rather filmy ... for the first time in an otherwise impeccably crafted show.

precap - Anami finally approaches Baldev about tampering with the DNA test.

The new promo - Anami all set to leave ... and sees the picture of Vatsalya.

So it seems next week will be all about the DNA test ... and when the result is about to come/has come ... Anami will make plans to run away from Lal mahal ... only to see the picture of vatsalya ... game changer.
Superb promo ... very well shot!

Sanaya's Indonesia trip

Need to post lots of pics, as Sanaya had so many outfits and appearances. Will do next week, when I'm a bit free ... till then, just a couple of pics ...

Rishton Ka Chakravyuh week 4, Ep 19-24, 28th Aug - 2nd Sept

Monday 28th August 
Adhiraj's meeting with Anami ... she hits him ...

His interrogation ... skeletons tumbling out ... or maybe not ... as Baldev says, everyone knows everything anyway.
I liked the way he said it ... he is Narottam's najaayaz baap.
His bitterness shows clearly.
Narottam is sly.

Avdhoot tries pull ... not going to work with Adhiraj.
Pujan tries to run to meet his police contact ... but comes back quietly ... did he meet the corrupt guy or not?
Adhiraj asked Satrupa ... why give away the daughter? Why not the son?
Before she can answer, Anami interjects. Pity ... would have been interesting to hear that answer.

Anami refused to eat for two days ... Satrupa is shocked to hear that from Punam, the bodyguard. She and Damo bring Anami food as she sleeps on her rock out in the garden. Anami, of  course, refuses it ... eat something brought by her enemy? Satrupa anticipated much the same.

Tuesday 29th August 
Beautiful episode
Anami has refused to eat ... Satrupa leaves the plate beside her ... but stands watchfully with Damo by her side on the balcony, watching her wilful cub ... will she give in to hunger?
Momentary worry shows on Satrupa's usually impassive face ... maternal worry that is usually well masked.

Satrupa is a very interesting character. Anami's open rebellion is easy to explain ... she is clear, transparent. Satrupa doesn't allow normal  maternal emotions to show ... how does she feel about this daughter? She knows the child is hers ... she knows she gave her away, for reasons she felt justifiable ... but she shows no softness on bringing her back, no maternal warmth to try to  win Anami over. Is that because she is just built that way? But no ... she was warm and openly loving with Vatsalya. Or is it that she knows that will be taken as a sign of weakness by this young girl, who is more her reflection than her son ever was?

Damo says the same ... Anami is your childhood. Satrupa thinks she is even stronger. But her worry shows on her face ... slight hope as Anami gets up with hunger pangs and stares at the food ... a small victory smile as Anami reaches out ... to be replaced with disappointment ... and a feeling of inevitability, as Anami ties her dupatta firmly around her waits ... no, she's not going to give in so soon.
And Anami remembers her pagli panditayan ... her mother ... her love ... her scoldings .. and how she coaxed her to eat when Anami went on hunger strike ...

Anami steals inside the Mahal  for water ... narrow escape for Narottam as he steals outside ... with his dupatta, he sheds his effeminate demeanor too. On with leather jacket and helmet,and off he goes.

Anami-Dadi ...and Anami finds her first sympathiser in the Mahal ... as Dadi is unwillingly reminded of Vatsalya in Anami. Beautiful scene.

Adhiraj-sister ... the first glimmers of Adhiraj's history with  Laal Mahal ... he lost his mother to the Mahal ... is his mother Damo? Or Sudha? or someone else entirely?

Satrupa watched Anami with a small fond smile ... let anyone do anything, I don't care.

Pujan instigating Dadaji again ... Satrupa challenges him ... but Baldev steps in, he's had enough. Satrupa and her daughter have to leave the Mahal ... otherwise he will leave.
Dadi is not happy at the turn of events.

30th August Wednesday

The lioness fights for her cub ...and then fights with her cub :)
Satrupa finds a surprising ally in Dadi ... who sees Vatsalya's touch in Anami ... otherwise Pujan almost succeeded today in throwing her and Anami out.
Where is Anami when all these major battles are going on?
So Satrupa was married to Baldev by deceit .. she did notknow he was already father to an illegitimate son, Narottam. neither did he, nor did his father, let Satrupa know. No wonder she feels cheated. And she has given her hard work, her blood, sweat and  tears to the family, the company ... but she is not related by blood ... so she can be thrown out.  The unfairness reeks.

Satrupa cries for Vatsalya ... he felt jailed, caged inside Laal Mahal ... was Satrupa his jailor? Is Baldev right when he accuses her of being power hungry?

Dadi worries for the fasting Anami ... as does Satrupa ... its the third  day today. How long will Anami last?

Dadi tells Dada ... or tries to ... of the connect she feels between Anami and Vatsalya ...  but Vikram doesn't want to hear it. Satrupa is the villain in this ... and he wants to keep it that way.

Anami tries  another tamasha ... this time Satrupa is more than a match for her. No bathing in the servants quarters. And Anami's words sting ... but Satrupa is used to being branded cunning, manipulative, power hungry ... not by a flicker does she show if it hurts.

Satrupa carries a tea tray up to Baldev ... I was wondering why Satrupa was carrying tea, and for whom ... the next scene explained it. Another showdown between Baldev and Satrupa ... she tries to convince him that Anami is his daughter ... but Baldev is not ready to believe her. He is hurting too much for his beloved son, he is not ready to see anyone in his place ... least of a ready made convenient 'fake'  daughter. It's all power play by Satrupa ...how could she be so power hungry that she forgot her recently deceased son in her quest for power?!
So Baldev and Satrupa were estranged for a long time ... not only because of  Narottam, but other reasons as well?

Precap is exciting ... Dadi combing Anami's hair ... Adhiraj in Benaras ... Satrupa wants a DNA test through CBI ...

Thursday 31st August

Anami has to have a bath in her own bathroom ... which she finds most confusing! Faucets and showers score the first victory over Anami in Lal Mahal ... much to Poonam's ... and her own amusement.

Adhirajin Benaras ... trying to track the Pandits ... and keeping an eye on Satrupa and Anami. He is convinced that Satrupa is lying about Anami.

Satrupa sees that all family members have decided not to have joint family breakfast ... after Anami's tamasha yesterday, not really surprising.
Pujan takes the opportunity to take a few jibes ... accusing her of buying an heir ... Satrupa can give as good as she gets ... but he gives her the idea of proving Anami's parentage.
Lol ... Pujan claims he was prepared to 'sacrifice' his son ... really?!


Satrupa ... 'hum sochte nahin, karte hain ... aur jo karte hain, danke ki chor par karte hain.'
Loved the play of expressions on Satrupa's face when Pujan gives the jibes about proving parentage ... Narayani Shastri is a really good actress ... you could see the exact moment the idea about DNA testing clicked into her brain.
Fortunately, Satrupa is a woman of great good sense ... definitely sensible enough not to declare aloud to Pujan that she will prove Anami's parentage. As she says ... she doesn't talk ... she acts.
Lol ... Pujan is hoping to sell his son this time around ... after all, when Anami is pronounced false, the family will need an heir again ... his son, of course.

Dadi's worry about Anami fasting continues ... so she  tries some trickery ... maintaining her indifferent facade. Prasad for the devout Shiv bhakt Anami ...
Anami allows her to comb her hair as repayment for the first aid for the twisted ankle ... but sees through the prasad trick ... lipstick and teeka are very different! And for a pandit's daughter, even more so! Dadi is the next one (after Satrupa) to see how sharp Anami is ... it's not easy to fool her.
Always sweet to see Pandit family flashbacks ... and Dadi again feels Vatsalya's touch in Anami.

Satrupa discusses with her lawyer about doing a DNA test to prove Anami's parentage ... but the CBI needs to give approval for the test.
Anami trying her troublesome teenager ... make that two year old ... tantrums again ... to disturb Satrupa ... her antics are getting more and more childish as she tries to push Satrupa to breaking point. Maybe she also sees her own reflection in Satrupa, and realises nothing is really going to work ... so her shenanigans are getting more immature!
Loved the way one look from Satrupa and the kids ran for their lives ... of course not Anami ... she continued her song (I use the word loosely!) ... and unknowingly showed her unconscious acceptance of Satrupa as her mother. Only children who are completely confident about their position with their parents, can take such liberties. Though of course Anami is still doing it for a different reason ... but the growing immaturity of her actions shows her weakening stance.

Did not understand why CBI needs to give approval for the DNA test ... surely it should be a family matter? One explanation - the CBI is now investigating Vatsalya's death not just as an isolated murder, but also with the implications on Royal Steel, which is a big business with its attendant shareholders and board members. All of them have to be appraised and satisfied with the appointment of the new heir. Adhiraj suspects Satrupa of getting in a 'fake heir ... that actually doesn't make sense if he includes her as suspect in Vatsalya's death ... Vatsalya was firmly under Satrupa's thumb, so she had absolutely no motive to get him killed. But if seen in the context that Vatsalya's death may have been an accident, or a murder by persons unknown ... but Satrupa, while devastated by his death, took the opportunity to get in a 'fake heir' to prevent RS going to Avdhoot, and to ensure that the control of RS remained in her hands. So while she is not ... or should not be ... a suspect in Vatsalya's urder investigation, she could be committing fraud by bringing in Anami. And Anami and her parents, the Pandits, would of course be complicit in the fraud ... either by knowing about Royal Steel ... or just being guilty of selling their daughter to Satrupa.

Which is what Adhiraj is trying to get them to confess ... he was most obnoxious with the Pandits, and I will be very happy to see his face when he realises he was completely wrong about them!

So Satrupa tries to get in touch with Adhiraj to authorise the DNA test ... and overhears something interesting ... Adhiraj is in Benaras. What is he doing there?

Investigating the Pandits ... that's what. And if the Pandits give in to familial love for the their daughter, and use the CBI to give a wrong statement to get their daughter back, Satrupa is in trouble.

However, Murari Pandit only tells the truth ... however difficult it might be for him and his family. And Adhiraj is out to make it very difficult for him!

Rishton Ka Chakravyuh - week 3, Ep 13-18, 21st -26th August

Monday, 21st August

Narottam-Avdhoot. Vatsalya was compassionate and affectionate towards his half-brother. Avdhoot is disdainful and already ready to change equations to master and servant, even before becoming master.

Getting ready for the pagri rasam ... Avdhoot's mother is in a hurry, Guruji is not. Whispers already circulating about Baldev's adoption of Avdhoot ... good  idea but whose idea was it?

Vikram and his wife Gayatri - remembering Vatsalya. Are they doing the right thing? Their family is finished, but at least Royal Steel can be saved by this step.

Guruji waiting for Satrupa. Wet wood and bones for the havan kund ... apshagun! Narottam did his bit ... now Guruji is happy to stall the havan. But Pujan is ready to bribe the pandit ... the havan will proceed.
Vikram doesn't want to stall ... he doesn't want to delay any further. Vatsalya is gone,  he will not return. At least the company can be saved.

Narottam is annoyed ... has his plan failed?

Baldev ... is a very interesting character. He has agreed for the adoption, but under duress ... and he has no qualms about showing his displeasure. He will not be part of the drama ... he may have had to adopt an idiot, but he won't even pretend to be happy ... regardless of what the investors and  shareholders say.
His character is very layered ... fascinating.
Satrupa is many layered too ... the entire Mahal knows she keeps her cards very close to her chest always. Has she run away? No, she is coming back from Benaras.

The pagri arrives ... to the glee of Pujan and family ... and to the distress of the rest.

Narottam still has his eyes on the pagri.

Damo in constant touch with the Mahal ... wait, we are coming.

Another face off between Satrupa and Anami ... Satrupa extends a curt olive branch ... Anami rejects it.

Adhiraj filler scene ... he finds himself an informer to keep him informed about the goings on at the Mahal.

Narottam's breakdown as the puja goes under way, was the most powerful scene of the day. His memories... always insults, always abuse ... for something not his fault, but that of his father ... his grandfather ridiculed his desire to take over his brother's place ... his cousin, now to be his master, abused and ridiculed him, forced him to dance like a eunuch ...
Who was the mysterious lady in green who forced Narottam to dance? Was it his own mother who turned him into a eunuch to ensure he could stay at the Laal Mahal, as he posed no threat to the rightful heir? Or was it someone else?

And Satrupa arrives just in time to stop the pagri being placed on the wrong head.

Precap is interesting - Satrupa proclaims in front of the entire assembly that Anami is her daughter and Vikram's grand-daughter.

22nd August, Tuesday
Announcement from Satrupa ... Anami is the heir of the family.
Vikram disbelieving ...
Gayatri angry
Baldev equally angry ... for a different reason ... he has a daughter and he was never told? Anami reacts to that one ... her father wasn't complicit in the decision to throw her away? Hate for mother intensified further.
Pujan tries to stir up trouble ... he doesn't have to work too hard.  Vikram declares only Avdhoot will be heir.
Satrupa declares equally firmly she will not adopt Avdhoot, she is fighting for the rights of her daughter.
Vikram says again ... only Avdhoot gets to wear the turban.
Satrupa again says ... Anami.

Anami puts an end ... temporarily ... to the fight ...  by dumping the turban into the fire ... na rahega baans, na bajegi bansuri.  Fight is over the turban ... let's put an end to the turban.
Family shocked ...
Anami warns an impassive Satrupa in the presence of the shocked family ... get used to this ... this drama is going to happen every day now. You did tamasha in my house ... now I will do tamasha every day in yours.

Sudha is told by loyal servant Naina of Anami's arrival. Psycho Sudha is not pleased.
What is hers, will be hers one day.

23rd August, Wednesday
Baldev-Satrupa ... powerful confrontation! Both such good actors ... the tension in the air was palpable! Baldev doesn't believe Anami is his daughter ... Satrupa thought he would fight over her concealing the girl ... not about her identity ...

Vikram Gayatri ...Gayatri does not trust Satrupa ... and Satrupa has the power.
Again Mahabharat reference ... what should Vikram do? Fight Satrupa? Gayatri wants him to do so ... but he is afraid this will become a battleground and the destruction will spread far and wide.

Anami is not impressed with her gilded cage.
Small encounter with her father ... Anami has a very small! soft spot for him ... after all, he only seemed upset he hadn't been told about her existence ... she hasn't heard the fight between him and Satrupa, of course ...

Vikram does not like Anami at all ... she will not be his heir!

Adhiraj chases a transformed Narottam on a bike ...

Precap - Vikram ready ... on Pujan's goading ... to kill Anami?!

24th August Thursday
Pujan is getting more and more frustrated and angry ...  wonder whether he will start making mistakes, or will Dadaji start to see through him?

Anami-Satrupa ...Anami cannot see beyond her blind hatred of her birth mother ... Satrupa is older and wiser ... and she does understand ... but she has to stay strong, and not let herself be provoked into fighting, as Anami is trying to do. Somewhere I feel she already sees a reflection of herself in her daughter ... and is beginning to respect and like that ... the heir will need to be very strong ... Satrupa was much stronger than Baldev, and it seems Anami will be equally strong ... after anumber of false starts, of course.

So Adhiraj had to abandon his pursuit of Narottam in the last episode ... wonder if Narottam went to meet his mother?
So next he tries to get into Lal Mahal ... apart from the first meeting of hero and heroine, the foray didn't really accomplish much ... unless something more happens tonight. Adhiraj manages to avoid Anami... I guess he doesn't figure out who she really is ... the heir to LM is not likely to be sleeping outside for one thing.

Liked the conversation of Satrupa with Anami's bodyguard (forget the girl's name) ... give her time, she will rebel, that's natural ... but keep an eye on her, and an eye open for any danger.
And liked the way Satrupa settled into a chair for the night to keep a watchful eye over her rebellious daughter ... and the slight smile on her face as she watched her ... yes, Satrupa is beginning to know and like her daughter.

Pujan tries to provoke Dadaji into killing Anami ... of course that's not going to happen ... but Satrupa does see him go towards Anami with a gun ...
Why didn't she call out, rather than run down? Did she think she could outrun a bullet if Dadaji really did shoot Anami?!

Friday & Saturday 25th and 26th August
Quick recap of the essential points only ... of course Dadaji didn't shoot Anami ... but he did make for Guruji, as the perpetrator of this mess ... and Satrupa, after her initial relief at finding Anami safe and sleeping, followed him ... she tells Vikram to shoot her instead ... he can't do that either, but he does threaten Anami ... whereupon the tigress mother protecting her cub emerges from behind the dutiful bahu ... nobody dare do anything to hurt my child.
Second time  I noticed ... Dadaji doesn't say he treated Satrupa like his daughter ... he treated her like a son.

Breakfast drama ... Anami is acting like a spoiled brat ... obviously hoping that if she shocks this family enough, they will send her back home.
But Satrupa is prepared for her. 'Breakfast?'
More shocks by Anami ... she gives away the new clothes Satrupa has brought for her, to the maid ... she refuses to cut her hair ...
Satrupa is giving her a long  rope ... she seems to accept that Anami  will be rebellious at first ... even expects it ... Anami is her daughter after all.
There are these small smiles on Satrupa's face when Anami is being particularly troublesome ... as though remembering her own self, a glimmer of pride ... she wouldn't have expected her daughter to be a pushover, meek or mild ... Anami is living up to what Satrupa expects of her.

In the meantime Pujan continues to instigate Dadaji ... Adhiraj continues to investigate ... and lands up in the Laal mahal to ask questions ...

Rishton Ka Chakravyuh - week 2, Ep 7-12, 14-19th Aug '17

14th August Monday
Filler scenes of Anami ...
Grief for Vatsalya ...
Intrigue and plotting starts ...

15th August Tuesday 
Anami downs gundas with martial arts ... thankfully, no miraculous flying kicks or levitational stunts.
Tension between Baldev and his father, between Baldev and Satrupa, between Satrupa and her in-laws ...
Cop Adhiraj tracks gunda no. 1 of Pujan, but Pujan is one step ahead.
Guruji tells Satrupa, go get your daughter back, she is the rightful heir.

So Satrupa was supposed to send her son, her first-born, away for his own safety ... putra moh made her send her daughter away instead. Now with Vatsalya's death, has the threat to the other child lessened?

16th August Wednesday

17th August Thursday

18th August Friday
Anami-Pandit on the ghats - beautiful scene, reminded me of the bond between Khushi and her babuji. Murari pandit also tells Anami that bonds of love and trust are stronger than bonds of blood. Anami's despair, mingled with hatred for her mother ... overpowered by the overwhelming fear of being torn from the only family she has known and loved ... Mahima was so good in the scene ... her near-hysteria and despair beautifully portrayed. You feel for the girl ... her world being torn apart ... even the reassurance from her beloved Pandit isn't enough to assuage her fears ... rightfully so.

Guruji-Vikram - as Royal Steel goes down in the stock market, Vikram prepones Avdhoot's pagri ceremony - Guruji is not happy. There is dawn after the night, but Vikram is not ready to wait for it.

Guruji-Damo conversation - so Guruji gets on the phone to Damo and tells her, Satrupa needs to step on it ... forget her grief and just get Anami back.

Guruji seems more involved in the family politics and business matters than a religious guru should be ... his own ambitions here? Or does he truly have the good of the family at heart, and is concerned (rightfully ) about the evil machinations of Pujan and Avdhoot?

Shirtless hero Adhiraj :) watched by drooling sidekick! Info - Satrupa has gone to Benaras. But why?

Baldev- Vikram - Vikram is ruthless, Baldev is bitter ... he truly loved his son ... but his wife, Satrupa? And how will he react when he hears that she hid his own child from him for so many years? Loved the little flashback ... the love between father and son was so endearing.
Bitterness against his father too... Satrupa was always more important ... his sins could never be forgiven, but she is flawless. So how will the old man react when he hears that Satrupa is not so flawless after all?

Satrupa- Damo and the Bhagvad Geeta ... Satrupa truly, deeply conflicted ... her pain is no less, she gave away her child knowingly, and now faces the hatred of that child. Should she give that child more pain by tearing her away from the only family she knows and loves? Would that not be selfish? She's hurt her once as a mother by giving her away ... can she hurt her again? Will Anami ever forgive her?
But Damo continues the lines from the Geeta ... this is a fight between right and wrong ... Satrupa has to fight for her children's rights, she owes it to them, and that is her duty.
Another beautiful scene showcasing Satrupa's conflict ... she has an unpleasant road ahead, but tread it she must.

The Pandit family spend a restless night ... Murari Pandit worried despite his reassurance to Anami that she can never be separated from them, he too knows that may not be true.
Anami seeks comfort in her mother's lap ... but for how long? Both mother and daughter spend the night fearful about the storm ahead. In fact,the entire family is sleepless, their night darkened by a deep sense of foreboding that hangs over them all, from Murari Pandit to little Laddoo.
(Loved the song used here ... from Parineeta ... raat hamari toh ... chaand ki saheli hai)

And rightfully so ... for in the morning, the storm breaks. Satrupa has no time to mollify her daughter ... she has to take her back the very next day. So saam daam dand bhed ... false kidnapping case ... which will do the job, but at the cost of alienating her daughter even further ... as hate flashes deeper in Anami's eyes. Daughter is a chip off the old block all right ... mother and daughter are cut from the same cloth ... both equally self willed and strong.
In the meantime, Baldev orders his henchman ... Satrupa has to be found and brought back toLal Mahal ... she has to sign the adoption papers.

19th August Saturday
Face off between mother and daughter - Anami angry, furious ...  how can you do this, what kind of woman are you, can you stoop so low for money? First you threw me away, and now you come to pick me up when it suits you?
Not by a flicker does Satrupa reveal how those accusations wound her ... if they do at all. She didn't want to do this ...but Anami left her no choice.
Anami isn't done yet ...she will stay where she wants.
Satrupa's trump card ... Anami is still a minor. The kidnapping case will hold. She has the power to decide where Anami will stay.

Laal Mahal
Avdhoot gets ready for pagri rasam ...grumbling to mummy about cold and hot  water. That's going to be the least of his worries.

Benaras - face off continues ... Anami not giving up, but neither is Satrupa ... neither is Panditayan, Anami is her daughter. Veiled and not so veiled threats from Satrupa about the fate of Murari Pandit, his wife, and his little son ...  they worry Anami, but she's not ready to give in ..
But then she sees the police taking off her parents.

So yes ... Anami capitulates ... umar dhokha de gayi. But it's vanvaas of one year only ... she will be back as soon as she turns 18. And another barb towards her mother - if only you were as good a mother as you are a conspirator.
Pandits are ready togo to jail ... Anami doesn't have to go with anyone.
But Anami loves them too much ... and the fire in her belly has been burning for 17 years.
Saturpa threatens her ...come quietly, and nothing will happen to these people.
Anami threatens her back ... anything happens to them and I will turn your mahal to ruins.

Mother nehla, toh daughter dehla.

So Anami goes with Satrupa ... as the streets of Benaras flash by, so do her memories ... but as she promised Murari Pandit and herself ... not a tear in her eye.

Avdhoot-Pujan ... waiting for Satrupa to surrender ... they also know the real power lies with her. Avdhoot getting ready to enjoy his new life ... doesn't bode well for his future.

Laddo-Panditayan ... 'She' took Anami away.
And Anami went?
Heart broken mother and son ... 'I want her back.'
They both do.

Anami in the car with an impassive Satrupa ... Memories again ... the truth of her adoption. Laddoo's naamkaran, where Pandits asserted she was part of their family. Memories with Laddoo.
And Anami vows silently to the birth mother she hates already... you are taking me away from everything I held dear ... I promise you, I will make you live to regret what you are doing.

Rishton Ka Chakravyuh Week 1, Ep 1-6

Start date - 7th Aug

Narayani Shastri, mysterious Satrupa. Is she perfectly happy with the decision to abandon her daughter?
Mahima - Anami, the abandoned daughter. Angry, bitter with the birth mother who abandoned her, she abandons her every year on her birthday.
A benevolent grandfather ... or not so benevolent?
Anju Mahendru, grandmother ... complicit? or unwilling participant in the abandonment?
Vatsalya ... the twin brother, brought up in the lap of luxury, and now heir to the steel business.

The standard villains - uncle (the actor who played Shakuni in Mahabharat), his vampish smart, attractive wife, and equally standard spoilt, demanding son ... who wants his rightful (?) share.

The father - Baldev ... who is deemed unfit ... for what reason? Unfaithfulness? And who is Narottam? Vatsal's stepbrother? Illegitimate?  So Vatsalya is a sweet guy, who loves his brother/half-brother regardless of family pressure. Or is he?
Is Satrupa the daughter or daughter-in-law?

Anami's adopted family ... loving, supportive ... Anami fervently asserts her real mother is her pagli panditayin, not her birth mother.
Her father ... the pandit.
Her younger brother - Laddoo.

The family priest - Tom Alter in an interesting role.
The standard dayima ... the faithful servant/bai, who holds the family's dark secret locked in her bosom, but her guilt pangs are firmly suppressed by the family pandit ... she committed neither mistake nor sin when she helped abandon the baby girl.

Precap on  day 2- Anami and Vatsal, long separated twins, both hate their birthdays. Anami - we know the reason. But Vatsal?

Finally an intriguing show to watch! Stellar cast, great sets and locations - the ghats of Benaras ... and interesting storyline. Mother-daughter conflict amidst larger intrigue.

Read a snippet from the writer- the story was inspired by a stray thought from the Mahabharat -what if Karna had been a girl? Now I'm even more hooked.

edit - 10/08 - may make this a weekly post with daily updates, if it continues this way - the show has me hooked for now.

09/08 -An attack on Vatsal - why was the actual attack edited? Apparently the bodyguard and Anami togther save him.
Before that a sweet scene between the twins bonding on the ghats of Benaras ... daughter is like the mother, son seems to be like the father, sweet enough but weak. I loved this scene, loved the way the twins were instinctively, instantly comfortable with each other  ... Vatsal feels complete in Benaras, but as soon as he leaves, he feels restless, as though something is missing ... while Anami has always been a restless soul, despite a loving adoptive family ... is her restlessness because of the knowledge she is adopted and she craves to have pagli panditayin be her birth mother ... or is it more than that? The same feeling of incompleteness that haunts her twin?   

An emotional scene between Anami and her adoptive mother - Anami's chief complaint - why did her adoptive pagli panditayin not give birth to her? Characters maintained - Anami is obviously a prickly, undemonstrative girl, so no hugs, no overflowing tears ... mother swallows her tears and issues a threat, eat the kheer or I'll beat you ... Anami turns her back so mother won't see her wiping her tears.

10/08 - Cute scene with Anami's parents practicing their English, in preparation for son to be admitted to English medium school.

Vatsal wants to break free ... dad supports him, grandmom understands, mother and grandfather are worried about his security. Chacha plants rebellious thoughts in his brain ... Vatsal takes the leap.
Narottam watches him leave? Another intrigue.

Edit 11/08

Nice to see Chakravyuh doing well in the UK - for a 6 pm show, make that - very well! Top rated show for the channel!
Also nice to see NK doing well, that's the other show I watch.

Also happy to see regressive and ghissa pita shows doing poorly. Wish Pehredaar Piya Ki on Sony would follow suit ... cannot understand how that show has viewers ... the promos alone put me off completely.

https://www.bizasialive.com/overnights-ipkknd-3-tu-sooraj-bring-star-plus-uk-ratings/?

Overnights - 'IPKKND-3' & 'Tu Sooraj' bring down Star Plus UK ratings 

Most Asian channels suffered in UK ratings last night in UK, with Hum TV getting close to overtaking Star Plus, according to exclusive data obtained by BizAsiaLive.com.

Star Plus’ worst performing shows last night in UK were ‘Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon – Season 3’ with 19,400 viewers at 20:00 and ‘Tu Sooraj Mein Saanjh Piyaji’ at 19:00 with 16,700 viewers – the two shows got their lowest ratings in the UK. The channel’s top rated show was the newly launched ‘Chakravyuh’, which dropped in audience numbers but did well with 76,100 viewers, followed by ‘Yeh Hai Mohabbatein’ at 19:30 with 65,900 viewers and ‘Naamkarann’ at 21:00 with 40,400 viewers. Star Plus’ overall day share stood at 0.17%.

Edited 11/08 - episode take.

If the episodes continue to go this way, I might make this a daily take. So far, very good going. 

Superb first week ... I am completely hooked to the show. The acting, the sets, the locations ... oh yes, shallow but have to mention - the costumes ... I love what Narayani is wearing, she wears the most beautiful rich sarees, elegant and simple, but rich ... minimal jewelry, but so elegant ... she looks classy! Anju Mahendru is classy looking anyway, and she always dresses that way. The chachi too, wears very elegant sarees and just the right amount of jewelry for home. 

Contrast that with Murari Pandit's family ... simple, cotton printed clothes, no embellishments, except for Anami's silver and bead stuff ...I love the little choti Laddoo sports, great attention to detail there. 

Chachaji ... he didn't put  down his cup of tea for a minute during the entire 'Vatsal is dead' drama ... drama all in slow motion and mute ... superb! And his change of expression from the slight satisfied smile to the pretend shock and grief ... fabulous! 

Anami's bracelet, the one given to her by Vatsalya, broke the exact instant his accident happened? She remembers him ... 'if I had a sister, she would be like you' ... and bends to pick up the scattered beads. Symbolic, yes ... does this mean that she will pick up the pieces of his broken family, that his death leaves behind? or that she will be the one to save his life as well? I hope the latter ... Vatsal was a lovely character, he endeared himself to viewers within the first week, would be awful if his role was so short-lived ... but he has to die for  Anami  to take his place. Let's see ...  they didn't show his body, so I will hope for the best :) 

Sangeeta Ghosh ... what an entry!!! She hates Laal Mahal and the inmates ... were her tears for  Vatsalya genuine? They seemed so ... but very briefly. Another very complex character ... steel and silk combined. 

The hero had very hero type entry  I read he went through over 100 auditions before landing this role ...if it's the same guy. He also has a history with Laal Mahal. 

Acting is top notch ... story telling is great ... layer upon layer ... hope the show continues this way ... SP might finally have a winner. Just hope they change the time slot!!! 

12/08 - didn't realise the show is 6 days a week! So here is the episode update for Saturday -
Starts with reprise of hero scene,  where he wangles charge of the Vatsalya-Laal Mahal case from his superior ... for his own motives,  as  he too, has a connection with Laal Mahal. A side remark to his sidekick about collecting 'James Bond ka taamjhaam' ... I chuckled at that one. 

Very moving scenes of mourning Vatsalya ... hallmark of good actor and good writing, that he made us root for him in 6 episodes. Beautiful mourning scenes, as father, grandfather and mother recall their special bond with the cheerful, affectionate boy ... the flashback of Satrupa with her little boy was especially moving. 
In the meantime, Anami tries to string together the broken rudraksha bracelet, gifted to her by the stranger on the ghats, and wonders why she feels such a sense of loss and impending doom. Beautiful way of showing the unspoken, intangible bond between the twin siblings ... real life twins often speak of this bond, I loved the way they showed it here. Her father thinks she is upset because Laddoo didn't get admission ... in another beautiful scene ... the cinematography of the ghats was stunning! ... but Anami's upset goes deeper than that, and for once her father doesn't have the answers to her questions. 
Chacha and his son see off the mourning visitors, and mutter between themselves about the next stage of their plan.
Narottam - he always wanted to be Vatsalya ... but he was only ever - Narottam. Love, envy, anger, hate ...? 
Satrupa tries to commit suicide ... obviously she won't succeed, but that's left for next week.
Hero arrives at Laal Mahal, ready for his own action plan ... carrying a picture of a happy family. Laal Mahal, the source of his own pain and sorrow. 

http://www.tellydhamaal.com/rishton-ka-chakravyuh-review-the-show-is-a-definite-watch/

Star Plus new show Rishton Ka Chakravyuh featuring Mahima Makwana (Anami) and Narayani Shastri (Satrupa) is the saga of the modern day Mahabharat on TV

The very first episode of Rishton Ka Chakravyuh (produced by  Sanjot Kaur and Bhupinder Singh) managed to grab the attention of its viewers by giving us the glimpse into what it is all about. The story is about the reunion of Anami (Mahima Makwana) and her mother Satrupa (Narayani Shastri) and the love-hate relationship that follows…

Story So far….

A new born baby girl is taken away from her mother (Satrupa) just after birth unknown to the latter. While the reason behind it is unknown, she gets raised as a feisty rebellious no-nonsense young girl  (Anami) in a priest’s family with a deep-rooted hatred against her mother, who is unaware about her existence.

Meanwhile, in the house (Lal House) Anami’s family celebrate the birth of a boy and we see Anami’s grandfather name the child Vatsalya Vikram Singh. People chant the name in unison when a man makes an entry, congratulating the birth of a boy. The man then plays the dhol (wooden drum) cheering the name of the new-born boy.

17 years later, Anami is happy with foster family consisting of Murari Pandit, his wife Madhu and her little brother Laddoo. However, Anami has hatred for her real mother who had abandoned after her birth and she wishes Madhu should have been her mother by birth.

In the Singh Family, Aditya Singh takes the mic and starts to announce the heir to his business when Vatsalya’s uncle arrives with his family who is hopeful of hearing his name as the heir. But his dreams are shattered when Aditya Singh declares that Vatsalya will be the person taking charge of the business empire. Aditya then informs his family that they will all leave for Benaras to perform a puja the next day. In Banaras, Vataslay’s gets attacked by the goons which are sent by Vatsalya’s uncle. However, Anami saves Vatsalya. They are unaware of their relationship and yet they share a sister-brother bond.

In the last episodes, we saw Vatsalya runs away from his house after revolting against his mother’s decision to keep him house arrested. His enemies take advantage of the opportunity and kill him in a car accident. Vatalsaya dies and the Lal Mahal mourns his death. Two new characters Sudha (Sangita Ghosh) and Adhiraj (Ankit Siwach) have been introduced. Sudha is a grey shaded character who would be illegitimate wife of Baldev (Ajay Chaudhary). He entry will bring more complications in the story. Ankit Siwach aka Adhiraj is a cop who would come to Lal Mahal to investigate Vatsalaya’s accident case.

The future development on the show looks very interesting.  Satrupa will soon find out that Anami is her daughter and pledge bring her home despite Anami’s resistance and hatred for her.

Review

Rishton Ka Chakravyuh looks like a decent daily soap with a different storyline. The show has been shot on a grand scale with good sets, costumes and authentic locales. The sights of Varanasi were also nicely captured. The cast looks promising. Narayani Shastri and Praneet Bhatt look carved for their respective roles in the show.

Narayani Shastri towers over everyone as the decisive, loving yet astute Satarupa. A beautiful shade that comes out of Satrupa is the manner in which she becomes a ‘child’ when with her son, Vaatsalya (Devarshi Shah)!!  The scene where the two of them dance and sing to the number ‘O Mere Dil Ke Chein’ was indeed really sweet. At the same time, she is the dutiful ‘bahu’ to her in-laws, and gives them the due respect and can be a tough lady wo can go to any extent to save her son from her enemies.

The surprise package is Praneet Bhatt, who is superb as the villainous uncle who wants the wealth of the family to be inherited by his son and not Satarupa’s boy, Vatsalya. He comes as a cunning, greedy and negative brother of Baldev Vikram Singh does a great job.

Kudos to Mahima Makwana to take up this role. She’s bold and confident, yet in the very next second, looks weak and fragile when the very thought of her birth comes to the fore.  As Anami, Mahima packs a punch. She has the right mix of aggression and emotion that the character needs. Mahima brings in the right expressions as the calm and composed self, and also when she is burning with anger. (Also See:  Chakravyuh: Mahima Makwana talk about her character as Anami)

The one thing that will work in favour of the show is the level of curiosity and deceptiveness that every character in the show brings to the table.

Final Verdict:

With all the unpredictability factors related to characters, Rishton Ka Chakravyuh will only weave its mystery-laden charm in the minds of viewers. A core story of troubled mother-daughter relationship, good cast and so far, decent writing makes its a MUST watch! We hope the makers continue to keep the intrigue going with the story telling and don’t indulge on over-the-top drama.