29/4 - 2/5 - Chhanchhan Epi 21- 24 Purvi Re-Marriage

Monday 29th April ...
Uma Ben furious with Hitesh's parents and forbids them to allow HP marriage. Apparently it's a question of her prestige.
Manav is a bit flummoxed as to why his mom said different things to Hitesh and his parents. Since he has good insight, he realises his teeny weeny brain cannot manage the situation ... besides, Chhanchhan is the hero of this show, not him ... so he dutifully calls her.
KRS-UB ... RS remind UB again about runaway bridegroom, and inform that he has now become joru ka ghulam and ghar jamai. Striking , if not terror, at least very healthy fears in UB's mind ... apparently her lack of trust in her children extends to hr laadla beta too. This sounds like just the kind of thing he would do.

ChanMan ... badly written, skipped some vital dialogues ... how did CC assume that the girl is ready for the marriage? Manav only spoke about the boy and his parents. First thing was to check with the girl. Shubhchintak lady should be ignored ... if she is truly shubhchintak, she will welcome the marriage ... if she doesn't, she isn't. Besides, elders are not always right all the time.
Eyelock was badly placed, badly directed, badly edited ...

Uma Ben works on Himanshu to find out identity of Manav's new friend. Warns him not to tell either Manav or his girl 'friend'.

Tuesday 30th April ...
Himanshu fixes a meeting for UB to see Chhanchhan.
Manav-Hitesh ... again badly written ... did not understand why Manav suggested court marriage here. Suggestion should have come after UB threatened Hitesh's parents. Manav should have just counselled Hitesh to meet Purvi and get her answer. The question of marriage, where, how, when could come up only after Purvi said yes.

Manthan gives court papers to Babuji, who tells him to tell the date to UB. Manthan wants a lawyer, Babuji says no. This is a family matter, only UB will handle it. She saved the house, the business, everything.

CC-Purvi-Hitesh ... nice, and the actors are all decent, makes so much of difference! Purvi and Hitesh conveyed the hesitation, the awkwardness, the emotions, so well ... *sigh* when you see good acting from the side characters, really wish the male lead was better, would make so much of a difference!
So Hitesh and his parents got convinced seeing the newspaper ad of Purvi's classes, with the denouncement of dowry ... Hitesh mouths all CC's dialogues which she had given Manav, and CC realises that Manav's friend is the very same Hitesh ... ah good, one loop closed.

Manav totally smitten, staring at CC's pics ... UB comes in to fish ... and asks about his dream girl. 
Farhan was bad in this entire scene ... he is totally erratic! ... speaking with his eyes closed and NO expression on his face!!! Really?! And his reactions when he hears that Hitesh is Purvi's ex-groom ... blank!!!
Manav shows some sign of brains by saving CC's number as Himanshu ... then loses his brains again and leaves the phone in the room for his mom to pick up. Another near-miss ... but of course. Anarkali saves the day by barking. Another lie for Manav ... Himanshu has a new dog in his neighbourhood.

Chhanchhan-Purvi ... Purvi scared, CC counsels her.
Isn't Purvi going to speak to her dad at all? One loop left dangling here.
And another mirror image scene as Purvi asks CC what kind of life partner she wants, and CC describes Manav ... Loved Sanaya's expressions here, soft-eyed, dreamy ...


Wednesday 1st May ...
When did they decide to meet in the cafe?
Cafe scene was cute though ... liked all three, Hitesh, Purvi, CC. Farhan was meh. Hitesh bhai is all ready and eager for honeymoon! Manav clueless like all men, CC has to drag him away so that Hitesh can grab a few moments with his blushing bride.
Court marriage already decided ... still didn't understand why. It should have come after UB threatening Hitesh's parents. CC and Manav will do the shopping.

UB has fixed new rishta for Hitesh. Hitesh's parents are less than overjoyed ... not that UB is bothered.
Was glad to see that Hitesh's parents knew Hitesh had gone to meet Purvi ... would have been nice if Purvi had thrown in a dialogue about talking to her father too.

CC explains to Manav why she called him away ... CC still worrying about Purvi, Manav is too busy gazing at her with smitten looks to think about anything else.
SN - I think director told Farhan, look smitten, so he's trying to look smitten, with that silly grin on his face. Arey bhai, react to her dialogues also! 

UB-Babuji discuss the upcoming case. Treachery within and by the family.
Himanshu has fixed the UB-CC meeting. UB doesn't tell her husband about Manav and his girlfriend.

Hitesh reassures his parents ... they are still nervous. Hitesh sends them out of town till he is safely married.

Uma Ben-CC ... another near miss. UB catches another lie of Manav's. This is becoming a habit.

Thursday 2nd May ...
Some cute ChhanMan scenes ... ChanMan go shopping for Purvi-Hitesh, and have a good time together while doing so, both enjoy the time with each other, and are getting closer and closer. Nice thing is they genuinely enjoy each others company (or would, if Farhan could emote better). Chhanchhan makes Manav into a mannequin, tells him girls can judge best what looks good on a guy, he returns the favor by choosing Purvi's saree and bangles and telling her guys can judge best the same for a girl ... acknowledged with a glint of mischief in her eyes and an expression that says 'touche!' The bangle scene was cute ... 
And random salespeople remark on how good they are as a couple ...

Another near miss ... ChanMan go to book room at hotel for Hitesh-Purvi, same hotel where Uma Ben has meeting with Hitesh's new prospective in-laws ... a few near-misses there, not just one ... and another cute ChhanMan scene and some ChanMan moments as they check out the hotel room together.
Rather small for a 'special' hotel room!

Uma Ben claims that her children don't hide anything from her ... just as Manav with Chhanchhan a few paces away books the room ... nice touch of irony!!!

Chanchan family scenes ... Purvi checks out the shopping, Chanchan's family teases CC, much to her irritation ...  

At court ... Uma Ben arrives to sign papers ... lawyer wonders why she doesn't leave these random running around jobs to her sons ... Uma Ben not pleased ... there is division of labour in their house and she takes care of the court work ... More wheels within wheels here ... does Uma Ben not trust even her own sons? Or is there something she is hiding from them?

Purvi and CC discuss karmic connections ... and CC remembers Manav ... is there a karmic connection between her and him, that they kept meeting again and again?

Uma Ben sees the court notice for the wedding. And she is all aag baboola ... her nemesis, CC, strikes again!

Some nice segments and articles for the weekend 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Reel-smart-girls-take-over-prime-time/articleshow/19865771.cms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffWcWuczKmc&sns=tw
CC cooking :)

Team Sarun interview with Supriya P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zA02Ph6nd_Q

Sanaya Irani's exclusive interview with Team SaRun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7c0qeq0TmQ

Sanaya Reading Fan Mail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNVJ45if9gU

Sanaya Signing Autographs and bidding goodbye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr7ahm12S7A 

25/4 - Epi 20 ... Past Meets Future ... or not?

Thursday 25th April

First half, light and cute ... Manav-CC lost in eyelock, family and friends enjoy the scene ... much to CC's embarrassment. Goodbyes ... till we meet again.
Thought there would be a phone conversation after that sign language ... no?

Chhanchhan's family has a good time teasing her ... next morning so do her friends.
Sanaya looks gorgeous in yellow.

Twist in the tail ... Hitesh wants to marry Purvi after all, and tells Uma Ben so. And Manav overhears the conversation about the marriage being cancelled due to dowry demands.
And Uma Ben is annoyed ... she is the deal maker ... no one else breaks the deals she makes, nor can they re-make the deals she breaks.

Precap - Manav asks Chhanchhan what should Hitesh do? This is going to be interesting.

*Edit*

Cute moments ... ChanMan lost in each others' eyes ... CC goes inside to get gifts, Manav follows ... says he's in love, CC drops the gifts ...
Sanaya does these scenes so well ... the blushing looks, the embarrassment, trying to cover up her own embarrassment as well as that from the remarks of her well-meaning but completely crazy family and friends ...
Manav sees more and more that his family is very different from hers ... 
Interesting ... Manav is actually quite clear sighted about his family and their shortcomings ... in one short visit, he can see the contrast so clearly. Most guys, in fact, most people, never can see the faults in their own family, maybe because they have grown up with them, and it is something very normal and natural.
Also Manav is in the honeymoon phase of falling in love ... everything about CC appeals to him!

CC sends off the orphanage kids with Rugved ... Manav thinks she will get on very well with his mom .... CC also quite happy at the thought of meeting his family. Oh boy!!! Little do they know!

And Manav is all set to stock up on allergy pillls ... no more rukawat in meeting Chhanchhan.
Liked the little sign language "I'll call you."

Manav-Himanshu ... again, interesting that Manav has seen the contrast between the openness and warmth in Chhanchhan's family, and the difference with his, where everyone has to think a hundred times before saying a word. The casual open affection in her family, as opposed to the formality and strictness in his own ... while every member of CC's family knew about him and Himanshu, his interactions with the dogs ... they welcomed him as Chhanchhan's friend. And his own family has no clue that he even knows a girl like her. There seems to be no one he can talk to ... despite having three brothers, three bhabhis and a sister. Himanshu is much closer to him than any member of his family. 

And the reason is looming over the staircase, watching Manav and Himanshu ... Uma Ben. Who smells something very fishy when Manav actually sends Himanshu off.
Uma Ben really thinks this is the first time Manav has ever lied to her?! Little does she know ... the real reason Manav went to the wildlife camp, for starters ... 

Chhanchhan's family having a field day teasing her about Manav ... Chhanchhan trying very hard to convince them Manav is a friend, no more ... Daadi gets an admission out of Chhanchhan's mouth ...
But family decides to let CC take her time and her decision herself ...that's the way they have always done things. Given the kids the freedom to decide.

Uma Ben and bahus ... wake up the sleeping Kumbhkaran.
Uma Ben's background music is very irritating.
Hitesh arrives for a visit  ... and UB dismisses the bahus as usual ... they are not much more than servants in the house.
Hitesh upsets UB's apple cart completely, by declaring he wants to marry Purvi after all.

CC and friends ... Simple reads Purvi's horoscope ... a new twist in Purvi's life, blast from the past will meet the future. Purvi not impressed, every day her life has a new twist.
On to CC ... and more teasing ... a tall dark handsome guy will enter CC's life and take her away ...
Chhanchhan knows immediately ... more teasing ... and disposes of her friends in double quick time ... once alone, allows a tiny smile to appear momentarily on her face.She likes Manav, she really does ... but she already knows that his family is very different from hers.
Sanaya gorgeous in sunshine yellow ... looking younger and prettier in every episode! Every time she comes on screen brings a smile on my face.

Uma Ben - Hitesh ... Uma Ben tries her best to dissuade Hitesh, but he wants Purvi. And he has convinced his parents he doesn't want dowry or the land. He will marry Purvi without the dowry.And he is very firm on his choice.
Manav overhears the conversation ... is he seeing a new side of his mother? Hearing for the first time that it was the girl who broke off the wedding, and not his mother? And also the reason ... dowry demand.
And now Hitesh says he doesn't want the dowry, and his parents have also agreed. They just want Uma Ben's approval.
Hitesh looks like he is very decided on his choice. Uma Ben assures him she understands, and will speak to his parents.

But Uma Ben is not going to allow the rishta to be joined again. She made the alliance ... it was broken ... loss of face.
To save face, she announced that SHE had broken the alliance ... now if she joins it again ... more loss of face.
And in the meantime, Manav has overheard everything ... off to Chhanchhan for advice.

Liked the way it was done here ... the groom himself, although belatedly, took a stand, and managed to persuade his parents to back off from dowry demands. That's the only way changes can happen ... when the youngsters themselves take a stand and push the elders back.

24/4 - Epi 19 ... Meet The Parents ... Or Not

Wednesday 24th April

Meet the parents ... a fairly embarrassing experience for Manav, considering he's known already as Susu boy, and He Who Was Bitten in an Unmentionable Place, by various family members already. The problem with having a bindaas carefree family is that they can say the most embarrassing things. Kasturi Dadi was the cutest of the lot.

Meet the Parents ... or Not ... a narrow escape from bumping into Uma Ben for Chhanchhan ... of course, if they had met, that would have been the end of ChanMan's budding romance.

Am beginning to think I was right after all ... Sanaya can create chemistry with pretty much anyone.
I liked the ChhanMan scenes today ... Farhan is beginning to get his act together ... although voice still needs attention, but the right expressions are coming in. And Sanaya is a doll ... any guy would fall for Chhanchhan, with the sweetness of her nature, and her unthinking honesty. But how will she deal with Uma Ben?! 

The stricter the parents, the more rebellious the kids ... and the more they hide from the parents. While Chhanchhan's family knows every detail about Manav, Uma Ben still has no clue about this new friend in Manav's life. Also it just struck that Manav did not tell his mother about the boy in Mansi's life, and preferred to deal with things on his own.

*Edit*

Just to add ... I found it very interesting ... and amusing ... that Uma Ben's list of virtues she does NOT want in her bahu, are all culled from her encounters with Chhanchhan. Chhanchhan seems to have made a very deep impression on Uma Ben. Considering that Uma Ben is such a shrewd judge of character, and has zero tolerance for fools, shows that Uma Ben already recognises Chhanchhan as a worthy adversary.

Am loving the way Sanaya is playing Chhanchhan ... especially the ChanMan romance. It is so sweet and real ... so different from the dhak dhak romance of Arshi ...  yet it builds its own sense of anticipation, and gives you a good feeling ... even though we know the storm is coming. Sweet everyday 'boy meets girl' romance.

Loved the little scene outside the cake shop ... the way Chhanchhan first plays innocent, then confesses that she returned the allergy pills, so that Manav could get them ... because she wanted him to attend the party ... and her sudden shyness as she realises what she just said, and the quick cover up ... which leaves Manav very satisfied indeed :)

The new promo ... loved the little sign language of "Call me?" "I'll call you ..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMgkHY95h_o
Aww ... first love ... the shyness, the smiles, the fears, the anticipation, the heightened tension, the heartbeats ...

23/4 - Epi 18 ... Are re re Yeh Kya Hua

Tuesday 23rd April

Manav -Uma Ben ... Manav manages to get out of sticky questions about new old friends ...

Uma Ben busy doing good deeds for mandir ... after all, election ka sawaal hai ...
Manav and Himanshu ready for party, Manav butters mom and leaves quickly ...
SN - Farhan needs to improve ... couldn't figure out whether he was buttering UB or was genuinely impressed by her good deeds.
UB realises beta haath se nikal raha hai ... time to tie him down ...

Chhanchhan's family prepares for dog party ... complete with games for dogs ... and teasing for Chhanchhan ... father also joins in ... entire family is having a good laugh!

Chhanchhan's mom is cool ... and very amused ... Manav is bemused ... yeh kaisi mom hai. She doesn't mind a "Mom se saavdhan" notice on the gate ... but does mind the bad photograph. A mother more different from his own, can't be imagined.

UB leaves to suss out rishta no 1 ... I thought she liked Kaumudi, but seems not really.

Chhanchhan and Manav ... Are re re yeh kya hua ... Manav spellbound by a laughing Chhanchhan ...

And both hiding their attraction behind white lies ... CC pretending she had no idea Manav was planning to attend the party ... Allergy pills? Really? What are those? You had them? And the biggest whopper - I never knew you were planning to come ... CC, really??!!! :)))
Manav is no better ... I just came for Himanshu ... it's time I did something about my allergy, dogs are everywhere, can't avoid them ...

22/4 - Epi 17 ... Underhand Tricks and Allergy Tablets

Monday 22nd April

Manthan sneaks on Manav ... yeh kaisi family hai bhai?

Uma Ben has no intention of letting her DILs join any computer classes whatsoever ... however she's stuck in them herself.

Chhanchhan getting her dogs ready for the party ... Puch Puch was the star of the episode That dog sits like a toy dog ... mine was so jumpy!!!

Manav decides to attend Puch Puch's party ... only for Himanshu's sake, of course. Himanshu is not fooled, of course.
Chhanchhan is sorry Manav can't attend the party ... because his friend will be lonely without him, of course. Chhanchhan's friends are not really fooled, of course.

Chhanchhan buys allergy tablets.
Manav wants allergy tablets.
Chhanchhan returns allergy tablets.
Manav buys allergy tablets.
And I didn't even know pet shops sold allergy tablets

Chhanchhan's family and friends are getting more and more amused about Chhanchhan's sudden concern for Manav and his allergies. 

And Uma Ben is getting more and more suspicious about Manav's new found love for dogs, and new found 'old friends'

*edit later*

Sanaya with Noreen Khan 22/4/2013
Link of audio interview

18/4 ... Epi 16 - Snatching Victory from Jaws of Defeat

Thursday 18th April

Totally ROFL episode ... was laughing throughout ...

UB shocked to hear a girl's voice on Manav's phone ... the setting for Manav's wedding plans continues to be laid ... or mis-laid... 

Chhanchhan's brain wave ... use UB for publicity ... UB and her rutba ...
Uma Ben's anger ... CC has thrown the gauntlet? I will pick it up!
Mahila Mandal visit ... oops, hang on ... can't do that ... hoist by own petard ...
SN - Supriya P is fantastic, it's a pleasure watching her on screen! Her expressions during the Mahila Mandal visit were classic!
And Chhanchhan is blissfully ignorant that she has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat ... so the computer classes are back on!

A few mis-connections later ... and Manav and Chhanchhan manage to connect ... a cute phone call and they agree to meet to exchange phones.
But the next kabab mein haddi is already in place ... Elder Brother Number One. And he seems to have his own agenda ...
Am loving Sanaya during the Manav Chhanchhan meets and conversations ... such a natural!

*Edited*
Chhanchhan answers Uma Ben's call on Manav's phone ... Uma Ben is surprised to hear a girl's voice. So does Manav have no female friends at all? 

Himanshu-Manav ... Himanshu offers to return Chhanchhan's phone, Manav refuses, he'd rather return it himself ... Himanshu asks if his family will allow him to meet a girl ...
Hmm ... my question answered ... meeting and having friends of the opposite sex is not permissable in Borasagar household.
Himanshu explains Manav's 'social work' to Uma Ben ...Uma Ben disgusted as usual!
Himanshu - Uma Ben interactions are hilarious!

Chhanchhan-friends ... pamphlet ready, the plan is under way.

Uma Ben's home ... the bahus don't eat at the table? They eat in the kitchen? Medieval family!
Uma Ben sees the pamphlet of her attending computer classes ... age no bar ... and immediately knows whose doing it is ... Chhanchhan's, of course!

Chhanchhan and friends re-start the computer classes ... with the help of Uma Ben's rutba

Mahila Mandal ladies visit Uma Ben ... all praises for her inspiration ... now they will all start computer classes like her, what an inspiration she is for all women! And they will go to the same place too!
Bahus are kept very firmly in their place here.
Uma Ben tries to play it down ... no, no, don't bother, you're too busy ...
But ladies are very firm ... we'll take our bahus too ... will you take your bahus as well?
Uma Ben is getting in deeper and deeper in the quicksand ... it's not so easy to be an example for women's progress ...
And Mahila Mandal reminds her about upcoming elections ... Uma Ben realises this is a golden opportunity ... so it's better to go along with the classes ... small defeat for a bigger victory.

Chhanchhan with friends ... the pamphlets have their effect and MM women join in droves ...
And the friends renew their vows ... including the dowry vow ... which has them all remembering Purvi's recent tragedy and all the troubles which followed ... a group hug ...

Manav's brother calls ... and is puzzled to hear a girl's voice ... he doesn't wait for explanations ... but he's wondering ...
Friends teasing Chhanchhan ... hehe ... cute! Sooo typical!!!Mr Susu is now Mr Bechara!

Chhanchhan and Manav finally talk ... loved the conversation, especially the way it started, with both knowing exactly who was on the other end, no 'hi hello' ... totally casual, friendly, normal ...
(SN - I DO wish Farhan was a better actor!)
Sanaya was soooo adorable in her expressions, especially the last exasperated 'pheoof' when she sees her friends giggling behind her!!! And Himanshu was hilarious the way he was creeping around behind Manav on the bed, trying to listen!

Chhanchhan and Manav meet ... and CC discovers that Manav is a mamma's boy. And that his house is like a military camp, complete with 'training' of the bahus ... the contrast in her home, where everyone is free to do what they like, and variety is accepted ...
Cute convo ... simple, normal ... she tells him about Sanju's call, he tells about the watchman's phone ... they know each other's nicknames ... exchange of gifts ... and an invitation to a dog's birthday party ... actually a normal conversation!
And Manav's brother sees Manav with girl ... which apparently is a very big deal in the Uma Ben household ...

So next week there is going to be some dhamaka ...

17/4 ... Epi 15 - M to M

17th April Wednesday

M to M ... Mushkil to Mauka

M to M ... Mobile to Mobile

Good episode again ... the show is picking up steam. Some things are the opposite of subtle though both Chhanchhan and Manav are such selfless caring individuals? They rather rammed that point down our throats ... it could have been done over two episodes Reminded me of the SC promos  

Mr Susu is Mr Sensitive ...

Miss Nakchadhi Puchpuch ... like the names they gave each other I remembered Churail Murtaza and Leecher

The Supriya-Sanaya confrontation was as usual excellent ... Supriya is a great actress!!! Fun to watch them together!

*Edited*
 Chhanchhan-Manav love story on full steam ahead ... Chhanchhan feels bad for Manav, that he must have been sneezing the whole night ...
Simple very amused ... Rugved surprised ...
Manav now feels responsible for all the dogs in the world ... after all, they are man's best friend ... or rather, girl's best friend ...
Himanshu very amused Mansi shocked

Rugved Chhanchhan arrive home ... straight into Purvi's problems ...

Uma Ben is actively looking for new rishta for Purvi's ex-groom ... ladki karoron mein ek honi chahiye ... is she taking about the dowry? And neatly blames the girl for the marriage breaking ...
Manav Mansi arrive home ... only to hear dog barking ... Manav's new ring tone UB blames Himanshu

Chhanchhan-Purvi-Simple ... I liked that CC asked Purvi if she was sure that she was capable of running the classes ... was she confident of her skills.
Purvi is confident of her skills, but she got nervous with Uma Ben's questions and the memories of all the troubles she and her father faced ...
CC tries to call the students back ... but first impressions are last impressions ... no one will return ...
Simple reminds Chhanchhan of her nuska ... M to M ... a reminder of the CC promo when she made a young man give up his seat for an elderly man ...

Manav still blaming Himanshu for the dog ring tone ... till matters are clarified by watchman and he realises he has CC's phone ... that was quick
Also realises two more things ... CC has a golden heart ... and her nickname for him - Mr Susu
And Manav wastes no time to call CC back ... interrupted by UB ...

Chhanchhan deep in thought ... her turn to wonder about new ring tone ... and her turn to hear about Manav's golden heart
Subtlety - thy name is NOT Chhanchhan So both characters are established as being golden hearted pure characters, always ready to help those poorer than themselves ... dil saaf hona chayda types Of course CC is equally quick to figure out the phone exchange NICE to see characters who actually think like normal people!!!
And Mr Susu is Mr Sensitive and she is Nakchadhi Puch Puch
CC also wastes no time to call Manav back ... tried and tested formula ... both call at exactly the same time so can't reach the other ... both wonder who the other is talking to ... on their phone

Chhanchhan-Daadi ... cute! CC sitting with Puchpuch on her lap ... aww, double cute!  Daadi's lesson to CC ... sweet! Exam time is stress time, teacher won't help you, you have to remember your lessons yourself ... and put them into practice ...

So CC is off to the mandir ... another run in with Uma Ben ... 
SN - loved both the suits - blue and green, and the parrot green - don't normally like parrot green, but this one was looking very nice, and I liked the green and white sleeves much better than the black and red ones on the red suit.I like Simple's outfit too ... short kurti with salwar.
CC tries to reason with UB and request her ... UB is too busy exulting over her victory ... she's not going to do anything to help Purvi.

 Mahila Mandal ladies fawning over Uma Ben give CC her next idea ... what to do next ...
Sharp Uma Ben ... distributing blankets in summer? If you want to flatter, at least do it intelligently
I get the feeling UB is enjoying her run ins with Chhanchhan ... an opponent worthy of her steel. She doesn't suffer fools gladly ... and is contemptuous of flatterers and weaker opponents alike. More and more I feel that after the initial battles, CC and UB will be on the same side w.r.t sorting out the family problems, but with different methods. Hope so, anyway ... that will be more fun to watch than a regular saas vs bahu affair.

Cliff hanger ... UB calls Manav's phone ... CC picks up
And pre-cap ... what will CC do? WWCD? (from WWAD ... what will Arnav do?)