Episode 174 Discussion: 21st Jan 2013

Sangeet ceremony for Padmini-Shamsher's upcoming marriage - Playing Antakshari

Events of the Episode

20 minutes of Antakshari, the set decoration is visual delight, the actors and characters look lovely. Beautiful moments between Malik and Kundra family, individual dances, the sisters agreeing to matured way of outlook on life going foreward, the jethani-devranis, the Saas and her Bahus as they dance joined by their Samdhis and her sons and the husband and wife's outsmarting each other to express their love/feelings for the other in front of everyone.

The fast, pacy manner is what adds the filmy entertainment quotient to the serial MEIEJ. I just love it. Total filmy style. The MEIEJ team can watch 100's of movies in the name of 100 years of cinema and show us anything related to that by creating a customized fit for the Television soap and it would be still be beautiful.  Must say, this concept from Prashant Bhatt ensures a good Fiction programming content for the Colors channer and well supported by Saurabh Tewari for the story development and the rest of the crew of writing team.

20 minutes of Antakshari, the set decoration is visual delight, the actors and characters look lovely. Beautiful moments between Malik and Kundra family, individual dances, the sisters agreeing to matured way of outlook on life going foreward, the jethani-devranis, the Saas and her Bahus as they dance joined by their Samdhis and her sons and the husband and wife's outsmarting each other to express their love/feelings for the other in front of everyone.

The event management - the people, the performances and the venue decoration

A Sangeet function with an anatakshari game where each person plays himself attached to no party/team where persons belonging to the three families are involved, the families of the Kundras, The Maliks and The Bhatias...as introduced by the host Rishabh Kundra. He describes his In-law Mom and Dad's wedding as cute, romantic film with also action, adventure and drama. Now I don't understand why RK added action and adventure, because so far I have seen only romance and drama. Bad Mr.RK to be revealing future plotlines.

Entertaining and visually appealing episode with right vibes except the embarassing silences induced for RK and Madhu's song for Kaate Nahin katthe...which viewers live in absolutely embarassing moments for themselves and as well as for all the others. In other words horrible of the hosts to have ignored all the others, but then redeemed through the filmi husband's filmi drama along with his aide Bittuji with lights focussed on themselves to give a filmi feel and ending in giving a romantic appeal to everyone. Everyone present there would not mind the silences as they watched that performance of their hosts. Weren't they the only two Kundra ?!!!   Beautiful. The wife, not so filmy is really embarassed and runs away to her private chambers. That must have made the evening exceptionally romantic.

Almost everyone looked beautiful, including Dips in her deep red lipstick. It reminded me how we used to call her Deeplali (a name coined for her by one of our friends FQ during Dips earlier days of intro with deep red lipsticks). I would not forget even the junior artists. Looked lavish evening with that sparkling floor and the wall adorned with lights and colums adorned in silvery glaze of fabric material with lights and the orange and purple flowers atop giving the vase like feel.  I liked the Sangeet venue arrangement. Neat and elegant with lights and minimal flowers. Otherwise, the typical function organizing in daily soaps is seen with lots of flowers especially orchids.

And coming to people dynamics:

RK indulging in RK speak with Roma Paste, RK Paste and Trishna Paste was good, doing the ice-break between chawl-waasis and Mansion waasis...which though Bhatias in the form of Kuku and Dips try to show the difference, RK mingling there in his paste talk, makes it all a talk between relatives. There were confusing moments though. I did not if Madhu was trying to tease RK right at that time or trying to remind him for "Pair Choona". Well IMO RK does not need to be reminded about that. He has those manners. Ms Rads taught him all that, so Madhu you can be lax about it...so lemme forget Madhu's confusing gestures.

Roma was introduced to Radhaji.

Trishna

Madhu- Trishna scene was very good. I had been apprehensive as to how Trishna would react to the Sangeet being arranged in RK Mansion and what kind of feelings it would invoke in her. But strangely the sisters though remembering all that went by, yet agreed to remember just the good things. Seems Trishna's one supreme selfish decision to sign up the film with BSC Productions has made her mature to many other things in her life. She is now ready to see how her family would react to that and yet she just wants to reap the good things out of her one selfish interest...of doing something for her family through her fulfilment of dreams and somehow, being alienated in her mind through her decision, has now made her warm to the idea that how much her family's support means to her, when she is on the verge of losing it. Interesting and poignant feeling there.

Deepali

Madhu -Dipali scene also were good. Madhu does try to be good to her Jethani by lifting her up and boosting her morale when she has a flop show when her husband abruptly takes her to center stage. Didn't get why Dips has to fall...but chodo in the name of entertainment and together the SILs sing and rope in their MIL (saas) for the Radha Song. What I best liked about today's Dips and Madhu scene is...now officially I get Madhu openly taking Dips away from her husband, showing her place away from her husband and then claiming RK again. God!! How I have asked for this since the beginning. CVs thank you for giving me this scene. See now that protects the sanctity of the Madhu-RK marriage and will keep Dips off boundaries.

Sikky, Bittu, Roma, Trishna, Radha dances

I liked all their dances. Roma was making sure RK gets to sit with Madhu by taking Bittuji away. Seemed Bittuji was trying to flirt with Roma  and Trishna as well...but poor guy again was working for his boss. And Ms Radha was really good with that dancing. She managed to pull in everybody except Kuku Bhatia, the pissed off guy.

Hilarious moments

I cannot help laughing at the fact that ...of all the people, Bittuji was very happy sitting with his Bhabhiji. He was always going back to Madhu like a family. He did 3 times and the last time, he was pretty upset that RK usurped his place and would have shown his eyes angrily had it not been his Chief, who too showed his eyes...that moment was just too good to miss. Goes to Hall of Fame moments if you ask me.  But bad!!! he couldn't help his Bhabhiji and had to help or follow the orders of his chief. And Roma kept on observing this and helped RK get back his place besides his Biwi.

I also liked how Shamsher was asking Roma to stop laughing aloud when she couldn't control herself at Sikky and Dips' fall.

RK continues with his intimidating techniques

I would not make much an ado about RK-Madhu scene in their privy chamber or their small talk in the sangeet function as well. He is just deepening his romancing with his wife taking it to the physical intimacy level. I laughed when he said that he had never taken advantage of her modesty.

But their romance all filled with double meanings is making it all suggestive sexual innuendo very desirable at this stage of relationship between the husband and wife. Suits Colors channel's conservatism (My friend Zoya told me that Colors is conservative and will not allow PH's to show bold scenes for family dramas).  Seems the PH of MEIEJ is inspired with Rajshree Productions as well. The Barjatya clan are masters of churning out romance filled family dramas and yet beautifully place the erotic and sensuous feel in between. Do you all remember the erotica of "Maine Pyar Kiya"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4g9zKRe-Is

For me "Mere Rang mein Rangne waali" song made me lot uncomfortable because unfortunately, I was watching it as a "teen"  and that too in the movie hall sitting next to Dad. LOL !!!  I had dragged the whole family to watch it as it was a family drama and I never expected something like that. Salman and Bhagyashree behave way too much like man and wife before they are even married...and I am sure parents may not have liked all that  with their kids watching that kind of thing... See the last part of the song ... Recently at the Colors Screens (or others)  awards they made fun of this aspect in the retro movie presentation.

Pictorial Commentary - by Zorica 

Episode 168 Discussion: 12th Jan 2013

Ek taraf Madhu-Trishna ka Patch-up, toh Doosri taraf RK-Dips-Madhu ka Break-up

Events of the Episode

1. Yesterday's scene of RK and Madhu's lovey-dovey moments at the Studio continue. They are sweet nothings and yet loveable moments as RK wanted to drop Biwi at the Mehndi ceremony and he can't because, he had to be at the shooting. Madhu tells him that she understands and leaves.
2. At chawl, the daughters force Shamsher to have a little Mehndi done. Mehndi Hassan appiles a dot over Shamsher's hand.
3. Trishna is lovingly applying coconut oil over Padmini's henna applied hands. Madhu yearns for the same and when Trishna passes by, she shows her hands too meekly. Trishna sees the hands and wants to go away, but when she sees Madhu withdrawing her hands, she applies in all overwhelming affection for her sister. The sisters have tears and they hug. Me too felt so emotional.
4. Then Roma starts the Navraji Majhi song to which the two sisters dance beautifully.
5. Later in the night after the end of function, Roma corners Trishna and asks where the money came from. Trishna ends up telling that she got the movie offer. Roma asks Trishna to look into her eyes and reveal the details of the offer. Trishna throws a tantrum that no one trusts her and won't believe her and thinks that she is capable of hurting everyone in her family.
6. At RK mansion, as RK waits for Madhu, Dips the stalker enters his room again and their usual banter starts...her aiming to hurt him and him reacting. Just that today, RK instead of angrily shouting at her, shows her his confidence that he has won love now which Dipali has spurned 5 years back. Upon further prodding by Dipali, RK boasts to Dipali that he tested Madhu the way she suggested and has found that Madhu loves Rishabh and not RK.  
7. Just that to his dismay, Madhu has been overhearing all of this. We see a shell-shocked Madhu's face.

By Zorica

the first part of the episode:

2nd part of the Episode

And just to illustrate:

Episode Reviews

Episode is A class. 

Emotional and very good acting by everyone. For some reason, everyone was looking so beautiful with their lovely attires today. All of them. Padmini, Shamsher, Roma, Trishna, Dipali, RK and Madhu...all glowing !

So it was VISUALLY , DRAMATICALLY and EMOTIONALLY  APPEALING today. BEAUTIFUL !!

Trishna - Madhu patch up was so beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. I got so emotional.  The sisters couldn't help it...

Over RK-Dipali Equation Fixing Track

I always wanted Dipali to be kicked out from RK's life with his fights with her ...with Madhu present there watching both of them in RK Mansion...because RK did not get the chance to fight with Dips  with her becoming his Bhabi and him forcefully required to be gentleman and avoid all such talks at his home. He was able to fight Dipali regarding his success in his acting career where he succeeded and she failed, when she abandoned him for her career. Personal jilt in love was never addressed by RK, because he was busy becoming successful in career and moreover, she later became his Bhabhi, officially closing the venue for them to talk/fight.

Now this bitter fight with Dipali  in present times after Madhu's entry into his life, is allowing him to not to get into a tight spot with family and his Biwi being actually to be a witness to everyone that ...RK has not taken advantage of his Bhabhi's honour...if Dipali tries to slander RK as if he was seducing her etc...   

This track is all about RK's washing off his hands with Dipali forever. Because every love affair needs to have exit fights as well. And with his repeated fights with Dipali is making him lose his anger with Dipali for having jilted him in love.  

And today even if Dips is smirking at Madhu being so shocked and hurt, what she is not understanding is she has lost it permanently with RK. Because now RK is going to run after Madhu to win her back and not turn to Dipali like she may be dreaming.

Remember that movie...Julia Roberts one...My Best Friends Wedding...how Rupert Everett asks Julia...look behind you...is anyone running after you ? 

Ofcourse Dips is more evil than  Julia Roberts and she played a better psychological game with RK in her revenge plan ...but inadvertantly she showed RK what is more precious to him...his love for Madhu and her respect and honour in tact, her view about him or his anger and insecurities for all NON-MADHU items in his life. 

So peeps, be happy...Dipali -RK Equation is NOW OFFICIALLY FINISHED !! 

I am so happy now !!!!! Hurray!!!

Re Dips as RK's Ex-Flame (Ex-Mehbooba) 

I liked it today that RK told us out what he likes in Dips and how he will miss her.

So RK was attracted to Dipali's intelligent mind...the mind games she can induce when she talks in innuendos with a certain classy sense of humour of hers. 

So this goes with RK's character...when him had not much to lose or gain...he was attracted to craziness, challenges etc. In very recent times, we have seen him getting attracted to Balraj's crazy but smart ambulance idea ...only to knock senses to his mind...what is he doing with that crazy guy...Its a separate thing how Balraj makes RK get committed to him. 

Satisfaction to brain/mind is one important aspect of our overall happiness...without which, we can go crazy or depressed.

So RK likes anything that has a bit of game in it. This is consistent with character trait.  I made a long post on my apprehensions about RK's character on this trait and now that he loves Madhu, he needs to curb his desires for gaming. This was on episode where Balraj made his re-entry.

RK-Dips-Madhu ka Break-up

Finally I hope..we will have the much needed break up between the three regarding seeing them together in same quarters. RK quarters was getting to be habitated by RK and his two women...one a 4-phera Biwi and other Ex-mehbooba. All three hinged together.

Today too in the ending scene..Madhu the wife was walking away from the room, RK the husband was at the threshold of the room and Dipali inside the quarters, just like the time when RK brought Biwi to his quarters when Dipali wanted to spend the night with him in his room, adorning it with all candles, right under the nose of her husband Sikky, who still was inhabiting RK mansion.

• Only RK was clear that who gets to stay in his quarters. He asked his Biwi to stay there and he always used to ask Dipali to get out.
• But Shameless Dipali always used to barge in anytime of the day or night...even when husband and wife were in bed on their first day. Even Patranis or concubines have their own rooms. But never I could believe my eyes that this woman gets away by coming into his room...and shameless she and the inmates of RK...no one wonders or asks what the Bhabhi has to do in the Dewar's room.
• And Madhu the wife when not in love, would just let her aadha adhoora pati to have all conversations with this woman, she would wear her saree when she knew her husband would not like her wearing his ex-flame's saree and she wouldn't even remove that saree when RK asks her to. And when later she fell in love with her husband, even then she was telling RK to treat Dipali with respect and not shoo her away.

Overall Feedback to CVs sent to Colors TV, Sourabh Tewari and Gautam Hegde

Dipali was the worst character and track introduced by CVs to create drama. Seema Mishra must have impressed people with her acting, but her character to the story was plain disgusting and an unfathomable CLUNK to the Story. Because she rendered Rishabh Kundra the socially married person to an almost NAKAARA Napunsak, who couldn't keep the woman away from his quarters. She also rendered Madhu, the wife in love/devotion letting the woman roam around in their quarters freely as if none of it bothers her. Can any woman believe this ? I mean simple question is Ek Mayaan mein Do Talwaaren Kaisi ? Why Madhu would never understand this ?

No matter, how much interesting drama Dipali must have generated, but all of it was PLAIN CLUNK. 

CVs,

Please do register this feedback on permanent basis in your book and you RETIRE DIPALI. We don't need a character that just is clunky device. Treat this as a disapprobation for turning a husband and wife into Napunsaks at having been unable to stop her barging into their quarters any time. No amount of RK insecurities and Madhu innocence will actually allow me to overlook the fundamental CLUNK present in the story through Dipali. At real, I don't know how many husbands and wives could tolerate this drama. 

Other reviews

By Zoya

Dipali ke paintaron aur jaadu ka hua antim-sanskaar!!!

The episode was fabulous today:)

RK-Madhu scene: I loved yesterday's episode RK-Madhu scene. Got to see RK stuttering and stammering in front of his Biwi and his keenness to know Madhu's opinion of the reel romantic scene(though indirectly,tedha jo hai) she witnessed. And finally she tells him that she understands its his work and that he should go ahead with it..

Madhu-Trishna and Chawl dance: It was a happy reunion for the two sisters. Nothing remembered, but the assumed khushiyon ki bahaar in their lives.. The dance was good and Madhu's patiala costume was quite better than the tacky anarkalis she is wearing of late..

Then comes the two parallel confrontation scenes- Trish-Roma at the chawl and RK-Dipz in RK's  dharamshala oops room..

Trish tells that the money is for the film offer she has received and Roma refuses to believe. Trish wards off the producer-related ques that Roma asks her by saying some new producer and finally Trish gets angry and asks her as to why she thinks that she is capable of only bad and walks away in a huff. 

RK-Dipz scene was as usual fabulous. Dipz was at her best, playing her usual old tricks(love in his life, his only weak point) that have worked till date. But today, RK shut her up and started flushing out the zeher in his heart, he had for her w.r.t. the love angle. For the first time, he tells her that she has lost him five years back and the intezaar in his life yielded him the best fruit.  It was too good to see a fearful and horrified Dipali when she knows that she has lost the battle she has been successfully waging for five years and that she can no longer unnerve him. And the evil laugh and the smirk when she realized Madhu has overheard their convo was just too good. But am sure that laugh would turn out to be hollow in the coming days. She is such a sadist and I can't believe that she claimed to love RK once. Hopefully this is the much needed  and most awaited Dipali closure in his life!!!