REVIEW: 'Beyhadh Season 2' will be considered as one of the best mystery thrillers of all time!

Over 6 months ago, we were introduced to a format of TV viewingwhich was meant to revolutionize the way we pursue Indian television. The much-awaitedand much-delayed Beyhadh' went on-air and in no time it became the show thatset several benchmarks.

It almost seems that the makers and channel aesthetically plannedthe execution of this show, which is apparently a 260-episode finite seriesthat after reaching half-way, the tables will turn.

What was proposed as Season 2, a new and refurbished 'Beyhadh'went on-air this week and the anticipation was at its peak. So, here we go, a threeyear leap and a week of episodes later, we analyse 'Beyhadh Season 2.'

The Story So Far..

Three mysterious years have passed and there couldn't have beena better way to begin the new chapter with Maya (Jennifer Winget) having adreamy bath and of course, portraying her obsession for Arjun (Kushal Tandon).There were rumours that it is because of the fans' constant nudging that makersdesigned Maya's comeback as the obsessive and psychotic lover. Well, if that'sthe case, we cannot thank the fans enough. In the next few frames, we witnessMaya's psychopathic love as she carves 'I Love You' on the mirror with herblood and kisses it.

If you thought that's a full-stop to her possessiveness, youare surely mistaken. From having Arjun's photographs in every possible cornerof the house to planting cameras in every possible frame, Maya literally doesn'twant Arjun to be off her sight for even a fraction of second.

Cut to welcoming Saanjh (Aneri Vajani) back to India. Yes, areturning Saanjh is happy and elated as she re-unites with a more serious andnerdy looking Ayan (Sumit Bhardwaj) at the airport. Also, the quintessential 'met-but-not-met'moment takes place as Arjun and Saanjh cross paths at the airport but somehow don'tmeet.

Just when we thought what Arjun would be about afterenduring Maya's obsession, we are introduced to Arjun's 'idee fixe'; anobsession of ending his marriage with Maya. Arjun has become meaner and darker and the manabsolutely hates Maya.

Deep down, a delusional Maya understands that Arjun doesn'tlove her anymore, but she absolutely refuses to accept the same. From denyingherself to refuting the society, Maya puts a brave face inspite of facing atrocitiesfrom Arjun which includes domestic violence, constant boycotting and hatred.

We then come across an unanticipated reunion which was thatof Maya and Saanjh. Yes! Awkward nostalgia hits Saanjh and her meeting withMaya is equally weird. However, the highlight of that conversation turns out tobe Saanjh noticing Maya's bruises and realizing that Arjun and Maya are livinga troubled marriage.

Arjun is sick and tired of Maya and he quite literallychanges the name-plate of the house from 'Arjun and Maya's house' to 'Arjun andMaya's Hell.' As soon as Arjun enters home, Maya surprises him with a cake anda party with several guests, which, as expected doesn't go down too well withArjun.

He hates the same and gets drunk which transpires intoanother showdown between the couple. However, Arjun's fury reaches its peak asthe locket he throws uncovers a hidden camera. Already irritated with Maya'sobsession for him, he loses it and pushes Maya to the wall and tortures her. Theguests at the party try to get him away but he screams at them and leaves theparty.

Finally, we are introduced to Saanjh's love interest in the filmieststyle. A rather Gandhigiri-driven handsome man driving a bike decides to teachArjun a lesson in a non-violent manner. Why? A drunk and speeding Arjun cutsthrough the man's bike and immediately a chase sequence follows. Blocking Arjun'sway, the man gets down from his bike and just when you think that they willhave a fight, the guy rather hugs Arjun. He explains that Arjun actually needs a hug elsehe will hit someone and in no time, the man teaches Arjun a lesson by deflatingthe tyres of Arjun's car. Parallely, Maya picks up the broken locket andreiterates that their bond is unbreakable.

In a matter of few episodes, there are a million questionsand million mysteries waiting to be resolved. Is Arjun actually violent'towards Maya? How will Maya come to the actual realization that their marriageis a failure? Will Arjun ever get happy again? What role will an unmovable'Janvi (Kavita Ghai) play in this scenario? And finally, how will Saanjh andArjun re-unite? Only time will be the answer to all this.

Rating - **** 1/2 (4.5/5)

What's Good?

One of the biggest highlights of this post-leap scenario isthat the element of mystery is n times more than pre-leap. The mysterious three years of time has left several questions to be answered and the teasing onlygets you more curious.

The intricate details have been highlighted in the smartestmanner. From giving a quick reference to season 1 when an otherwise confidentMaya would be petrified of her father Ashwin (Rajesh Khattar) to currently inseason 2, where Maya is apparently beaten up by Arjun, the treatment isidentical and breath-taking. Also, the scene where Maya is gathering the brokenbeads and referring them as their broken pieces of marriage, it is celluloidviewing at its best.

The portrayal of two parallel worlds is designed in a beautifulmanner. A troubled, delusional and sorrowed marriage in contrast to a happy andrecuperating family which includes Vandana, Ayaan, Saanjh's parents, herbrother and Saanjh herself; the presentation is amazing.

In probably a really sadistic way, it is absolutely amazingto witness Maya in her vintage psychotic avatar once again. From having Arjun'sphotograph in her bathroom to wearing a top which has Arjun's image andconstantly re-assuring herself by watching the tattoo on Arjun's chest, it's amusing.

Rating - ***** (5/5)

What's Not-So-Good?

Its difficult to churn out something that did not impress,but if micro-analysed, the idea that Maya is so delusional that she cannotaccept Arjun's denial inspite of obvious hatred is rather difficult to digest.

Rating - **** 1/2 (4.5/5)

The Performances

From frame 1 to frame infinity, Jennifer Winget keepsreminding us that she took up the character of Maya to get the Indiantelevision viewers used to watching real acting.' The switcheroo of emotionsto her excelled psychotic avatar, she is absolutely brilliant and adjectivesare an understatement.

Refreshment is defined by Kushal Tandon aka Arjun, as wewitness him in a literally never-seen-before avatar. Arjun is sad, angry andhates Maya unlike the Arjun who was once happy-go-lucky. Kushal hasmanaged to live up to Jennifer's acting prowess and flaunts a bravura performance.

Aneri Vajani continues to do what she does best and that isact as the relief amidst all this madness. While, Saanjh in the past was theaddition of comic relief, this Saanjh is the addition of happiness and smilewhile Arjun and Maya have not smiled since ages.

Rating - **** 1/2 (4.5/5)

The Verdict

'Beyhadh' Season 2 is the answer to the age-old question, Whenwill we start making shows like the ones in west'? We have been cribbing abouthow Indian television is regressive and continues to present run-off-the-millcontent. However, this new season of Beyhadh' slaps those questions and slaysin style. Love, deceit, mystery, hatred, obsession, passion and unpredictable storyline,Beyhadh Season 2' has the ingredients of being one of the mystery thrillers ofall time. You can keep having bets about what will happen next and it will keepsurprising you again and again.

Perfectly knit screenplay with crisp writing and impeccableperformances and the acceptance to change makes Beyhadh Season 2' a winner. Wecan only thank the makers for giving this fresh breath of air when it seemedthe show is loosing its charm.

Be vindictive, be cunning and be sadistic (well,not literally), but be 'Beyhadh.'

Rating - **** 1/2 (4.5/5)