Two drunk 18 year olds, a secluded spot in a farmhouse and a star spangled velvet sky...a scene shot innumerable times by multiple directors but more often than not with the same conclusion. This one also seemed to be headed towards the same flogged-to-its-death ending when he slowly went past her inviting lips and softly whispered the unforgettable words in her ears " tum bohot special ho hamara first kiss bhi bohot special hoga.. naki aisa jo tume yaad bhi na ho ki hamare beech kya hua tha...main chata hu hum iss moment ko hamesha cherish ka re na ki isse galti samjhe.."
An eternal majnu was born that day and along with him a legion of fans. The 'he' in this epic scene was Swayam Shekhawat played in all his innocent glory by Shantanu Maheshwari and the 'her' was Sharon Raiprakash portrayed with bitchy brilliance by Sneha Kapoor. That scene, I'm sure every true SwaRonian remembers, was the first time we witnessed an uninhibited Sharon, a Sharon who was no longer caged inside her image, a Sharon who wanted the adoring boy in front of her and wasn't scared to show it. It would have been so easy for the CVs to give in to the obvious and ensure eyeballs for the show. After all it was a new show with new actors on a channel whose daily show record did not inspire much confidence but I'm eternally grateful to them for holding on, for giving a twist to the tale and letting the love story unfold at its own pace. The two actors repaid their CVs' faith and how! The scene became legendary and the show went on to become Channel V's first non-musical success.
On 31st May 2011, we saw what true love meant. We understood the power of words, for with those simple heartfelt words Swayam expressed the depth of his devotion more eloquently than any kiss could have. A solitary tear that escaped from Sharon's eyes reflected her acknowledgment and acceptance of their undeniable passion. All we got in terms of physical closeness was a hug yet in that moment we knew those two would end up together. The sexual tension was so thick we could have cut it with a knife. We rubbed our goosebumps as we smiled and cried, reassured that no matter what tomorrow might bring, she would never be able to outrun his heart because it beat inside her chest. We didn't need that kiss to be completed to know this because her eyes and his words said it all. A scene that could have gone horribly wrong in the hands of a less capable team, became the epitome of sensuality and innocence in the hands of this one. Blazing the screen with scorching passion while retaining that sense of naive innocence is no mean feat, but TanHa made it look effortless.
It is said when something transcends the ordinary to become ethereal, one should be content to admire it from afar because once broken it can never be recreated. This scene is one such example. What Palki M and her team achieved with TanHa here can only be applauded, never imitated. Today Palki M has moved on to other things and TanHa have gone their separate ways but with scenes like this they have left their indelible stamp on history and our hearts, because when it's TanHa it's always 'aaHaa'!
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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