**Neil Bhatt/Kesar Appreciation Thread** - Page 16

Comments on May 26 episode
Neil was awesome today as Kesar, his calculated and vehement words were like swords that lashed out with every word. But even then, his steely voice never wavered in his deference to her despite what seemed such a bold and unexpectedly cruel response from Gulaal to his pleas to her from the night before. He saw fully the arrogant and angry look from Gulaal directed at him when she said no, not Kesar but she wanted Dushyant to take her to maayka. Now it seems that a power play is in force, Gulaal who is used to having her way in the entire household is on a collision course with the one person in the world who is totally consumed by her. Wonder how this will ever resolve.

Originally posted by: ShirinR

Comments on May 26 episode
Neil was awesome today as Kesar, his calculated and vehement words were like swords that lashed out with every word. But even then, his steely voice never wavered in his deference to her despite what seemed such a bold and unexpectedly cruel response from Gulaal to his pleas to her from the night before. He saw fully the arrogant and angry look from Gulaal directed at him when she said no, not Kesar but she wanted Dushyant to take her to maayka. Now it seems that a power play is in force, Gulaal who is used to having her way in the entire household is on a collision course with the one person in the world who is totally consumed by her. Wonder how this will ever resolve.

Shirin..As I said on FB also...I loved your last two lines...you have acutally summed up teh whole problem in those...excellent analysis😃

25/5/11: Kesar gets assertive

Gulaal has to face him at one point. But she is not yet ready I guess to face the reality. Call it tantrums as you can actually see an irritated Kesar when his demands are not met with. Since I have known Kesar's pain, I understand. But if a new person is watching him trouble Gulaal who did not want to meet him, they would feel like catching hold of Kesar, giving him two whacks and saying'My dear boy, behave well, stop throwing tantrums. But Poor Kesar because he went to her wanting the issues sorted. Only she did not give him a chance. So Gulaal deserves this.

Gulaal still answers that she is getting everyone's breakfast ready but Kesar needs that special treatment from her. It reminded me exactly how the young Kesar also had come home drunk and demanded that "his wife" should serve him food.

He was about to leave but returned just to make sure she gets the food for him. Kesar brilliantly put it across to her that the other women are available to attend to and cater to their respective husbands. So she better hurry up and that he is waiting for her to be served.

With Talli walking in with the breakfast plate, he is angry, looked around for Gulaal but when Talli continued with her emotional blackmail, he asked her to stay away from him if she had complaints.

Talli's revelation confirmed Gulaal's worries. Actually she seemed to find herself guilty when Talli spoke of Chunar. Gulaal is curious as to what all Talli knows but is still in denial. I just hope that she does not convince Talli again that she would see to it that Kesar and Talli are married. I felt bad for Talli when JK mocked saying she might not have slept as she would have had to search for a place/room to sleep. I would just want Talli to stand up and fend for herself for once.

Precap: Actually I was laughing seeing the precap. Gulaal after Talli's revelation is in total denial that she has decided to vacation out at her "Maayka". How long will she stay there or is that a solution? But I agree she probably needs some time off for the realization to sink in. But will she get any support there. Her mother will leave her packing her bags to her "Sasuraal'. Kesar needs some private time with her that in spite of being disturbed by her decision he decides to drop her home. As if there was less reason for the burning fire within him, our Ms.Self righteousness is saying Dushyant would drop her and Kesar need not. I was literally laughing thinking'..Gulaal, tu toh gayi. Wonder what he is going to say to her.

26/5/11: Kesar revolts against Gulaal

Kesar was lost in his worries, lost his temper at one of those women for a blunder, quickly realized, and aplogised too.Just to revolt against Dushyant, Kesar is showing support to Ramanba without thinking for a minute why on earth was he sent to jail.

We had a glimpse of young Kesar when Kesar panics with "Kahan jaa rahi hai Gulaal". He was hurt that Gulaal did not tell him that she was leaving. Still he wants to drop her home. He was surprised when she refused and got all the more angry and hurt when she said Dushyant would accompany her. Kesar has fallen in JK's trap for the moment. First he went into demanding mode as suggested by her that has forced Gulaal to distance herself from him further, and then he is confused listening to JK's allegation that Gulaal is responsible for the rift between the two brothers.

Worth watching was when the rest of the family is busy discussing the election issue, Kesar was fuming at Gulaal for her decision to leave. Gulaal did notice that anger. Kesar's silence and his eyes asked more questions and sought more answers about her decision to go to her "maayka". Inconsiderate to his feelings, when she joined their conversation in defense of Dushyant, Kesar was all the more furious at her.

He is so confused. Almost all are playing with Kesar's emotions. The guy finally was pushed to take the wrong step. He decided to support Raman just because he is not able to see beyond the fact that Gulaal gives importance to the guy whom he believes is responsible for his brother's death and due to his confusion regarding the "alleged affair" being the reason.

To win the woman he loves or not, at least for his own good, Kesar has to grow up. I was too surprised at the way Gulaal told in the precap "Yeh Kesar hai, Kesar!! As if her mother passed an absurd adult comment about a "teeny-weeny sweet 5-month old just-into-solid foods" child.

Neil, you are a born natural. All the best wishes to you. Stunningly stellar performances so far. Thoroughly enjoying every shade of Kesar. Neil is really expressive in all his scenes. Through Neil's acting I have known that it is still possible to convey the thoughts even when no dialogues be given to an actor. You marvel at that capability.

Neil's best: Kesar rejected: 27/5/11

KESAR REJECTED BY GULAAL

The raging anger in Kesar makes him say he would not let it happen, turns around to Dushyant and challenges him. Gulaal very well realized he has issues with Dushyant. The tension and undercurrent was certainly not negligible.
As his mother is advising him, all he looks is for Gulaal's reaction for that is all that mattered to him. When Dushyant supports Kesar, he is not really impressed with him. His eyes were so full of anger about her leaving, frustration of rejecting his company and jealousy about Gulaal opting Dushyant over him. His eyes were brimming with tears that had a resolution or determination as though he was satisfying his bruised ego by going against Gulaal. There was a brief eye-lock between Kesar and Gulaal, both are seeking answers from each other before Gulaal breaks it off.

It came as a huge rejection for Kesar when Dushyant decides on behalf of Gulaal that its time they should leave. He was so utterly shocked seeing Gulaal follow Dushyant after rejecting his company (to be dropped home) and his thoughts (against her choice of Dushyant as head). When both walked off, the hurt was evident as he stood there so helpless seeing HIS Gulaal, his life, walk past him, without giving a damn to his feelings. That rejection was too huge for him to handle that he walks off in anger to his room.

KESAR WITH TALLI

I knew his room would turn topsy-turvy. Panting for breath to calm himself down, as expected, the letters were picked and thrown into bin after many other objects became target of his rage. His eyes and face was red in anger.

I must say that Helly Shah gave a fairly appreciable performance with Neil in enacting the frightened Talli who had her hands shivering as she placed the glass, her controlled soft and feared look as well as talking.

Kesar realizes the intensity of his anger seeing how Talli just shivered when he turned to her. I did feel bad for her here. Still, for her sake or Gulaal's sake, in spite of all the insult she offers Sharbat. I did not expect Kesar to soften on Talli so soon. I was a bit surprised at that. Well that's how Kesar is, basically sweet at heart. He calls out to her, makes her sit next to him, sees her state, and seeks apology. That was really kind and it surprised her too. Have to appreciate her courage that she has the nerve to tell him that he still looks angry. He asks if she is scared and I appreciate that response there from Helly Shah where Talli was doubtful to tell the truth and was almost breaking into a soft tear when she admits that she is. That immediately softens Kesar further asking if she is still angry at him.

There was the unusual calmness as he spoke to Talli. I guess he was so emotionally drained after the fit of rage he threw himself into. His breathing consciously steadied, he was calm and poised as he spoke to her. Kesar made an effort to make her feel that he did care for her. But actually if you see this scene, he appeared and acted like a big-brotherly figure to her. I know it's wrong of me to say big-brotherly given that Talli loves Kesar, but Kesar treated her like how a good friend might sometimes act bossy for their own good. He made her sit down, and also asks her what she is doing in his room without studying at this hour. But I felt so bad for her when she said "Anyways, who can disobey you". It made Kesar also break into a brief mischievous smile and nags her.

When she leaves, he is again back to reality though we saw him forget his grief for a short while.

KESAR AT THE ELECTION BOOTH

I liked Dushyant's dialogue to Durgesh "Agar shakl acchi nahi ho, toh kam se kam baatein to acchi kar leni chahiye". I find Sushant Singh as a very good actor with a subdued actions of a repenting Dushyant.

Kesar and Gulaal's brief eye-lock moment showed Kesar was angry and she looked worried. But did Kesar really think that he and a handful of his friends could really change the fate of the election results of a village which was almost worshipping Motabha and their "Annadaata" Gulaal? She is declared Annadaata because water is essential to maintain crops and that water was found in Talsagra because of her "water diviner "qualities.

Poor Kesar gave an unwanted lecture and used his coin-toss tactics just to irritate Gulaal and HER GANG. All his attempts went futile when Gulaal didn't care about his behavior or react to it. I felt so really bad for Kesar here because he is doing all this wrong deed and also made a fool out of himself in front of the villagers just in his attempt to irritate Gulaal. He was again hurt when his performance with the gang did not create the intended impact on Gulaal and her people.All that he could do was yearn for that one glance at her and when he found the street deserted where she stood, Kesar was once more angry and disappointed. When Raman thanked him, he was hardly feeling proud of the favor he did to Raman. Previously he appeared sincerely happy when he hugged Raman at the factory in front of Dushyant. This time he was so distant and as usual his mind was preoccupied with his own worries and frustration.

KESAR AND THE GIRLS

The timing for Kesar's entry through the main door as envisaged by his shadow behind the curtains and the positioning of these girls had me worrying for a moment. But that was managed well I guess. The aerial view shot was good. Wonder how both girls managed to squeeze into the small place. Had it been me, I would have been stuck half way through.

Kesar seemed tired, lonely and exhausted as he stood holding the chair. He was totally defeated. Painfully he watched the crumpled letters in the bin, picked it up and brought it to the bed. Slowly he begins to straighten them. Those letters are so close to his heart. In an earlier scene also he seemed to be caressing the letter when he was smilingly remembering how he had missed her so much in the hostel. The other day he was frantically searching for the letters, in the end, he was clutching that letter close to his heart. Today again, we could see the warmth with which he was handling those letters. Thankfully Talli is watching the love and care he gives to those letters. I am sure she must be thinking and wishing she was one of those at least to get such care from him. Again he seems to turn nostalgic, almost heaving a sigh. Tears are welling up in Talli's eyes seeing his obsession with a bundle of letters. To Talli he must be surely appearing crazy. He is startled by the noise around him. Pushing those letters down to the ground was a perfect and natural reaction from anyone under that circumstance and that scene was beautifully played by Neil. Kesar' face showed that anxiety over the guilt and fear as if he was caught red-handed.

Neil's expressive best: Kesar's resignation: 30/5/11

I was really surprised how Kesar did not yell at them. Calmly he asked what they are doing probably the guilt on doubtfulness if they had seen him with those letters would have made him a little sober in front of them. When Chunni explains about answers to problems (Mathematics!!), Kesar is scrutinizing Talli with a doubt if there is more that Talli has learnt by being there. I loved the use of words there with Ganit, prashnon ka sawaal, jawab sirf aapke paas, etc.

KESAR'S ETERNAL WAIT

We could see impatience and disappointment when he heard Gulaal is not at home, tension while he waits and they show the clock ticking away. I seriously hated Poonambha's over reactive smile when Kesar said he was willing to wait.It was the heights of patience when he waited more than three hours without eating or drinking anything. He seemed a little in suspense and anxious about the results. That was a serious blow when he heard Dushyant won and that too with a fair margin. Unhappy and angry, he was resentful.

KESAR AND DUSHYANT

All at home seem to be too anxious to know Kesar's reaction because he was the one who openly chose Raman over Dushyant. In spite of being the youngest at home, his action and reactions seemed to hold everyone's interest.

Kesar' eyes showed his indignance and resentment while there was a palpable undercurrent in his body language while giving him an impassive hug. There was a poised resignation to Dushyant's fortunate win and hatred welled up in his eyes as he was hugged a second time. I liked the underplay of words with connotation or undertone of sarcasm as Kesar told Dushyant that him being happy for Dushyant's win is by in itself a win for him and a loss for himself. Kesar and his coin which suggests that truth triumphs have been proven wrong. The Rupee coin has "Satyameva Jayate" on it.

KESAR'S REACTION TO MOTABA'S WORDS

Once more with no words, we get to see Neil expressing Kesar's thoughts through his eyes. Kesar was too astounded when Motabha suggested about Kesar's late realization of his mistake because he believes that he is not wrong about Dushyant. The distasteful look while hearing the suggestion about taking Dushyant for guidance henceforth makes way for a glance over at Dushyant to take note of his reaction for the same. His eyes are focused to Motabha's talk especially when he is being considered on par with his Vasant Ba in terms of expectations from a dutiful son. He is absorbed into that talk when Motabha says that the entire family's hope and prospects are bound to each and every decision or action of his. Kesar seemed overwhelmed by such a comparison and the hopes of his family.

Neil's expressive best: Kesar overhears gossip: 31/5/11

Kesar doesn't have wee bit of privacy from Talli. He was just in time to save his letters from this girl. He was angry, doubted the authenticity of the information that she searched for the dictionary. He was inquisitive to know the great word for which she was seeking meaning for hoping it would be present in the "shehari" dictionary. He has forgotten about Dabloo word, and breaks into incessant laughter about her foolishness when she reminds him about their previous converse.

That was an uncontrollable whole hearted fun moment for him as he realized how he has fooled Talli and what an impact his prank has had on her. Her annoyance makes him enjoy the moment to the fullest. He is continuing to fool her saying he can't be one but she is. He knows very well to confuse her. He knows her too pretty well that she would only contradict whatever he is saying and makes her blurt out she is one. Kesar just couldn't control his laughter when he tricked her into admitting. He even goes onto indirectly say that she a fool and a real big one at that.

An appreciative smile at her he mentions her childishness to argue without knowing the meaning. Was that a reaction "yeah, now what can I do about it" when she said you never have a good word to say about me?. As a friend he expects her to understand him that he says if she would also be angry with him. That means Gulaal already is angry with him. It was like asking "You too?"

Finding her to be so serious, he is still fooling her saying there is a deeper meaning to it. How innocent he acts and buys some time saying Haan Talli bata doonga, but I need time, I am in no mood, etc, all the while by hiding his face away from her to conceal the mischief or prank he has tried on her.

Talli found him in too good mood and spirits that she has to know about those letters. Kesar, ek aur baat poochoon tujhse? Slowly we get to see his tolerance giving away. Was it the same Kesar who was so playful just a while ago? Remind him of the letters, he is back to his irritation to the level that his anger and frustration makes him to ask her out of the room.

KESAR OVERHEARS

Not one woman in Talsagra has brains or what. Why can't one sensible soul think that if Gulaal wanted Dushyant, why would she marry a 12 year old Kesar? Overhearing their words, Kesar shows his anger and disgust over their talk. When he was about to lose his temper, Raman interferes. He so very well knows how vulnerable Kesar is. Kesar's lowered eyes were a cover to the disgrace and embarrassment he felt to hear it all over again.

Kesar is anxious and worried when Raman almost echoes in words, the fear that has been in his mind all these years if there is even an iota of truth to such allegations. It was as if his doubts are being confirmed.

Kesar heard till Raman said he doesn't know how relationships have changed over the years. Even if Kesar would have at a point contemplated on the fact why Gulaal married him over Dushyant 10 years ago, this statement about change in relationships over a period of time would not allow him to dwell on that fact. Everyone seems to play with Kesar's emotions knowing pretty well that he is vulnerable and that anger is his weakness.

PRECAP SCENE

Kesar is asking for clarification from his mother because Kesar tried talking it over with Gulaal, but she did not give him a chance to clear his doubts even after he told her that he wants several questions answered. Now his mother points out that it's not right of him to be asking her these questions. Someone please help this guy out. There would be several who would want to.