IP REDUX; Turtle Dove !! - Page 2

Arnav Singh Raizada

On REDUX I've always read about ASR being a TV icon and though I didn't get it at first, things slowly began to sink in. There are so many facets to this character that's ever changing and shall we say ever emerging out of a shell and what do we see? He's truly a diamond in the rough that has too many sharp edges which are bound to hurt others. As we chip things off bit by bit and polish it, this diamond begins to shine more and more.

Somehow certain facets of Arnav's character reminded me of Karna from Mahabharat (thanks to my dad for pointing this out). Karna who was always lonely, had to face so many issues all his life, but he always fought his own battles without bowing down, a lone soldier. No matter how many curses he received and all the powers he acquired were wasted, he relied on his own self and none other. Tragedies struck his life again and again, but he bore them all stoically. Sounds familiar? Let me continue.

Arnav, the teenager's life was full of tragedies. All traits of softness were hidden away with the hard lessons that life taught him. He became the man of the house and got used to making decisions, no arguments brooked. The result was that we saw an arrogant businessman who didn't give a damn about anything, but there's always an innate sense of right and wrong about him and he doesn't mind fixing things when he committed a mistake. To Dadi, Arnav is the provider of the family, the man of the house. To his Di he's the ever loving and caring brother (chote) who always protects her and does anything to just make her happy. For mami, he's always been the gift giver (you see he never forgot what mami did for him when he was starting his business). To Akash he's the elder brother Ram, who can do no wrong and who can take care of any problem. Essentially he's the caption of his ship that's running on smooth wheels. However, there were and are always dark clouds and impending storms waiting to strike this ship. Despite facing all hardships and putting his life and that of his family together, the dark past continues to haunt him.

Khushi Kumari Gupta

A young woman who also has a tragic past. Her parents died when she was very young, she was adopted by Garima and Shashi who gave her all their love and taught her good values in life and helped her understand traditions. She's like the eternal sunshine that brings love and laughter to one and all. Does Sun think that "I'm shining for this person" or "I'm shining for that person?" Nope, Sun just shines, that's it, period. Khushi is the same way, she just is. To Shashi she's the beloved daughter who's sharing his burdens of taking care of the family. To Garima, she's the impulsive yet lovable daughter who still needs to learn a lot about life. To Payal, she's the younger sister, friend and confidante who shares in all her dukh dard. To Buaji, she's Sanka Devi who has her sanak moments.

Being orphaned at the age of 8, she must have faced her own share of problems. Society and life are not always kind. There must have been people who'd think she ate up her own parents, she needs to be grateful to her adopted family etc. This must have left an impression on Khushi, hence the constant need to ensure the adopted family never faces problems and to take up the responsibility of providing for them; she needs to feel grateful, right? Khushi is also a madcap who's emotional by nature and trouble follows her everywhere. But, come time to face problems, she's always up for challenges and will stand up for her beliefs. Who's her eternal companion throughout all this? None other than Devi Maiyya, the Divine mother with whom she talks, shares all her problems and even fights with.

Arnav and Khushi (before Kidnap)

BTW, is either Arnav or Khushi perfect? No way. I don't know or care about SP bahus and their ideologies, but can tell you that lead or no lead, human beings are not made perfect. Where's the concept of growth if people are faultless?

One fine day, DM decides that enough is enough. Arnav's bleak life needs some khushi and sun shine and her daughter Khushi whom trouble follows, needs a protector. To DM, it doesn't matter whether you believe in her or not, she'll take care of all. So, enter Khushi and Arnav into each other's lives. Did they know they were soul mates? nope. That's what makes this journey so interesting.

Arnav's side - He hated the things this girl was making him feel and tried to push her out of his life, but DM had better plans for him. He was harsh with her and fought so hard against the growing attraction for her. The more he pushed her away, the more closer she got to his heart and he was beginning to feel vulnerable once again. Khushi was shaking the foundations of all the walls that he built around himself as means of protection. She was beginning to question him, prod him, poke him and even make him cry. When no one else was able to change him, she did. Ahhh, if there's one thing that got to him very badly, it's her tears. He just cannot bear to see her tears.

Did Arnav have a choice about falling in love with her? No. Even when he suspected her of having an affair with his brother-in-law and married her forcibly, his feelings for her would not go away and the longing to be with her did not leave him. He wants her by his side always, no matter what else was going wrong in their lives. But the feelings of hatred at what she said and did, would not leave him. He struggled with his feelings for so long and was fighting constant battles within himself. If only he'd trusted her when she continued to plead about her innocence.

Khushi's side: Here's this arrogant mister so-and-so, who thinks he's always right, who has no respect for traditions, thinks money and deals are all that matter and hai la, he doesn't even believe in DM? How's that possible? He needs to be taught a lesson. She disliked his behavior, the way he's always angry with her, shoved her around and mishandled her like she was a piece of nothing. But, she's also seen that he cares for people in his own way and always protects her when she's in trouble. Arnav troubled her to no end, rarely ever apologized, hurt her innumerable times with words and actions, but there's something about him that makes her hang on to him. She's unable to get over her attraction for him. She wants to be close to him as much as possible, her laad governer. Even when she doesn't want to see him and forces herself to stay away, she cannot help but think about him constantly. Oui maa, what's with the dhak dhak that she experiences only in his presence?

Khushi too cannnot help but fall in love with Arnav, though her feelings were not put into words as yet. When he married her forcibly without giving any reasons, she doesn't know why his feelings underwent a change, why he's a rajkumar one moment and shaitaan the next moment, why he continues to be harsh to her. Questioning him did not help, leaving him did not help because he only brought her back, troubling him with her antics and nautanki did not help. Only her suspicion that he wants to marry his old girlfriend and her act of committing suicide brought the truth out. Oh! how it hurt her to know that he thinks so lowly about her. She needs to prove her innocence. She pleaded with him in many ways and it didn't work.

Arnav and Khush (during and after Kidnap)

Pain (if you are willing to face it ) is the one and only one thing that can help you become stronger, help you strengthen relationships, create an understanding about who your true friends are, whos' important in your life and also makes you realize what you failed to notice before. The pain of separation, the pain of loving someone and almost losing them, the pain and suffering when the beloved is troubled, the pain of not knowing what happened to the beloved''all these made Arnav and Khushi realize their true feelings of love with each other, value of each other and it strengthened the bond that already existed. This time, there's no 'falling in love', but it's 'being in love'.

Arnav has accepted that Khushi is the one for him, the one who makes his heart beat, the one who makes him smile, the one who's pagal, the one who genuinely cares about his Di and all others, the one who'll always keep him on his toes, the one who'll go to any lengths for him, even give up her life, the one who loves him unconditionally no matter what, the one who makes him breathe, the one who'll help him face his past, the one who'll always stand by him and support him and the one who accepts him for what he is. She's the ONE AND ONLY ONE who touched the core of his heart and there's no turning back.

Khushi has realized how much Arnav supports her, trusts her and is always there to protect her. He truly loves and cares for her (I LOVE YOU DAMMIT). He'll not only stand by her through thick and thin, but he'll also readily take up the responsibility of her family, anything to ease her burden. His rough and tough exterior hides a man with a golden heart, a kind hearted man who'll move heaven and earth to make her happy just to see a smile on her face. What else does she need in her life, right?

Bahut Mazaa Aaya:

1) Sincere thanks to the PH of IPK that worked to give us this wonderful show.

2) Sanaya and Barun - Hats off to both of you for bringing Khushi and Arnav to life. You make it look so realistic that it's very hard to understand that it's just a show. You make us fall in love with these characters more and more as each layer is being peeled off.

Note: Truly apologize, but I don't always get time to thank all those who appreciate my posts. A sincere and heat felt thanks to all of you.