Having grown-up with a crush on Dr Ahmer, and, a secret desire to be a Zoya to his Ahmer, I am painfully aware that I have a huge bias when I am writing this post. Though I probably saw Dhoop Kinare when the Paki TV series popularity was on the wane, Dhoop Kinare left an indelible impression on my young mind and I have undoubtedly, regarded that as one of the greatest love stories ever told.
This is why I started to watch KTLK with great trepidation, wary of seeing my favourite story being butchered.
I was pleasantly surprised. KTLK is a wonderful refreshing change from the saas-bahu sagas, or the rural Indian story or even the bubble gum love stories that seem to populate Indian TV. An actual story, great pace, a bunch of characters that appear to have a story of their own rather than being props for the lead pair, well sketched out characters and extremely competent actors to bring them to life.
However, after the initial excitement, I must confess to being a little disappointed. The charm of Dhoop Kinare (DP) lay in the gradual development of attraction and the acknowledgement of that.. there were episodes where the lead pair didn't even have scenes anywhere close to romantic together... a series of events, episodes, conversations threw them together.. and they fell in love, slowly but inexorably, true to their characterisations...
Dr Nidhi going berserk and landing up at 7 am every morning, changing a guy's curtains, refusing to go on a Europe trip, over-reacting to everything related to Dr Ashutosh I feel is a little forced...
Dr Ashutosh, a recluse, a man tormented by his adopted father's betrayal, bitter in the knowledge that another person meant the world to the man who meant the world to him - behaving like a kid who's excited at the thought of his favourite ice-cream, calling Dr Nidhi and talking about alarm clocks.. I don't know ' it's so out of character for him and takes away the depth and the charm of that romance..
Ahmer and Zoya were compelling cos their silence spoke volumes, Zoya was as ebullient as Nidhi is, but her relationship with Ahmer developed from disdain to fear to immense respect and finally love... KTLK isn't charting any of those emotions - Nidhi is like a love struck teenager with her first crush..
I understand KTLK is not DP, just the basic premise is same, but it's difficult not to draw comparisons'
I feel that under the pressure to provide romantic fodder, the CVs are rushing with the story.. romance is not just about dancing at a wedding, hiding shoes, making hare chane ki curry, and being cute - yes these are all part of it, but over time..
I just feel the romance is rushed...and everything amplified.. like Dr Mallika has suddenly emerged as this all out villain threatening to get rid of Nidhi..there are so many shades to her - a woman who has spent her life waiting for this one man to recognize her as a woman, whose love she has yearned forwhile she has patiently been a good friend to him.. her sense of frustration, her insecurities, they've been ignored and she's this horribly villainous character!
Don't get me wrong.. it's still a very good serial, and, I enjoy watching it but I just think it could have been so much better! Honestly there are some cringe worthy moments whether its Nidhi's behavior around and about Ashutosh or Ashutosh's eager beaver responses to her! I just hope that the CVs don't buckle to "We want a hug" and demands and requests for more romantic scenes..
There is a beautiful word which defines the underlying ethos of DP, which is missing in KTLK so far '-"kashish"! But I watch in hope!
