A episode designed to reel in viewers...not sure how far it succeeded
1)Rishbala- Madhu decides to manao RK on an ominous old song. The song seemed an odd choice given the circumstances but then Rishbala 's life is going to change from next day onwards (starting with the gundas making their appearance tomorrow) so this is indeed their last chance to enjoy tension-free romance. Madhu's 5 minute speech preceding the romance was boring...if half of what she was trying to convey in her speech was reflected in her actions...we would have epic romance. Anyways...I am going to continue to hope. Except for few shots...the hug with Madhu sighing contently, couple descending the stairs in each others arms, RK's smirk in rain with shayari ...the scene failed to make an impact...I am not sure if it was Madhu's insistence to keep out of rain, the way scene was shot, my general disconnect with Madhu or the fact that the couple did not seem committed in some shots that failed to stir up the magic. Almost all the songs until now were smartly used...there was radio, cellphone or something else that provided the music...or RK used his natural voice...this is the first time that I could not make out if Madhu was singing or she had used a device in background...she is lip syncing first couple of minutes but in some shots ...she does not do that. Infact it seemed like some thing that was cobbled together in a hurry. It is unfortunate that I was not able to savor this moment of uninhibited romance given that we are moving back in drama territory later in the week.
2)Dips- She gets her own shout out from me today...I have been cribbing last couple of episodes that I don't understand her motivation...I don't understand her torturing Radha or getting RK in trouble given that she should have no reason to hate them. Today her actions clarified her motivation...She hates Madhu with a vengeance...so much so that it has become her entire world. The lady demanded humiliation for Madhu when she could have asked for riches...that is very telling. She feels insulted and somehow stuck in a place from where she is unable to get out. While she probably thought RK was justified to some extent in humiliating her...Madhu had no such right. She wants to pull Madhu down so much that she is ready to punish anyone and everyone who stands with her including Radha and RK. Kill me for saying this but I think Madhu bought it on herself to some extent...Madhu has had a holier than thou attitude that she discards when it suits her...while everyone else has been blind to it or have forgiven her...Dips has not because she has had to bear the brunt of it. She alone has been a witness to Madhu's straight faced lies and manipulation. While the common opinion is that she will be gone after this track...I tend to disagree...she will not rest until she has brought Madhu down...she will do anything to get there including cutting deals with Sultan or Bhujang. It was hilarious to see her expressions when Radha refused to negotiate...now that is what I call acting...is Sultan taking notes?
3)Radha- Radha once again proved she is RK's mom. You give in to a blackmailer and he will return for more. Besides it should be obvious to Radha that she cannot keep this secret from RK long. Madhu is sympathetic to Meera's cause, Dips has a proof and is out to blackmail while she herself is feeling guilty, Sultan is determined to dig up the past and seems to consider RM to be public park and drops in whenever urge strikes him. Sooner or later someone is going to slip up and RK will find out. She wants to keep it away from him for as long as she can but she is out of time. Loved the way she refuses to agree to Dips.
4)Sultan- Was it just me or did he seem sick...he looked oddly dazed and out of focus. Wonder what is going on there? Was it the actor or the character? So he sees the photo but it is dark...Will he recognize the lady in it? Is it him who will get that photo printed? Why did Dips let him walk out with it...why did she not wrestle and tear it? We will find out soon enough.
The montage has changed and the forum is running amok with speculation regarding it. My take is very simple- The other montage was generating a negative vibe amongst the viewers...it implied that Madhu had to make a choice but in all honesty Madhu had already thrown her lot with RK emotionally, morally and socially when she married him and gave him her heart. A wife's duty is to stand by her husband more so when he is not in wrong but is himself a victim. Forcing or pressuring him to pay for his father's sins regardless of wrong/right indicate a breakdown of sanctity of marriage and that is unacceptable from every perspective. The latest montage shows Rishbala looking at each other with admiration and gives out positive vibes that they will stand by each other as it should be. I have no idea why they had to put up that montage for barely a week before the unwedding. I am still a little confused by that.
The damage to the show is pretty extensive at this point in time and there is no quick fix...If the powers that be really want to build back the viewer base...they will need to focus on a strong storyline or track that indicates the strength of Rishbala marriage and clarifies Madhu's priorities beyond any doubt. Romance will not cut it nor will flowery dialogues...they have to go slow and steady one step at a time starting with Madhu giving back to Sultan.
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