Ashish's Epic Portrayal - Raghav Singhania!

So I know that people are so excited about the revelation that is about to happen. In all of this, I feel like this is something that everyone would agree on, regardless of being a RagNa fan or not: Ashish Chowdhry has done an beautiful job in his portrayal of Raghav! I love how the actors has mastered the role of Raghav Sighania from Day 1 - the walk, the talk, the attitude, the expression, everything! He's shown us so many sides of Raghav that we've come to love and he still continues to do so. What I love about this character is the fact that the actor makes it so believable for us to watch. It's because of this very thing that we find it easier to sympathize with the character. We berate him for his mistakes and his follies but we still can't help love him.

Yes, I know that we all loved those initial days. It wasn't because of his attitude but because of his sharp sense! He knew people and he knew how to deal with them. He was calm and calculated. He knew the risks and he knew the odds. He had a style that everyone wanted to imitate. People wanted him to give his time to them. He didn't stop for anyone. Everyone stopped for him - whether it was to admire him, or drool over him, or Envy him. No one could ignore him.

- The Guilt-ridden Human!

We start to look at insides of his facade little by little here. I loved and I mean loved how Ashish portrayed this scene. The way he emoted the scene brought Raghav Singhania alive for us! It was splendid! I loved how he closed his eyes, not even able to say that what big of a mistake he made by doubting Kalpi. His subconscious berated him, and taunted him for going against what he previously stood for. His past was staring at him and asking him 'how could he have wronged her?' The audience got to feel his guilt and misery along with the character because of this epic portrayal!

This was the fast time we got to see the caring side of Raghav. The way his hand shot up to make sure that she didn't jerk in front or feel the brunt of his driving speed was so beautiful! That time he didn't yet develop those deep feelings for her, yet he was still so caring towards her as a person. I liked that. Ashish made me sympathize with the man sitting right there in his car, making sure that Kalpi is fine. That's the man that I started seeing eye-to-eye with. That's the man that made me root for RagNa, rather than any other Jodi.

- The Stubborn Idiot!

The guy knew that he couldn't do it. He knew that he wasn't in any condition to pick himself up, yet he fought on. He has always been a fighter, never to back down because of his sheer will. He refused to believe that he needed help. He refused to admit that she had the power to help him if only he let her. We saw this, felt it and fought it completely amusing. How could we laugh, yet sympathize with this character in this situation so much when he was such a jerk? That was the power this character was given through the enacting.

- The Helpless Denial!

I love the above scene so much that I have already made a whole post on it. Yes, that's how much I love the expressions, emotions, and portrayal in this scene. I love the way Ashish brought out Raghav's frustration. I love how Ashish said "Shut UP!" in this scene. The enactment was so powerful that I was this scene over and over again so many times. I still can't help but analyze it so much. I love how Raghav knew that he was helpless in front of her. He knew that he would always come to her rescue, because that's just how his instinct started to respond. He was mad at her, not for saving her, but for the fact that she had that power over him. He was mad knowing that he wouldn't have changed anything about that evening even if it meant foiling his plans with Pakhi because he couldn't see her in trouble. That was the first look into the insides of the relentless Raghav Sighania - the very man who sought out for revenge and just couldn't pursue it because his heart got in the way.

- The Final Admission!

After Countless tries, he finally comes to an admission that he feels for her. Frankly I was so shocked by the revelation that he genuinely meant what he said that it took me some time to come in terms with the fast pace story. How did I finally get over it? Simply because of the convincing action by the actors. One thing that I have always loved about Ashish is the way he shows body language. The change in his expression and body language is so obvious. I loved how Raghav's expression turned soft whenever he thought of Kalpi. He didn't even need to try but he had an unintentional smile on his face and a sweet adoration for her in his eyes. I love how he was so lost in imagining about Kalpi that he couldn't help but finally admit his feelings for her.

He was testing the water with her here. He knew what he said needed an explanation so he was ready to give her that. Yet, he saw her being hesitant. He has always been shown to be straightforward and he asked her what was wrong. I loved the concern and bechaini emoted in his expression when he asked her what was wrong. In this particular scene, he asked her to look at him and not look down because he just couldn't bear the fact that the girl he had come to love can't even look him straight in the eye just because he had confessed. He looked at her, baring himself for the first time to her. All of this happened with his one expression.

He just couldn't fathom the idea that she needed time. He wanted an answer, and at that very time too. She had told him that there was a gap between them but he took an opportunity to bridge that gap. He took one step towards her, and she took two steps back. He wanted to get to know her, to knock at her heart. She wanted to stay realistic and deny him that. He was willing to take chances. She was hoping to stay her ground. He was initially mad at her, but her one sight made him forget everything and step towards her. This was his first real (subconscious) step towards her. He didn't let her relent, knowing that she would've to see eye to eye with him somewhere.

He knew the exact reason that she didn't play with colors. He wanted her to admit it as well. He wanted her to admit that she was willing to give him a chance. I love the expression of Raghav Sighania in this. I love how he saw through her act, and teased her about not playing with the colors. This was the same man that we all loved. This was the same man whom we all rooted for. Just like him, we wanted Kalpi to understand his side and views. We wanted him to pamper her but we also wanted Kalpi to give him a chance.

He may have been mad at Kalpi for not trying to see his views, but he definitely didn't plan on giving up. Even when she wanted to avoid him, he made sure that she listened. He was determined to understand and realize that status never mattered to him and he would do anything to bridge that difference. He wanted to tell her that she was the only thing that mattered to him. If he had her, then he would do anything for her.

He danced with all the chawl wale people for her. He let Pakhi put color on him to prove that he could be part of her world. He wanted to show her that it didn't matter to him, that he is better than the angry young man that she remembered from before. He was willing to tell her that he didn't mind the change that he felt because of her. Now it was his task to convince her that she was all that mattered.

- The Helpless Majnu!

Even though his initial plan was to make her realize his importance, he just couldn't see the fact that she was hurt. It didn't matter to him that he was supposed to be mad at her. It didn't matter to him that he was foiling his plans to get a confession out of her. What mattered to him was the fact that she was alright. He went to her aid as soon as she was in trouble. He just wanted her to be alright. His care was shown in a very subtle way. The way he softly blew on her hand to make sure that it didn't burn her too much reminded me of the care that our dear ones give to us when we are hurt. The way he spoke to her with his eyes, asking her to stay. The way he was asking her, if she would be willing to be his. That's the power one gesture had on us.

He bared his soul to her when he finally was sure that she felt for him. He told her all of his secrets and darkness. Can I just stop her and say how much I loved this scene? It was so beautiful and I simply loved the depth of this scene. The way he was just looking down, his expression so sullen and dark from the shadows from his past, really gave this scene such intensity. And I loved how RagNa simply just hugged. I love how he simply just took comfort in her and how his expression changed from dark to sad as if he was ready to shed those unspoken tears from long time ago.

- The Victor!

In the battle of love and society, he made sure that his love wins! He was relentless in his effort to convince her, despite the fact that he had been misunderstood. It didn't matter to him. He had finally gotten his lady love! He finally got her to verbally admit how much he had meant to her! I love the expression of content and happiness that was shown not only on his face, but through his movement. I have always been a fan of his body language, because it's so well-versed with the character but it's so obvious even through his dance moves. Anyone could tell there's more assurance and confidence in his movements. He could finally stake his claim at her heart. He could finally be content with the fact that she was his - body and soul.

- The Naughty Spirit!

The past episodes have left the forum blushing. The sole reason being the naughty high school boy side of Raghav Sighania. Who would have thought that the stubborn man could transform this much after love? Even we couldn't have imagined that. Now that he knows that she feels the same way, he likes to just feel her close to him. He wants to rejoice in her and show her to the world, yet at the same time keep her all to himself. I love the way his expression was so teasing and I love the way he was just standing there, with back relaxing against the wall - as if he was the one who owned that changing room. The ease that his body stood there with was so obvious. He looked so blissful. To him, she was all that mattered.

I am truly a fan of this character portrayal! Ashish, hats off to you for such a wonderful performance! I haven't seen a lot of movie of yours but I am so glad to come across EMA and watch this transformation! When I first encountered this character, I could've never thought that the actor behind this character would be so talented. Thank you very much to EMA for giving us such a marvelous character and for giving us the pleasure of coming across such talented actor!

P.S. - Will try to make one on Rachna too soon 😳

Seriously, I wanted you to carry on writing, it was such a treat to read😳. As you've rightly noted, Ashish has truly grasped the essence of Raghav Singhania with both of his hands from the first time he was shown onscreen. I have seen his movies and was not convinced hence he came as a cheeky surprise for me, to see him enact the role of someone as rude, arrogant and depressed Raghav. He has made us hate him, moan at him, laugh with him, cry with him, blush because of his antics and whatever other type of emotions there exist in the world, he has brought it to the table, and man o man, don't we just love it? I highly doubt another actor would have done justice to this character, and I am ever so grateful to him for embarking on this role.

Raghav has a gazillion amount of shades, he is unpredictable, but once what he wants comes out on the surface, there is nothing to hold him back from acquiring what he wants as was beautifully depicted from his own revelation of his feelings till he finally managed to conquer her heart. I do not have much to add, because you're covered it, and the subheadings were apt for every scene and the analysis below it.

⭐️

PS: Be sure to update it after we see him risk it all for her tonight😛😆