Posted:
If I have to define my thoughts about this show in a statement, it would be : CONFUSING.
Yes, you heard it right. This show is really confusing from the characterizations to the execution. Everything. But yet, there was a simplicity that drew me to it in the initial episodes, especially & once in a while nowadays.
The surprising & the good
1. The subtle ways in which small issues were given a new perspective & highlighted the importance of a respect.
Eg. Vihaan ditching the girl to spend time with Arushi in a mall. I never thought it was a big deal & most shows would totally ignore this & make into some comic issue or it will be dissed altogether. But the seven mothers took this seriously & emphasised how disrespectful it would be to a girl.
Eg. Priyanka slapping that male dancer & telling him to respect a woman & not to live on her money which she makes out of dancing cheaply.
Eg. Mini emphasising on the need for a woman to be strong & to be able to tackle a man even physically without being scared.
All in all, the mothers came across as strong, dignified women. Such a refreshing change.
2. Arushi/Vihaan as a couple
I appreciate & love that Vihaan's rich identity wasn't dragged. He hesitated a bit, but then once he set his mind on it, he had the guts to tell her the truth. Showed him as a honourable & sincere man. Arushi refused to be his friend upon knowing the truth & walked away. This could have been a typical, annoying scene but I love the way the makers had both these characters explore the meaning of friendship by discussing about friendship with their elders. Vihaan with his grandmother & Arushi with her mother. And there, both apologised & became friends again. Love the way their relationship progressed from friendship, to much more :)
Oh, and I got to say they look gorgeous together. Ravish/Mugdha should seriously hook up.
#ShipperFeels especially since they appear to be such good friends off-screen.
3. Arushi's bond with her step-mother, Millie & grandfather
OH the only sane people in that house.
Very heart-warming. Nice to see that a step-mother isn't presented as always cruel & mean. I love that Kasturi seems to have a fighting spirit about her. She may appear as a meek, defenseless woman who is always shedding tears, but she does have the guts to fight against Arushi's dad for Arushi.
Millie is also very sweet & understanding. LOVE how she hit off with Vihaan from the very start. I was very touched by that little moment during Arhaan's marriage when she selflessly gave her money to her father & received the shoes in return. AWW moment when she wiped those shoes for Vihaan to put his feet in. I hope they show more of her even in the future :)
Dadaji is AWESOME. Because where words fall short, he has the guts & strength to use his fists. Big plus point. I just hope he doesn't die in the future. Because if he does, poor Millie & Kasturi would be tortured.
4. The mothers' selecting Arushi despite finding out about her family
Again, something that pleasantly surprised & impressed me. Without Vihaan revealing his relationship with Arushi, he was able to convince them. And that the mothers' were mature & insightful enough to select Arushi no matter how her family was. That they were able to recognise the goodness in her & put it aside & not judge her for her background. Loved them for thisš
The bad which is currently outweighing the good
1. EXECUTION
Tracks/characters/situations could be handled better. Special mention -
Gattu track. And what was the point of his character? So that we can see Vihaan in heroic avatar saving Arushi? Dumbest track in this show which dragged on for so long. Also Vihaan not being able to contact for days was plain dumb. Isn't he the CEO of Vatsala group? Can't he hire an investigator to find out? Or can't he use other means? Someone who is smart enough to view Arushi's presentation through his computer while sitting in his office without her finding out (that gave me such stalker feels btwš) could surely do better.
Arushi impressing the seven mother-in-laws. What was the need for that? They were clearly jumping at every woman they saw, without even finding out about them. Then why was Arushi made to go through so many tests, that too when all 7 of them liked her? This was plain weird. And also, who in the world asks a girl outrightly about her marriage, invites her to their house, interviews her, without even consulting her parents? And that too when Arushi didn't even know Vihaan? This whole process was just weird.
Oh, and one incident that stuck out. Mini scolding Arushi when a man was running away with her bag. How was it even Arushi's carelessness? The thief was fast & smart enough to just snatch it. That's why they say that a woman is another woman's enemy. This was just uncalled for, on Mini's part. Big let down.
2. Characterizations
The bonding between the mothers' should be explored more (beyond their worry for Vihaan's marriage which was endearing only to a certain point). These women have all gone through so much hurt & pain & no I don't expect them to sit & weep all day. I like that they have moved on & are happy. But still shouldn't there be subtle hints thrown in highlighting their loneliness or sensitivity rather than the CVs handling it on a track by track basis.
And biggest flaw comes with the revelation that Arushi/Vihaan loved each other before marriage. Yes, it is normal & absolutely justified for them to be hurt that Vihaan lied to them. But it is no way justified for them to be hurt because it was a love marriage, not arranged. I expected more from these women who have gone through broken marriages & lots of betrayal etc to at least be sensitive to understand that it is Vihaan's marriage & that he should be given some choice. Quite a contrast to the way the mothers' love for Vihaan was presented at the start. They were protective but they gave him space. Unlike now, where their love is getting stifling.
Biggest issue - Is it important for every freaking hindi serial to show a man choosing between his family & wife? Why? I expected more from this show.
At one moment, the mothers' come across as really liberal & progressive when they allow Vihaan to actually go for a drive with Arushi right after marriage while they make arrangements at home & the other moment, they expect him to pick between Arushi & them. Again, quite a contrast to the initial characterizations of the mothers, who placed a woman's respect above everything else.
Not sure how long I will stick with this show at the rate they are going. It's quite a feat that I'm still continuing to watch this show because it is getting close to becoming a saas-bahu drama, a genre that I absolutely hate.
Sorry for the long rant. Just had to let it out. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Cheers,
Samridhi
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
