In my teenage years, I grew up on Mile Jab Hum Tum and a little bit of Remix. So, in April this year, when I saw Arjun Bijlani on Meri Ashiqui Tumse Hi, I was tempted to go back to MJHT. I watched a few episodes on YouTube and then stalked Arjun on Instagram (He is too cute BTW :P) Obviously, one thing led to another and I randomly remembered Parth Samthaan's name. This was the time when the Game of Thrones Indian remake rumour was doing the rounds, so I decided to check what the hype was all about. At that time, I had no idea that I was going to get sucked into KY2. So, I found Parth on Insta and he had that wink walla video there, in which he smiles and winks, in the white shirt, I'm pretty sure some of you will remember it, even though it's no more on Insta. I was instantly taken by his boyish charm and I thought, Chalo, let me try this show once.'
So, at around 2:30 am, I started with the first episode. And I was intrigued, if not blown away. The show had me hooked (plus Manik's face was to still to be shown), so I watched and watched and watched. Till Manik's entry. I will unabashedly admit, I was watching it for Parth, initially. Eventually, that changed. And then, the show started picking up and I was speeding through episodes. I even sucked my best friend and her younger sister into the show and my brother judged us very much. Here, we were two 22 year olds and a 16 year old swooning over Manik Malhotra and his epicness!
Nandini: This beautiful, smart girl brought a monster to his knees. The first episode where she introduced us to her fireflies and when she watered her hope tree, I was there all along, hoping, believing. For the first time, I was floored with the English of an actor on Indian TV, she was that effortless. Her compassion, her fearless attitude, Nandini was such a refreshing character. (Of course, I hated her tears and lack of career drive, but it's fiction, so I'll let that pass.) THAT PUNCH, was when I was floored. That amount of sass and badassery, Nandu delighted me in that scene.
Manik: Frankly, the ragging episodes annoyed me and I found it hard to digest that I was supposed to support this guy. I think the turning point for Manik's character for me was somewhere in the Spot period, the attitude he had when he was harassing Nandini, something changed for me. I started rooting for Manik only when Nandini was in the picture, she did bring out the best in him. And a special mention to Parth's lip syncing skills, he is so good!
MaNan: Obviously, I knew from the very first episode that Nandu's fireflies shone for Manik only. But their chemistry became apparent when they sang together for the first time, Meethi Boliyaan suno bezubaani :D And from then on, it was just onwards and upwards. Store room scene was when the romance started showing its first signs, when he confided in her his fear of darkness. And she did all she could to make him comfortable. Manik's epic imitation of Nandu and his And our Nandu is back' when Nandini went from vulnerable to sassy in all of 5 seconds. And from then on, the beautiful earring scene on the stairs, their Baatein Kuch Ankahi Si first dance, their mud fight, Nazar Laye Na! Their first hug, I have replayed that scene so many times, how the giant found solace in the arms of the timid, BEAUTIFUL! And of course, that amazing, innocent first kiss. How could anyone not fall in love with those two? That heart-wrenching break up scene, the one with the shadows, I totally am repeating myself, but I cannot help it if their scenes just ooze beauty! The punch in the jungle and that game of Never Have I Ever, after which Baba danced so gleefully, hahaha, so cute! The holding Nandini hostage to manaofy her :) Both their drunk scenes, so well acted, so well executed. Their let's just be friends stage, even when they were anything but friends :P Nandini's belief that Manik's past wouldn't affect their present during the Save Navya campaign. The realization that she loves him when Khurana asks her to back off. His I Love Nandini' declaration. Their Valentine's Day break up. Him hurting her with vinegar and her figuring out that he would hurt himself too. The multiple BnR ice cream boxes, Manik is like the best boyfriend ever! :P The sexy holi, where Manik took Nandu's haath mat lagana seriously. The You are looking hot' during the It's Not Us, It's You campaign. The tum se na ho payega' scene, outside the Murthy residence. His breakdown when Dhruv walked out on him and her comforting him as always. She truly was his shining star. The hope tree Manik gave Nandini because she had creeped back into his life. The moment Rishabh shared his chapatti with Manik. Zehnaseeb at the fusion concert, followed by that epic confession (even though I still wish it had been You' and not U' :P) Oh, that kiss, so passionate, so amazing. Manik washing away Nandini's scars to Saawli si Raat and attempting to bring that smile back to her face. Murthy turning 18 :D Manik and Nandini and Sapna Jahaan, because no scene could be as hot as that! I'm still in awe of how they pulled it off! Nandini holding Manik's hand in the corridor, completely uncharacteristic of herself. MaNan's cute sex talks. Nandini's hesitation and Manik's understanding. Him pecking her just before her Talent Hunt performance, forgetting his worries. Her looking at him encouragingly. The night when the note wasn't too high. :)
I want to mention two of my favourite characters, Chachi and Cabir, such cuties! Cabir's Adam and Eve comment, his unflinching support to Manik, even when it put himself at stake. Chachi's realization of Manik and Nandini's love. These two were the best MaNan shippers ever!
KY2, without trying to hard to be different, ended up being a class apart. Cabir's coming out scene (with Manik's perfect I will be your mirror' dialogue), society's disapproval of people who were gay. Navya's teen pregnancy track where the issue of pre-marital sex was addressed so well and Mukti's It's Not Us, It's You track, a very relevant one in keeping with today's times. Alya's vulnerabilities when it came to finding love, because who said love was easy for any of us? Dhruv's insecurities, because sometimes friends do grow apart.
KY2 has been a beautiful journey. A story of friendship. A story of growing up. A story of growing part. A story of fireflies and stars. A story of hope. A story of love and second chances. A story of humeshas. I'll love you, humesha :)
Anupamaa
