Plotting & Planning took centrestage as the week unfolded, with KT and TP's shenanigans on full display!
So what then is it in this MU track that is setting it apart?
The answer, I feel, lies in the paradox...in the steady and fantastic growth in Viplav and Dhani's characterization, their understanding of each other, and how much they treasure the bond between them!
Was apparent in the first scene itself - when Dhani's heart goes out to Viplav and the hurt that her possible actions could have caused him...
That really for me, as a viewer, is the BEAUTY of ViDha's equation - the DEPTH of their bond!
A THUMBS UP to the attention to detail in Viplav's characterization...
The Brooding Viplav in the dark room, with TP's ring uppermost on his mind
Thereafter, as KT tries to poison his mind...the Restless Viplav, not liking his mother's derogatory remarks one bit, but curtly asking his mother "Aap ko kuch kharidna tha na"
The Intelligent Viplav, making a point to KTs insinuations by stating that Dhani was not alone with TP...had Suvarna & RL for company!
And finally, when the "noises" get too loud to handle, as Viplav does best...simply going up to Dhani...and clearing the air!
LOVED the flicker of the diya as soon as Viplav enters...and as Dhani cups the flickering flame...
Was it a METAPHOR for the turbulent times and their outcome ahead??!!
And then,
LOVED the matter-of-fact tonality of ViDha's conversation...Viplav coming straight to the point!
LOVED how he politely steered RL out of the conversation...it was obviously between Viplav &Dhani!
LOVED how he said "Aur Dhani samajhti hai ke main yeh kyon bol raha hoon"
LOVED the overall "grown-up" feel of the conversation...was necessary for a discussion so serious! Dhani speaking her mind and Viplav all ears, without being judgmental...
LOVED the ViDha simplicity SHINING through it all, with Viplav repeatedly apologizing, with his faith completely intact!
For how long, is the million dollar question??!!
But one thing is etched in stone...
The myriad shades of the ViDha chemistry
Is DEFINITELY growing on me
For sure!
The ONE thing which I had least expected, but the CVs have definitely surprised us with is the FRESHNESS in the treatment of ViDha's journey...
Really LOVE the way the ViDha equation is shaping up...the growth in both Viplav and Dhani, as individuals has been simply OUTSTANDING! This is obviously spilling over to the ViDha dynamic as well...
A case in point being the FANTASTICALLY conceptualized and executed "Shanti Puja" scene
Right from the moment the scene started...Viplav's subtle gesture to Dhani to be seated next to him...to everything that unfolded thereafter...
Found Shalu's volte face extremely strange to digest, just as I am finding DT's 'kind-hearted' avatar so completely unbelievable! CVs, IKRS is shaping up well once again...the leads are getting the necessary support; will be great if our other grievances can be looked into as well.
A STANDING OVATION, really, to the manner in which the build-up to Viplav's reaction to Shalu's idiocy was created and ably executed by Mishal. LOVED how Viplav only reprimanded her at first, just as a big brother would...trying to drill some sense into her thick head. But, Alas! Shalu was already a pawn in KT's hands...she was there to torment Dhani...and thereby, augment Viplav's woes, as well! LOVED how Viplav stood up for what was right...whether it was the tight slap that Shalu deserved, standing up for Dhani against the dogmatic pandits or his unwavering stance in standing by Dhani, against all accusations..."ashubh" or otherwise...just LOVE this man's character...how none of his mother's shenanigans can induce even an iota of doubt in this man...even if the antagonistic forces are emanating from within! What a truly INSPIRING character, you are Viplav...what an amazing sense of RIGHTEOUSNESS...what INTEGRITY of character! The CVs are truly doing an amazing job of putting together your VALUE SYSTEM, Viplav Tripathi, and you Mishal Raheja are doing a SPLENDID job, living it!
👏👏👏
ADORED the moment when Dhani, being Dhani begs for forgiveness to the Pandits...and Viplav, completely shell-shocked, immediately walks up to Dhani, and, with his protective arms engulfed around her, gives her the much-needed respect and support at that critical juncture. True mark of a man, that, Viplav Tripathi! FULL MARKS to the camera angle there...brought out the essence of "ViDha" really well, although was just a split second shot, that!⭐️
LOVED the nuanced moments that Mishal brought out in depicting Viplav's inner turmoil, as KT was upto her gibberish once again! That slight gulp...the angst in his eyes...as Viplav is trying to figure out...is this for real? Is anyone really concerned about his Baba's soul resting in peace...absolutely LOVED it!👏
And then, a THUMBS UP as Viplav, in the "language" that Dhani understands best, gets her to promise to him, that she will dissociate herself from all things "ashubh", and least of all, his Baba's death...nice touch, that!👍🏼
LOVED, absolutely LOVED, it when Dhani did exactly that, and more! As Dhani, with her knowledge of the shastras, gave Viplav the brainwave of doing the puja himself! What a FANTASTIC spin to the same "rituals", "customs" and "traditions", which only a little while ago seemed nothing but a detriment! LOVED the deeper message conveyed through the completion of the shanti puja' by the "Brahmin", Viplav Tripathi, with the all IMPORTANT point made by Viplav himself...what is more important...the completely inconsequential diktat's of what society has laid out for a "widhwa" OR a family doing what is most needed...praying together in FULL attendance!!
Wah, CVs...so many SOUL-SEARCHING POINTS made...
Was a PROUD IKRS viewer, as all this panned out...
IF VIPLAV is DHANI'S SOURCE of STRENGTH, her SOURCE of EMPOWERMENT...
DHANI is VIPLAV'S GUIDING LIGHT, his INNER VOICE really...
WHAT a REFRESHING definition of EQUALITY in a RELATIONSHIP!!
Set against the TRUE background of what our CULTURE really stands for1
You can take a bow, CVs!!
👏👏👏
The pace of the show is once again becoming an issue, CVs...seems to be very erratic and incomprehensible at times...
Was bothering me as that dimwit inspector took Dhani to the police station...noticed some obvious glitches in the conceptualization, but Viplav's entry more than made up for it!
LOVED the beautiful amalgamation of Viplav, Dhani's beau AND Viplav's, Dhani's lawyer! Smart touch, that!
LOVED, absolutely LOVED, how Viplav, immediately on his entrance, does what one would naturally expect of him...rubs Dhani's tears, with a simple "Tum theek ho"! These little gestures of Viplav's care...his deep-rooted love for Dhani...are simply INVALUABLE! 😃
Was sheer BLISS to see Viplav, the lawyer, in action...as he questions the cop on the basic tenets of an arrest...the undercurrent of sarcasm all through the whole chargesheet/warrant/FIR/lady constable piece...Viplav, the lawyer, in top gear! Also, liked how Dadi's statement about Dhaani being with her during the crime put a lid on all unnecessary speculations on Dhani's implication.
Mishal is really good at capturing finer expressions...was visible during his interaction with the cop...was even more prominent during the 'kasam' role reversal moment with Dhani!
LOVED how Dhani clutches his shirt as she senses Viplav seething with anger...ViDha really capture the finer nuances of the ease of 2 individuals in a relationship so EFFORTLESSLY...
Absolutely LOVED how Viplav looks on in complete disbelief at Dhani's ability to forgive...that expression of love blended with admiration...of Viplav for Dhani...Mishal just nailed it!
FULL MARKS there to the CVs, for capturing Viplav's reaction to what Dhani asked of him during the 'kasam'...any other response, would just not have been Viplav!
👏👏👏And then, the second round of the 'Shanti Puja'...at the Ashram
Those Sanskrit Shiva Shlokas seemed to have a purpose...
Viplav's anger...those eyes raging with fire...the tumultuous angst within...as Viplav reacts on seeing the slimeball TP.
Some FANTASTIC lines there...delivered to PERFECTION by Mishal..
As Viplav starts with...
"Kya tum bata sakte ho...Tripurari??"
And finally concludes with...
"Kya tum sacchai bata saktey ho Tripurari??"
👏👏👏
Have to mention here, that it's very simple for actors to go completely ballistic with such lines
But the POWER in Mishal's UNDERSTATED delivery..
Was left completely SPELLBOUND!⭐️
The other IMPORTANT question
Was Viplav's anger at Dhani justified?
In my opinion, Yes!
Had mentioned last week itself...
Dhani has to make a choice and fast!
Dhani knows how hard-headed Viplav can be
And this time his reason is absolutely justified
After all, it's about the man that Viplav has every reason to hate
Dhani has to get her act together,
And be no-holds-barred in being
Vocal about it!
Liked how Dhani gave it back to Tripurari on returning to the Ashram
Liked even more how Badi Amma used her worldly wise ways to smell a rat re TP
Liked the most how Viplav decided to revisit the circumstances
His ever supportive and understanding friends definitely helping the cause as well!
SPECIAL mentions to the CVs for not going the hackneyed route on a MU cropping up between Viplav and Dhani...would have gone completely against the DEPTH of the BOND that ViDha have come to share! Would have made their love for each other seem so shallow...so superfluous...which it definitely is not!
FULL MARKS to the CVs here for giving ViDha's BOND the DIGNITY that it so absolutely deserves!
The HIGHLIGHT moment as the story progressed...
Was obviously the ViDha scene!
LOVED, simply LOVED every moment of it
From the moment it started...
Just adore how Viplav carries his heart on his sleeve
The purity of his heart...sans all ego
Is so absolutely ENDEARING!
As Viplav apologizes for losing it earlier in the day
To how he elevates Dhani's mood
As she once again goes down the 'widhwa' lane
Nice touch that, of the reminder of the engagement ring!
And finally, the proverbial cherry...
As Viplav asks Dhani about the puja details
From that mischievous glint
To how Viplav teases Dhani
As Dhani blushes
And Viplav adoringly looks on
As Dhani 'rebukes' Viplav for his trademark 'gyaan'
And Viplav simply gesticulates to "Is this wrong?"😉
And the FANTASTIC finale with
"Hum tumhaari saari baatein sunte hain"
"Achha, in kuch dinon main kahan suna hai?"
And then..
As Viplav and Dhani blush
Soaking in that hint of happiness
After much turbulence...
👏👏👏
Viplav and Dhani,
You guys are simply MAGICAL!
Mishal and Eisha,
Your CHEMISTRY is to die for!
👏👏👏
LOVED how the ViDha scene spilled over...
The next few moments in store...
Were sheer DELIGHT to behold!
As Viplav goes
"Aur tum vrat rakhogi...aur woh bhi subah suabah"
Followed by
Dhani's matter-of-fact "Haan"!
And Viplav's yawn struck "Haaan"!😆
And then as Dhani guestimates Viplav's response with a "Ab tum yeh mat kehna...kya zaroorat hai in cheezon ki"
And Viplav repeats exactly that!😆
Was LAUGHING to myself as Dhani went "Tum kabhi nahin sudhroge na"!
ViDha are TRULY such a DELIGHT to watch!
And then,
As Dhani insists that Viplav should leave,
And Viplav's "Hum toh yahan ke damaad hain"😛
As Dhani still insists
And Viplav feigns anger
To which Dhani responds
"Par aise mat jaana"😳
And Viplav goes...
"Arey aise nahin to phir kaise..
Sar ke bal"😆
And Dhani innocence personified, simply says
"Bas gussa hokey mat jaana"👏
Such an absolute PLEASURE you are, Viplav and Dhani..
You guys are nothing short of BLISS!
And finally,
As Viplav goes...
"Aaj main tumhara saara dar nikal deta hoon"
And Dhani with her eyes wide shut!
All that Viplav has in offer is
"Sambahlo, tum gir jaaogi"⭐️
Beholds her with the bridal pallu
With a simple
"Humein apni maryada pata hai, Dhani!"👏
And the "parting note"
As Viplav turns around
Cos he knows his Dhani would be expectantly watching
As Viplav's seals it
With a simple note of Love,
A flying kiss!😳😃
CLASS, epitomized once again..
By
Viplav
Dhani
ViDha!👏👏👏
Nothing much to write home thereafter on the 'junglee' baba piece...guess these are harsh realities of the interiors of our country even today
The things that stood out..
Everybody in character!
DT's true self coming to the fore, as he leaves Dhani to those man eaters
Dhani, being the selfless Dhani as we know her best, simply jumping into save DT, without a thought to herself
Viplav, as he finds Dhani, and rescues her in the nick of time...just holds on to her for dear life!
Even amongst those Babas,
The STRENGTH of ViDha's AFFILIATION stood out
ViDha are simply MAGICAL on screen!
As the week drew to a close...
DT has obviously got a whiff and more of KTs plan...his suspicions are getting stronger with every passing day!
And then, as the action moved to the Ashram,
LOVED how Viplav was looking on, as Dulaari was reprimanding Dhani...the expression PRICELESS...of both admiration & endearment! A nice touch that as Viplav says "Aaj Dhani ne phir itihaas rach diya...usne Mahanth Dashrath Tripathi ko bachaya hai"👏
LIKED the fact DT came all the way to the ashram to thank Dhani...but this goody two shoes avatar of DT is really tough to digest!
LOVED the moment when Dulaari accidentally notices ViDha...don't know who was blushing more...Dulaari or ViDha?😆 And then, Viplav's flying kiss, YET AGAIN...and Dhani's reaction to the same...bahut zyaada achha laga!😳😃
A THUMBS UP to Dhani's new found sleuth avatar...she has always been one intelligent woman, with a mind of her own, but simply LOVE the manner in which its all adding up...the confidence...sense of empowerment...and ViDha's love at the centre of it all!
Am simply enamored as to how seamlessly Viplav and Dhani embody the true meaning of the word "partners"...the way Dhani comforts Viplav...as he is once again on the verge of breaking down when the code of the blanket is cracked...Viplav and Dhani are truly each other's strength...now and forever!
Guess it's only a matter of time now...until the truth comes out...
The GREATEST USP of this track
Anupamaa
