[Episodes 66-70] Rajni Bai! - Page 3

Originally posted by: vita93

[Episode 67] May 17th, 2016

- "Woh issliye, Mummyji...Pehle main iss ghar ki bahu thi. Sab ke liye pyaar se khana banaati thi." I was so surprised at the switch in accent and tone here, but I absolutely love that Rajni shifts to her normal voice when she speaks as Rajni Kant, the bahu of the Kant parivaar. Along with her voice, the music shifts, too. After a moment of letting the impact sink in, the music and the tone switches back to that of Rajni Bai, the sassy servant. Very nicely done. I like the quick contrast between these two roles that Rajni is fulfilling here. First and foremost, she was - and still IS - Shaan's wife, daughter-in-law of the Kant family. In that role, she is pleasant, relatively soft-spoken, and acts out of love and respect for her family members. Changing circumstances and Surili's manipulation have pushed her into this second role, that of Rajni Bai, temporary maid. In this role, she is sarcastic, relatively caustic, and acts out of necessity and obligation. At heart, of course, she is still Rajni Shantanu Kant. At the end of the day, she is still a part of this family. There's a bitter irony in the fact that when Rajni used to look out for her family in a selfless manner, no one acknowledged her or appreciated her. Now that she's in a "lower" position in the house, those same people are demanding things from her. Such hypocrisy. Daughters-in-law are not servants. And dutiful servants shouldn't be looked down upon, either.

👏👏👏 Very well put! I completely agree with you here, that it really is a stroke of pure genius to use something as simple as voice modulation to express a completely different personality.

It also proves that this persona is not the true Rajni - the caring one that lies beneath - but a necessity she had to adopt to prove her worth.

@Last lines: The same things ran through my head in that scene...what I really liked was that Amrish was present to watch it as well. And he definitely knows that Rajni has not gone mad. At least this way, she won't lose his support either.

Ridhima's voice modulation abilities and her knack for mimicry are utilized so well - I really don't think she could've ever found a better role to debut with. It showcases all of her strengths and it's a very unique role, even more so now with the typical love triangles and supernatural stuff in virtually every other show on-air at the moment. The makers of this show couldn't have found a better actress to be their Rajni. It's funny that you say "something as simple as voice modulation" because I honestly think that there are very, very few actresses who can change their vocal inflection so smoothly and so effectively, if at all! When actors have trouble playing humans with subtlety on TV...I can't even begin to imagine how hard the role of a robot would be for them.

@bold: Word! Perfectly said! 👏 👏 👏

- But Shaan doesn't even know! LOL! He's fast asleep on the couch! What a baby, haha. Man, I missed Shaan so much in the previous episode!

@bold: 😆 He's tooo damn adorkable! I love how effortlessly Karan brings Shaan over...he's such a lovable goof!

"Lovable goof" is THE best way to describe this guy! 😆 Man, SERIOUS love for Karan and the way he has made all of Shaan's quirks, even his ego, into things that invariably make me smile. I may be shaking my head at his antics at times, but he is so incredibly endearing in spite of it all! And I've never seen a male protagonist portrayed like this. Even the look that they decided upon for Shaan...Initially, I was weirded out by the long hair, haha...But it fits with Shaan's personality and for me, personality matters most, both in terms of the actual character sketch and the portrayal of the character. I love that simply by looking at Karan, we as an audience can deduce certain things about Shaan's approach to life.

- "Woh kya hai na, Shaan Baba...Aap sleeping kar rahe the, na, toh main aapko khush khabri de ich nahi paayi!" LOL at the way Rajni goes running over to the edge of the line to talk to Shaan. She's so happy about this. "WHAT?! Paagal ho gayi ho?" "Mere mein woh feature hai ich nahi! Aapko maalum hona mangta hai!" "Mereko pata hai!" So much to love about this new style of bantering! Shaan and Rajni modify their trademark lines, totally rubbing off on each other without realizing it. And even more important is the fact that Shaan is absolutely indignant that his wife is working as a servant in their own house. Later on, he remembers that he had built Rajni with this very purpose in mind, so why not give her a test run? But it's significant that his initial reaction is one that is very much emotional in nature, a husband's outrage on behalf of his wife's self-respect.

@Shajni: Ditto! 😆😆😆 The interactions between the two are just amazingly hilarious, both for a robot and a human as well as husband and wife! And neither spends a second to retort at one another!

Shaan-Rajni are such adorkable dorks, haha! I love the way they're scripted, I love the way they're enacted, and I love how Karan-Ridhima are so free with their interactions! That rapport goes a long way in making every little thing shine!

@bold: 😳😳 It was extremely sweet and very telling of what Shaan thinks of Rajni...even later on, whenever he tries to explain himself, his tongue gets twisted and he doesn't seem too excited about it either. It would be interesting to see his reaction...it's one thing to be a bai, but Shaan knows his mother is not doing this out of kindness. Maybe the degrading nature might get too much for him and he would stop this nonsense?

Ah, nicely observed! 👍🏼 As for Shaan's knowledge of Surili's motives...I'm genuinely curious about what his tolerance threshold is. He generally finds ways to criticize without facing off against his mother directly...but how much is too much?

- And we're back to Shaan the Scientist and the unhappy misconception that scientists don't do anything. Poor guy! But Rajni does have a point. They need to earn money to eat, at least! As for pyaar, I wonder when that factor will come into play.

@Scientist: Same same!!! I do not understand how Shaan is not paid?!?! What! Last I heard, scientists got a monthly salary like everyone else...😕😕 How uninformed are the CVs about jobs? Then again, hindi serials only have a few categories: 1) businessman, 2) odd-job labourers like peons, housemaids, construction workers etc. To them, apparently a normal office job or something out of the ordinary is simply "not a job"🤔

Matthew hired him again, right? Or is Shaan still unemployed or on a special commission or something? I lost track of those details amidst all the household drama, LOL. Regarding the normal office job, that would be pretty boring to show, no? 😆 As for the science stuff in this show, I keep thinking, "Those chemicals in flasks are not supposed to be perched and sitting there, out in the open all the time, they'll go bad!" 😆 I do like the amount of detail in Shaan's lab, though. That space has so much personality! 😎 I'm glad he's an engineer with ample biochem knowledge! Oh, and I forgot to mention how much I liked the fact that they took a few minutes to show how Shaan is mocked and underestimated by his peers. He's so different from those snobby suit-and-tie garden variety scientists. I want to see him vindicated at the end somehow...He deserves it! But how will that happen?

- "Dekha! Bola na! Yeh ek number ka lukkha hi hai!" #IRONY Aaah, I LOVE this. Rajni throws that word at Shaan, and THAT stuns him. It stunned me, too. How's your ego feeling now, Shaan?

@Lukkha: What is deathly amusing, is that merely last week - she reiterated that he is a genius and not a lukkha.

I think this might have unwittingly been a very very interesting comment to throw for a few reasons:

1) This is not Rajni. Rajni would never consider Shaan a lukkha. This is Rajni bai, a simple gareeb aurat who needs money to feed her family.

2) Shaan needs to check his ego, as you mentioned very beautifully before. In the momentous episode, Shaan was feeling down and needed some consolation and confirmation. In this occasion, he's merely being stubborn. Good job Rajni!👍🏼

WORD to all of this, Tavita! 👏 👏 👏 The juxtaposition of last week's "Aap lukkhe ho hi nahi sakte" and this week's "Yeh lukkha hi hai!" was brilliant. We know that this isn't Shaan's Rajni, because she isn't like this, and she very clearly expressed what she thinks of him during their heart-to-CPU in the lab. Shaan should also know, logically, that this isn't his Rajni speaking...Maybe he does, but Rajni Bai's words hit a nerve and he decides to prove a point to her by taking up the very job that he'd never wanted to do, ever. Taking that step in itself was pretty significant to me, almost like a full-circle scenario...What his ex-girlfriend couldn't get him to do, in spite of him being in love with her, Rajni is able to achieve. It's another matter entirely that Shaan's ego needs to deflate more still...that's why I said this was ALMOST a full-circle scenario. All said and done, I feel sad that Shaan is looking for validation and appreciation, which he just can't seem to get from anyone...Rajni is the only one who verbally expresses her gratitude to him.

- And Rajni has something to say, too. "Woh truckwaale nahi hote, na, toh aap AAP nahi hote! Haan! HAH!" Her disgruntled exclamation is so great, haha! Shaan gives in. He's not happy about this at all, but he gives in. "I'll be a genius truckwaala! The BEST truckwaala EVER!" LOL! I'm dying here! Pareshaan Shaan is going to be a truckwaala. Exactly what he didn't want to do in life. His ex-girlfriend called him a lukkha and wanted him to join the family business - he didn't give in. Rajni calls him a lukkha - Shaan gives in. He goes on a mad rant, pulls at his hair in exasperation, but then looks down at Rajni and says, "OK?" He's calmer now. But his energy has transferred to Rajni now. "Sachchi?!" "Haan." Rajni lets out a squeak of happiness and fondly pokes her jhadu at Shaan's chest. "Mera truckwaala pati! Pom-pom!" DYING here! Oh my gosh, Ridhima and Karan and their sensational comic timing! This whole volley of words between Shaan and Rajni is pure gold! And the last bit totally reminded me of a marriage proposal. So freaking cute, these two! ❤️

@Pom-pom: 🤣🤣🤣

She's so proud of him, it brought me to tears!! Oh dear Rajni, you are best darling!!😆😆

I loved this so much! It was so hilarious! And her face, she was stunned and elated, all at once! She even did a little dance and sang her way out of the living room! 😆

@Amrish-Surili: Just wanted to add, that I'm so so glad Amrish did this! He essentially:

1) Played Surili at her own game! If she wants to make her bahu into bai, he will make his son into a truck driver! Haha!

2) Breaking Shaan's ego. I simply loved and loved the fact that Rajni put out so plainly, that if Amrish was not a truck driver, Shaan would not be here. It's a great reminder of the fact that we should never look down on people and their jobs in life because hard word and dedication could take a person places.

Ditto, ditto! Well said! That last line in particular - they got this message bang on! 👍🏼

Originally posted by: vita93

[Episode 68] May 18th, 2016

- "Lekin main bai!" "Main toh creator hai, main toh - Main creator hoon. Rajni. Yeh mera command hai ki mere saamne tum Aishwarya ki tarah baat nahi karogi! Just say 'OK Shaan!'" "OK Shaan." These conversations where Rajni's accent makes Shaan slip into that same lingo are really fun to watch. He rambles and she makes faces while trying to hang on to his words, haha.

2 things to say (I love lists no):

1) AWWW - Shaan wants his old Rajni back!😳 True, she's slightly annoying now, but he really likes his Rajni-wife instead of Rajni-bai...you could've just told her this a long time ago! Buddhu!😆😆

2) The camerawork and basically the interaction with the audience (Shaan actually gestures at the camera to come closer) is brilliant. I remember previously when Sharmila made a comment that this is not a TV show, and Rajni said something like "Really" and winked at the screen...it's a very new sort of thing for hindi serials and in TV in general, but it works to a T for this show. Keep it up guys!

I love your lists, too! 😆 I thought Rajni Bai was super fabulous, but yeah, I'm also relieved that this mode isn't permanent. Rajni Kant, Shantanu Kant ki patni, is my favorite, robotic tone and all!

Oh yes, breaking the fourth wall! That was quite unexpected, both times it has happened so far...Even when it's not explicitly indicated, like the time Shaan was laying on the courtyard floor and thinking through all of the mistakes he'd made in life, there are some shots that pull the audience into the BHR universe. It's very cool! Not that I'd want them to talk to the audience directly ALL the time...That would weird me out, haha.

- So Rajni suggests that Shogata should get married. Amrish thinks this is a good idea. Surili obviously doesn't. Rajni is probably the most excited person right now. Her dhinchak dancing is SO cute, oh my gosh!

Can I just add in one comment - at the beginning of the scene, Surili was actually annoyed that she couldn't find Shogu anywhere! Hilarious!!

Also: Makrand?!?!?!? MAKRAND...🤣🤣

It means "honeybee" or "honey", right? I hear "makrand" and I just think of crabs 😆 You know, "makrand", "kakra" 😆

- Rajni and her jhadu! She has an assortment of cleaning items now. I think this jhadu and the crude one she uses in the courtyard are my favorites. She wields them with a flourish and it's very impressive!

I thought the orange one was a cloth attached to a stick only!😕😕 Kya style, kya adaa...you said it right!😉😉

Haha! You're right. I didn't know what to call it at the time...a duster?

- "Ek hi baar mein dono virus DELETE!" Loving the tech lingo, Shaan. "Aur cherry on top! You know cherry on top?" "I know cherry on top?" "But do you know chipkali on top?" "That is gross." 🤣 That IS gross, LOL! But I love the contrast in their dialogue delivery here, especially the way Ridhima says "gross" and the music dies down, perfectly timed! Whatever Shaan says about Shogata being annoying, I totally agree with. If she leaves, he'll probably be happiest and I'll be next, cheering. But it is quite sad that Shogata doesn't share a good relationship with any of her siblings OR her sisters-in-law OR even her father. I don't think that's their fault, per se...she seems far too arrogant. And that is really sad.

@Gross: Yess!! It was suddenly so sombre, and a robot like Rajni technically can't be disgusted, so it's quite a shocker for her to mention it!

Oh, good point about that. I was actually so amused by the entire combined effect of the music and dialogue delivery that I brushed my surprise away, haha.

- I also feel bad for Dev, yaar. He may be a bit like a headless chicken when he goes into a panic, but don't call him a loser! Dude, Shaan, the guy is your best friend, he's been with you through thick and thin...and he's helping you with Rajni! Show the man some respect! That said, I find it hilarious that Dev is in "sadma" and refuses to come to Shaan's half of the house because they only eat khichdi nowadays. Sometimes I wonder what it would've been like if Rajni really were human and actually Dev's relative.

@Loser: Correct!!😡😡 He's helped out Shaan in more spots than one, so I don't understand him constantly berating the poor boy...hopefully Rajni can turn that tide around!

@Relative: Definitely much better than Shaan&Shogu for sure!

Dev's coming back, so yay! He's such a cartoon, but I love the guy and his large-hearted nature. From what we've seen so far, I think it's safe to assume that Dev has now taken on the role of Rajni's bhai with utmost dedication. I'm so proud of him! Neil's comic flair often surpasses OTT, but it completely works for the character he's playing, since poor Dev is so worked up about everything and is constantly being put into situations that I'm sure no one would want to be in!

- Amrish knows that Surili doesn't think much of him? Okay, so I really, really want to know HOW these two fell in love and got married. And how and when did Surili's "classiness" start creating issues in their relationship? Because Amrish is a GEM of a man and he doesn't deserve ANY of the insults that are thrown at him by his wife and daughter! Shaan mentioned his parents' story during his engagement, and it seemed really sweet...What happened to that Surili, though? Is she still there, buried under all of the riches and ego and the rest of the trappings that come with "high status?" Because if that's the case, I'd much rather see the simpler Surili who seemed to have more compassion and based her belief in people's abilities and potential rather than their status.

In the first few episodes, it was quite clear that despite her apparent haughtiness, Surili still has a lot of love and respect for the man...somehow, writers decided to completely change her character into one of the easily-hateable types...

It's one thing to want to be classy, wear fancy clothes and dress very sophisticatedly. It's completely another thing to berate the person who actually made this possible, and to constantly insult him. What was stupendously annoying was that, instead of being ashamed that Amrish knew what she wanted to say, she went along with it and kept nodding her head. Cheap.

Rajendraji and Pallaviji are such fantastic actors and I love their tuning as co-actors lot! I loved their scenes in the first few weeks, when Amrish would put his points across to Surili and she would actually listen. They discussed things and I didn't see anyone with a clear upper hand. Now I feel like this has somehow turned into a game of one-upmanship, presumably all because Rajni has made all the women jealous by actually being kind and competent. There are some instances where I can glimpse Surili's fondness for Amrish...but I miss their genuine, no-pretenses, affectionate bond!

- Matthew Sir! Or Mutthu Saheb...Matthew is such a cartoon, but he's an entertaining one. He's snooty but also kind of funny. "Oh! Rajni! Toh servant ki theme mein aaj dress karna tha? Bata dete pehle! Mere paas ek excellent butler ka costume hai!" LOL, Rajni and her jhadu almost scare Matthew away! "Holy mother! I almost died?"

Butler ka costume...firstly, why?? 🤣🤣

Also, Makrand to Mutthu saheb? Haaa???🤣🤣

I always see-saw between thinking of him and Shogu are compatible vs if he seriously got the short end of the stick. Matty is super prim and proper and it makes sense as to what Shogu sees in him, but on the other hand, he's definitely a lot nicer than her. Unlike Shogu, he hasn't been disrespectful to anyone in this house in particular, and he seems sincerely happy to be with them for the most part. He even showed his thoughtfulness by thanking Surili, and giving her utmost respect. And instead of being thrown off by Amrish, he was taking it quite amusedly. Sigh.

Your reactions! 🤣 I'm on the see-saw as well. We're probably at each end of the thing, waving to each other and making confused faces about Matthew-Shogata's long-term compatibility 😆 You mentioned how Shogata doesn't even treat him with respect, right? She treats him like a puppy-in-training. "Good boy" and all. Matthew is much, much nicer than Shogu, I think...but there are some aspects of his character that click with hers - the materialistic tendencies, the high-class types, and of course the AIM lingo 😆 I like Matthew so much more than Shogu, though, for all the reasons you've pointed out! And he's also brave enough to speak a language he's not very good at, so props to him!

- Dhyaan's faces during the last scene are basically me. He is just a spectator of the tamasha his family is creating...and he's totally done with it all, even before the real tamasha has begun. "Oye, shut your face!" The best thing Amrish has said to Surili all day, possibly. And Dhyaan is completely deadpan, like, "Yeah. Nothing new here."

@Shut your face: HAWWW😲😲😲

Also, it was really cute what Amrish did...and it completely reminds me of Rajni. Both of them were admonished by Surili to change themselves - and they did it beautifully👏👏 Now it's going to backfire completely on Surili!😆😆

HAH! 😆 😆 😆 That's all I will say on that matter! 😛