Today's episode was breathtaking in a lot of ways. Each character stood out, including the ones we generally don't like very much. Each moment was poignant and meaningful. What I loved the most about today, of course aside from the acting, was how each character in the show, related / unrelated just felt for the loss of Ruhi today. It was unbelievable! It was the kind of characterization, as you rightly mentioned, that I would expect from the 11 pm show.
Let me get to everyone and every thing in detail.
Bhalls & Iyers (Bhalla ji, Simmi, Vandu, Bala, Amma, Appa)
It wasn't just IshRa who lost their daughter, but also these extended family members who lost the raunak of their houses, as Toshi used to say. Ruhi's refusal hit them hard too, yet they believed her Ishima could convince her, that she would always listen to her Ishima no matter what, because Ishima and Ruhi have a dil se dil ka rishta. Imagine their hurt on knowing that Ruhi rejected her Ishima. Worse, to see Ishita writhe in pain for Ruhi. If there was one person these two families unanimously loved even after the leap and after all the fights, it was Ishita. And Ishita was hurting. Because her daughter wouldn't come back to her.
Mani
We have felt irritated by his presence time and again, both pre- and post- leap. But there have been instances where he has proved himself to be truly her best friend, and if that means controlling his emotions on seeing her in pain and consoling her ex-husband, so be it. He showed a lot of maturity today, by walking up to Raman and asking him to take care and control himself. One would expect it out of a best friend, but not out of a man in love. He put aside his personal grievances, and did the best he could do at that moment. He might even hate Raman for behaving this way with Ishita all the time, but he does know and understand what Ruhi meant to the both of them, and what Ishita's condition might mean to Raman, despite his proclaimed hatred for her. It was a small, but meaningful interaction in my eyes.
Adi
Adi did what best he could do. Try to talk to his little sister, console his mother, and get worried sick for them both. For me, the moment that touched my heart was when in the hotel lobby, he sat down to console his mother first, and not his father, for he knows what his sister means to his mother. He might be her only son, but his sister was her first child, one that completed her soul.
Shagun
We can hate her as much as we want to, but the truth is, today she did the best she could do. I can question all her intentions, but she did tell Pihu the truth, as much as she could in the given situation. Explained to her that Ruhi didi meant a lot to haar waali aunty, and that everyone was worried for haar waali aunty's condition, and kept her away from the mess. I saw people questioning Shagun on not letting Pihu stay near Ishita, but what purpose would it have served? Pihu still doesn't know about her real mother, nor the relationships between her father and Ishita, or Raman-Ishita-Ruhi, or the families. What would they have told her was happening to Ishita who was incessantly chanting Ruhi's name, and her father sitting beside her crying his eyes out? Fact is she doesn't know the complete truth yet, and telling her half-baked things would have complicated the matters further. Shagun might have wanted to keep her away, but really, what was the other option here, in this situation?
Ruhi
Every time I see her, my heart goes out to her. She does not listen to her parents' pleas, shuts the door on their faces, yet, she cannot forget how they were crying for her, begging her to forgive them. She chooses to stay with Niddhi, yet cannot tolerate Niddhi's hatred when she mentions her father. She's angry, and hurt, and in a lot of pain, but deep down inside, she still loves them. Aditi did full justice to Ruhi's state of mind here. Her eyes, esp. in the scene with Niddhi and the part after shutting the door, spoke volumes 👏 👏 👏
Romi
I have not cursed anyone more than Romi in the Bhalla family. Even today I think of him as a useless, good-for-nothing man, who has worked his way to his brother's throne not on the basis of his merit, but using questionable means. But today, I saw a glimpse of the Romi who was wayward, yet was always there with his bhabhi, eating that uncooked chicken she made because he didn't want her to feel bad. Today he took responsibility, he assured her of bringing Ruhi back, and most importantly, he showed his brother the much needed mirror. Loved Aly today, the sincerity when he was talking with Ishita, to the anger when he was talking with Raman, the switch was effortless 👏 👏
Raman
4 defining moments.
1. When he begs Ruhi to listen to them, brings Ishita forward, folds his hands. The desperation of a father to get his daughter back.
2. When Romi's words hit him hard. He wants to cry, but cannot. He wants to not believe them, but cannot. He wants to stand upright, but cannot. He wants to sit down, but cannot. His expressions - To die for.
3. When Ishita breaks down. As numb as he could be. Because how is it possible that Ruhi hates Ishima? How is it possible that this woman forgets to breathe AFTRER knowing their daughter is alive?
4. When he utters those "fateful" words to Mani. Nobody has been angrier than him at Ishita for what happened to Ruhi, but even he can't see her die, pining for Ruhi. That's how much he loves her, without stating it.
KP is absolutely stupendous, and I make no qualms when I say he's THE finest male lead Indian television has ever seen. And today was not even his day. He shone in stolen moments, here and there 👏
Ishita
And that brings me to THE QUEEN of today's episode. I am speechless. From begging Ruhi to questionning Mihika to asking Raman for help to asking Romi to crying on seeing Raman's state to quivering in the hallway - declaring Ishima dead - to burning with pain at the turn of events.
LEGEN - Wait for it - DARY!
She is the queen of emotions, and how! She proved it once again why she has been winning all those awards. Abso - f*ing - lutely brilliant portrayal of the broken Ishima by DT 👏
We haven't seen in YHM so many meaningful, power-packed performances in a single episode 👏👏 Everyone's dialogues were on-point.
It makes me want to hate CVs more, because it shows ONCE AGAIN, what they can do, yet choose not to. Also they edited IshRa hand-holding 😡
P.S. Also liked the fact that it would be Pihu who would bring Ruhi to Ishita. Such symbolism ❤️ Ishima's two daughters ❤️
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