Watch Chimna/Rakhma become the ones I end up liking most out of this new set of characters. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens. My rambles ahead!
- Chimaji Appa it is now, is it? I'm still going to be writing Chimnaji, unless something forces me to start writing Chimaji instead. So the man writes letters...with poetry? I'm not surprised. He takes after his father, that I know...which makes me wonder if Balaji ever wrote poetry or just poetically quoted the Shastras. Sorry, got distracted! But the letter-writing does remind me of Balaji/Radha's letters! How sweet is it that Chimnaji writes to Rakhma so often? (I had another actress in mind for Rakhma, but...at this point, I'm just relieved that the character seems understanding and kind and happy. Why do all the nice ones have to die, though? Balaji will die, his Radhabai (and mine) is dead...God knows what else will happen...)
- Kashi's lament is beautifully-penned, albeit dramatically poetic, and I love Himani Kapoor's voice in the background of what is clearly Kashibai's Theme...but Ishita needs to work on her diction and voice modulation. Kashi's eyes may be glistening with unshed tears, but her list of grievances falls flat slightly for me because of her tone. There are some words that I had to listen to a few times to figure out (like "siyahi," unless "sihai" is a word that means "ink" or something?) and others that I couldn't figure out despite repeated listens. How ironic that Kashi is literally decked in golden jewelry while she is talking about how jewelry is not what beautifies her...Bajirao - sorry, Rao - doesn't seem to care for Kashi much, but she's waxing poetic about him. Or does he care? What I would like to know is how and when Kashi started regarding Bajirao in such a way. It would be nice to know where Bajirao stands on the matter, too. And here I thought Baji would have become more understanding over the years. Apparently not. Yaar, the children's story ended on a promising note! Baji was determined to fight for his motherland, but he wasn't completely insensitive in the end. Then what is this? How are the writers going to explain this?
- "Kya karoon? Hasi rukti hi nahi hai!" So this is like Bhiu's "doodh ke daant" catchphrase? Meh. I miss Bhiu, even though her catchphrase was hit-and-miss with me. Bhiu was still so precious! Anyway, at least someone in the Peshwa's household is happily-married. Unfortunately for Kashi (and us, I guess?) that's Rakhma. Interesting how Rakhma appears to be the more composed, empathetic one out of the two Bhat bahus. She comes across as maternal, almost, with her words of wisdom and comforting gestures. But then she dissolves into a fit of giggles and I'm like, "No, stop laughing so much!" I have a feeling that might get annoying quite quickly unless Urvashi can master the art of laughing in a less stilted manner. Maybe time will help with that. Here's hoping.
- Random digression for a second. Zeenat and Shahu! I actually cried out in shock, I was SO HAPPY to see Nitin again! Deepshikhaji and Nitin will be missed dearly. Both brought a wonderful, quietly regal quality to their roles, and I'm just glad that they had one final scene together. Also. Swamiji's bhavishyavaani flashback. These little memories are giving me life, but they are also breaking my heart. What a show this was! *nostalgic sigh* Okay, back to Rakhma now.
- "Aap unki chinta mat kijiye. Kyunki unke chhote bhai Bhau ka baal bhi baaka nahi hone denge!" Bless Rakhma's faith in her husband! And the man himself comes riding in, inconspicuously, on a horse, throws two daggers, and gives his Bhau a little smile. That smile! "Prateeksha karte karte thak gaye the, Bhau. Lekin aaj aap kuch adhik samay le rahe ho." That sass!
- Aaah, my scene stealers! Chimna and his Baba! Oh, sorry - SHRIMAN Chimnaji SAHEB and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath Bhat!
I was waiting with bated breath to see how Chimnaji would be reintroduced...And what a welcome he got! Dramatic situation, but it played out in such a way that it came across as casual and natural. Saurabh is killing it already - literally and figuratively! I was also hoping that Manishji and Saurabh would get the chance to be in the same frame at some point...and that happened in Saurabh's very first episode! I couldn't stop smiling during the entire bit where Balaji stands up unsteadily and Chimnaji reaches out to support his Baba. That look of concern on Chimnaji's face as Balaji suddenly stumbles forward...! I love how natural and understated Saurabh's expressions are. He's on par with Manishji and Anuja in that respect. Oh, what I would give to see those three together! *sigh* I'll take what I can get. My absolute favorite bit, though, has to be that fleeting moment when Gotya starts talking and Balaji gives Gotya a "What are you talking about?" kind of reaction, looking all cute and confused in spite of his fatigue...and then as that confusion fades, both Balaji and Chimnaji smile at the same time, looking so proud! Too adorable!
- "Varshon pehle, humne aur tumhari Aai ne hawaa ko ek disha dene ki sochi thi...ani aaj woh hawaa aandhi ban kar sahi disha mein chal rahi hai."
Okay. This. This is too much for my heart to handle. Throwback to one of my most favorite paan moments EVER. "Aga...aapla Baji hawaa ki tarah hai...jisse roka nahi jaa sakta - pann moda zaroor jaa sakta hai. Aur humein bhi isse sahi disha mein modna hoga. Yaad rakhiye...Santaan patang hai, toh Aai dor. Dor jidhar chahegi, patang ko ussi ore jaana hoga! Ho ke naahi?"
Every time I watch that scene, I marvel at the beauty of it. I get so emotional every single time...and in this episode, Manishji absolutely reduced me to an emotional wreck with one line. One line, which has such a strong impact because of the moment it refers back to, along with the way Manishji delivers it. Balaji is wounded, bleeding, struggling to breathe, yet as he reflects back to that conversation that he and Radha had all those years ago, the pride he feels towards his son overpowers everything else. They succeeded. They do not need to fear storms anymore. Their Baji IS the storm. And with that, I am going back to that paan scene.
Edited by MelodiousDreams - 8 years ago
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