EPISODE 1 - Fashion Fiasco
Hello!
Instead of doing a recap of the entire episode in a sequential manner, I'll be going character wise. Anyone who wants a proper recount of the events can read the written update here.
My update will explore each of the characters (except Arshi) who appear in that particular episode. It will first have a description of the scenes of that character followed by my analysis of their behavior.
Note: The character analysis is written from the perspective of someone watching the episode for the first time and being completely unaware of what is going to happen in the future episodes.
Starting off with -
Buaji - The first character to be seen in the show. She is seen enjoying and celebrating her neice's marriage and says that it is Khushi ka Mauka (joyous occasion) so let the songs play. With that, she too starts her Thumkas (dance moves) on a traditional folk song related to the bride and her family members. She is seen dancing around and dragging the various family members into the celebrations.
My view - She is over-enthusiastic and carefree, more focused on the occasion and celebrations than the clearly distressed people around her. But other than being oblivious, she seems like a positive character - one who will most likely bring in the comedy factor in this show.
Payal - The next person to be shown is the said bride. She is tense and in deep thoughts as she looks out of the window. Then she discusses with Khushi about whether what they are doing is right or wrong but is assured by her. They both have a plan up their sleeves which is later revealed when Khushi sneaks out of the house to go and meet Abhishek (the groom). The reason is revealed to be a last moment dowry demand (20 lakhs! 😱) As Khushi sneaks out, Payal goes out to be a part of the celebrations but is clearly too anxious to even smile (Not that anyone actually notices. Or maybe they just thought it was the wedding jitters.)
My view - She has a good sense of right and wrong - not wanting to support something like dowry. But, she is also someone who plays by the rules and is obedient, which is why she keeps on hesitating and asking Khushi repeatedly if they are doing the right thing (I think her concern here was more about doing something without informing the family). Also, she clearly shares a deep relationship with her sister and trusts her a lot (enough to agree for such a plan).
Shashi - The bride's father is shown, lost in thoughts too. He is also tense but can manage to show a happy face to others and take part in the celebrations. He discusses the dowry demand with his wife, wonders whether it is the correct thing to do but is convinced by his wife. Shashi also looks at his daughter and the celebrations going on which make him more determined to give Payal her happiness. He is dragged by Buaji into the dance and he in turn does the same with his wife. Later, Shashi is found to be worried about where Khushi and the papers to his shop are missing.
My view - He has a sense of right and wrong but not strong enough to overcome emotional bonds. A look at his daughter and few words from his wife are enough to convince him to go against his ethics. But that also shows him as a dedicated father, husband and even brother as he silently carries the burden of the family's happiness and future. And he is a very balanced character - can be serious and responsible along with reveling in the festiveness.
Garima - Talks to Shashi and convinces him to give the dowry for their daughter's happiness and the dream they had seen since forever (about Payal's marriage). Is shown to be anxious nearly all the time, and her panic heightens when Khushi and the shop papers are missing.
My view - Ethics don't hold much value for her. She is more concerned about their daughter's happiness and while this should have looked like a selfless mother willing to go to any lengths for her daughter; her statement about having seen this dream since a long time makes it seem like a selfish move. I wonder whether its only me, but her dialogs make it appear like her dream and its fulfillment is more important. And her strict face (or is that just her normal face 🤔😂) remind me of the typical MILs from Saas-Bahu sagas rather than a mother worried about her daughter. Overall, I would she say is the one who will be adding the drama quotient here.
So we are done with the Gupta family. Now moving to the other family /ex-family.
Chachaji - He is seen overconfidently stating that he now has more money than needed to repay the debt. When Arnav slides the suitcase of money towards the debt collector he jokes about Arnav missing his target which is predictably followed up by dramatic dialogs from Arnav. He is still confused as Arnav leaves without any explanation (which is then kindly provided by the debt collector himself). This finally(!!) makes him realize what has happened - his house (more like a palace) has been sold off without his knowledge and the reason is that he hadn't been paying off his debts. He hurries behind Arnav, try ing to convince him by saying that what is happening is very wrong. He says that Arnav is a man of ethics and rules to which Arnav rebukes by saying that money is everything and he was taught long back that even if you have a conscience, kill it. At this point, Arnav calls him Chachaji making him realize who he is. Chachaji makes the connection that Arnav Singh Raizada is Arnav Malik but Arnav heatedly tells him that he is no longer a Malik after being thrown out of the house by Chachaji himself.
My view - He is overconfident and oblivious to a great degree. He doesn't realize what goes on around him until things have proceeded to a very high level. He is also selfish and cruel (as can be seen in the past montage) to throw out his own nephew and niece from their home even after knowing that they have no one and no where else to go.
Anjali - First seen as the bride in montage where she is happy and smiling but something goes wrong and there is a screem and gunshot heard. Again seen in a montage where she and Arnav are thrown out of their house by Chachaji. Finally seen in present time as a married woman with a limp. She asks Arnav why he came to Lucknow. Upon receiving the excuse of Chikan Textiles, she agrees but asks why he brought Sheesh Mahal specifically. She is disheartened to know that Arnav is going to raze down this place to set up a new mill. When Arnav tells her to move over the past, Anjali says that is exactly what she is advicing him. She tries to convince him to let go off the past but is cut off by Arnav who moves over to the audience and introduces them to his sister - thus indicating that the conversation is over. Anjali understands this and although she has more to say, complies and lets go for now.
My view - there is very little information to judge her from but it is certain that she is going to be an integral part of the show. She and Arnav have been close since earlier times (seen through the montage) and are so in the present too. She has some power to ask questions and get answers from Arnav (who isn't shown like someone who would explain things to anyone) but the power is limited only till Arnav entertains her. At the point where he stops, she will have to make do with his silence. Also, reminders from the past make her as vulnerable as they do Arnav. None of them seemed to have forgotten or moved over the past (even though both advice this to each other).
That's all for the analysis part.
Now, as someone who has actually seen the entire show multiple times, I've a few questions rising in my mind. Along with that, I've some silly and some important observations. So here is my random commentary on the episode -
1. The old lady and other female relative (conversing with Buaji in the starting) remind me of Buaji's neighbors (Lata and her mother-in-law). Seems like Buaji has the knack of finding such similar jodi (pair) of Saas-Bahu (MIL-DIL). 😂
2. 20 lakhs in dowry! And Shashi says they already had 10 lakh?! (Gives the shop papers for the rest 10 lakh) Even Gomti sadan seems to be a big place with such a large courtyard. Later on in the show, they were shown to have trouble paying bills that are worth much less. I know they faced money problems later on and especially after Shashi's stroke so we cannot compare things. But this makes me wonder if this was done intentionally to increase the gap between Arnav and Khushi in the matters of wealth 🤔.
3. Khushi says there is a drama competition in school (not college/university). One more evidence of what many have suggested earlier - that Khushi was shown as a much younger person in the beginning before being suddenly aged up later on. 🤨
4. Chachaji with his crying face looks like a wimpy kid rather than an adult losing out his home 😂.
5. The debt collector man tried to present a cool and arrogant image like Arnav but came off as stone faced instead. Were his under-acting and Chachaji's overacting supposed to balance each other out?? 🤔😂
6. WERE THOSE AMAN'S HANDS?? (The ones which handed over the suitcase of money to Arnav) 😱😱😱
7. The poor receptionist was trying to help out in his own way. You should have heard his shayari Khushi! On another thought, its better you didn't, otherwise how would you have gone the wrong way and ended up in Arnav's arms 😉.
8. Anjali has an entire conversation with Arnav without calling him Chotte even once?! Was it due to the public presence (but they were conversing in low tones and having a personal discussion anyway) or something else? 🤔 Something izz fhissy here 🤔😂
9. And where did she disappear once the show started. She came to the show and left without even viewing it?! Was she there only to have a very private discussion in completely inappropriate surroundings (on the stage in a show hosted by Arnav himself?!). 🤨
10. Umm.. maybe I got it wrong but wasn't this a fashion show with bridal theme?! I understand that fashion houses don't follow the norm and experiment with things but showing a kinda crop top / blouse with a short skirt hardly seems like bridal wear from any angle. 🙄
11. The backstage assistant not only didn't know how the model looked like, but was also completely unaware of the dresses that were designed and going to be shown. He didn't even remember the theme was red color?! What kind of man did Arnav hire?! 😕
12. The theme was Red!! Just wonder what Arnav would have done if Khushi had been in red bridal wear!! 😉😉 (imagining her in the red lehenga that Arnav gifts her on the failed Suhagraat )
Enough of my blabbering. Over to you now. Let me know what you think of this.
Love,
Stuti
Edited by ssttuuttii - 4 years ago
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
5