In my previous review post, I listed out some pros and cons of what makes Udne Ki Aasha a must watch show. This is an updated version of it. However, please keep in mind that this is constructive criticism that I have observed myself and have been told by many people who are active watchers of this show. This review is gathered from talking with people who aren't part of any prior fanbases so their opinions root solely from watching this show. So be nice to even unpopular opinions.
The things that really needs to be worked on or looked at.
- The show's pacing:
In my previous review, which was a couple months ago, I have mentioned that the pacing was perfect. However, now it feels as if scenes are getting dragged and unnecessary dialogues have been inputted just to extend episodes. Scenes that used to finish within one or two episodes (i.e., the track where Sachin beats Tejas or when Sailee leaves home and returns) are now dragging to five to eight episodes because of unnecessary scenes, filler and repetitive dialogues. The screen time is also getting too divided. The central pillars of UKA are Sachin and Sailee so episodes without or less of them are bound to be uninteresting and draggy, which has been happening a lot recently.
- The leads:
Sachin: He has started to feel OTT. Don't get me wrong, he is still very well loved. Wonderful character, and the actor excels in intense/aggressive and emotional scenes. However, he has now turned OTT in normal scenes, his movements too exaggerated and theatrical for it to seem natural. He was found to be excellent around the first 200 episodes, but after ~225 episodes he has become too loud. There is no longer the subtleness that he used to have. Before, he stood at a point where shifting even a little bit would be too much but he balanced it quite well. Recently, especially after ~300 episodes, that point has been tipped over way too much, if that makes sense, and it has become overbearing. A second point is that Sachin is really good with emotional scenes and his pain/intentions can be felt, which is why a voice over isn't always necessary to explain his thoughts. This was done a lot during the Dilip track whenever he confronted Sailee and it became very repetitive. Instead, it would have been better had the makers let his expressions speak. Also, an intense Sachin is always a treat to watch. This may be a bias personal opinion as I sometimes check out the OG show, but I love how the original version has the ML more aggressive in fights/confrontations. However, I feel that UKA really lacked in recently showing Sachin's aggression (i.e., when he came for Alok's barsi he barely touched Dilip but in the OG the ML beats the crap out of the brother). I didn't much like that creative change, but that's my personal opinion.
Sailee: She modulates her expressions very well. However, recently, her dialogue delivery has started to feel a little flat. This was highly emphasized when she confronted Chitti for what he did with Sachin. More intensity and aggression was needed. She sounded like she was confronting a known and trusted enemy rather than a man she hated with passion, a man who had ruined her brother's life. Her dialogues have also turned repetitive. In episode 344, her dialogues felt flat when she was defending Sachin from Renuka. She should have refused to attend before Paresh did. It would have been more impactful and wholesome. Secondly, Sailee has stopped being relatable. She sounds too self-righteous now, which wasn't how she was before, and it isn't something the audience is enjoying.
- Saas-bahu
This show is for the Hindi audience so makers please cater to them and promote strong women. The saas-bahu has reached heights. Sailee's dialogues are terrible when countering Renuka and Roshni. In episode 342, why did she let Roshni question her about her personal life? Half of Riya's dialogues should have been Sailee's dialogues. Where is her self-respect? Her confidence? Sailee could've countered in a nicer way to maintain the OG version, but it should have been Sailee who put Roshni at her place. A bolder, stronger Sailee is what I had signed up for when I started watching because that's how she was when she used to tackle Sudhakar and the bratty/stubborn version of Sachin. She used to give apt responses to Renuka and had a temper. Sailee is never a doormat to Sachin, then why is she a doormat to Renuka? This much killing of self-respect and ill treatment without any repercussions is slowly killing the show's vibe. I understand that the makers are following the OG version, and that's great because the overall tracks are awesome, but the characterization and dialogues need to be changed and more focused on in order to suit the Hindi audience. Translations will not work the same for every scene. In episode 343, Sailee should not have condemned Sachin for standing up for her against Renuka. What is being promoted with that—with her behavior? That women suffering from (domestic) abuse should never stand up for herself, or let her husband or anyone else speak for her, because her abuser is an elder? Or because her abuser is her mother-in-law? Or because her roots are 'lower class'? This type of behavior exerted by the FL of such a popular show encourages women to remain in relationships with domestic abuse, ultimately promoting it. It is high time ITV, especially through it's number 1 show, stops glorifying abuse-enduring daughter-in-laws in the name of respect, sanskar, and compromise. Elders can be wrong, but they can also be corrected respectfully. Young women and children watch this, and I personally wouldn't want any child to grow up believing that a victim should stay silent to abuse and their abuser. A lot of women are harassed daily through in-law abuse and are afraid/discouraged to speak up; tv serials need to be a way to encourage them through strong female characters, apt dialogues and proper character development, not demotivate them even more by showing a once strong FL doormat to her abuser in the name of culture and compromise. Sailee refusing to let any bitterness, hate and aggression sweep into her is terrible writing. Her silence is terrible writing. The lack of character development in this aspect has me, and many more people, losing interest. There are abusive mother-in-laws like Renuka, but there should never be a woman/daughter-in-law like Sailee who seeks to please her abuser, accepts unjust treatment, and endures insults and violence in the name of sanskar and duty without speaking a word. The saas-bahu is no longer interesting with the same dehumanizing dialogues and pained expressions.
- The domesticity:
UKA is a show about a married couple so ideally there should be more scenes of domesticity between them. It's the little things, like the episode where Sachin ate an idli from Sailee's plate, that should be actively incorporated more. Those scenes are extremely loved and fun to watch. Hence, genuinely showing more domestic behavior between the leads would do great wonders for this show, such as subtle flirting from both sides, randomly buttoning his shirt, back hugs, saving food for him, just watching their partner with adoration as they get ready for the day, random free dancing, just chilling together/cuddles, a little bit of sweet possessiveness (from both sides), etc. Just that tad bit of random affection that normal married couples have. It is much needed to reduce the high amount of toxicity currently prevailing and bring a balance. UKA needs to explore more on how to make scenes more intimate with eye locks, winks, lingering touches, smiles, waist or shirt pulls, romance/intimacy, etc. Romantic moments that actually serve. It's the small details that makes everything better. Explore the cliches; SaChi are old school so it only makes sense if they do.
(We used to have a confident Sailee who 'wooed" Sachin. I'd love to see her back as someone who reciprocated Sachin's flirtation.)
- Background music (nothing wrong with it, just miss it)
The original background music that was played in the early episodes was really nice (i.e., like the music when Sachin saved Sailee from drowning in episode 94). It would be nice if the makers still incorporate those BGM tracks because they give Deja vu/nostalgia. Personally, when I heard their banter BGM again in episode 330 it made me go watch the early episodes again. Also, it would be nice for SaChi to get a BGM of their own, which would make their scenes more wholesome. Personally, I found the BGM played in episode 352 the moment Sachin caught Sailee to be perfect, but that's my personal opinion. Consistent music and tracks often bring a deeper connection to the plot and leads. Although I do admit that UKA has been exceptional in choosing soundtracks perfectly fitting situations, and I love it.
However, even with all of these cons or shortcomings, there are some good things to point out:
- The tracks
UKA has produced some really, really good tracks. Some of my personal favorites are:
1. The first village track: truly emphasized how much toxic environments can impact a person. Sachin, when he lived in Mumbai, was super aggressive and mean due to the people he was surrounded with. He was suffocated, which really impacted how he lived his life. When he came to his village, he was more lively and happy. This finally grew his and Sailee's relationship.
2. The Sudhakar track: Sachin and Sailee's life really takes a turn here. From love to misunderstandings to confrontations, everything was done perfectly. My most favorite scene was actually where Sailee confronts Sachin in the rain. The direction, dialogues, and acting was epic. Sailee was on-point through and through. She emphasized everything that she has been going through and how hurt she was. There was no holding back, which made me actually fall in love with her.
3. Another good track was the Chandu track because it truly promoted women empowerment. Loved how Sailee refused to close her shop because of some random man and decided to beat him herself. She didn't wait for help and took matters into her own hands. I also loved how she tells Sachin the truth at first chance and doesn't wait for things to get out of hand. Even though she wasn't able to tell him again later on, it wasn't because of her foolishness.
4. Gifting track: Sachin sets up a shop for Sailee and Sailee buys Sachin a car from her own hard-earned money. These two tracks are great examples of how spouses should support each other's careers, ambitions, and dreams. Sachin and Sailee both want each other to be independent and happy. They're not competing against each other but against the world.
- Progressive male leads
This came to me as a surprise. All three brothers are progressive. Sailee, Riya, and Roshni work and they aren't condemned for it. Their husbands realize that they have professional lives. Even Tejas is progressive when Sailee asks him about working when they get engaged. Sachin encourages Sailee to prioritize her dreams. Akash doesn't expect Riya to change herself to fit his mom's standards and knows how to keep his parents out of their fights. When it comes to supporting their spouses, all three brothers are quite progressive in that aspect.
- Working women
With the exception of Renuka, every woman in UKA is a working woman if you guys have noticed. Roshni is a beautician, Riya is a dubbing artist, Sailee is florist, Juhi does part time, Shobha runs her own shop, Aaji is a farmer, etc. Love this progressive aspect of the show where all three DILs are serious about their work and respect it. All of them have dreams and ambitions. They are independent.
Edit: I changed a bit of what I wrote before because it sounded like I was complaining more than addressing what I found really wrong.
- how all of them teamed up when they faced a problem - set aside their differences and worked together to solve the mystery! 
Real Estate
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
49