Fuzion on EBI (link added)

Hindi TV shows are like the waves that crash on a sandy shore: they come and go. But every now and then you hear of waves like the Glowing Blue Waves of the Vaadhoo Island that comprise of a composition so remarkable that it catches your breath when you see its result on the shore. In the ocean of shows currently fogging the small screen there is one show that is making waves for all the right reasons with its own unique composition. Life OK's new show Ek Boond Ishq (EBI) is slowly and steadily scoring many superlatives, be it for the gripping story or its enthralling title track, and with good reason.

The Tomboy

As heroines go, the eldest in the family is usually the one sacrificing personal aspirations for her loved ones. Ek Boond Ishq's's female lead Tara is the exception to that norm and is the younger sister while the elder sister, Nandu, is a frivolous mademoiselle intent on marrying a rich man. Tara in the meantime agrees to marry a perfect stranger, not knowing what she is getting herself into and not caring to find out because she only sees the lifeline thrown to her family that is drowning in debt. Tara is the proverbial tomboy and doesn't scare easily.

While other heroines parrot the most hackneyed line in a new friendship, "No sorry! No Thank you!" Tara says "Madat ki hai tumhari... ek thanks to bol de the?". Chhavi Pandey, who brings life to Tara, injects just the right amount of childlike curiosity, mischief, maturity, intelligence and downright candor to this character which makes Tara a lovable anomaly in the lineup of female heroines on small screen.

Heathcliff Meets Mr. Darcy

EBI's male lead Mrityunjaya, brought to life to perfection by Viraf Phiroz Patel, is also a refreshing change from the usual globetrotting business tycoon or the perfect son who looks after his economically challenged family. Mrityunjaya is flawed and a mystery and with each passing episode a different facet of his character is revealed to the viewer and to Tara. His inner turmoil, i.e. the Heathcliff, is evident to the viewer from his rough exterior and the means he uses to inflict torture on his new wife, Tara: Mrityunjaya feels that his wife is a gold digger and that it will be an easy task to drive her away from him. Perhaps that is why he agreed to the faade of a marriage in the first place. But Tara stumps Mrityunjaya with her resolve to stay strong.

We meet the real Mrityunjaya, i.e. Mr. Darcy, when he is alone with his thoughts in his darkroom or in the stables where he meets Tara, not as his wife but as a stranger. The third in that friendship is Maria the horse and perhaps she knows the real Mrityunjaya better than anyone else because Mrityunjaya conveys his most sincere thoughts and vulnerabilities to her! It's easy to love that Mrityunjaya and believe that he is not capable of committing the crime he is accused of.

The Facebook of Tara and Mrityunjaya

Mrityunjaya and Tara's interactions at the stable are like a friendship born on a social media site. Lack of expectations and the anonymity of the relationship make it easy for these two strangers to reveal their true personalities and they even exchange messages on a wall! These two unlikely friends come to each other's aid and unknowingly help the other in the reality of their relationship. The subtlety with which EBI's creative team illustrates their relationship is praiseworthy.

Mrityunjaya, the husband, was someone who was out to hurt Tara so that she's leave. The same man jumps in to hold the door to save her fingers from getting hurt on the door frame. The gesture is not missed by Tara. Two of them sharing a cup of tea without knowing about it was so ridiculously cute and unexpected that it drew the audience in with its simplicity. Both of them are unsure of the other and the journey of finding each other amidst the complexity of their bond is definitely going to be an interesting one.

The perfect villain/ess

Of course every show needs a good bad - guy' and Vishwajeet Pradhan is a revelation as the male/ female antagonist Rudra Pratap Singh/ Kalawati. Rudra Pratap is the typical arrogant alpha male which makes his antithesis alter ego, the eccentric and malevolent Kalavati, easily the most transfixing character in the show. But the creators bring in a twist here as well. Kalawati is who she is because of what she went through as a child. When she refers to her younger years she indicates that it was nothing short of traumatic and knowing this, it puts the audience in a situation where we are forced to understand that Kalawati is a result of societal pressure on accepted gender norms.

Rudra Pratap harbors a deep hatred for his father, his brother Thakur Jairaj Singh and Mrityunjaya perhaps because of his own misery of not being accepted by his own father for who he is while Mrityunjaya being an adopted son received all the love that he didn't.

Mogambo Khush Hua!

Tara and Kalavati have a character trait in common: that of illeism, i.e. they both have a habit of referring to themselves in third person perspective. Illeism is said to illustrate a psychological disconnect embraced to cope with difficulties or personal conflicts resulting from trauma. Losing her father and learning about her family's financial difficulties, Tara had to grow up before her years to provide for her family. That would have made her feel isolated and lonely and it is possible that developed a habit of speaking to herself to overcome that. Or maybe she just likes talking to herself!

Kalawati on the other hand appears to have been through abuse as a child. Her use of illeism is more as an air of grandeur. It is her idiosyncratic and narcissistic nature that makes her refer to herself as someone to be feared. Will there be a faceoff between Tara and Rudra Pratap Singh/ Kalawati in the future? If so, who would win?

A Ray Of Hope, A Drop Of Love

In spite of the growing closeness between Mrityunjaya and Tara, the best part of EBI is that Mrityunjaya and Tara's relationship is not the only focus of the show. Rather, it is one of different narratives running across the story that keeps the audience on their toes. The intricate connections between the diverse characters of the show is so intriguing that it creates mystery with each episode. If Tara did not Marry Mrityunjaya then Kalawati would have killed her a long time ago. Current track shows that Mrityunjaya is innocent and Tara has taken it upon herself to prove his innocence.

Who killed Radha? Was it Kalawati? Or was it Jairaj's biological son and Casanova Adhitya? Why is Radha's father helping Mrityunjaya? Who is the mystery woman who is threatening Kalawati? Is it Radha? Is she alive? Who is Yug? Is he an ex-boyfriend of Radha's? Will Tara be that ray of hope in Mrityunjaya's life that will make him want to fight his fate? So many questions, only one way to find out. Keep watching Ek Boond Ishq, because this is one show that won't disappoint you!

Author : Manvira

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I'm pasting the link also..just drop ur comments there.media shud knw reg the popularity of EBI