First day of the rest of your life-2nd january

The show started few months back with Shloke running up a hill as if some demons are after him and then challenging his best friend, the Sun God that nobody other than him can bring light into his life. That progressed to a scene in his backyard where he arrogantly told Sun God that although it might seem that he is losing the control in his life (when he was hoodwinking Astha and losing to her) but this is because he wanted to loose and not because he actually lost control. Then after the temple marriage it was again back to the cliff top and this time Shloke arrogantly declared to the setting sun that by marrying Astha he has himself brought light in his life (that he is the one in control). That control was on a shaky ground outside the temple when Shloke studiously maintained a distance from Astha and sat confused after listening to the pujari's thoughts. That control that he had thought to have finally gained over his life came to an end today and it again happened in front of his best friend the Sun God (who was now setting) when Astha declared that he is of no importance to her (she does not love him nor does she hate him) and that all ends here. Both start their walk in opposite direction but the turmoil generated in him due to the pujari's conversation seems to have taken roots in him and he does turn back twice to look at Astha. On the other hand Astha while walking away also turns her head sideways but then she remembers what Shloke has done to her. She might have accepted that the Shloke that she loves does not exist and is just an image. So she finally walks away without turning even once towards Shloke. Astha finally says something that shows that she has also undertaken a big step in her life's journey. She finally acknowledges that because of Shloke she hurt her parents.

Regarding Shloke, he usually refuses to acknowledge that he is wrong and he had held Sun God or destiny responsible. One can say that destiny did teach him a lesson. But is it really destiny? Isn't it him who through his own actions has chased away Astha from his life? Our actions cause our lives to take different paths and that is what happened here. He reached this point in his life due to some wrong turns that he took in his life path but some other actions of his have also planted some seeds in his mind which ultimately might lead him to another direction. One that maybe he consciously doesn't want to travel but one which he will have to travel because that is where his life's journey is supposed to lead. Anyway Shloke walks away frustrated with himself because things are not in his control. In this whole cliff scene there were two shots that I liked: Astha and Shloke walking away in opposite directions and the silhouette of Shloke against the setting sun symbolizing the deep connection between Shloke and his best friend Suryadevta.

Astha reached home and gets to know that it was Neeranjan who set her father free. Her gratitude towards Neeranjan increases and when her mother starts to sing praises of Neeranjan and Shloke, she realizes that she cannot break their dreams. He father with a very guilty look tells Astha regarding how Neeranjan has helped them. Both father and daughter are withholding important information from the others. Avdhut is not telling everyone his guilty secret and Astha is not telling about Shloke. Maybe Avdhut wants to protect his family; maybe he cannot face himself and his family and does not want them to know. But if he is not careful then Neeranjan can make use of the information that he is hiding and use it against him. Will it be good if his family and his daughter get to know about this through some other source and not through him? In one way both Astha and Avhdut are trying to protect their loved ones from some harsh realities but being truthful and open would have lessened their pain in the long run. Hiding things doesn't solve problems...it actually creates more problems.

Shloke told Astha that he did not let the police get involved because Avdhut getting arrested will mean his father's name getting tarnished. He also told Astha that if he had done this then he would have told her openly. Interestingly after leaving the cliff top Shloke did not go home to meet his dear daddy but went to the office to have a showdown with Suresh because he has been proven to be a liar in Astha's eyes. He actually chose proving himself in front of Astha over paying respect to his father. So is daddy dearest slowly losing his control over his baccha? Shloke will fume and refuse to acknowledge it but he is doing it. I liked the use of mirror when Shloke was talking to Suresh, symbolizing his alter ego. He then tells Suresh to report to office immediately and fumes that because f Suresh his father's birthday will get delayed. Now what is Suresh's fault here? Did he tell Shloke to come to the office? Shloke could have gone home, paid his respects to his father and then contacted Suresh. This guy will never accept the truth and will go in a roundabout way when he could have made the journey easier for him by taking the straight path. But then we wouldn't have got the entertainment. Anyway Shlokie baby finally finds something to throw...his phone...hope that the phone does not symbolize Suresh. Anyway quivering Suresh gets a blasting for getting the police involved. Shloke tells Suresh that other than both of them no one else knew about the file. Now I am a bit confused here...I mean Shinde did know about the file because didn't Suresh initially tell him not to release it? So does Shinde work for the Dept. of Education? So Shloke and Suresh only knowing about it means that in Agnihotri Trust only they are aware about it. The way Neeranjan was trying to find out from Astha regarding what exactly is going on in their lives (when she was sitting outside in the courtyard and crying) implies that he did have some information and that he was trying to extract what Shloke is up to from Astha. Since Shloke just wanted to frighten them, Neeranjan did make use of the opportunity that was there in front of him. Anyway that is his motto in life, to play with opportunities to get what he wants. By the way so Shloke just wanted to scare Astha? But then what? I mean did he have any plans after all the games had ended? Was he so sure of himself and of Astha's love that he knew that Astha will not leave him because she loves him? Is that the reason behind all those sarcastic jabs towards Astha regarding how much she loves him? In one way he was right because Astha was deciding to forgive him and it was the prison thingy that played the spoilt sport.What Shloke does not relaise is that Astha might be immature and she can also be childisn but deep inside she is much more stronger and has the right value system. So she might bend in the beginning which people might think of her crumbling but when push comes to shove, she will stand up.

Anyway now to the most melodramatic scene...Neeranjan sitting like melodramatic female lead waiting for Anjali to come and give him his gifts. Seeing this scene I felt like singing "dil ke arma asoo ban ke bah gaye, hum wafa karke bhi tanha rah gaye". So the first gift was Anjali chasing out her own parents and getting them to sign on a deed that they left on their own accord. Now if a person is so careful about his image then why will he do this to his in-laws? I know Anjali did it and since she has the power of attorney, people will blame her. But wouldn't people also ask that why didn't Neeranjan Agnihotri stop his wife? Isn't that going to be a mark on his image? Anyway, Neeranjan I think knows that Anjali is not happy doing all this but in a crooked way it also gives him pleasure. He asks her about the second present which Anjali tells him that she will get for him after Astha returns...and Vinayak walks in. Wonder whether Vinayak heard that? Anyway Neeranjan makes a great show of his greatness in front of Vinayak and asks Anjali to start wearing her slippers. Vinayak also asks her to do it but then gets rudely told by Anjali that he should not interfere and this is between her and her husband. Neeranjan feels very proud and Vinayak has a sarcastic smile...wonder did he get Anjali's indirect message that she is not wearing the slippers because of Neeranjan? There was defiance in her behavior in this scene and wonder whether Neeranjan is pushing too hard on Anjali. So what does Neeranjan want regarding Astha from Anjali? Does he want Anjali to push her suing her parents so that she leaves or does he want Astha to stay? Astha is Neeranjan's chosen girl for Shloke. He liked her because he saw Shloke reacting to her that meant Shloke can be controlled through her and he also liked that she went against her wishes and did what her father wanted her to do. But is it possible for Neeranjan to take the position that Avdhut has in Astha's life when Avdhut is part of Astha's life? Astha respects her father and is proud of the fact that he is a very honest person. By signing the land deal Avdhut has dug a big hole for himself. Avdhut has not only stood in Neeranjan's path regarding the land deal, he also stood in Neeranjan's path regarding Shloke getting married to Astha. He refused the initial marriage proposal when as a father he could have made Astha say yes to the proposal. The power of attorney is also in Anjali's hands...when did it change from the ladies to Anjali? Knowing how close Astha is to the old age home will that be used against her?

Finally coming to Sojal and Varad. ...Sojal is now so caught up in her games that she is lashing out in fear of getting caught. The person who faces her lashes is her own daughter. This is the same daughter for whom she bought a car because Kavya wanted one. I mean the same daughter for whom she went against Anjali's dictate so that Kavya can have some pleasure in life. Kavya crying and saying that she does not like her parents fighting is quite a true portrayal of kids getting caught up in parents problems and ego tussles.

Originally posted by: Angie12

Myra, I agree that today was brilliant with great acting from everyone. They are showing a lot of stories between different couples that are going to be connected at some point.

1. Astha and Shlok - the scene was really beautiful with the setting sun on the right side of Shlok. So far he has been showing against the rising sun. Also the way Shlok turned back again and again with the hope that Astha would turn back. She stopped but then remembered all he had done and walked off with determination. That's when Shlok finally walked off too and kicked the stone in helpless anger.

Shlok also was not being completely honest when he told Suresh that he would not have sent Avdhoot to jail because that would have harmed his father's prestige. Today the main reason for the anger was that he ended up being a liar in Astha's eyes and that he probably lost her. Else he would not have gone to the office before going home for Niranjan's birthday. So Shlok's priorities have started to shift a little bit.

thnx Angie for giving me different perspective to look @ tht scene..otherwise i was so angry with Shlok to say tht he was angry coz his father's reputation is @ stake..🤗 for this..

2. Niranjan and Anjali - Anjali buys peace for herself by continuously doing things that kill her soul. Niranjan gets placated for the moment until he comes up with a new pound of flesh that he wants to extract from Anjali. How many times will Anjali keep on making deals with the devil for her own survival.

Vinayak is the one who is becoming more vocal and is now coming in between Anjali and Niranjan. Because Anjali massaged Niranjan's ego by kicking out her parents from the old home, Niranjan for the time being let Vinayak interfere and reduced Anjali's punishment. But he is going to bring down his wrath on Anjali if Vinayak continues to goad him. Niranjan of course was making sure that the family thinks that it is Anjali whose idea is to do the atonement. At the same time, his punishment for Anjali is linked to Astha. So he freed her from it because Anjali delivered on the first gift (the most difficult on for her) and is promising to do the second one (this one even Anjali would enjoy as she is jealous of Astha's relationship with Kalindi).

So if Anjali is unable to deliver the second gift because of Astha acting in a contrary manner (than what Niranjan expects), will the punishment for Anjali be on once again?

3. Kalindi and Avdhoot - Two people who were broken, but started placating Astha when they saw her distraught. Kalindi praised Niranjan and Avdhoot once again looked uncomfortable at that. But then as usual decided to lie to keep all Kirloskers in their false comfort zone. Kirloskers are all close to each other and are very different from Agnihotris. Yet they really are not that honest with each others in a mistaken belief that they are protecting their loved ones. Kalindi probably is the most open with all she feels. But the ability to look at only the surface in Astha is inherited from her parents - Avdhoot and Kalindi. Once again, Astha chose to keep quiet because she did not want to break her parents illusions with Shlok. So once again, Astha words to Shlok remain words without any action.

4. Varad and Sojal - The distance between Varad and Sojal is continuing to widen and the noose around Sojal is probably tightening. Varad is enquiring about the name of the person who disclosed the name to Tax officers and leaked the news in the paper. Wonder if Sojal's name would be disclosed in both cases. On top of that, Varad is beginning to think of Sojal as an unfit mother. Sojal thinks of Varad as incompetent to get Niranjan's attention. She has rightly figured out that whoever pleases Niranjan holds the power in the house. So the mutal respect between Varad and Sojal is non-existent at the moment. If Varad's feelings of indifference for Sojal converts into dislike/hate because of her harming his father's reputation and Astha, then this relationship is going to be a casualty.

Besides the couple, there were lot of symbolisms and picturization of scenes.

Use of the mirror

The mirror is used to show the alternate personality of both Shlok and Niranjan. But Niranjan is rarely shown standing directly in front of the mirror and his image is always reflected through the glass especially when his most vicious side is being shown.

Shlok on the other hand is usually shown standing directly in front of the mirror talking to his alter ego. That reflects his openness in everything. As he told Astha, he does whatever he does openly and acknowledge it. He calls himself selfish, egoistic and vindicative. Niranjan on the other hand forces Anjali to call him great. So there is a difference.

Yet Shlok and Niranjan are alike too. So today when he went after Suresh for what was essentially his own mistake, his reflection was shown through Suresh's glasses. Just like Anjali shakes in front of Niranjan, Suresh was shaking and sweating in fear at Shlok's anger.

So both the sunset and the office scene was picturized very well. Waseem really does an exceptional job in such scenes.

Parallel lives of Anjali and Astha

Just as Shlok and Niranjan are shown alike and yet are so different from each other, same is the case with Anjali and Astha. Both are being told to break off their relationshipship with their parents. But Astha's actions are so different from Anjali.

Anjali kicks out her old, penniless parents from the orphange and makes them homeless once again to please Niranjan though she knows that he is evil. Astha, who thinks of Niranjan as God, goes to her parents on his birthday. Anjali's father for whom she was so important, decides to become homeless again for her sake and throws her charity back at her. Astha's father has made a deal with the devil for Astha's sake. As Vinayak said, it is going to be history repeating itself but with a different outcome.

Overall, a great episode with brilliant direction and really great acting from every actor in the show. I especially liked Manish, Geetanjali and Avinash.

wonderful analysis .

Originally posted by: Prads

had a very busy day today..so will comment here in rush..

Brilliant episode..again..

Luved d scene of Ashlok separation..had it been some other serial..our forum would hv gone crazy wid ppl requesting CVs not to hv the leads separated..this may be first show where ppl r routing for their separation... This shows how unique this story is..shlokie needs to learn that ashta isnt a birdie for him to cage her..

the scene was beautiful..on the background of setting Sun..may be telling us tht Shlok's turn in this game is over..he has lost control on his own game and is shown defeat...Sun has been a constant spectator of all tht took place between Shlok n Astha...Shlok tried to console Astha bt in vain ..he told her tht he was with her throghout so how could he do this.n more importantly Avadhoot's reputation is linked with his Baba's so how can he ruin his baba's reputation etc etc...Shlok darling..entire world dsnt revolve around u n ur baba..may b apart frm Anjali n u no one really bothers abt him..Astha is deeply hurt by all tht has happened n u r expecting her to trust u?? why?? u r d one to betray her trust brutally..u r d one to shatter her dreams ruthlessly ..how can she trust u now?? Trust s earned the hard way bt once broken can not be restored so easily..the girl who was ready to go against her parents for ur love n trusted u so blindly tht she ignored ur past to marry u..d same girl is not ready to believe u even wen u r actually telling d truth..why..i guess u need to find the answers of these questions by looking at urself in ur mirror.. u need to learn this lesson d hard way..

Its a long road till shlok understands ashtas true value..for now he wants her to belive him it wasnt him at fault..he used "meri baba" card so she could realise hes teling the truth..he despreatly wants her to believe him.

Shlok waited n turned back twice..hoping tht Astha will turn back to him...tht was unexpected..this shows how much he has changed during this jungle trip n it seems tht he gave deep thgt to tht pujary's words...Astha wanted to turn to him bt she remembered the SR scenes n how ruthlessly he destroyed her hopes n decided not to turn back...Astha emerged stronger in all this...bt see d irony..d moment she decided to tell d truth of Shlok to her parents..her parents r now praising him...poor Astha...

Ashta remebered all those bad things in order to stay stron and not change her decision and turn back.

NA is heartless..he mst be having stone in d place where v normal ppl have our heart..no emotions..he s jst abt revenge..nothing else..wonder wat will he do to Avadhoot who has dared to defy him..NA s not d one to forgive n forget his insults easily..even after so many years if he s not ready to forgive his wife's parents..how will he forgive Astha n her parent's mistakes...m really worried n scared for them now... felt bad for Anjali n her parents..poor ppl..

bt wat pissed me off today is even after all tht has happened..Shlok still is thinkng abt his baba more than his married life.Thats the result of years of training, but that influence is slowly wearing off, ashta is gaining territory with shlok now that he is on the verge of losing her...NA has really deep influence on his mind..it will b tough for Astha to remove tht influence cmpletely n make her space..her place in his heart n life s not strong enough rgt now which will make him rebel against his own father..m also worried for poor Shlok tht wen he will come to know his real face..wat could b his reaction...bt can we say tht he really dsnt know his real face?? i mean he knows how cunning he s to hide the black money frm tax dept..i mean Shlok s not dumb to think his father s a saint even after witnessing all this..or Shlok thnks tht wen it comes to business n outside world NA is like this n not to his own family..or its jst abt him n NA tht Shlok is OK abt NA behaving like this with everyone apart frm him..he believes tht NA can never betray him..n thts why he s so attached to his Baba.. Shlok is aware abt the illegal stuff, as we got to know he has hidden some files when the police came, but what his baba does is law for him..so i dnt think that he considers these things bad..

this all also makes me wonder tht wheher NA s aware of wat Abhay n Sojal did?? bt he s jst keeping quiet coz they helped him indirectly to achieve wat he wants...how on earth he can demand tht second gift frm Anjali..how did he know tht this situation may occur where he can pressurize Astha in selecting her parents n her sasural wen she s in most vulnerable frame of mind....i mean if this Avadhoot drama wouldnt hv happened..wat was d need for him to ask Anjali to get this vachan from Astha?? he could hv gone ahead with his subtle ways to control n supress Astha in Agni mansion?? i mean its all so confusing with all d possibilities ..i m going all i guess i need a sleep now.. Me too😕

Anyways..will stop here only n wont confuse u ppl any more..luved Avi's n Shrenu's acting today..

looking forward to read everyone's views..bt i may not be able to take part in further discussions..sorry for tht..

bbye n GN all lovely ppl here...

Sleep well Prads😊

Originally posted by: drafsul

Awesome post ...u gave a brilliant analysis of the separation scene ...those were my feelings too when I saw avi's expression during the separation scene ...da way his eyebrows were knitted ...he was getting affected so much by her walking away from him (much more than he would ever admit to himself ) ...he definitely was da weaker one today ...I loved it when he turned towards her and was waiting for her to turn ...da expression