Analyzing the dream romance sequences in IPKKND!

Analyzing the dream romance sequences in IPKKND!

Well, we all are aware of the reasons of these dream sequences, not just in timing of the show but also to the upcoming movie of Mr. Barun Sobti (may God bless him success) and the consequent date issues. My focus here will be on how the CV's of our show have captured the psyche of Man and Woman to utmost brilliance. Being a Literary Theory student, I cannot help but read between the lines as to what appealed to the masses most. We are not new to the concept of dreams in "Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?" as the very basis of Arnav-Khushi relationship depends on their sub-conscience attachment and the psychic order of things in their lives. CV's have brought us face to face with all the important dilemmas in Khushi's life through her dreams, which by the special grace of Mr. Sigmund Freud and his work "Theory of Dreams" have left us in no doubt that her dreams reflect her suppressed emotions.

Let's begin at the beginning, were Khushi dreams about the dilemma of Arnav-Lavanya Live-in issue; her dream includes all parties involved i.e. Arnav & Lavanya, but Buaji (Madhumati) is also present. Here, khushi is not only worried about the sanctity of the concept of marriage, but she is also portraying Lavanya as the innocent one, for HER perceptions of life do not allow a woman to move beyond the unsaid, unwritten rules of the society; This goes perfectly with her character. A fear of losing Arnav can also be detected, but alas, it is faint. This fear is in the conversation where she wants to judge him for the said Sins of violating the sanctity of the concept of marriage, but can never utter the words, she needs a push. This push is provided by a non-event in the Arnav-Lavanya equation- none other than Bubaji. So, why her?, during this track was being played, buaji was not exactly impressed by our Sanka-debi and always had ready retorts for all her slips. Even after the push, Khushi cannot manage to ridicule and punish Arnav, as she did in her subsequent actions, but her suppressed feelings do not allow her to do so in the dream.

A little technical information, as per Mr. Freud a human soul has three fragments Id, Ego and SuperEgo. Id is that which wants and asks for all that we desire, Ego is what we do and live with while SuperEgo is the moral police over our Id that then channelizes to be our Ego.

So while the place Arnav has carved for himself in Khushi's sub-conscience is faint at this point in time, none the less it is there. Khushi's EGO is all set to slander Arnav for his Sins and this thought is policed very well by her Superego, her Id is presenting a problem as she cannot forcefully slander him in her sub-conscience where Arnav has already started to take over.

The evidence to this argument is provided by our CV's just couple of months down the lane, our next dream sequence. This time the dilemma is of Khushi's marriage, while practically the only option she has is "Shyam ji" she is still comparing her supposed married life with Arnav and Shyam. The basis for this dilemma has been given in the psychic connection she feels with him around i.e. *dhak-dhak, dhak-dhak*. By this tie our Arnav babu has carved a definite place for himself in Khushi's heart, mind and soul.

A troubled Khushi imagines herself married to Arnav and the picture is of a poker faced Arnav and his strait laced answers, while he is still her Laad-Governer in the Jalebi conversation, it for reasons unknown to her and known to us (Arnav having Carved a place in her heart) does not dishearten her and prompts for a usual husband-wife conversation of re-confirming the desirability of a wife to her husband through the saree conversation. We see her reaction to his touch and the fun outrageous emotions at his comment of her looking like an auto-rickshaw in Delhi. While the romance was pretty tame, it was the perfect level to the brain of a young, naive and innocent girl. It also fabulously brought out the equation they share, of love and fun-filled teasing.

On the other hand, poor Shyam babua, gets a sad wife frying jalebi's and a little uncomfortable with his constant praises. This pretty much describes the very basis of Khushi-Shyam relationship, if you can even call it that. So, Arnav babu wins hands down and later in the show Shyam ji gets a forced, reluctant fiancee, but only after the hate track of Arnav-Khushi has kicked in.

Let's now come to the most famous dream romance sequences that have aired after Arnav-Kidnapping track has been on. The first one is Khushi's, just after Arnav tells her over the phone that her loves her- epic..."I Love You, Khushi"- here she is contemplating as to what all times he had the chance to say just that, but never did. This is when she enters her room and finds a smiling Arnav lighting a candle, then just as he was to start a conversation she stops him by putting her finger to his lips- flashback to him putting his finger to her lips before they went to the Gupta's house, then he steers her attention towards a gift in a bag, which has HER trademark "ghotta"/lace. It has a simple gift of a pearl necklace, which he ties around her neck. The action replay of the effect of his touch, but to the most subtle point of it; then chasing sequence- well what can I say, only Khushi Kumari Gupat Singh Raizada can make Arnav Singh Raizada chase a girl in loveplay, albeit what leads is nothing compared to it. The bottle with a note, was the exact fantasy-come-true sequence from every Hollywood romance movie, please note I am not condemning the CV's here, but congratulating them on their understanding of their audience.

So, let's rip the dream apart now. A smiling Arnav- a fantasy in some day and age, but fast turning into the reality of the day- Hi5 all Barun Sobti Fans/ stalkers; Arnav lighting a candle- well that I am sure takes her back to events like Dilli-ma-Bali-hotel-Honeymoon and Diwali night but, this also brings the typical romance setting to her dream; Arnav starting the conversation- well khushi might speak to shame orators, in Arnav-khushi conversations Arnav never holds back as well, but this again gives us the perfect romance setting, where all is done without anything being uttered- isn't that the dream girls!. His killer looks must not be over-looked, which seem to have engraved themselves in her mind, but I digress. *blush*😳😳😳

The bag with "ghota"/lace - We have not been left in any kind of doubts on the copyrights to "ghota"-ed items (Items with lace) and this could be seen as her desperate attempt for ultimate approval of her real self from her missing husband. The simple pearl necklace- while the jealousy track was on, we were very firmly told that Khushi has very simple taste in Jewelry and this could be the symbolic ultimate faith of Khushi in Arnav as he will remember to give her a piece of Jewelry that is to her taste.

The chasing game was the ultimate example of how well the CV's know their audience. Fun-flirty romance pictured by a naive, innocent girl; with ignorance to earthly passion. We all might have laughed off the sequence, for ASR would never do such a thing, we all secretly treasured the video. The sequence was definitely all a woman would hope for, but most of all it justified the character of Khushi and won every heart around. The bottle with a note- as mentioned before it won some applauds, but what it symbolizes is her need for constant reaffirmation of his love for her, well ups and downs they have seen, I don't judge Khushi if she needs constant reminders of Arnav's love for her, the man can be an ass (pardon my language) at times.

The ending brought out all her fears for her Arnav ji, about whom she has at some sub-conscience level realized the danger. The same fears we saw in her first dream after Arnav had left for London and never called. That dream had both psychic and telepathic elements and I fear I have less ammunition to deconstruct it, but none the less I try. The webs and the constant lurking of fear in her voice can be read as her situation of being trapped in a loveless marriage (or so she believes) and surrounded by lies created by Shyam ji. Her fear of him not believing in her can also be read into this dream; the psychic connection also leads her to his disheveled fate after being kidnapped. The fear of losing him can be read all over the place, her constantly calling him and never getting a response can be read in many ways. Him not responding to her pleas to stay back, him not believing her on Shyam and her truth and of course her psychic connection telling her that "pati-dev" is in danger.

Now, let's come to the main mudda/topic, Arnav's dream and the telepathic conversation they share. I am assuming that we all remember every part of it like I do and am directly going to start deconstructing it. The decorations in Arnav's dream are basically all fairy lights which I am sure bring back good memories from Diwali preparations and the night. The first shot of Khushi is her smiling face, which I think is his dream-come-true in itself, for most of the time it her smiling then spotting him and the smile fades away. So the smile works as an encouragement to Arnav to make the next move, albeit in the dream. The song choice also brings in the effect of what we all and of course the fictional Arnav-Khushi experienced during the wedding days. The song very beautifully brings out Arnav's fears of losing Khushi, where he has realized that he might be in mortal danger-hence, the I Love You- and if by chance of fate he is saved, the six month marriage thread also lurks over him head. When he looks deeper into her eyes, he sees pain, pain inflicted by none other than himself; guilty conscience can be read in his body language. After she disappears she runs and hugs him from back; it can be read in the following ways:

- Reassurance of her not wanting to leave him.

- Action replay from the first hug, just a few days ago (Our time, not theirs).

- and of course a mark of earthly passion.

Plus I have more words for the passion in this dream sequence, for it greatly contrasts with what Khushi had imagined their reunion would be like. While the fears and hopes fall in the same category, but BUOY! Is the level different? His body language is to portray a man who not only knows what he wants, knows how to get it too. The physical proximity has been provide in both the dreams, while in Khushi's dream it is subtle almost touching, here the proximity gives butterflies to viewers in their tummies. Also it is worth noting that, from the very beginning ASR has had a tight control over his actions, he only acts out of order in her scenario, but here the famous control has been sent off to have a vacation with Snakewa! But what is not to be missed is how he constantly looks into her eyes for reactions and every reaction gives him more encouragement.

Yet again hats off to the CV's of the show for delivering what in its own realm is reality, especially in midst of the melodramatic sub-plots and evil-grins of the show. Well chao for now!