Note: More of a Chulbul appreciation post than an analysis.
The One Night Stand scene as we call it is one of my most favourite Chulkara scenes. Chulbul was a very cute character once you get over that terrible voice (btw who dubbed it?). A girl disguised as a boy had every chance of turning the character into a caricature, but Shrenu pulled it off flawlessly. 👏Having never watched any of her shows before, this scene made me really appreciate her talent, the subtle way in which she expressed the various emotions she experienced in this scene. I mean this scene had it all.
First the panic she felt when Omkara confronted her about the dress he found in her room. Then the confusion over "One Night Stand". And Omkara's EPIC explanation of ONS! That tiny wink to signify the deed! 🤣 Her horror when she got what he meant and then blurting out she was married in outrage.
The mental kick she gave herself after that and wondering how to get out of the situation.
Her frustration when Om continues to counter all her feeble explanations with a stolid "Why?".
And then attempting to use a sob story "of my wife left me because she doesn't love me", but ending up pouring out her true emotions with regard to their situation.
Omkara is also silent and has flashbacks of their "shaadi".
The way she looks at the thoughtful Omkara, with a bit of hope and asks what he is thinking about? Argh! that really killed me.😭
And then he takes a deep breath and says that your wife is absolutely right, a marriage done out of "majboori" has no meaning. She is crushed and swallows her disappointment. And she says that the marriage has meaning for her and then switches to her trademark Chulbul grin and filmy dialogues. It was brilliant.
The conversation that follows is short but poignant, with both their perspectives on "love" being expressed... Om questioning one sided love while Chulbul says that's the beauty of love - its selflessness. That's the gist I got anyway. Hindi not being my first language, I am not able to write down those beautiful dialogues. Any help in this regard is welcome.😳
Although the Chulbul track was stretched far too long, without the sci-fi Fakelana madness it was actually a novel track. I don't have much Hindi soap viewing experience apart from 4 lions shows, so I don't know if any other serial ever had the female lead or even female actor disguised as a male character (AND also share some umm... romantic scenes making the male lead doubt his preferences 😆)
Because this was not just some random disguise for a few days... Chulbul was an actual "character". I find it hard to put into words but when watching Chulbul, I did not see her as an extension of Gauri or simply a girl disguised as a boy. Gauri was very much present but Chulbul as a character also had her own personality. Even her body language and mannerisms were different- still rather feminine (as Omkara mentioned constantly) but still very "Chulbul". Hats off to Shrenu for this amazing portrayal. 👏⭐️
PS: Despite the thick t-shirt, the shape of her bosom is very visible in this scene. How did Om not notice? 🤣
Edited: I have re-uploaded the gifs. I hope everyone can see it now. 😊
