Posted:
I happened to chance upon this show on a lark on YT and was pleasantly surprised to find myself liking it. Off late, 95% of the new shows that have launched on desi TV have been disappointing across the board...many, right here on this channel Sony...whether it's their historicals losing direction or their attempt at 90s fluff falling flat.
This show surprisingly appears to have some coherent vision in it's writing, in character build up, a focus on conversations, nuances, all rare dying species on Indian TV today...lol so I found myself quite appreciating that as I finally managed to catch up on the first 6 episodes.
A few things jarred initially like KK's accent feeling caricaturized but I find his oddball attempts at Hindi funny otherwise...especially since he's not just used for "comedy" but has layers to his characterization in terms of his various relationships...his best friend Prabhakar, his soft corner for his daughter etc.
All shows these days try to do cookie cutter characterizations of the brooding ML with daddy issues or mommy issues etc. etc...I found the families of the leads surprisingly more normal compared to many on TV...over time, the Reddys turned out to be more condescending and snotty but even there it's not as caricaturized as it is in most other shows on TV right now with cliched vamps.
There is so much nuance to take in in terms of character interactions...be it Sid-Anushka and their struggles with the said/unsaid...unable to help being drawn to each other but still finding ways to lash out in anger or bitterness too...Sid's struggle with communicating his hurt is interesting...especially notable in the scene when he abruptly wants to show her around the house, simply to stop her from eating the gud waali mithaai even while giving her attitude otherwise...lol...and Anushka for her part is using the Ice Princess routine with him to spare herself the hurt but still ends up being affected.
Acting-wise, this is the first time I'm seeing both actors and they seem good for their debut...Palak could use some improvement on her voice modulation and learning to soften it, but she emotes well otherwise, especially with her eyes...really liked her emotional breakdown on the dining table in epi 1...and Namish has a good voice with good enunciation...also does a good job of showing Sid's street smart confidence, swagger in himself, even as his eyes change when he looks at Anushka...
The FBs to their childhood provide good context for their past bonding and whatever caused them to fall apart...so far I see it more as a personality issue and those clashes are interesting to watch over slapstick cliches...the actors cast as their teenage selves are good too.
I really like Sid's interactions with his father and mother...the conflicted, somewhat bitter exchanges with his father and the more affectionate ones with his mother...both are nice...the casting for Prabhakar is so good too...so natural as the principled middle class employee who likes to keep his head down and is happy flying under the radar.
Special, special mention for the lines of Hindi poetry infused into some of the dialogues for Sid and his dad, especially in week one...đđđ for the dialogue writer.
Would like to see the show sustain like this but these kind of understated low-key shows don't usually last on Sony...lol...let's see how this one goes.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
