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The first episode was not bad considering how it's basically just a lengthy introduction to all the characters in the story. I liked the concept of the show and full disclosure, it is what got me to watch the show. As a brown girl, I've found the concept of arranged marriages worrisome and intriguing at the same time. The age old concept of parents chosing their child's spouse is something that is deep-rooted in our culture and it's essentially not a evil but still, makes you worry about the kind of person you'll end up sharing your life with. In an age where sharing our wifi password with someone requires a thorough background check (Is it just me who does that?) how complicated would it be to decide if the person you've met a couple of times, is the right person to marry? Mishti and I have essentially had the same conversations with ourselves about marriages and hence it was naturally of me to have ended up here. I just realised I spent a whole paragraph basically ranting about my inner monologues. I'll share some of the things that I connected with while watching the episode without giving away any spoilers because I know it hasn't aired yet on the television screens. I know no one likes spoilers.
Coming to the show. The first episode was eventful. We were introduced to Kuhu and Mishti first. Two girls, having been brought up in the same household yet they are polar opposites. I mean all of us knew this was coming. They're sort of sisterly though they make it a point to remind you otherwise. Kuhu is the life of the party, the "IT" girl if you will( please don't though, reminds me of a certain clown) while Mishti is the silent, calmer one. Apart from the writers throwing Kuhu in my face, like literally throwing her in my face, I liked the dynamics of their relationship. My only wish is for them to tone her down a notch. It's borderline irritating. Unless that's how she is supposed to be, in that case the actress playing her nailed it. I do hope she grows on me with time.
Next we are acquainted with the Rajvansh Fam. A family ruled by Rupal Patel's character. She is basically like an authoritarian parent to everyone in the family (In my opinion, she's the female version of Amitabh Bachchan from Mohabbatein). I'm sure she's one of those people who always want things to go as per their whims and fancies. Like it's their way or the highway except there's no highway and only their way. Am I making sense? She scares me, honest to god. Like she could ask me for my food and I'd just hand it over to her no questions asked. And that's why I understand why the people who live with her react the way they do when she's around. Like Akshay Kumar said ever so wisely, don't angry her.
Coming to Abir. The dude is laid back and fun. At least that's what I gathered from the 29 mins I invested into the episode. He seems to have a penchant for photography along with causing my heart to beat erratically. Not spoiling anything but watchout for the lines he says when first almost meeting Mishti. My ovaries exploded.
From the little I could piece together from the show, it looks like all is not all hunky dory between the mother and son. And I understand, his mom is a control freak who scares me to bits, so that means I know which team I'm on.
Jokes aside, what I really liked about the episode is that both Abir and Mishti share the same baggage, the same pain. Having been disowned by family. Although I vaguely remember Mishti having her mother by her side while her dad was jailed for god knows what. As for Abir, it seems like his father left him when a kid. Though they both have their fair share of emotional traumas to deal with, they put up a happy front to mask it and since it takes one to know one, I'm guessing they'll be able to heal one another considering how they both have felt the pain the other feels. I'd love to see this aspect of their relationship to be explored.
Aside from these characters, there are a bunchful of people in the story who I don't think had that kind of impact on me so I'll refrain from talking about them more. Also this is a long post as is and doesn't need to be any longer. I apologise for this being all over the place and lacking any sense.
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
