Feb 27, 2012 02:44 PM
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(Updated Feb 27, 2012 02:57 PM)
I have been following this serial since its inception in June last year. And surprisingly, despite its 9-month run now flitting around one major plot, I seem to be just as hooked as when it had started.
Sometimes I sit down to think what exactly is it about this soap that I find myself so addicted to. And usually I have more than one reason for the same. Let’s start with the lead pair. The first thing one looks for in TV soaps is a good looking lead. As much as one tries to negate this fact, it still remains true that a gorgeous pair forms the first benchmark any viewer would rate the serial with. The pairing of Barun Sobti & Sanaya Irani definitely excels at meeting that benchmark.
Now here’s the stunner - In addition to being good looking, this pair can also act! Indian soaps have always seen many a good looking faces, especially in the past decade. Good looks rule the screen so to speak, the same however cannot be said about most actors’ prowess in the acting area. This fresh pairing surprised me with a naturally lovely performance.
Next comes the characterization and I must say a lot of thought has been put into building each of the characters in the serial. Starting with the male lead - Arnav Singh Raizada, who belongs to Lucknow and is now settled in Delhi as a successful businessman, with a mysterious past(as depicted by occasional flashback sequence of his parents). His past experiences have turned him into a bitter, too-serious individual who believes life is a business deal and money & power can buy all under the sun, including people. His acidic attitude towards life is further accentuated by his medical condition as he suffers from diabetes. I was very pleasantly surprised by this fact as most soaps shy away from tarnishing the image of the male lead with such acute medical conditions.
On the other hand, the female lead, Khushi Kumari Gupta, also belonging to Lucknow, is an orphan raised by loving relatives. She is a young, fun-loving person who is mostly ruled by emotions. For her, family comes first and rest takes a firm backseat. She is an honest, headstrong firebrand who is not afraid to voice her thoughts if required and will go to any lengths to prove her worth. The difference in characterization of Arnav and Khushi is further accentuated by the fact that as opposed to Arnav, who is a diabetic patient, Khushi definitely has a sweet tooth, in fact her special fondness for ‘jalebi’ is quite endearing.
The lead’s characterizations are always of utmost importance but what other serials usually tend to miss out on is the character sketch of the supporting cast. IPKKND scores here as well. There are various other supporting characters in the serial and each holds true to its nature, reacting accordingly to situations. Whether it be the ever forgiving, caring Arnav’s sister Anjali, who also suffers from polio, or the conniving, two-faced brother-in-law Shyam, who claims to have fallen in love with Khushi and plans to win her at any cost.
About the storyline: In the beginning, Arnav has a couple of chance unpleasant meetings with Khushi in Lucknow and vice-versa and the hatred begins [Payal’s(Khushi’s sister) marriage is called off and Khushi challenges Arnav’s supreme power]. To up one on Khushi, Arnav takes a drastic step that forces Khushi to leave Lucknow and come to Delhi. From there on, it’s a series of some more chance meetings with Arnav and she ends up working for him, first in his office and then at his home. Meanwhile, another character is also introduced, Shyam, who falls in love with Khushi and stays with her as a paying guest. Later, it comes to light that Shyam is also Anjali’s husband who has married her for money. There are many simultaneous plots running alongside. Like Payal and Aakash’s(Arnav’s maternal brother) love story, Arnav’s girlfriend Lavanya seeking approval from family members etc. Khushi gets engaged to Shyam to please her family but breaks it off after she realizes that he is married. On the other hand, Lavanya also breaks the engagement with Arnav, leaving the field clear for Khushi.
Recently, Arnav and Khushi came closer during preparations for their respective siblings’ wedding. However, Arnav finds out about Shyam just when he is about to propose to Khushi and a much expected misunderstanding develops. He now thinks that both Khushi and Shyam have been deceiving Anjali and the family. In lieu of his sister’s pregnancy, Arnav is unable to reveal this fact to his sister, and instead forces Khushi to marry him so Shyam goes back to Anjali.
Frankly, when the promos for this serial had started last year, it seemed like yet another serial with a familiar plot where the lead pair belongs to opposite ideologies, they will start off hating each other and end up falling in love. And yes 9 months down the lane, my initial observation has held true. The storyline is straightforward, and for somebody like me, quite predictable despite its twists. But even then, the ways in which the so-called twists have been handled are quite fresh and the new, weird situations the lead pair keeps finding themselves in are quite entertaining.
The direction is good as compared with some other serials of similar nature. Some of the tricky parts have been handled with great care without giving in to too much drama. Even then, there are times one can easily notice recurring shots in the same scene. As far as the set, the clothing and rest of the aspects are concerned, it seems the production house has showed no laxity, and good for them because this show has been doing very well for itself.
Negatives: Not many. One thing that constantly irritates is IPKKND’s unbelievable plot. Like for example, the fact that Khushi works in the same place where Anjali and Shyam live and she never met or saw any picture of him, how coincidentally they never bumped into each other through her course of work there is quite ridiculous. I mean really!
Considering that the show is really about these two individuals, there is far too much screen presence given to the not so significant sequences, which I guess is to make us wait with baited breath for when these two do come together again on the screen but frankly, it’s just exasperating or maybe as a loyal fan, am just too greedy.
If I am asked what I love most about this serial, the instant and I guess most expected reason will be the constant humorous tussle the lead pair gets involved in while trying to prove their point to the other. Since their wedding, however, the pair has lost that constant spark. I hope Khushi turns back into the naughty firebrand soon and reign the screen once again with her endearing pranks, for simply put - depression doesn't suit our chicka one bit.
Conclusion: So if you are a die-hard romantic and not yet had an opportunity to catch this series, am sure you will want to watch the whole series on youtube once you have seen its most recent episodes. Courtesy lead pair, their ongoing chemistry, and the well thought out sequence of events have made this serial a roller coaster ride that exhilarates in every frame and leaves you wanting for more!
