Apr 19, 2004 04:43 PM
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(Updated Apr 19, 2004 04:48 PM)
Amidst a deluge of prime time serials that focus their energies on magnifying the differences between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, Jassi Jaisi koi nahi is like a cool breeze in summer. I should say hats off to the director for choosing the road less travelled - focusing on reality rather than the crap themes of revenge and victimisation the other serials focus on. I am sure many would have watched this serial or at least heard about this.
Jassi is a not so good looking lady who has more than sufficient grey cells to make up for her lack of attractive face. Like most exceptional performers in the workplace, she has more detractors than admirers. Fortunately, her biggest admirer is the Chairman (Arman Soni, played by Apoorva Agnihotri) of the company. Unfortunately, one of her biggest detractors is Mallika the snobbish Vice-Chairman , who is also the Chairman s girlfriend.
Jassi s friends admire her for her brains, while her critiques are vocal in their argument that someone who is not a pretty face cannot succeed in a company that is into organizing fashion shows. While this forms the main story, there is also a parallel one which depicts Jasi s friendship with Nandu, her classmate, with whom she shares a comfortable quarrel- friendly relation. The actors (and actresses) have all done their roles well, with no exception - Hats off to the director.
A few portrayals look out of place, though, with the gay fashion designer standing out. While this serial may be the first one to portray such characters in Indian televisions, one wonders why his sexual preference was given so much of importance, unlike others who draw their strengths from their character. The most impressive part is that they displaying the right mix of emotions their role demands.
The story, screenplay, direction and the actors are the biggest pluses of this serial.
Another positive aspect worth mentioning is that this is perhaps the only serial that has still managed to keep my attention after crossing 20 episodes. In most of the serials, you can guess the story in the first episode and extend it with your imagination for the next 500 (or may be a zero more, the directors themselves do not know how many episodes they d get the contract for !!). This serial does have its own share of some 'filler' episodes which serve no purpose other than wasting your time and filling up the kitty of the television, but they are far less when compared with other serials. So, the interest is maintained with some brisk progress ( which, I shall put it at 0.5 % per episode and that is very high for prime time serials !!). The serial has its share of subtle and straight humour, which makes it watchable.
The title song is different and for once, on the right side. One also gets to watch a few 'models' and 'assistants' who have been portrayed as pretty faced ones with peanut sized brains on their knees. Before the feminists out there gun for director's head, let me make it clear that there was also an episode which projected a male model (or, was he an aspirant !!) as a muscular man who had no brains !!
Jassi is perhaps the first serials that I can call tolerable amongst the garbage dump of serials you get to see during the prime time in all the channels. The best part of Jassi I liked is the way the work place prejudices and politics have been portrayed, without overdoing the emotional aspect to the slightest bit. Jassi is a cool breeze in the intolerable heat of Saas-bahu plots that get on your nerves.
