Musings at a Crossroads

Back then, I had even said that if Sudeep were to ever become a part of this show, I'd watch it, just to see his scenes with Shraddha. Because they were THAT good in 2011-2012...and they have become even stronger actors since then. To see them sharing the same space in front of the camera again was a dream that would have remained just that...And I was fine with rewatching my favorite episodes of MLTAK...until my Dream Team reunited. It was surreal. And I was beyond elated to see them back together onscreen after so long!

Honestly, I enjoyed watching Raghu interact with Ayesha in those early days because it was just so fascinating to see both Shraddha and Sudeep in these roles that are so far removed from what they did in MLTAK. In their first scene in this show, they gave off power couple vibes to me...Their acting alongside one another meant top-notch performances from Day 1, Scene 1, and I was thrilled.

Then Raghu met Aarti, and every day for the past 2 months, I've fallen more and more in love with that relationship. The way the writers developed the connection between Raghu and Aarti was enhanced a thousandfold by Sudeep and Shraddha's acting prowess. They brought out every bit of the pain and brokenness, every bit of the strength hidden within both of these characters, and they did so with absolutely no inhibitions. That was something I especially loved watching unfold because it was powerful and turbulent, unlike the steadily-evolving, affectionate dynamic between Arjun and Lakshmi from MLTAK. In this show, I have seen a new facet of the Sudeep-Shraddha chemistry that I hadn't expected to see -- a breathtakingly raw, intense honesty in their interactions this time around -- that says so much about the characters of Raghu and Aarti as these actors have interpreted them. And there's also a softness in the Raghu-Aarti relationship, a tranquility that almost seems to reside deep within the soul...something that transcends physical appearances and relies on feelings and instincts and that beautiful word, sukoon.

Because they are so well-matched as co-actors, I have lived and loved every moment of Aarti and Raghu's journey with Shraddha and Sudeep. They have made Raghu-Aarti into one of my favorite fictional pairings in record time, and they are the reason I dared to become invested in this show against better judgment. I thought the creative team wouldn't build up this jodi, only to break it apart. I thought they knew how loved the Sudeep-Shraddha jodi is, and what a gold mine they have in these two actors, who are not only powerhouse performers individually, but also perfect complements onscreen.

But now...at this point, I don't know where things are headed, and it's unsettling and very disappointing. Quite honestly, it's frustrating that I've somehow ended up in the exact situation I thought I'd be avoiding this time around. I started watching this show with the relief that I wouldn't have to endure a torturous triangle. Shraddha in a double role, with Sudeep playing off against both of her characters? It was a win-win situation, a dream come true!

I didn't expect this to turn into a nightmare. I'm still hoping that this is actually one, and that I'll wake up from it soon.