I watched an episode from the new Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? for the first time in three weeks. Yes, I had watched the first few episodes, and then nothing till yesterday.
The first episode was a bit of a horror show. Where do I start?
First of, let me make it very clear that I was not expecting a rehash of the first season. It would be stupid to do that. If its a different season, it should be a different story! So I was prepared for that. I was prepared for a new heroine - and give her the benefit of the doubt.
What I was not prepared for was ...
The colors. The garish look of this show is eye-ball hurting. It hurts to stare at the screen. I would fire the art director. I thought this was going to be a dark story. The art direction definitely defies that notion.
The costumes. Perhaps the WORST thing about this show are the costumes. (and you see it bleeding into Ishqbaaz too, now). Who on earth wears such outlandish clothes and jewellery? its absurd, impractical and horrendous!! Not to mention - the sisters being dressed in the same fabric - good gracious!! that is so 60s!! Are we in budget crunch here? Or As we would say in Bengali - Jatra-pati. The clothes that people in a jatra (wandering theatricals) would wear. Do yourself a favour Gul, and fire the dress-designer. That person is a blot in the name of the profession.
The story. Now this was unexpected. The story line is good. A grittier handling would perhaps serve it better. It has all the elements that would make a drama great. Instead the theatrical handling in, for example, the Shiva idol pulling scene was ridiculous to say the least. It boggled the mind! Yes, math is great. But really? that great?
The Siblings. Another of Gul's strong points is her ability to stir chemistry between siblings, and here too, she seems to make that magic work. I liked all the scenes with the siblings, the brothers and the sisters.
The make-up. I saw Ketki Kadam in Qubool Hai - and was scratching my head when I saw her here. The white-wash that is passing for make-up is awful. Barun's beard was a turn-off. Now that he has shaved it off, phew!! I can breathe. The hot-wa was completely shot-wa for a while there. But its the lead female's make up that I have a whole issue with. No doubt Shivani is a pretty girl. But this look does her no favours. She alternately looks white-washed and then too dark.
The re-hashing. Why? Why? WHY? re-hash beloved images from Season 1? The whole scene with the ball of light and stars. I don't think anyone needed a reminder of one of the most poignant scenes in TV history.
The music. Speaking of rehashing. Why re-hash the score? In Season 1 - one of the best things was that the score was very specific to each character and situation. Rabba ve! To not have that familiar feeling of goosebumps with kyon dard hai itna is disconcerting. It shifts what was dearly beloved and makes it uncomfortable. Like a square peg in a round hole. I wish they had come up with a new score altogether. Then the comparisons would be harder.
The Heroine. Shivani Tomar is a beautiful girl. Period. She is a poor actress. Period. I don't know if she is strong or fragile. What took KKG's character to great heights is the mix of fragility and strength that she embodied. Chandni is ... meh! She does not connect with me as the viewer.
The hero. Barun is always good in a negative role. He has a glitter in his eyes when he is being evil, that is absolutely wonderful. Just like Season 1 it seems that Advay's character has been etched very well. But somehow, this time, the evilness does not seem to be ringing true.
The Chemistry. Sadly this is the lowest point of the show. Even with rabba ve in the background (or maybe because of it) there is zero chemistry. Is Shivani the right pick for Barun - I am tempted to say no. Somebody who has fire in her would be better - somebody like perhaps Sanjeeda Shaikh, or even Ketki Kadam or Surbhi Jyoti would have made a better choice for the role.
There you have it. My two-cents. You may or may not agree with me. But perhaps Gul will read this and make some corrections. Tone it down a little perhaps?
Fan Fictions
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
