So KSG-Bajaj

Disclaimer: I haven't watched the show beyond a few episodes before. Also, I am not a KSG fan at all. At all. But I hope to be neutral in my judgement. Otherwise, there is no value to any judgement.

Now, regarding Bajaj, it's only his first episode but I liked this version of Bajaj. I can explain why. This character reminds me of Ekta's vintage heroes from her glory days such as Angad, Sujal, Robbie, Arjun etc who were always morally flawed, angsty and borderline problematic. She has mellowed her heroes down to a very black-white level complexity now and I personally am not a fan. I don't particularly enjoy ~bad boys onscreen but there should be some layers, some intriguing qualities to a hero-figure. Ekta's current Bajaj is an obvious throwback to her vintage heroes. But I feel her team is just not capable of exploring this sort of character anymore. Her current shows and (most) newer characters are essentially mono-dimensional and bland. All thanks to her boring KKB-formula. She simply doesn't have it in her to construct and deconstruct characters like these. Not anymore. So it's pointless to expect her to do justice to this Bajaj.

Regarding KSG himself, I have heard plenty of complaints online since the morning so I was naturally predisposed to dislike him. But I surprisingly found myself enjoying the abrasiveness and confidence he brings to this version. Ronit's Bajaj was in a very different show, KSG's Bajaj fits into the environment of this particular show. This is only an unsure observation but I also feel that his acting is better now. More subtle and cinematic. He had a terrible tendency of breaking into television histrionics before. He is more balanced now. But this poses a problem. I can already visualize his relatively understated style being extremely out of place in this show.

Additionally, I think he still channels Armaan whenever he has to play a bold and confident character. Hence, his dialogue delivery falls into a hyper, slack-jawed style. Less of Armaan's levity and more of Asad's gravitas please.

Originally posted by: Fairy_KimBokJoo

Disclaimer: I haven't watched the show beyond a few episodes before. Also, I am not a KSG fan at all. At all. But I hope to be neutral in my judgement. Otherwise, there is no value to any judgement.

Now, regarding Bajaj, it's only his first episode but I liked this version of Bajaj. I can explain why. This character reminds me of Ekta's vintage heroes from her glory days such as Angad, Sujal, Robbie, Arjun etc who were always morally flawed, angsty and borderline problematic. She has mellowed her heroes down to a very black-white level complexity now and I personally am not a fan. I don't particularly enjoy ~bad boys onscreen but there should be some layers, some intriguing qualities to a hero-figure. Ekta's current Bajaj is an obvious throwback to her vintage heroes. But I feel her team is just not capable of exploring this sort of character anymore. Her current shows and (most) newer characters are essentially mono-dimensional and bland. All thanks to her boring KKB-formula. She simply doesn't have it in her to construct and deconstruct characters like these. Not anymore. So it's pointless to expect her to do justice to this Bajaj.

Regarding KSG himself, I have heard plenty of complaints online since the morning so I was naturally predisposed to dislike him. But I surprisingly found myself enjoying the abrasiveness and confidence he brings to this version. Ronit's Bajaj was in a very different show, KSG's Bajaj fits into the environment of this particular show. This is only an unsure observation but I also feel that his acting is better now. More subtle and cinematic. He had a terrible tendency of breaking into television histrionics before. He is more balanced now. But this poses a problem. I can already visualize his relatively understated style being extremely out of place in this show.

Additionally, I think he still channels Armaan whenever he has to play a bold and confident character. Hence, his dialogue delivery falls into a hyper, slack-jawed style. Less of Armaan's levity and more of Asad's gravitas please.

But that's good, brings a balance to the ott in the show.

Perrfect ..ur post perfectly describes bajaj..i know ekta has totally failed as u said in creating epic characters , even love stories are actually a mockery in her current shows..i was shocked and surprised to watch her web series as they are so intruiging and wonderful ..like dil hi toh hai and broken . So much depth and varied emotions presented so well . That gives me slight hope yet i will wait and not expect . This is the first epi tht i liked in kzk..i was yawning till the machi drama..

Fingers crossed ..ekta wont mess.up her fav bajaj..n she has a thing for separating couples and show them unhappy....she is somewhat like slb there..

Originally posted by: _charu_

Perrfect ..ur post perfectly describes bajaj..i know ekta has totally failed as u said in creating epic characters , even love stories are actually a mockery in her current shows..i was shocked and surprised to watch her web series as they are so intruiging and wonderful ..like dil hi toh hai and broken . So much depth and varied emotions presented so well . That gives me slight hope yet i will wait and not expect . This is the first epi tht i liked in kzk..i was yawning till the machi drama..

Fingers crossed ..ekta wont mess.up her fav bajaj..n she has a thing for separating couples and show them unhappy....she is somewhat like slb there..

Originally posted by: mily_mathew

Even i liked karan, I can understand what u mean by understated style of ksg,

But that's good, brings a balance to the ott in the show.

Hello! Yes, there can be two outcomes. Either he brings a balance to the show or he gets swept by the heightened sense of drama.

Originally posted by: Fairy_KimBokJoo

Hello! Yes, there can be two outcomes. Either he brings a balance to the show or he gets swept by the heightened sense of drama.

Well described 🤗

Originally posted by: _charu_

Perrfect ..ur post perfectly describes bajaj..i know ekta has totally failed as u said in creating epic characters , even love stories are actually a mockery in her current shows..i was shocked and surprised to watch her web series as they are so intruiging and wonderful ..like dil hi toh hai and broken . So much depth and varied emotions presented so well . That gives me slight hope yet i will wait and not expect . This is the first epi tht i liked in kzk..i was yawning till the machi drama..

Fingers crossed ..ekta wont mess.up her fav bajaj..n she has a thing for separating couples and show them unhappy....she is somewhat like slb there..

Yes, Ekta has always been successful. But parameters of success are different. Television is a very short-lived medium that provides quick gratification. There is a reason why none of her newer characters have attained or (probably) will attain iconic status. Her team has watered down every good, if over-dramatic elements and complexities of her early shows.

Regarding separation, I have a different viewpoint. I think one of the reasons why Ekta's newer romances are relatively bland to watch is because she doesn't permanently separate pairs anymore. Unlike say, the infamous shift from Neev-Prachi to Millind-Prachi in Kayamath. She could never write well for happily-in-love or established pairs. Her talent was always in making new love stories and angst. Since she doesn't do that now, all her pairs are backed by kidnapping and randomness.

I love KSG like mad, I watched Qubool Hai and then went back and watched DMG. I watched today's episode, and I was naturally predisposed to loving it and I did. I watched only his scenes though. I loved it too. He brings a certain panache to the screen. However, I completely agree with your last line. He needs to bring in the depth that Asad brought, more than the charisma he brought as Armaan.

Asad wasn't a star at all. He was a character beyond anyone's depth and KSG delved into those abysses and drowned in them and made Asad into a star.

Here, he's stepped into Bajaj's shoes as a star, and maybe that's why I felt the depth was missing. Moreover, it's only the first episode so I guess I'd give it time. Idk if anyone's watched QH and how much you guys have watched, but in this particular scene, he acts ruthless and suave with this woman and strikes a deal with her to arrange his sister's wedding. That was a ruthless business channelised beautifully. Undoubtedly, he did a great job today however, the focus has to be on Bajaj the character with layers and not Bajaj, the Season 1 icon and poster boy of television brought back. Idk if I am making any sense but yeah. 😆

KSG is a brilliant actor and whoever who is bashing him are bashing out of spite, he is far better than most TV actors and some people cannot appreciate or handle class.