And so I watched the first episode of the second season of Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha on Colors with mixed feelings. Mixed because it is not the continuation of a well-loved story but a deviation from the core we had come to identify with. That of an undeniable connection between two disparate individuals. What had frustrated viewers in the first season was that an unusually refreshing love story, built nuance by nuance had been disrupted by an illogical soap operatic twist and ofcourse just when we could have seen the longing for a joyful culmination reach its logical end, the series ended.
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I am not sure the story needed a leap especially because so much between the protagonists was left unsaid, undeveloped. Some of the most beautiful moments in the story wove together threads of quiet domesticity and tenderness and the banter, be it over a broken fridge, the price of a saree, the need for intimacy and more space and household finances and child rearing. Through one crisis after another, you saw the irrevocable love between the protagonists and there could have been more of that along with the inherent challenges, the shared joys and divided struggles that the commitment of a lifetime brings with it. Or maybe, there is more that we do not know yet. Maybe, there will be flashbacks to explain the gaps in the story but the track of Megha’s life finally finding peace and fulfilment has obviously not had a happy culmination. So much for a brave remarriage against all odds.
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The strongest track in the story was the bond between Mohan Bhatnagar and his chatty little soul-mate Nanhi. His relationship with her and Megha were the two pivots around which everything revolved. If at all the makers needed to tamper with these two tracks is something that will become clear in the episodes to come. I for one will miss the uncompromised purity of Mohan’s love for Megha and Nanhi. I also don’t know if I will warm upto the idea of the wise old soul Nanhi developing into a bitter, bratty naysayer with a venomous aunt watching on with perverse glee. Why fix something that ain’t broken? And break something that was perfect?
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The writing too, which was one of the strongest aspects of the first season, is so far predictably soapy but that said, it was pretty clear from today’s episode that the makers know that the real draw of the show is its lead pair and we almost saw cinematic introductions for Megha and Mohan. I will refrain from mentioning the grown up Nanhi’s entry because in my head, Nanhi will always be a cherubic, affectionate little thing. She will always be Ashnoor Kaur.
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But yes, the introduction sequences of Megha and Mohan showed us how far Aakanksha Singh and Kunal Karan Kapoor have travelled since the debut episode of the first season. They were characters then..now they are characters who have become stars. And good for them. In television, it is rare that fame goes to the deserving and these two deserve the obvious gloss and star dust they are now sprinkled with. So while Aakanksha, now decisively beautiful like a Bhansali heroine was serenaded by loving camera angles and golden light and pleasing shadows and was a far cry from her cotton saree clad avatar, Kapoor made his entry like a mainstream Bollywood star which his fans hope he will be some day.
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So soccer moves in the dirt? Check. Close up of gaze, smile and curls? Check. Fainting fan girls? Check. I smiled at the way, he is now, not just a part he is playing but a sum of all parts his fans love. I just hope, the story will not just celebrate his charisma, his dialogue delivery and occasional flashes of goofiness but give his formidable talent all the opportunities the first season did where he was raw and emotional, deeply angry, moving and gentle and the complexity and the simplicity of Mohan Bhatnagar. I hope this season challenges the actor within him, far more.
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So yes, I watched the first episode with mixed feelings but for the sake of the gifted lead pair and the fans, I hope the story will build on its strengths and create something we will remember. If not, I can always rewind the episodes when Mohan and Megha were just that. Two ordinary people in the middle of an extraordinary story.
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Reema Moudgil has been writing on art, theatre, cinema, music, gender issues, architecture and more in leading newspapers and magazines since 1994. Her first novel Perfect Eight ((http://www.flipkart.com/perfect-eight-9380032870/p/itmdf87fpkhszfkb?pid=9789380032870&_l=A0vO9n9FWsBsMJKAKw47rw–&_r=dyRavyz2qKxOF7Yuc )won her an award from the Public Relations Council of India in association with Bangalore University. She also edited Chicken Soup for Indian Woman’s Soul and runs unboxedwriters.com. She writes art catalogues and has scripted a commissioned documentary or two. She has exhibited her paintings in Bangalore and New York, taught media studies to post graduates and hosts a daily ghazal show Andaz-e-Bayan on Radio Falak (WorldSpace).
15 Comments
1 Nitika wrote:
As always, beautifully written Reema! Glad that u decided to pen yr thoughts on this opening episode. Was wondering whether we wld see u writing again on this show that we all loved so much before the Riddhima catastrophe happened
. My reason for sticking to the show has singularly been Mohan aka Kunal Karan Kapoor. His charisma combined with his phenomenal talent just doesn’t let u ‘let go’ of the show. Totally concur with yr thoughts and share yr sentiments abt every aspect of the show. Seems like you have echoed our..or rather my thoughts somehow miraculously haha! Loved what u said abt KKK “I smiled at the way, he is now, not just a part he is playing but a sum of all parts his fans love. I just hope, the story will not just celebrate his charisma, his dialogue delivery and occasional flashes of goofiness but give his formidable talent all the opportunities the first season did where he was raw and emotional, deeply angry, moving and gentle and the complexity and the simplicity of Mohan Bhatnagar. I hope this season challenges the actor within him, far more”. Cldn’t have said it any better. Finally, keep writing on this show. Wld love to here yr views on it and Kunal from time to time:)
2 Reema Moudgil wrote:
Thanks Nitika,
I hope, the promise this show started with is not squandered once again..and yes, I hope the actors find incredible opportunities ahead..
3 Monica wrote:
Awesome awesome awesome Article! Perfect words. Not one word more, not one word less. Loved it.
4 asha Lal wrote:
Thaks Reemaji for voicing so well our thoughts too.Masterpeice opening!!Kudos to team NBT2.Nanhi good,Megha graceful,what took away our breath is Kunal Karan Kapoor.His new look Deadly,His new attitude Daring,His Expressions & Emotions Dynamite,waiting to be unleashed.The only thing I missed was soulful music that was a stand out in SSN1. Well done..now the challenge is to keep the promise..the expectations raised by the perfect opening!!
5 Khawar Haider wrote:
Superb analysis and completely genuine
appraisal of NBT2 which I watched with
each moment with great interest. There is
such joy in my heart to see Mohan and Megha back on the screen after it was so brutally interupted and our hearts broken into bits. But with all the trepidation I can say that our stars are back and gives me such joy that I
like what you say about Kunal who is so special for me and how Aakanksha has complemented him. They are matched so well. Yes his introduction was the best one and I described it as the Phoenix rising from the ashes. His beautiful face with spectacles has become even more attractive to me. My interest really is in these two once again. And
watch how the story unfolds etc etc
I am so glad to read your evaluation of NBT2 and hope you will follow it too as i am going to. And I shall follow
every word of yours. Thank you Reema Moudgil
6 usva wrote:
Very well written and well analysed take on the season transition as well as the characters and leads of the show..i had d same feelings watching epi 1 of this season ..its like you gave words to our feelings…being an ardent lover of this show,characters and actors i really really hope ds show don’t lose the simple yet beautiful flavor ov its lead characters and maintain its flavor
7 Madiha Munawar wrote:
Great great great amazingly written…Reema ji u nailed it with u abilities in writing…n more importantly…wen u r writing abt Kunal Karan Kapoor…everyone becomes a writer to write abt him bcz of his abilities n talent n passion towards his work…his acting emotions expressions everything…none can help writing more n more and best abt him…From the Monu of season 1 to Papu of Season 2 he is just unexplicable in his expressions n justification of the role…Aakanksha Singh…i loved the way she was introduces n how beautifully n calmly she acted as a 40 year mother…no words now for her charm in simplicity n adoring expressions….Nanhi…is the one whom i m missing alot…even everybody is missing her alot…Jayshree is the one i m unable to connect with in these first two episodes..but lets hope for the best…in short Amazing Kunal n Aakanksha duo is creating magic in the hearts of those who have not seen d first season. Kudos to Kunal n Aakanksha n Nanhi…Sudhir sir n Colos Tv too…for not being biased this time in favour of our beloved show Na Bole Tum……
8 SREEJA wrote:
First of all congrats to have so beautifully written article…Be it NBT 1 or NBT 2 it is entirely different from other soaps.. KKK and AKANKSHA both are wonderful actors. Renu has not changed at all . Of course some people dont change.. The story has a good base now. Megha ‘s silence shows her pain. Even Mohan is in deep pain. Both have potrayed their characters superbly. And as u said we will surely miss Ashnoor . Actually I was really glad they showed ashnoor in the 1st episode itself. All in all i loved watching NBT 1.Just hoping NBT -2 creates the same magic ..
9 sekhar wrote:
Very Well Written as mentioned by others.NBT2 Certainly is here to stay!!!.With the characters gaining strength all the more for me its a fresh piece of Fruit that has been offered with a sweet taste..I really didn’t keep hoping much only to get back more than what i could have expected.KKK AS Nanhi all r rightly Mixed in this Sweet Concoction of NBT#2 All The Best Team NBT#2 <3 u All!!!
10 Rashmi wrote:
well written…sums it all up!
11 Pamela Dsa wrote:
Well said…..you’ve spoken my heart out.
12 sheetal wrote:
Superb writing, every word of yours is so true, especially words describing KKK. I think he is the only actor, whose performance is a huge draw, his fans love him only and only for his talent. His talent and potential to perform is so huge, that it shadows any negligible flaws his looks may have. Hope he and the writers show of more of the Mohan Bhatnagar and not get carried away with the star image of the actor.
13 anjana menon wrote:
reema, u said it again. weni read al ur articles abt NBT& KKK , i feel u hav taken it out from my heart..thank u for riting such beautiful articles…of course as u said no need for leap, so much left untold in MM lovestory..and now as 40+ parents, what romance v can see? missing ashnoor alot as i cant relate asnoor and jayshree..little nanni never bhaved childish even wen she as a kid, now grown up one spitting at TV and all..i really doubt whther v can c the realistic, non-dramatic, simple, magical, story of NBT1..
14 Reema Moudgil wrote:
thanks everyone for dropping in and writing to us..feels great!
15 pooja wrote:
your each n every word well describes my feelings too for mohan.But when i sit to think abt him i just dont know to begin frm where..you r marvellous writer.How do u imagine all these words.