#ipkknd verse

[honeybellexox]

IPKKND Characters x Hogwarts!

It’s November and that means a HP marathon (which I has been now accomplished!😂) ofcourse, my mind relates everything back to IPK and thus I decided to sort all the characters into hogwarts houses 🙈 literally a post no one asked for but hey, here you go! 💗

My reasonings:

1. Arnav- Arnav is most likely a mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin, he exhibits many Slytherin qualities however what made me sort him into Gryffindor is his strong sense of honour; his honour and care for his loved one trumps all else, he would risk his life to protect the ones he loves, negating Slytherin’s key trait of self preservation also his anger, impulsivity and brashness are all very Gryffindor traits (in fact the more I think about it, he’s almost the epitome of a true Gryffindor!).

2. Khushi- I debated Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, Khushi posses all the traits of a Hufflepuff; kindness, loyalty, hard work and perseverance however, I just didn’t feel comfortable sorting her there, Khushi has a very quick mind, a very strong sense of curiosity and is a bundle of creativity. I think she would surely be sorted into Ravenclaw as she would flourish more in that house …she reminds me of a Desi Luna Lovegood! 🙈❤️

3. Akash - I guess he could fit into Hufflepuff but he just seems so Ravenclaw!

4. Payal- I couldn’t think of a house better for her than Hufflepuff, but I imagine Payal to have a secret Slytherin streak.

5. Shyam- SLYTHERIN! (But alternatively, I reluctantly suppose he could fit into Ravenclaw too).

6. Anjali- Hufflepuff. Just, Hufflepuff. That’s it.

7. NK- Hufflepuff because again, he exhibits all traits such as fierce loyalty and kindness. If not Hufflepuff, I wouldn’t be mad at NK being sorted into Gryffindor.

8. Lavanya- Lavanya is an example of a GOOD Slytherin; she’s ambitious, independent, intensely loyal, resourceful and a flaw could be her arrogance ( justified😂) … La could also be a Hufflepuff or even a Gryffindor.

Bonus round - Patronus and HP related Headcanons!

Arnav: Tiger Patronus, I can imagine Arnav being a naturally gifted at occlumency, naturally gifted with non verbal magic and potions. Particularly enjoys defence against the dark arts.

Khushi: Doe/Hare Patronus (leaning more towards Doe), Khushi would enjoy care of magical creatures, divination and herbology …all subjects that Arnav turns his nose up at, until it’s Khushi’s apt for these subjects that help save his life. 🙈

Shyam- Cobra Patronus, he’s very good at legilimency, has an apt for memory charms and a secret interest in dark magic.

Payal- Otter Patronus, Payal rival’s Arnav in potions, she has a strange fascination with muggles and muggle studies, and advocates against discrimination against muggleborns.

Akash- Owl Patronus, he’s very gifted in charms and studying ancient tunes, he finds Payal’s passion towards muggles endearing and often tries to find creative ways to support her endeavours in integrating muggle culture into the wizard world (is supported by an enthusiastic Khushi and Anjali, and a nonchalant Arnav).

Anjali- Swan Patronus, Anjali loves learning about the history of magic and greatly enjoys all magical traditions, she’s decent with potion making but her true passion is herbology ( Anjali and Arnav have their own private Herbology greenhouse, it’s the only place Arnav shows is his tender side, as Arnav grows closer to Khushi, he allows her entry into his greenhouse …as Khushi also shares a passion for the subject). Anjali’s true talent lies within her transfiguration skills 🥰

NK- Monkey Patronus, NK likes magical pranks and goofing off, also has an obsession with quidditch.

Lavanya- Peacock Patronus. La is brilliant at charms, she and Khushi bond over divination (much to Arnav’s aggravation). They spend much time hunched over, trying to read each other’s tea leaves!

I hope you enjoyed this rather silly post! Just thought it would be a fun idea 🥰

[laadgovernorandsankadevi]

sent me your fav verse or lyrics and i’ll write something arnav and khushi on it

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi S, I am new to this whole universe i just finished watching the show, I am glad i found this blog its so beautiful. I wanted to ask why does Arnav love troubling khushi u know like he tells her to say sorry to him only then he will return the ring, then taking the cup out from 1 of the box during 24 hr challenge then drawing mustache on her face. Is ther something symbolic here. Thank u

Hello dear,

Welcome the IPKKND-verse! Thank you so much for the compliments <3

He does like to annoy her a bit. They flirt when they fight so there's that chemistry, challenging streak between each other.

Oh the mustache was a total prank - I think they love pulling pranks on each other. There's a different joy in teasing your beloved and seeing them blush and get flustered! Remember Khushi holding a baby naked Arnav's photo?

I have mixed feelings for the 24 hours track because I love it independently but not quite where it is in the show - so I won't be able to interpret that.

Take care,

- S

[phati-sari]

Hello Pahati-Sari, as you know there were many elements that helped IPKKND to be that great, acting, strong writing & cinematography & editing -especially at the beginning of the show. And contemplated Bollywood songs (Arziyaan, Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai, Teri Meri...) were used as a storytelling device as well.

I am an outsider of Indian culture thus in order the grasp the significance of a song -for example Character Dheela - I had to search deeper than the basic translation. So I think I covered all the songs and what they represent in the show adequately except one; “Aye Chhori Tu Tapori” :) Seriously, there is no translation for this song and my Hindi (limited but still improving) is not helping. I would appreciate it if you could help me understand the essence of the scene where Khushi & Lavanya dance on the bed and why that song was associated with it? Thank you in advance for your answer.

Hi @bengudill :)

I think the significance begins when Khushi declares that she has a remedy for Lavanya’s worries, and the scene cuts to Arnav with the ASR theme playing in the background. It suggests that Arnav himself is the remedy, or at the very least, that he’s associated with it. Which of course … he is.

Then the scene cuts to Khushi with ‘Aye Chhori Tu Tapori’ playing …

Ladki badi hai kamaal ki   [This girl is amazing.]Barudo wali hai palki    [She’s explosive (literally: she’s a palanquin of gunpowder)]Kya top hai, shirt hai    [What a top, what a shirt.]Kya mast jeans hai.   [What amazing jeans.]Kya tez hai craze hai    [She’s quick, she’s crazy,]Lagti karant hai    [She’s like a current (electric current).]Tu hai aafat ki tokri are    [You are trouble (/misfortune).]Maan jaa mastani chokri    [Please assent, crazy girl.]

Are ladka bada hai kamal ka    [Hey, this boy is amazing.]Lagta hai murga halal ka    [Ahh I can’t find a way to articulate this in English!]Kya mad hai, flirt hai,   [He’s mad, he’s a flirt,]Raste ka prince hai.    [He’s a roadside prince.]Kya suit hai but hai,   [What a suit, what boots (suit-boot refers to formal/office attire)]Kya roop hai rang hai    [What good looks.]Na raste mein rok re    [Don’t stop me on my way.]Jaa deewane chokre   [Let me go, crazy boy.]

Aye hero, tu hai zero   [Hey hero, you’re a zero.]Aye hero tu hai zero   [Hey hero, you’re a zero.]Aye chhori tu tapori   [Hey girl, you’re uncivilized (literally: rowdy/without class]Aye chhori tu tapori   [Hey girl, you’re uncivilized.]

The first verse seems to apply to Lavanya but a closer reading reveals it’s about Khushi, the firecracker of a girl who Arnav loves just the way she is. She is trouble, and certainly spells misfortune for him and his family, but he loves her sanak [craziness] and her unique ways.

The second verse applies to Arnav, the good looking man always dressed in formal attire. He’s had relationships before and Khushi certainly believes he’s a flirt.

The visualization of this segment shows Khushi dancing along, trying to cheer Lavanya up, before grabbing a photo of her Laad Governor to dance to. She shows it to Lavanya, makes gesture of slitting his throat and later grabs it back to happily yell “Aye hero, tu hai zero” at it. Considering he was the implied remedy to Lavanya’s troubles, the visuals seem to foreshadow Khushi taking Arnav away from her.

And of course, the repeated lines about the girl being uncivilized are perfect considering that when Arnav walks into the room and sees them on the bed, his reaction is to berate Lavanya for acting middle class.

I think the choice of song is clever and conveys their conflicting feelings aptly, as well as providing much needed levity. I love that Khushi and Lavanya have multiple scenes where they dance together :)

[vishwaspur]

Gauri's personality and actions remind me of Khushi of IPKKND at times. (Sanaya totally nailed that character. BAE) Things like their jhalliness, the devotion both show towards their religion, always standing up for themselves, self-respect and family sab sai zyada important, teasing their better half whenever they get a chance and much more. But both have that special thing about them which makes them stand out from the crowd regardless. Have you ever seen this resemblance or is it just me? 🙈

Oooooh...while I do know of Khushi and have watched soomeee of IPK, I am just not educated enough to compare the two characters. I think the resemblances comes from the fact that all 4Lions MLs and FLs tend to be similar in certain things like having catchphrases and especially in the department of teasing/exasperating their partners. What do you think @tellywoodtrash? You are well versed in all things Khushi Kumari Gupta. Are the two ladies similar of is it just the 4Lions influence? Personally I think its the 4Lions influence.

[zakagimat]

FairYTale LoveSTory ???…(Sns..Yhm..Ib..Ipkknd) By RiaNa (Ep.03)

FairYTale LoveSTory ???…(Sns..Yhm..Ib..Ipkknd) By RiaNa (Ep.03)

Fairytale Lovestory…Ep.03 RECAP-Episode 2 : GOSHI’S HOUSE Ishu: Listen i am not able to waste my time…i am leaving…Anika: Toh niklo naa !…Ishu: Give me my purse…Anika: I have no purse verse…Ishu: Arey but…i gave it to u Anika…Anika: kya Maazak hain yeh…i have not ur purse !!…Gopi: Enough Ishita…why dont u take my purse…atleast it has a certain amount…Ishita: Shut up !!…Gopi looks on weirdly…

[honeybellexox]

Headcanon #2 (confirmed canonically!)

I don’t know if it’s been proven otherwise on the show (I miss details like this! So feel free to let me know if this is completely off the mark!🙈)

But I’ve always had a theory that Shyam had started stalking Khushi when he saw her released news footage (when she falls into Arnav’s arms), I think he was deliberately in Lucknow and he happened to come across those men trying to take advantage of Khushi. Seeing this as an opportunity to make himself a hero, he saves her and introduces himself. Is this too far fetched or plausible? Because it seems too coincidental to me!

[honeybellexox]

Not Another Cinderella Story!

At first glance, IPKKND on paper seems like yet another Cinderella retelling , and it is to an extent, it has the key 'rich man falls in love with poor girl' component that is necessary in any Cinderella story.

However, this is where the similarities between Cinderella and ArnavxKhushi end, as Khushi is not Cinderella and Arnav is certainly no Prince charming but Cinderella does exist within the IPKKND-verse and that Cinderella is no one but Payal.

Akash and Payal's love story is a simplified, realistic version of the Cinderella fairytale ( of course, without the magic, pumpkins and mice but Khushi and Arnav collectively played the role of fairy godmother!). Payal herself shares many qualities with Cinderella. Both are kind, beautiful, resilient, sensible and hardworking and not to mention they both seemingly have a silent strength that is easily glanced over.

Khushi isn't Cinderella, She is the Little Mermaid, she is Ariel. She like Ariel is a young, naive girl who falls in love with a prince that seems a world away. Khushi and Ariel are both fun-loving, passionate, curious and childlike. They also both fall in love with forbidden men. Ariel is mesmerised by the human world and Eric. Similarly, Khushi is drawn into Arnav's world, i want to emphasise that she is not in love with his rich, material lifestyle but with Arnav himself and everything that comes with him like his intensity, his protectiveness, his mystery, his love and passion, her draw towards him also bleeds into her attatchment to his family.

A darker take on this tale would have been if Arnav hadn't offcially remarried Khushi with all the correct rituals, this would have reflected the original dark story told by Hans Christian Andersen, in which the little mermaid sacrifices her voice forever, endures intense pain and eventually dies as the prince marries someone else (this is a very summarised version of the story but the proper story is so morbid and tragic!).

So symbolically, instead of losing her voice, Khushi would have sacrificed her personal values and beliefs (the importance of marriage) which are so intrinsic to her being, it would have eaten away at her self worth and greatly impacted her mental health negatively. It would have been a slow death of the heart and soul for her,which, like the original little mermaid, she would have endured to be with the man she loves.

(I'm glad the show followed the happy Disney version instead which was a lot less depressing and Ariel deserved her happily ever after, so did Khushi! )

Forgive my bluntness but Arnav is the beast (from Beauty and the Beast), plain and simple. Khushi even refers to him as the 'rajkumar and the shaitaan' perfectly capturing his dual nature. Much like the beast, he is wrathful, aggressive, callous (at times) and arrogant. Arnav also forces Khushi into living with him just like how the beast captures Belle in his castle.

It's so satisfying to see him eventually soften up and reveal his human princely self (it's so cheesy but listen to 'something there' and think of Arnav!). Interestingly both the beast and Arnav, have gift giving as a love language, the beast gifts Belle his library and Arnav is shown to gift Khushi many things over the course of the show.

IPKKND is not another cinderella story but it is a beautiful meeting of The little mermaid and Beauty and the beast. Interestingly, you can see elements of both fairytales in the show when the perspectives between Arnav and Khushi change because both have vastly different narratives and points of views. Khushi has her curious way of seeing the world, full of wonder and intrigue and Arnav is all broody in his massive mansion!

This parallel between the two is also reflected in their body language and also I n the manner they love each other, Arnav is posessive and protective, very mature and weathered. He is darker in nature which contrasts to Khushi as it’s her very first love. She is seen to frequently daydream and fill in the blanks with her imagination. She is more tentative in her approach towards him, investigative like a child exploring a new place for the very first time, (or like Ariel exploring the sea for human treasures!) equally afraid and excited.

So if Khushi is Ariel, Arnav is the beast and Payal is Cinderella… what does that make Shyam?

Well of course it would make him a mix Hans from frozen and Scar from the lion king! Shyam in the beginning is portrayed exactly the way Hans is, a charming nice prince donning a false mask by the end his madness is reminiscent of Scar's. In fact the way Scar snaps at the end of the movie is very similar to how Shyam reacts when he finally confesses his sins.

These were just my random musings and purely based on my opinions, I could be totally off! so feel free to agree or disagree with me, i would love to hear your thoughts. Take care!

Love, Honey xx

[laadgovernorandsankadevi]

IPK Rewatch: EP 01; the fateful night

ah the first look! the first impressions and the first introductions. it's interesting how the first snapshot after introducing us to Lucknow is of the Guptas. While both the families belong from the same city, it's now after 14 years that Arnav is at the point to take what is rightfully his, that Khushi breaks past the gates of his shell.

I love that bua ji's, the fiercely protective guardian of the two girls later onwards entrusted with their responsibility when they are sent to Delhi with her is the one introducing us to whose day it'll be.

"arre khushi ka mawqa hai!"

one of my favourite things about ipkknd were the possibly double meaning of dialogues. of course, it's a blissful and happy day for the daughter of the house is about to get married but today also marks the day where Arnav think he's won from his past. He is unaware that Khushi or happiness will come knocking at his door in span of few hours. Khushi is unaware that the turmoil her recklessness will pull through will lead to her, and her sister's best decisions of life.

Khushi's introductory dialogues reveal that despite being nervous she doesn't shy away from doing whatever she thinks is 'right'. I've always maintained that Khushi's moral compass is driven from the understanding of morality but whether whatever decision she makes will make the person she's doing that particular action for or from happy or sad. Right now, the shop being mortgage is going to take all of Guptas' assets and savings away. It'll also endanger her sister's happiness if the demand for dowry doesn't stop. While Khushi is right, as we know Shashi assures her afterwards, her going behind everyone to fix the situation herself isn't. These actions establish a running theme with Khushi's character. She is the definition of chaos and regardless of her intentions, things do tend to explode a lot in her face.

Also Payal's character's demure and ever-pleasing nature is established from the get go. While Bua ji is singing for her outside, she is worried about Khushi and her father instead of enjoying. The stoic tendency to please others and care for others before observing her own happiness stands out however her ability to go along until someone else takes the first step also shows her status as the elder daughter, whose often lauded as the perfect daughter of the house taking play.

The first look of Khushi, we see her eyes.

The eyes have a big role to play with both Arnav and Khushi, and to see the clarity and courage in Khushi's eyes from the first instance is just a beautiful directorial decision.

I also love Khushi's face reveal just as she is justifying her actions and revealing the same to Devi Ma. This is Devi Mayyian's child. Her absolute favourite and the closet confidant before Payal for Khushi! Sanaya looked absolutely ethereal in the first episode. The lengha is beautiful, the subdued green with pink with gota all over suits Khushi. Her switching out her khussas for tennis shoes few seconds earlier showing the unconventionality she doesn't shy away from. My only qualm is the amount of bronzer they put on Sanaya's face. (cough cough *colorism*)

Again with Khushi's moral compass, she wouldn't have stolen the milk man bike along with milk crates on the side if she actually took decisions which she thought through. Milk symbolises fertility and abundance blessed from gods. Khushi running away with stolen milk is a good use of metaphors in direction with Khushi being the force of change for everyone around her. Today in particular with Payal and Arnav's life. Also, 20,000 rs is symbolise the how the universe is shifting for the Guptas at least in the beginning. 20 being the universal number of harmony, balance and blessings and adding 0s to it which symbolise a divine journey. Three zeros simplify the divine journey Khushi has set out on and taken others along with her. The journey starting with loss will one day end with the gains Guptas didn't ever dream about. These little details were what pulled me into the script the first time around and seeing it repeat reinforces for me at least that I am glad to have been on this journey of Khushi and Arnav's from day one. (I started watching around the teej episodes).

Shashi's red kurta, I think at one point Shyam and NK both wore this during A & K's marriage. The recycling of wardrobes.

Shashi and Garima's conversation reveal the compliance that comes with being a woman in society and is understood by perhaps Garima and Bua ji. Shashi on the other hand might give into the norms, is also someone who stands against the injustices practiced in name of tradition and I love him for it! I really wish we had seen him recover before the show ended. A conversation between him and Arnav would've been heartwarming to witness since they both seem to align on their moral perspective of the world to an extent.

I know they try to tell us Khushi is around early adult years like 18, I really thought she passed as someone who was 21 and 22 through mannerism and with the bday tracks, I'm using that age as cannon.

We finally have the entry of our rakhshas urf rajkummar

I love the shot of Khushi's motorcycle leaving the gates and stopping at the signal for the chopper to fly over and her being the only one to look up in the shot. 

Ah ASR, Arnav Singh Raizada. He oozes arrogance, attitude, entitlement, purpose, and luxury. This is not an ordinary man and makes sure everyone around him remembers that. Of courses betiya didn't care about any. of it and that wasn't okay, at all!

With the first pap question we already know the this man has an established reputation of being hard to reach, of being mysterious, and making calculated decisions which leave others stumped in light of his age and experience. The second and third follow up are questions are just as enthralling. This is one of the most eligible bachelors and not many know much about his personal life. His mysteriously magnetic persona also begs answers to know why they're exceptions in him making a presence at events he is hosting in smaller cities of the country. All these questions and he answers nothing. Just calmly walks past. But we get hints. There's a past. A haunting one with a broken marriage, death, and a mother.

"Hum usoolon ke bare pakke hain!"

"Usooloon se somjhota nahi karte!"

ah chacha ji! where else do we go on to hear these lines from? Dadi ji. How ironic that a woman and her son taking pride in their ability to stick to rules, morals, traditions, are the ones at mercy of this man whose morals are deemed questionable throughout, who doesn't advertise morality, nor preach verse of tradition. These are also the people who wronged him and his sister as a kid. The Maliks left Arnav and Anjali at a place where they couldn't use their name without feeling disgraced. And now here, fourteen years later Arnav stands on the same grounds he was was told to leave from. I love the 630 above Arnav. The number signifying success. Apt! The white dove signifying the turmoil ending to some degree with the Arnav Malik rightfully taking what was his, a reign of peace.

In contrast Payal and Khushi once again having the conversation about what they're doing is right or not brings us to a contrast in decision making abilities. Arnav's move was calculated. He went over Chachaji's head to buy from the man the havali was mortgaged to. Khushi's move is driven through impulse of protecting her sister's happiness.

Khushi's words abut dil, zameer, paisa are hilarious because the man she loathes for the same reason is the one she is unable to hate. Oh how the tables turn!

I love Anjali's introduction. The first words are Arnav. The first interaction in the flashback of her's is with Arnav. The siblings are each others' first friends, first confidants, first people. Anjali wearing very thick visible sindoor after we just saw an ambiguous flash back of hers at her wedding is such a perfect example of Raizada's not being much different than the Maliks in their quest to bury the past and refuse to answer questions. Anjali wearing yellow in a see of red is such a perfect repression of what she means to Arnav. Yellow symbolises happiness, sunshine, brightness. Khushi later showing up in Green is also such a beautiful thing as green symbolises rebirth, revitalisation, and reincarnation of life. The two women are everything for this man.

We find out Arnav wanting to knock down Sheesh Mahal. Whether he does so or not, we don't find out.

(The ipk Redux was amazing at plot analyses and predicting tracks through easter eggs in the show. The complete truth of Garima, Arnav's dad, Khushi's parents, Chachaji, Dadi ji, and Shyam being tied to their past was changed according to those theories and ofc they are theories not canon. but these narrative shifts annoyed me a lot which is why I think IPK would've been good as a finite series. It wouldn't have to adjust its tracks in accordance to trps. Regardless of this theories being right or wrong, we can already observe with the omission of Chacha ji that there were changes made. Ah well.)

I loved that poet dude. The insinuation of taking to rights and two lefts, and Khushi being lost in the labyrinth that was Sheesh mahal is apt in terms of how Khushi found her life tangled with Arnav's past later onwards. I love how Khushi always ended up unintentionally walking towards Arnav since this day onwards. We see that when she ends up at Shantivan with saris. We see that when she ends up in front of him after Shyam the first time around.

and now for that fateful moment. The moment planned by the Gods. the moment where Khushi finds herself scared, her phone battery gone, she has no one and in a sea of people her eyes land at that one person. Interesting how she pulls up her dupatta just as that man stares her. Arnav's eyes when looking at Khushi find a way to admire her or in this case, he was straight up being disrespectful towards this strange girl. When she turns around to leave, she slips on the dupatta his staff had pinned on her and god, this man was taken aback by her. The first meeting derived anger from Arnav but also it pushed something he didn't hope to have to that extent. There is a pull between the two. He looks at her eyes, observes her trembling lips, and her hand, her hand clutches onto his collar which becomes a theme. The dupatta and Arnav's collar are two things that become so important in their ability to communicate their comfort to each other.

And so it begins. The love story. The kahani of nafrat, of refusing to be indifferent but trying so so hard to be.

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

IPKKND & Angst - Top 9 Scenes

Angst: A feelings of anxiety and frustration that isn’t specific.

In the serial verse, this is exactly why “kyun dard hai itna, tere ishq main?” (why does it hurt to be in love with you?)

Words fall short to praise the writers, actors, production team for the moment they were able to express anguish and sentiments through the facade of denial and ignorance. 

“Angst is not the human condition, it’s the purgatory between what we have and what we want but can’t get.”  ― Miguel Syjuco, Ilustrado

1. The first promo. Nafrat paas aane na de, mohabbat door jaane na de. This is angst, personified. 2. She tells she’s leaving for Lucknow, forever. He hears she’s leaving him, forever. (S1, E45) 3. He tells her it’s his engagement, and whether it happens or not, how does it matter to her? She tells that it doesn’t matter, with tears stinging her eyes. (S4, E10) 4. When he compels her to marry him. And she agrees. (S6, E4 - S6, E8) 5. When he passionately dances with his wife. The woman he supposedly hates. (S6, E33) 6. "Khushi, please stop crying. Khushi I... I love you.” (S7, E27) 7. “That I love you damnit!” (S8 , E30)

8. “No, Arnav ji will come. I have faith in him. Today is our wedding.” (S9, E30 - S10, E2) 9. “Arnav and Khushi will always stay together.” (S10, E30)

Read more for in-depth thoughts.

“Nafrat paas aane na de, mohabbat door jaane na de.”

“Hate prevents us from growing closer, love forbids us from growing apart.”

This promo had me hook, line and sinker. It was refreshing to watch a rich romance drama, sans any fanciness, that delved deep into symbolism and almost added a sense of forbidden in their love story. In the first image the power play - the financial and status difference is highlighted (brilliant framing) because Khushi literally looks up to Arnav, him unaware of her. And you’re sure that this might be an innocent love, a hidden attraction that is not returned. 

Yet, once Arnav leaves the elevator (and is aware that no one is looking at him), he turns to catch a glimpse of her. So he was aware, very much so, of her gaze. And boy oh boy, the feelings aren’t just returned - they’re intensified! And it’s this continuous push and pull that sets the course of IPKKND. She is wary of his approach, but does not believe his arrogance is all to him. He rebuffs her, but is always pained by her despair. 

She wishes to love him, despite his apparent flaws. He wishes to hate her, despite her apparent perfection. 

Let’s take a moment to appreciate that the shadows of rain fall on her, putting the torn photograph together. She treasures it and holds it against her heart, her eyes wide, afraid and lost. 

While he is in the middle of nowhere, drenched in rain, holding a photograph in his hands. Unable to look more, he crumples the photograph, his eyes tightly shut as if he’s crushing something that’s causing him immense pain.

*chef’s kiss to this promo*

What does a person want apart from two rich characters in a rich storyline with rich layering? You are not just invested in the day the confess their love to each other, rather the journey that takes them there. 

*dreamy sigh*

"Nafrat hai na aapko humse? Humari aukaad se? Humari shakal nahi dekhna chahte hai na aap? Toh khushi ho jaiye, hum aapki nazron se hamesha ke liye door jaa rahe hai. Lucknow jaa rahe hai hum, hamesha ke liye.” (S1, E45)

“So you hate me? My status? You don’t want to see my face, right? Then rejoice! I’m going to be out of your sight, forever. I’m leaving for Lucknow, forever.”

This sounds like a woman wobbling on the edge of feelings for a man. And it awfully sounds like a breakup (which is funny because the story hasn’t even started, or technically it did when their eyes met?)

One of the most interesting thing about this exchange is the way Khushi words her departure. She never says “I hate you,” or “I am leaving with my family to go back home,” or “my stay in Delhi has come to an end.” It’s almost like as if she lived in Delhi all along as was leaving to a new city because of him.

Her departure is attached to his hatred. To her, her status, her face - three things that has hurt Khushi the most. She literally says that she’s going away from his sight, forever.

It’s no wonder Arnav hears something else, that she’s not going home, she’s leaving him. In most waysIPKKND has been heavily biased to Arnav’s point of view - so when she declares the bg score quickly shifts to a soft, instrumental Rabba Ve.

The impact? His world stops for a second and he literally just says one thing, trying to get a hold of her, “Khushi, you can’t leave like this. Khushi!”

This conversation haunts Arnav till no end. He spends every moment henceforth playing everything wrong that he did with her. 

This episode is my favorite because their inner struggles are so visible.

When Lavanya asks Arnav if he loves her the way she is, Arnav looks at Khushi’s desk and says “Yes, I like you the way you are.”

This is the first time Arnav and Khushi develop their sixth sense towards the other - something that manifests deeply over the months to come. Khushi tells herself not to look at Arnav but she does, and is unable to look away. Her feet gives away at his voice, her logic abandons her (talk about pushing a door outward when it opens inward).

When Shyam, over the phone, tells her how much he thinks about her she’s immediately alarmed until he covers his words. With Arnav she’s not afraid of the physical intensity but of his anger, definitely his anger.

It’s the first time Arnav sees how much he affects her, negatively as well.

And their romantic, delicate moments is a scene stealer. Her self respect does not allow him to take his extended hand. His awareness of her pulls him to return her dupatta to him, a gesture that means so much. When they’re both quiet, something else happens altogether.

And then both are disturbed by the thoughts of each other. She’s stunned by his softness. She had noticed when he stopped his rant. And the first woman Arnav thinks of when Anjali tells her about love is Khushi. It’s his anger and personality that prevents Khushi from thinking more about Arnav. 

And it’s also his personality and beliefs (that are now on very shaky grounds) that stop Arnav from accepting the corner of his heart that has, unexpectedly, softened for Khushi. He only allows himself to completely think of her when he’s alone.

*double dreamy sigh - eating butter popcorn for the sigh*

“Khushi meri sagai ho ya na ho, kal ho ya ek saal baad ho, tumhe usse kya farak padta hai?” (S4, E10)

“Khushi, whether I get engaged or not, whether it’s tomorrow or the next year, how does it matter to you?”

The first thing that Khushi replies if, “Why should it matter to me if it’s your engagement?”

It’s not a no. It’s a question she asks him in turn. What does he expect? Why is he asking her this? Why… when it’s too late? And she quickly covers it up with “No, it makes no difference.”

It’s a lie. The minute she looks at him she knows he knows it’s a lie. Big props to the background scorers. We know the question hits Khushi hard because it’s the question she has been avoiding all along. We know that even though Arnav knows it’s a terribly hidden lie, he cannot help being hurt - a big credit to the soft, painful background score apart from the fantastic actors.

And when Khushi justifies her actions with scattered sentences and tears stinging her eyes, Arnav knows the truth. She knows the truth. And they both wait for the other to acknowledge it. And they both know neither can do so. 

The most beautiful, painful and almost tragic part of this scene is that they’re both completely aware and struggling with the weight of their denial. His desperation, perhaps, is a mirror image to Khushi’s desperation when she wanted to know why he nearly kissed her on Diwali. But his desperation is also triggered by the fact that she is engaged to another man. 

One might also wonder that once she can validate her emotions, perhaps break her loveless engagement (which he correctly assumes is forced), then he might get the strength to break his? One might also wonder that Khushi, at this point, has lost all hope for whatever it was between them - yet at his prodding she can only hope if he can ever speak up his mind. And his inability to do so pushes him farther away from her. 

One of the loveliest things about Arnav and Khushi is that they can be interpreted a thousand ways. In one way Arnav’s fury post that scene does not really come from him believing that he does not matter, but rather on her denial. And he’s clearly not thinking clearly. Not ever since he learned her engagement. And Khushi, on the other hand, seems to have accepted her gloomy future, and seems to be sinking onto the thorn she has held onto. 

If you see one of the promo posters, the creatives modified it to Khushi holding a thorned rose that injures her hand (so it’s bleeding) but her gaze is transfixed to the man behind her who’s staring at her too. 

I think that is Arnav and Khushi’s journey. Poetic tragedy. 

A story you’re almost afraid will not have a happy ending. A story where everything wrong happens. So it’s only a bigger pay off that they do end up together, in their happily ever after. 

And honestly, Khushi’s refusal to accept her feelings post their marital status kind of prevents Khushi from seeming immoral or as the ‘third’ woman in Lavanya’s life. Also - I love Anjali at this time who is really the only person constantly worried about Khushi’s lack of happiness for her impending wedding. Not even Lavanya senses Khushi’s despair. 

*I always, always tear up at this scene.*

“Haan ya na? Haan, ya na!” (S6, E4 - S6, E8)

“Yes or no? Yes, or no!” 

The elopement episodes legit kill me. It’s so painful, and it’s painful because it was avoidable! And it’s all built of misunderstandings! There’s so much regret and what ifs that stem from here that this phase alone has inspired so many fan fictions across the world. 

This moment reminds me of Shakespeare’s Othello on how Desdemona was painted as a lose woman by a jealous Iago. And convinced the Othello who had loved his wife endlessly that she was having an extra marital affair with Othello’s best friend and right hand man, Casio. 

In IPKKND, Casio and Iago is built into one Shyam Manohar Jha - a man Arnav trusts immensely. A man so manipulative that it’s almost impossible to believe his vile side until we see it ourselves. It often makes me wonder what if we, the audience, never saw the conniving side of Shyam Manohar Jha? It’s frightening to realize that like Anjali, a lot of us might have had difficulty to understand what could be the truth. 

There are so many reasons why this episode hurt. Khushi expected a proposal. Arnav wanted to propose. And it wouldn’t just be a confession of love, it would be marriage - it was hinted all along with the mehendi, haldi, new bangles for a bride to be and his duty as a damaad to look after his in laws’ relatives. He had behaved so innately as if he were already married to Khushi that it hurt to see their dreams of marriage come true, as a nightmare. 

The push and pull between pain, empathy, betrayal is heartbreaking. Also, I believe it is also one of the few television shows to completely highlight the reason for a sudden, forced marriage. Yes, Arnav technically ‘gains’ agency of Khushi by claiming her as his wife - but that is never physical. 

To be physically close to her is what they both wanted and dreamed off so it’s the first thing he shatters between him and Khushi. They wouldn’t be in the same side of the room, forget the bed. 

Barun and Sanaya’s performance is impeccable in these sequences. Arnav’s constant shift from a cold, calculative monster a man whose heart breaks on his beloved’s tears is so visible. Khushi’s disbelief, to heartbreak to helplessness and ultimate ruin pulls the most of us to run and hug her for the longest time.

When Arnav asks Khushi to marry him, the pose is romantic - with her pressed against him, dressed in the similar shades - much like how they had danced a few nights ago. But it’s all a nightmare, the green tint adds the feeling of nausea, despair and gloom. 

Of course, most of the anger shifts to an Arnav who torments Khushi endlessly for the months to come but most of my hatred at this point is fixed on Snake Jha instead. That man, singlehandedly, destroyed the most beautiful relationship out of his own villainy. 

And if there’s anything I’m unsatisfied with in this serial, it’s how Arnav and Khushi never end up punishing Shyam directly for ruining their individual lives (and for perennially harassing Khushi over a period of seven months). 

When he passionately dances with his wife. The woman he supposedly hates. (S6, E33)

“Bheegi bheegi si hai raatein bheegi bheegi

Yaadein bheegi bheegi baatein bheegi bheegi

Aankhon mein kaisi nami hai,

Aa ha ha ha ... aa ha

Sapnon ka saya palkon pe aaya

Pal mein hasaya pal mein rulaya

Phir bhi yeh kaisi kami hai

Aa ha ha ha ... aa ha Na jaane koi kaisi hai yeh zindagani, zindagani

Hamari adhuri kahani.”

The nights are drenched, so are the memories, the conversations. My eyes are strangely damp. A shadow of my dreams flashed before my eyes. It made me laugh, it made me cry. And yet, there’s something missing. No one knows what this life is. The one of our incomplete story.

This is the song that ran in my head when I watched them dance, painfully similar to way they danced when they were deep in love, in their Teri Meri. The steps are hauntingly same, but the emotions are vastly different. 

For me in this moment Khushi is taken aback at her own feelings. She was so sure she had killed every memory, every feeling of that fateful night when he had danced straight from her fantasies into her heart. And boy she was wrong - those feelings rose back with a vengeance. 

And for Arnav, it’s funny how the dance almost seems like a move to claim Khushi for himself, to exercise his possessive right over her in front of that vile Snake. 

Once they start dancing though, everything fades away apart from the burning intensity they have for each other. This is something private. It’s the thin line between love and lust that they have always walked on. 

His eyes are sharp yet intoxicated, drinking her face like nothing else. Her body is soft, and fluid, melting at his slightest touch. The wonder never leaves her eyes, neither does the sudden hunger. 

Although the idea of the Delhi main Bali and Snake giving her roses *ewww, why didn’t she make an excuse!!!*  and a part of me really wished that Khushi wore a pink saree instead of a salwar (she carries those so well - in that sexy, naive way!), and I wish that Snake disappeared from the planet - this dance was worth it. 

The contrast between Akash Payal’s honeymoon night versus theirs does provide some much needed comic relief, it’s in the little moments such as a lit matchstick or them sharing a couch that kinda shows that the after effects of the dance lingered long in their heads. 

Would I have been happier to have seen them directly carry out the palpable tension and angst that simmered during the dance to the privacy of their room? YES

Would that be possible on Indian television? Probably no

Do I respect the writers’ decision? Yes

Is this a perfect combination of angst and sexual tension? Heck yeah, why do you think I’m writing this! 

Why do I love this scene - it has everything synonymous to Arnav and Khushi; the angst, passion, conflicted emotions and a hope that the fire hadn’t dimmed out. 

*totally fanned myself and mentally thought that they were gonna blow up in flames or sexual frustration or the angsty thing of this whole situation at this point*

"Khushi, please stop crying. Khushi I... I love you.” (S7, E27 - S7, E28)

This was not a confession of love. This was a man’s last words. Arnav knew he would never get another chance to speak to her. As they say, death often brings about the biggest realizations and the biggest regrets. Yet again, this was a situation that could have been avoided. 

If he listened to her.

If he had trusted her. 

If he had allowed her to take him back home. 

The ‘what ifs’ were too much. There was nothing more for Arnav to lose. And he couldn’t die without telling the only woman he ever loved that he never hated her. That he only, ever, loved her. Nothing else mattered. 

On the other side Khushi had lost every hope of ever getting her love returned. His acerbic words and accusations had clawed her insides so much that logic, reasoning and even his hatred had fated away. He had to have known that she had always loved him. But she was so afraid to say anything that she could only cry when she heard his voice. And even before she could say what she wanted, he said the impossible. 

He loved her. 

Despite everything. 

The angst is so heavy over here because Khushi’s joy and Arnav’s tragedy are so well put next to each other. On one end Khushi is floating with the thought of being loved and on the other Arnav is drowning for the very same reason. It’s one thing to verbalize your love, and another to never get the opportunity to live it. 

True, Arnav wouldn’t have confessed his love if his life wasn’t in danger. He definitely would have come to that conclusion long after. It’s just that his brush with probably death broke away every hesitation, fear, doubt, betrayal he faced. 

And nothing apart from an ‘I love you’ would’ve rendered Khushi speechless. It’s also disheartening that she realizes he would have never told her the same if things were normal. 

The frustration, the pain, it’s beautiful! 

Also one thing I found very interesting is that he cuts the call before Khushi can reply to him. Maybe her shock, her tears, her happiness (now that they are immensely in sync with each other), reveal that his feelings were returned (yup I’m an optimist!)? Maybe that’s why they didn’t need to say anything to each other apart from knowing that they’ve both been blind (once they meet each other into that legendary hug)? 

It’s interesting that out of all the things that haunt him when he’s kidnapped - it’s how he reacted after knowing her version of truth. And Khushi, dear Khushi, she sees everything at his one confession - and perhaps it tells us all what she ever wanted to hear all along. Just like Arnav could forgive her everything at the possibility of never seeing her again, Khushi could forgive his anything at the slightest chance of him loving her back.

Also, one quick side note - I love how this parallels to the first promo. There Khushi held the torn photo together and held it against her heart. Here, Khushi’s belief in their broken relationship gets a 180 turn and she grasps her phone against her heart. There Arnav crumples the worn photo and closes his eyes in pain. Here, he cuts the call and grips the phone and closes his eyes in pain, again. 

Full circle much? 

*nope, totally didn’t cry when this happened, just some water leaks on the glands outside my eye ok*

“That I love you damnit!” (S8 , E30)

Isn’t it funny that the two most angsty moments in the show are the two times that Arnav ‘confesses’ his love to Khushi. And in fact it’s not that he’s confessing his love, it’s something they both know, it’s always more than that. 

Totally negating the fact that there was an awkward-almost-forced-no-communication-what-the-heck-hate-it that-they-look-hot-weird-consummation sequence, let’s jump to Khushi overtly persisting Arnav about the necessities of marriage and rituals and Arnav finally breaking it to her that he loves her.

Given what happened (when he blamed her for everything wrong that happened in Anjali’s marriage) it’s perhaps easy to understand why Khushi would, again, need verbal assurance of who was she to him and what was her place in life.

In her mind it makes absolute sense that even if he proclaimed several times that he is her husband and she is his wife after that, she needed his words as his actions and words have contradicted a lot over time. 

In his mind everything also makes sense. He married her (terribly, might I add), things were going better, they have shared a bed and are used to each other’s physical spaces and were always pretty close to kissing, if not sex (to be canon compliant, we can always imagine a much more eager Khushi and less creepy Arnav actually ready to bang in the hut). 

So over here, in this scene, it’s the height of their frustrations and their differences in ideologies. Arnav has been a man of actions, Khushi has been a woman of words. 

We can see how different they are, fundamentally and in a way it’s hilarious because both want the same thing. It’s kinda crucial to see that despite wanting the same thing - they really can’t understand each other at this point. He wants her to act. She wants him to say. And neither are getting the other in this process. 

And even though he yells at her and stares at her with this intense release of their bubbling emotions - it was hot. Strangely it was because we’ve all heard of the calm before the storm, this was more like a calm after the storm. 

And what’s sweet is that Khushi is always stunned. She stares at him and slowly lets it sink in about what he said. (I wish Arnav stuck around than swagger walked away because she went back into the room and positively glowed).  So although this might not be my most favorite angst moment, the time when they just stare and Khushi goes through this phase of shock, understanding and a ‘why-didn’t-you-tell-me-before’ and he goes through irritation, understanding and then back to annoyance is the last bit of angst that they have against each other. 

And for some reason, he does leave before he can hear her reply. Again. 

*they looked so, so hot. Can’t believe this episode was nearly ruined by the forced suhaagraat. So glad she gets to tell him ‘I love you’ in this same outfit.*

“Jiji, agar woh waapas nahi aye toh hum kya karenge? Agar woh waapas nahi aye toh hum kya karenge?!” (S9, E30 - S10, E2)

“Jiji, what will I do if he never returns? What will I do if he never returns!?” 

In this context it can loosely be translated to what will happen to me if he never returns as well. 

Oh God these episodes tug my heartstrings so much. As I said, everything terrible seems to be happening to these two. And just as they resolved every bit of doubt between themselves, fate played them into the hands of the things that mattered most to them - family.

One of the reasons why I truly love this episode is because how ferocious Khushi is. She loves him, after the massive journey they’ve had, and heck will she allow anyone to destroy that. Her paranoia, fear and almost maddening level of love was such a refreshing change. 

It’s not that she was just sobbing - no, she was constantly shifting between anger, denial, cries, yells, silence - everything. She nearly lost her mind at the thought of never getting him back again. And YES! This is my most favourite Khushi - the passionate, determined, vulnerable, strong, vocal Khushi. 

And Arnav, oh God I truly cried for him. His struggles, his tears - I loved that he collapsed and cried his lungs out. I loved that he kept on trying to make sense of his life and collect the pieces of memory floating around to give an answer. 

The angst, the fight against the past, the ultimate payoff - completely worth it. He made the right decision and he was still shaken by everything. Khushi, despite yelling at Dadi when that woman had the audacity of orchestrating this event, still murmured her apology to Arnav - respecting his family relations. They’re both quintessentially who they are, but at this point of time they understand each other in a completely different level.

(Which is why the future tracks don’t make much sense. Neither does the situation of Ek Jashn because no way would Arnav forget this day, out of everything.)

This day could have gone so, so wrong. But it does not. The angst of the two episodes builds up so well that I was crying when Arnav met with an accident - because he running his way back to his Khushi. The symbolism is flowing so heavily in these scenes. 

It’s literally what keeps on happening in their lives. Khushi keeps her hope until it’s impossible and Arnav proves her wrong (delightfully so) by saying the most important things to her or even by making the most important decision. An optimist and a responsible decision maker - life looks good for them. 

Kudos to the sound team for the way they handled the music - especially when Khushi rubbishes her thoughts of the broken bangles, is over excited at Arnav’s arrival and rushes down the stairs to meet him (breaking every single ritual cause rituals actually didn’t matter) and despite all the joy the dread in the background score is so good and effective. 

Would I have liked if Arnav kept his hair up, if the phere flashback was omitted cause we just proved that pheres weren’t the issue and if the frothy pink white background was something different and darker - even like just the simple mandir as the mandir wedding aesthetic was prettier - definitely. BUT, that’s just minor irrelevant details. 

*lets out a soft breath when Arnav kisses Khushi’s forehead after they marry... yes, angst is gone... totally gone. Thank God*

“Arnav aur Khushi hamesha saath rahenge.” (S10, E30)

“Arnav and Khushi will always stay together.” 

Damnit, I’m getting emotional! Look at what the last angsty moment is between them. The first time I sensed angst, it was the impossibility of them getting together. And now, it’s the impossibility of them living apart. 

That’s exactly why I am in love with this series - this is called growth. 

I so sincerely wished the rest of the Aarav track was dealt with this much of maturity instead of the stupid comedy that was off putting. But you have to give the props to the writers, actors and production team for coming up with this soft, slightly angsty, emotional moment about the two characters who are so true to their nature yet fear another external force pulling them apart. 

It’s a beautiful insight to the future. That Khushi would accept her vulnerabilities. That Arnav would reassure her and have his life knocked back into him when she would be next to him. That Arnav and Khushi would discuss everything together, now their differences remained superficial and their understanding was skin deep. 

They understand all that without saying much. No humor, no belittling Khushi, no family harping on Arnav 2.0, no Khushi losing her maturity/intelligence/brains and no Sheetal becoming besties of Raizada for no reason.

This scene is such a beautiful moment between the both of them - precisely why the Mrs. India track felt like such a terrible downfall in their relationship. It didn’t make sense based on what was established in this episode. 

Arnav and Khushi need each other. There’s no ego, no pride, just a deep level of understanding and a connection that rivals almost everything else. Over here Arnav isn’t angry at Khushi for making crazy connections, he’s speaking the possibilities with her and how futile her fear is because they are married and in love - she should be with irrespective of the consequences.

Over here Khushi isn’t hiding her thoughts or lying to him, she’s exposing her fears and worry. As an orphan she feels the necessity of making sure Aarav has a parent - especially if his father is hearty and alive. And she allows herself to be strengthened from the faith Arnav has in them and himself. 

This one scene immediately made me empathize with both Arnav and Khushi. This is perhaps one of their very few soft conversations that happen on screen. Is there anything called soft angst? That hug made me weak in my knees. That’s love folks, that’s love. That’s how we envision Arnav & Khushi in future. 

*imagines the soft kisses and moments these two might have had. Cries because it’s fluff meets smut and feels and damn they’re gorgeous*

PHEW! THAT’S THE END AND THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH FOR STICKING ONTO THIS ONE! One last, final, quick note - all of this is obviously from my point of view and no way am I even right in perceiving the show - everyone has their own opinions so feel free to add notes! 

[phati-sari]

(1/2) Re: IPK BGM and Sound track. Hello! I am reading your recaps for the nth time and like every time, find it so engrossing and enlightening. I love your language and the depth you give to every piece. Thank you. This is a note to discuss the BGM and sound tracks in IPKKND. I just love the various versions of Rabba Ve and the Arshi tunes and no wonder they were blockbusters in their own right. On top of that I am also deeply appreciative of the clever selection of Bollywood tracks for various

(2/2) Re: IPK BGM: sequences have been done to a nicete. Cant think of any other series succeeding this well. Especially, THE “Teri Meri” made me wonder if the serial had aired a year later, would “Hum Tere Bin” (Aashiqui2) have replaced it? Or maybe a mix of both. While their Prem Kahani is really something to tell; from Arnav’s point of view his raison d etre has to be underscored. Would love to hear your thoughts on the effect of sound track on the story telling and if you would change any.

Hello!

Thank you so much for your kind words regarding the recaps! I am really glad they bring you joy – they bring me a lot of joy!

I’ve only watched three 4Lions shows (IPKKND, QHS2, Ishqbaaz) but I think they, in general, do a wonderful job on theme music. Rabba Ve, Junoon Tere Ishq Ka, and O Jaana are not only amazing in their own right, I think they’re perfect for their respective pairings.

Like you, I have a deep respect for the IPKKND discography. I think it’s perfect for the story they’re telling. 

‘Tu Hi Bata’ captures the thesis of this story so well – the sun and the moon falling in love in impossible circumstances, anger and love and pride pulling them in different directions.

‘Meri Aankhon Mein Tu Muskuraye’ describes Arnav and Anjali so well that it brings tears to my eyes. Especially Arnav’s verse which clearly states what he rarely admits out aloud: Anjali is his last connection to his Mamma.

‘Rabba Ve’ is iconic not only because it manages to capture so much in just two words, but because those two words can mean different things depending on the circumstance.

Although we only heard the instrumental of ‘Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon’ for a long time, I think its lyrics are wonderful. The title theme has always evoked an emotional response from me.

‘Kyun Dard Hai Itna’ is an odd one for me because I absolutely love it in the kidnapping track but I’ve questioned the decision to use it for happy moments as well. The ache in the song is intense! 

And then we have the themes, from Khushi’s comedic theme to the electric guitar of the ASR theme to Arnav’s piano … they’re all wonderful.

Music is an integral part of visual media like movies and serials and I think the IPKKND soundtrack is an example of one of the best. I think it’s shaped the story and informed audience reaction and interpretation. They’re cues for us – when to be happy, when to be angry, when to worry – and it’s discordant when the expectations of the music director don’t translate to the audience (take Ishqbaaz playing ‘O Jaana’ even when scenes lack romance, for example). 

Your comment about using 'Hum Tere Bin’ is cool because I’ve been fiddling with playlists for RISHTAA and working out some song scenes. I’m not sure that the makers of Indian serials necessarily put as much thought into the Bollywood song sequences as the audience does in retrospect. This can be said about the entire show, I’m aware, but most of the serials I’ve watched have hitched their wagon to whatever song was ultra successful at the time of production, whether that’s ‘Teri Meri’, ‘Mast Magan’, or ‘Jag Ghoomeya’. I think ‘Hum Tere Bin’ would have been an interesting choice because of the male lyrics, as you pointed out :) 

Though ‘Teri Meri’ was excellent because it spoke to the unknowable nature of their bond -- it’s something that only they really understand.

I’m generally a purist: whatever is canon is simply it for me and I wouldn’t change much about the serial in general. I don’t think I’d change or add anything except maybe bring back Rabba Ve for the not-achy moments post kidnap.

What would you change?