#non ipkknd

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Diwali is the battle of good over evil,

I can only hope for the same globally. For terror and genocide to cease in not only one but many countries.

[featheredclover]

Redamancy

This one shot is inspired by this prompt by @arshifiesta

Also on Wattpad

“ How long will Sahil be Aman?”

“ An hour”

Swearing under his breath, Arnav brought up a hand to loosen his tie.

“ Marcos has called the garage as well so don’t worry ASR”

Leaning back against the now broken car, Arnav took out his pack of cigarettes and offered one to Aman.

The two men cut out as dashing figures, with their impeccable suits and cigarette dangling from their mouths.

“ You want to sit somewhere? Hartford has great coffee “

“ Sure”

———

They stood in front of a glass door, below the sign ‘Cafe Captain’.

A bell tinkled as Aman swung the door into the place, the place was painted in hues of brown resembling an old British bakery. The strong smell of coffee permeated Arnav’s senses and he headed towards the counter.

“ ….so yes, while a croissant is nice, it doesn’t hold a torch to our cream bun. They melt in your mouth!”

Arnav heard the waitress go on and on about cream buns. He stopped himself from clucking impatiently.

Finally, he thought as he moved forward.

“ One black coffee “

He read the chirpy girl’s name tag- Khushi

A gasp forced him to look back up. “ It is horrendous. Why would you do this? Why? I mean I understand if you are hungover or hmm probably a diabetic, are you?”

“ Um no, I am not”

“ Great! Then darling go sit right there and let me bring you the best cup in Hartford!”

Dumbfounded, Arnav simply paid and went towards the table Khushi had pointed to. It was only when he sat down that he wanted to kick himself.

What am I doing? Black coffee was fine.

It didn’t help that Aman was smirking as he sat down, amusement filling his eyes.

“ I thought no one could boss you around. Glad I am wrong”

“ Just shut up”

He looked up to see the girl walk towards his table with a huge smile.

Placing the huge cup down, she giggled.

“ This will help you! And trust me you will find yourself here everyday “ she said with a wink.

“ And here you go! Lemon tea!”

Aman thanked her while his eyes rested gleefully on a flushed ASR.

It was only after she had taken her place back at the counter, that Arnav looked at his cup.There in white cream was a sun drawn with a smile on it.

——

He found himself at the doorstep of Cafe Captain again the next day. He couldn’t risk bringing that bastard with his all knowing gaze ,with him. Especially,when he himself couldn’t understand the helplessness he felt as he remembered her laughter “ And trust me you’ll find yourself here everyday”

Tinkling bells greeted him and he headed straight towards the queue.

Arnav couldn’t take his eyes off her. The excited bobbing of her head, her laugh, the scrunch of her nose when she disagreed with something, and the way her hands moved when she was explaining the merits of glazed sugar cookies. Everything fascinated Arnav. He felt like he was watching a doll come to life.

And when it was his turn, she flashed him a beautiful smile. “ Just go sit!”

That’s all she said to him. And that’s all he needed.

He watched her work. Preparing his cup , taking the small white jug in her dainty hands and placing it on a coaster.

“Here you go!”

Arnav looked down to see a sunflower smiling up from his coffee. He sipped as he watched her work, chatter and flutter around like a butterfly.

He would never admit the disappointment he felt when she didn’t come to talk to him again. He gulped down the last bit of the milky - sugar filled concoction and headed back out.

——

“ Hey!”

Looking up from the cream doodle of a dog, Arnav stared right into Khushi’s eyes.

“ Congratulations!”

“ Um…for what?”

“ You have been coming here daily for the past week, so now you are my regular “, Khushi said with a wink.

“ Thanks, I guess” Arnav hoped his boring drawl seemed perfect to her. Because otherwise she will know how he really felt about her grouping him with all her other “regulars”.

“ What’s your name? “ she asked in such a soft voice that he found himself answering, forgetting the earlier slight.

“ Arnav”

“Arnav” she repeated as if rolling his name on her tongue.

“ So tell me Arnav, what do you do apart from drinking my marvellous coffee?”she said with a cheeky grin.

“ I run AR.”

“ The design house! Oh my god! I love your clothes! “

“ The designers will be glad to hear that”

“ So…you don’t design any of your clothes?”

“ I used to. Lately…I haven’t found the time”

“ That’s a shame. Something so creative should never be given up!”

Arnav looked away. He should have reminded himself why he didn’t date. He didn’t want a lecture on his workaholism. Di was enough for that.

“ Hey…I am sorry. I didn’t mean to touch on a nerve. God knows I haven’t picked up a guitar since school and I want to scratch anyone’s eyes who reminds me!”

Arnav had to smile at that.

“ Guess that makes us alike”

And in the next moment, his breath caught, as Khushi’s cheeks flushed a beautiful pink.

——

Aman tore into his chapati, as Anjali served more aloo-matar onto his plate.

“ Slow down Aman! There’s enough for you to eat till you burst!” Anjali laughed.

Shyam smiled, “ Well, that’s what bachelor life is, isn’t it? Perennially hungry, filling time with cup noodles and coffee! Aman and Arnav, it’s time for both of you to get married.”

“ Speaking of coffee, Arnav does seem ready to be hitched” Aman spoke before stuffing his mouth again, oblivious to Arnav’s glare.

“ Chotte! Who is the girl? When were you going to tell us?”

“ And what is the connection with coffee saale saheb?”

The chair screeched as Arnav pushed it back and stood up, silencing them all.

“ I am done with lunch”

And he walked out, ignoring Anjali’s protests and Aman’s laughter.

That bastard.

As he roamed the streets of New York, Arnav couldn’t help but wonder about Khushi. He was smitten, he had admitted with quite difficulty one evening, when he had been driven mad when he learnt Khushi had taken a leave because she was sick. The next day he brought a basket of apples and a bouquet of lilies for her. Her giggle had been worth the embarrassment he had felt ,when Aman found out what he was planning to do.

But did she like him? He kicked a rock at the curb and exhaled in frustration. She seemed to greet all her customers with the same glee and modify their opinions on sweet treats with as much vigour as she poured the sugar in his coffee.

His only hope was the doodle on his daily coffee. He hadn’t seen her do that to anyone’s cup. The others would just get simple cream hearts.That was a sign wasn’t it?

That’s it. ASR is not so weak that he is brought to his knees by a woman. He will ask her if she’s interested in him. That’s simple. He has tackled million dollar deals with fabric companies, this would be nothing.

———

Arnav swirled the wheel, drove forward and parked, unaware of the light in his eyes as it fell on the brightly lit coffee shop.

He pushed the cafe’s door open, but the sight in front of him made him stop in his tracks.

Khushi had thrown her head back in laughter as a man stood leaning against her counter.

A splinter opened somewhere in his chest as he realised he had never made her laugh like this. He had never made her blush so red. Overwhelmed, Arnav was about to turn back and leave when his eyes caught Khushi’s.

With no choice but to get through the evening, he headed towards his usual table. He didn’t glance at the man again, he couldn’t. He wanted to tear him to pieces. He clenched his trembling hand into a fist.

He looked up at Khushi when she placed his cup down. She was still a beautiful shade of pink. Her smile was soft, her eyes glazing. Before he could say a word, she had moved back towards her counter in a hurry.

Frowning slightly, Arnav glanced down at his coffee. He gulped painfully as he saw bloody hearts on them. So, this new man comes along and he doesn’t get a special doodle. He gets what all her customers get. That’s what he was to her. A douchebag in a suit, who had nothing better to do every evening than sip her coffee.

Arnav shut his eyes, and breathed deeply. He opened them to see that it had begun raining outside. Bloody poetic, he thought. Unable to control the spiralling of his emotions, Arnav stood up in a flash and dashed out of the cafe, his coffee left untouched.

——

His leather shoes splashed against the fallen raindrops as he hurried to get to his car. To get out of this damned place.

He heard footsteps behind him before he heard the shout “ Arnav!”

He turned to see Khushi holding an umbrella above herself and another in her hand. She smiled somewhat hesitatingly, as she extended the umbrella to him.

Rage flooded his being as he stared at the beautiful woman standing before him, a deepening sorrow in him as he was reminded of his one sided love.

“Don’t need it “ he gritted out.

Her eyes widened in shock at his tone.

“ Wha- what happened ?”

“You want to know what happened? I have not been able to function normally ever since I walked into your bloody cafe after my car broke down that god forsaken day! You and your sweet coffee have driven me mad. And here I am, a grown man, waiting for the clock to strike 5 so that I can leave to travel from New York to Hartford. Just to…just to hear you laugh, just to see you smile, just to get a doodle on my coffee. A doodle that’s just mine. And today yo- you are laughing with another man, turning red when he is speaking. And..and doodling just hearts for me! Hearts you do for every other regular of yours.” Arnav burst out, every word hiding his grief.

He stared at Khushi for a moment. A moment in which both of them didn’t even dare to breathe .

Her grip loosened as the umbrellas fell from her hands, she reached him in a few steps, uncaring of the rain soaking her, entwined her hands around his neck and kissed him.

Arnav froze as her warmth permeated his whole being. A rush of joy flooded his brain. But it wasn’t enough. His hands grabbed her waist, tightening in desperation as he deepened the kiss. He tilted her back further as he drank her. A shiver ran through Khushi as she moved her hands to clutch his hair in an almost painful grasp. She pushed his shoulder lightly, as she attempted to break away from the kiss. Arnav kissed the corner of her lips, before kissing down her neck to her collar bones.

“ Arnav! “ Khushi giggled. “ It’s raining pretty heavily, if you haven’t noticed “

He stood looking at her smiling figure. Breaking out of his trance, he grabbed her hand, and began walking to his car.

——

“ Cold na?” Khushi asked with an obvious shiver, as she rubbed her hands together vigorously for some warmth.

Arnav reached into the dashboard, took out a navy blue sweater, which was a size too large for her and without a word dropped it over her head.

She giggled again. Arnav couldn’t help smiling.

He heard her gasp, before he felt her soft hand grabbing his rough one.

“Arnav” she began “ The man I was laughing with was Noah, my sister Lavanya’s boyfriend. He..he was teasing me about…er.. about you. That’s why I was umm turning red” she finished, turning more red than ever before.

His hands turned her face towards him gently. His lips taking hers in a soft kiss.

“Really?” he asked huskily.

“ Really! In fact, I thought you would understand those hearts I drew because I had been drawing something different for you everyday! It had two hearts, Arnav, and they were struck by an arrow. And no, I don’t do this for anyone else” she finished with a pout.

“ I am sorry” he murmured before drawing her into a kiss again. He felt like an addict, he couldn’t get enough of her and he definitely couldn’t leave her tonight.

As she sat, huddled close to him she whispered

“ I love you Arnav”

Tightening his hold on her, he looked down at her lying across his chest. “ I love you too Khushi, more than you can ever imagine “

For now it was enough. It was enough knowing that Arnav was going back to drink the now cold coffee with relish. It was enough knowing that they were going to spend the night in Khushi’s apartment above the cafe. It was enough knowing that two hearts were beating as one.

For now, the rain poured relentlessly , providing them a curtain of privacy as they remained wrapped in each other’s love in the car. Arnav marvelled in the redamancy, as he held the woman he loved in his arms, who loved him.

Tagging: @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @muttonthings @hand-picked-star @msbhagirathi @phuljari @sankititaliya @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @laadgovernors @laadgovernorandsankadevi @leila1 @hi-this-is-permabanned @arshispyaar @minpdnim @thedustyshehnai @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill

Please let me know if you want to be added/ removed from the tag list ❤️

[phuljari]

any ipk fic recs? i loved devi works!

hey! so i have this post where i've asked people to share arshi fics, incase you want to go through that. i've personally not read a lot of arshi fics (being new to the fandom myself!), however these are some that i enjoyed reading:

• sheesh mahal by @jalebi-weds-bluetooth

• rapture (veritas) by @phati-sari

i've also read the following but haven't finished them yet:

• khushi by jalebijane (a very well-known writer from the first generation fandom, good story-weaving but can contain mature themes like non-con)

• mohabat door jane na de by doe-eyes- (recommended by @featheredclover — checkout their blog for loads more of arshi ff recs!! this particular fic is very descriptive and canon-divergent, if you're into that)

• serendipity by zee (contains an original character; don't remember if there's cheating in that or not? i don't really like reading that trope)

• ek nayi zindagi by palaayan (an au where khushi is a psychologist and arnav is her patient)

• to love or not to love by shrattila (beware, manipulative!arnav in this story)

the last one was recommended by @msbhagirathi on the ipkknd discord server where we have a dedicated channel for fic-recs! (maybe you can ask someone on there who has read devi's works and understands the kind of fics you prefer! i personally haven't but you can definitely share a link below)

p.s. if anyone reading this wants to join the discord channel— the link expires in 7 days! please reach out in case you've missed out on the limit and are still interested in joining! edit: this is the never expire link to our discord server!

p.p.s i'm writing an arshi fic myself, so self advertising to banta hai ;)

• stitch by phuljari (ongoing fic, arnav and khushi reunite in a strange land after a decade, redemption fic, mind the tags!)

[arziaisfrench]

▪︎ IPKKND Ep 4 recap : Second meeting -Khushi dares to come closer while Arnav gets intrigued

> First conversation/argument on what make them very different from each other : money and power vs faith and religion (two lifestyles/ways of seing life/relationships)

This is also, the first time Arnav gets amused by Khushi being herself.

Khushi dares Arnav (she's scared of him but somehow brave herself to face him). And Arnav engages instead of rejecting her questions. He tells to a random stranger about his own belief, something he never did before.

" -I've warned you before, stay in your limits -… and who do you think you are? What do think? Than you can do whatever you want?"

Arnav is amused by her way to just be lol. How do you I know that? Arnav is asking "why" with a particular intonation, his voice let us know when he's getting playful, his eyes are smiling (he's so hot when he's flirting with eyes hehe 😙).

" -Why? What have I done? -You know it very well, what you have done." This is the second time they are insinuating a se×ual undertone to their conversation, and not in a good way. 😑

Their conversation about god is very telling : Arnav don't believe in god or any religion. To be more precise, he became atheist after the tragic event that traumatize him. " if god would've existed in this world, then pain wouldn't existed"

And this non-belief helps him secure his belief in himself but also helps him in thinking nothing is impossible for him. Khushi believes in god and respect rituals. This belief helps her find gratitude in what she has (even if it's not much) but also helps her convince herself that she's not alone in this world.

"Next time, think twice before coming on my way"

This wasn't a threat, i think it was Arnav's way to challenge her for the first time unconsciously.

" -You can't be mighter than God! -Arnav Singh Raizada makes his own fate and writes his own destiny. … -In this world, where we reside, there is nothing greater than God! -If God would've existed in this world, pain wouldn't have existed. In this world, who has money, has power. -… no one can change his own fate, no can change his own destiny. No matter how rich you are, no one can do anything without god's permission! Even this applies to Arnav Singh Raizada"

Khushi walks away from him, and she's not letting him responds back. It was a way unconsciously for her to challenge him. And it worked lol.

Arnav releasing the footage of the Lucknow Fashion Show was definitely to respond to her challenge (of not being able to change destiny/fate). But it's also for him a very effective way to challenge her back, to challenge Khushi's beliefs and proving her wrong (he's a man of action).

But I also think he did this to maybe allow another future encounter with her to claim his victory lol. Her words touched him more than they should have, after all she's just a random stranger. It proves that he already interacts with her as an equal.

(THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CHALLENGES-FLIRTY ENCOUNTERS AKA THEIR WAY OF KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH ONE ANOTHER)

[pakki-ya-nahin]

In My Head(3)

Random person:Madhumati-ji,I saw Khushi bitiya at the temple yesterday. She looked like she was in some trouble! Did she say anything?

Bua-ji:Kaa! Trouble? Was she alone? No, she didn’t tell me anything, Nandakisore!

Random person:Nahi, ek ladka tha uske saath. He was all dressed up in suit and boot but they were quarreling and yelling at each other, at the top of their voices! I was just coming out when...

Bua-ji: Ah! Ab samajh mein aaya. Woh hamara damadji hain, khushi ki pati. They literally signed up for this trouble!

Inspired by this

[ambidextrousarcher]

Sarcastic StarBharat Reviews: Episode 8- The wedding proposal disguised as war (faux-war)

Tagging @chaanv, @shaonharryandpannisim, @medhasree, @avani008, @butchcaroldanvers, @mayavanavihariniharini, @iamnotthat, @enigma-the-mysterious

This episode begins on a dramatic war footing. Since I saw the precap attached with the last episode, I know that a war is not happening, because everyone’s scared shitless of Bhishm, the paragon of perfection. The army of Gandhar rolls out in good order, accompanied by the shouting of orders from the senapati. For some reason, the Rajguru is also walking with the King and the senapati. Aren’t Brahmanas supposed to stay away from war? Except Dron, but he’s a special case. In the background, some dudes are doing push-ups. What for? Idk. “Close the doors! What is the news?” “It’s a huge army, flowing like the Indus. They have food too, they’re prepared for attack.” In what world is an opposing army described like this, really? “Whose army is it?” “I could not see the chariot of a King, Maharaj, but I could see the chariot on the lead.” Okay, obviously, it’s Bhishm. Let’s see how he’s flattered here. “White horsed-chariot, like it’s the chariot of Surya Narayan himself…” Does the Sun God have white horses on his chariot? I’ve never heard of that. Arjun does, though, that I do recall. The camera focuses on white galloping horses. “The chariot has a white flag, too, Maharaj.” The camera focuses on the aforementioned flag. It looks suspiciously like what will be the flag of Indraprastha in the future, I need to check that out again. The man riding on the chariot is as effulgent as the Sun. He’s wearing decorated armor, his arm muscles like trees, his eyes are like twin fireballs, he also has the symbol of the Moon God on his forehead.” While this description is going on, the camera focuses on each mentioned part of Bhishm. You know, I’m not sure if the man describing Bhishm is actually from Gandhar. How can I know he isn’t a spy? I mean, no one describes enemies like this. Seriously, the man sounds like he’s drooling over Bhishm. “This warrior is none but the best of the Kauravas, the son of Maharaj Shantanu and Mahamata Ganga” this from the Rajguru. “Bhishm.” The King. Bhishm theme plays, camera focusing on him and his army. Almost three minutes of the entire episode, more than 10% of it, has been spent on his entry alone. Camera focuses on Gandhari striding through a hall. “Mata, what is happening?” “Have you not heard? Hastinapur has attacked Gandhar.” “What will happen now?” Another lady says “Gandhar’s army can’t stand against Hastinapur. Gandhar’s forts will be breached in days. Rivers of blood will flow. We will be ash.” (Side note: Rivers of blood will flow/Rakht ki daarayen bahengi seems to be a favorite line. Arjun says it too, after Cheerharan, when he does a title drop.) “Admitting defeat before actual defeat is not worthy.” The Queen says. “Forgive me, Rajmata. However, Gandhar has not seen a war in many years…” She goes off on a tirade about what happens to defeated cities in war. It’s too much, as there isn’t gonna be a war anyway, so I’m desisting from writing the whole thing. Oh, that lady is Arshi, Shakuni’s wife in this show, as Gandhari calls her Bhabhishree. “What do we do now?” Gandhari asks. “What women do in war. Wait for darkness, and then…” Gandhari strides to the front and takes a sword from its sheath. “Bhabhi, lift a weapon. I am joining the war. It terrifies me as much as darkness, I was told by Gurudev that to get rid of fears, we must face them.” Why do you sleep in a room full of lights then, lady? “When death is certain, I shall die in the battle field.” Shit. Krishna Gyaan. This is about fear of loss. Skip, skip, skip. “The time to fly a flag is here, Maharaj. Which should it be? Red for war or white for surrender?” “Dishonor or death. Both of them seem blacker than ever to me.” “We have to furl one, Maharaj.” “The army has stopped, Maharaj!” “Amazing. They have furled the yellow flag of friendship.” It is rather amazing that Bhishm came with an army instead of a deputation, the minister is absolutely right. “Open the gates!” The King and his entourage go down to meet Bhishm. “If he wanted to talk, why the army?” Good question, senapati ji. “He must have come to exhibit his talent to us,” But, mantri ji, isn’t that done alone? What does he need an army for? “But why?” asks the King. Good question, again. “We have not offended Hastinapur. After drunk kid’s death (he doesn’t call him drunk kid, obviously), for 25 years, the throne has been empty. Yet, we have not attacked them or made treaties with their enemies. Why the need for this in front of friends?” “The show of strength is done in front of friends only when you need something from them.” This episode is dragging so much. ALL Of IT TILL NOW IS NON-CANON. And there are still 13 freaking minutes left! Aaargh! “What does a warrior like Bhishm need from us?” What else, Mr. Doofus King? Your daughter who has the boon of 100 children. Bhishm theme plays as he dismounts. Saubala joins his hands, his soldiers kneel. Mr. Paragon of Perfection lays a hand on Saubala’s shoulder. “A King should join his hands only to God. He should greet a friend and punish a foe, only in that is his pride,” he says gently. “Your radiance is not less than any God’s, son of Ganga.” NO! Someone please rescue me from this whitewashing, should I call it glitterwashing? Of course, he’s modest as ever. “I am no King, merely the servant of Hastinapur. My place is not above you.” “Your talents are more than any King’s, son of Ganga.” “The question of talent comes when there is war. I am here to meet my friend, for deepening our friendship” What the hell did you bring your army for then? Happy music plays. “To welcome a friend like you is Gandhar’s good luck.” Saubala and Bhishm hug, as the soldiers cheer him. Gandhari runs into a chamber. “Bhabhi, Bhishm is here for the hand of friendship.” “I heard.” “What do you think? Is he pretending friendship and planning war?” “I’ve heard that Bhishm never lies.” “I’ve heard that there is none stronger than him in the entire of Aryavrat.” Aaah! If I hear more, my ears will bleed. “Yes, Sukhda. Even Parashuram couldn’t defeat him.” “A strong man always seems calm, Bhabhi. Let’s see if he’s actually strong or we have heard tall stories.” “I want to ask what he needs from Gandhar,” says Arshi. Scene changes. The men are reclining in thrones, along with the Queen. “Disperse.” The Queen commands her servants. “Such a beautiful welcome and love fills my heart.” Gandhari is at the entry of the room, peeking in. “I am sure you have educated your daughter and daughter in law with such courtesy also.” Bhishm, finally getting to the point, right? Phew. “What can a little country like Gandhar give to a nation as large and powerful as Kururashtra?” “A future. And happiness in the future. You might know that no King has ever attacked you because you have the protection of Kururashtra. If Kururashtra and Gandhar become one, it will be good for both of us.” “Such a thing occurs between two equal Kingdoms. Gandhar serves Hastinapur, son of Ganga.” What kind of a king are you, Saubala? I’m sure canon Saubala is not this much of a doormat. CANON FAIL. “That is why I asked for a relationship, not friendship,” says Bhishm. “A marriage proposal.” FINALLY, after 14 minutes of posturing, we get to the DAMN POINT! Gandhari, still standing at the entry, looks at Sukhdha. The other adults also look at each other. “Your daughter Gandhari is famous for her beauty and virtues in the entire of Aryavrat. We have a marriage proposal for her. Please do not deny us.” “But you have taken an oath of celibacy, have you not, son of Ganga?” asks the Queen. Thankfully, he has. Bhishm looks down, then starts to laugh. “The princess will wed a Prince of Kururashtra, not me.” Happiness blooms everywhere. “Gandhari is like a daughter to me.” “I think this is a right thing to do.” Says the Queen. “Where can we find a better husband than Prince Pandu?” “Dhritrashtra.” Everyone except Bhishm looks stricken. I can kinda understand them. “Where did Pandu get into this? He’s the younger son. Dhritrashtra is the elder. Maharaj, I am thinking of Dhritrashtra. Think about it. Even a sculptor’s wife can have 100 children (wait, how? People don’t live for a 100 years, how the hell can anyone have 100 children right off the bat?) but they will be building sculptures, not a Kingdom. It is not the number of children that matters, what matters is their virtue. Not everyone has the luck of giving birth to 100 sons of Kuruvansh.” Ugh. Even typing out this sentence is making me feel dirty. “But Mahamahim, my daughter is beautiful, knowledgeable and a warrior. Dhritrashtra, you know what he is.” Ah, ableism is the issue. I don’t blame her, tho. It’s kinda a human flaw. Bhishm stands. “Dhritrashtra is also skilled in all things. You do not know his abilities, Maharani Sudharma.” He goes on to give an excessive intro of Dhritrashtra, adding that Gandhari will be very lucky to have him. The scene changes. Gandhari and her maid are laughing together. “Where are you going? It is not time yet to go far away.” “Let her go. My sister-in-law is entitled to her pride. There’s a proposal for her from such a kingdom, after all.” “There’s nothing like that, Bhabhi!” “It’s alright even if it is like that, Gandhari. No Kingdom is as rich as Hastina in the world!” “I have heard the same, Princess. I keep trying to imagine, how Hastinapur shall be…” “Hastinapur…” trails Gandhari. “If you form ties with us, you shall be Emperor Suabala instead of a King.” “You mean, you are here to take advantage of us by showing your strength.” “I am here to make the royal family of Gandhar as my family. There is no question of taking advantage in a family.” Ah, veiled threats. Scene changes. “So what if it’s a big Kingdom?” asks Gandhari. “Our Gandhar is not weak. Regardless, a marriage is not with a Kingdom, it’s with a Prince.” Gandhari bites her finger. She’s clearly said too much. “Already fantasizing about hubby dear?” Ugh. Too sweet for me. “Bhabhi!” Gandhari blushes. Scene changes again. “As I see it, their match is made in heaven,” says Bhishm. “We do not wish to force you.” Ah, hypocrisy too. “Clear your doubts before you make a decision.” Saubala walks to his throne. “So, what do you decide?” Scene changes to Gandhari once more. “The Prince of Hastinapur is like Indra among men.” Indra again. “Kururashtra’s men and women worship their Princes like Gods.” That they do in canon too. Scene changes again, camera focusing on the back of a man. “Bhabi, what’s his name?” asks Gandhari. “What are you going to do knowing his name? Women don’t call their husbands by their name.” “Tell me his name, Bhabhi.” “Dhritrashtra.” “Prince Dhritrashtra”. The camera focuses on Dhritrashtra flexing his muscles. Precap: Dhritrashtra faces an elephant. “How will I tell my daughter that I traded her happiness for the people? When Shakuni comes to know, what will he do?” I am confused. Gandhari seemed happy enough. ANYWAY. THIS ENTIRE EPISODE IS NON-CANON. The only thing mentioned in canon is that Bhishm approached Gandhar for Gandhari’s hand with a deputation (not an army), he got the same. Shakuni was actually happy about it.

I’ve already reached 10k words of roasting StarBharat. Seems this is a longer exercise than Antraatman, which is a literal novel. Imagine the sheer number of canon fails in this thing.  

[jalebi-likes]

Issues With 4Lions Heroes

from @rae-blogging:

AJ! Here I am, back to annoy you yet again (also planning on starting a blog just to rant about Indian serials because I do that way too often on my main blog, what do you think?) so I'm back to watching Ishqbaaz (idk if you can answer this here because it's unrelated to IPK) but I want to know your take on Omkara character and the absolute mess it became in DBO, like Omkara was my favourite 4Lions male character probably (I have not seen Qubool Hai past the first season so idk anything about Aahil) but why did they make him into a complete douche in DBO to the point where he was okay with practically handing Gauri over to be assaulted? And the fact that they never really talked about all her trauma in Ishqbaaz? Do you think they were conscious decisions on the part of the makers? Also do you have a favourite timeline from the show?

P.S. Sorry the ask got long and I probably spoke more than I asked

Dearest Rae,

Starting your own blog is always a great idea! I started Jalebi Likes with that motto - to discuss everything non IPKKND. Lol, so I posted your ask here to talk about Omkara from Ishqbaaz.

(that, my dear, is probably Omkara's own reaction at what he became to begin his 'angsty' love story).

It was unfortunate that they made him Shivaay 2.0 when in reality out of the three brothers it was Omkara who kept me hooked in Ishqbaaz. There was something very real about him. His character was, by far, the most interesting and intriguing one. We don't understand the level of his traumas given he appears 'sorted'. Has suicidal/addiction issues perhaps given his own screwed up parents and is really relatable in the form of he's wise, he's mature, he's aware that his family is screwed up but he's hanging in there. It's a daily effort for him to not be what his parents are and he's trying to be a better human being.

But one day, just one day given his untreated mental health he might even end up dead.

Ugh my heart for this man. Especially when in the initial episodes when Shivaay is being whiny about his family and like how he is a damaged human being in lieu of them, Omkara quietly snaps and reminds him that he too has a terrible family YET he's NOT using that as a crutch for anything unethical.

Them destroying this - THIS - man for whatever the hell DBO was is one of the many sins committed by 4Lions. And what's sad is Gauri-Omkara has the potential for an angsty love story even if they kept Om as what he was initially planned.

But no - they reduced him to a hair flicking abusive misogynist and God knows what (I heard he returns Gauri to her abuser, wtf) so as to they can have 'tashanbaazi'.

And the biggest problem with all of this is Omkara was never written as an anti-hero.

The only anti-hero 4Lions ever wrote well was Arnav, and he too had his own share of problems.

At this phase of 4Lions, they really thought abusive men ARE everything. This is a show where Shivaay-Annika are touted as 'the' couple where Shivaay has sexually harassed/threatened Annika MULTIPLE times.

And the sketch for that is given to characters as 'romance'. I remember Nakuul saying that the first 'romantic' scene Annika-Shivaay have is one in the pool. I only like Shivika as an established couple, platonic banters, or their few angsty bits. Scenes like below are a torture for me:

By this you can understand how the scene was briefed by the producer/director to the actors - they thought Shivaay harassing Annika was romantic?! Like thank the heavens they never thought Arnav tearing Khushi's blouse was romantic! In fact from Sanaya-Barun's interviews you can understand it wasn't explained as a 'romantic' moment.

But the fact is in IB the producers, directors and writers were at an all time high and off about what's romance (sometimes they still are? with Aryan they're very right actually for a change).

They couldn't think of romance beyond what they laid with Shivaay-Annika. And hence they morphed Omkara into being this abusive asshole and I have no idea what.

To be the devil's advocate though,

Gauri and Omkara have really good angst and redemption once they get their heads straight. And this angst was really worth it.

But yes, how could the makers talk about trauma when they literally use 'traumatizing' women as a way to show angst? They really went into this hole of a man pushing a woman to the most absolute worst situation possible and then showing him as a 'hero' for saving her.

Which is why my favorite part of IPK and why I even watched it is when Arnav saves her from the guesthouse - nobody is remotely impressed by it. He's not given a hero's glow up and everyone is like "you put her there, there's nothing heroic about saving her from a situation you put her in."

I had hoped the same for Ishqbaaz but the issue with the show - as you'll see - is that they spend an 'n' number of episodes showing the man causing torture/troubles for the woman, and then just one episode or two 'atoning' for it or even not traditionally atoning for it at all cause 'the character isn't one to say sorry'.

The only saving grace with Omkara and Gauri is that she does not forgive him easily and she has stellar moments in calling him out for his actions.

I won't be able to exactly say what timelines are the best for I haven't seen IB in full (and imagine I have so much to say, lol) so I will take the help of IB resident expert @tellywoodtrash (please address when is the best timeline of IB)

Also, yeah having these toxic relationships and toxic men in general is very typical of 4Lions and definitely a very conscious decision. You see their next show - IPK3 - and they really were so confused in how to deal with a villain for a romance hero and they ended up in a scene where Advay threatens Chandni of rape on their wedding night (which is 'ek raat ki dulhan') and all of that.

(The channel actually put a disclaimer when Advay was threatening her - it was that bad)

So yes if it was just one scene where the male lead is being torturous then we could say it was on oversight or they didn't realise how things would look ultimately and etc.

But if it keeps happening, the identical patterns all over for years then I can safely say that this is unfortunately a very conscious decision.

And why would they stop? Ishqbaaz ran for 750 episodes! People still lap up anything that production house produces. So... unfortunately that's the thing. Whatever they create is almost always a success.

And I do remember one of my television friends saying that yeah, for this production house, unfortunately misogynistic behaviors are paired with a perfectly good modern women for those fundamental thought differences stand out for 'tashan' when in reality it should be far removed from that.

Even see Haider - it was a web series with complete creative control and yet they created a man who literally ran away from his fiancee, ghosted her for six months and only returned to her when someone else told him that Meera and his best friend weren't involved.

The only thing is, she gets the base of such really good complex characters, with amazing casting and chemistry, and phenomenal production with serious good rom-com writing that 4Lions shows are never completely trash. They're the only escape from the saas-bahu nightmare TV otherwise provides.

There's always something to enjoy.

There's always something that gives you feelz

To share with you - there's something I found even about IPK3 charming. The idea of this rakish villain all set to seduce the heroine to get his goal (while getting attracted to her in reality) and the heroine who has gone through so much is actually enjoying the ability to feel desire for once and obviously not choose to marry him because he's a pretty face with sketchy thoughts.

(I love how the heroine is like, damn, loving my hormones but also shut up cause I knew you're not one to be trusted - but hey l don't mind the feelz). Dark comedy excellence if it went that way!

And I wish they'd work on their strengths! Imlie and Aryan seem to be their healthiest pair as of now (which they very nearly f'd up with forced wedding). Except the heroine isn't quite rootable as other heroines so that's the only reason why it isn't the best pair.

Lol sorry this was very less about Omkara and more about 4Lions shows cause everything that went wrong with Om is very much in line with how 4Lions writes male leads in the first place.

So it was obvious they'd screw him up once they started writing Om from a 'male lead' perspective.

Best and lots of love,

S

[phati-sari]

Hi ps! Hope you are good, any non Hindi show you like to match the magic of ipkknd ?? Hindi ones are not that great. I liked the starting of kahan hum kahan tum, but then TRP tracks came in. I also enjoyed MJHT before that. Thanks.

Hello!

Pride and Prejudice comes to mind, but nothing else really. IPKKND is an outlier in terms of my viewing preferences anyway, I'm unlikely to know of similar things.

[tellywoodtrash]

Attn: Arnav Singh Raizada

[naikabolly]

Hello Everyone!!!

Hello! This is my introductory post to tellywood world. On this blog, I shall be shamelessly filmy and gush on about my tellywood OTPs and sometimes non-tellywood OTPs

Call me Naika. She/Her. Ships Crack ships and OTPs that almost never come true. Master in making Khayali Pulao, Not-so-secret Cuckoolander. From India.

Can also Buddy me on

Some ships from Tellywood that I ship:

KaSh (DMG) , ArShi (IPKKND), Drikshit, Shivya (Divya-Drishti), Shivika, Rikara, Ishkara, Rumya (Ishqbaaz) AnuPre, NivAm, ShivanixRonit(Up until he was positive character) (KZK2)  AdiYa, ArNoor (Bepannah) Alasmine (Aladdin:Naam toh Suna hoga), Kalma (KTHTR), Samaina (YUDKBH), NishaxKabir (NAUK), Abhiya (PKYEK), SaHil, SeHaan (QH), Young!AshWaki (Chakravarti Ashoka), AvNeil (Naamkaran), RuChi, AlexanderxRoxanne (Porus)

And many more to add.

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi JWB!

Hope you are doing well🤗

I love your blog and love your fanfictions even more! Thank you so much for taking out the time to spread the ipkknd love and indulging us❤️

As a student wanting to build my future in the media industry, the competition and uncertainty of the industry is extremely scary. Which is why I had a slightly personal question if you don't mind, I actually wanted to know what exactly is your profession and how did you reach where you are today? What does your career journey look like?

Sending lots of joy and good vibes your way🫶

Hello <3 <3 <3,

Thank you so much for your sweetness <3

The fact that you think I'm somewhere is incredibly, incredibly kind. I have my hard days love, and I don't even know what advice to give you apart from;

do multiple things - the more you know the better opportunities you have

work on your weaknesses, exhibit your strengths

lots of hardwork, lots of learning (educate yourself about the industry - if it's news then learn the history of news, how news is made, how news is running now, the rating system, check out media on news - whatever it is)

keep your mental health in check - your mind your bestie

make connections and be sincere in those connections. if you're meeting people just to get an opportunity then they smell it and you never get that opportunity, so build friendships and relationships with people and if you like their work - tell them that honestly. Honesty takes you a LONG way.

Also, know this is a tough world and never, ever be desperate. There are far too many people ready to take advantage so develop and trust your instincts...

I honestly don't know what I am right now. I edit? Interview? Write? Review? Gig economy!

Love,

Jalebi

[featheredclover]

Favourite IPKKND noncanon fanfics # 21

(1) False Impressions by Gargee & Bingala

(incomplete as of now, but worth reading)

(2) Salve by Anupama

An officer bogged down by his rough origins meets an unlikely accomplice

(3) The photographer by InvisibleSmile

(4) What's cooking by RTlicious

A culinary streak of the arshi magic! The author's expertise in cooking shines through each chapter~

(5) Red lighting by RTlicious

A cop and a prostitute meet for the night, but is there more to it than meets the eye?

(6) Maid in love! by RTlicious

A tale of pretence, tactics and love

(7) Bodyguard by RTlicious

The grey eyed stiff bodyguard must be distracted , and who better than KKG?

(8) Rogue agents by RTlicious

Parting ways are bittersweet, but rarely do they end up in a romp

(9) When I met you! by RTlicious

What happens when a series of confusion leads to an explosive love story?

(10) The learning curve by RTlicious

A parent teacher meeting turns into a ruckus, paving way for an endearing love story

❤️#20 of non canon ff❤️

[lovingbirds25]

#SanayaIrani & #BarunSobti (#SaRun)’s RABBA VE (#IPKKNDrewind) has got 1.3 TRP this week even though it is telecast on #StarUtsav at a non-prime time slot of 4:30 pm to 5 pm Monday to Sunday 🎉🔥❤️ Watch this iconic love saga for half an hour everyday Monday to Sunday 4:30 pm to 5 pm on STAR UTSAV tv channel. STAR UTSAV is now available on DD FREE DISH too. #RabbaVe #RabbaVeOnStarUtsav #EverydayRabbaVe #IssPyaarKoKyaNaamDoon #IPKKND #Arnav #Khushi #Arshi #ArHi #StarPlus #Disneyplushotstar #NoSanayaNoIPKKND #NoSarunNoIPKKND #IPKKNDMeansArshi #IPKKNDMeansSarun #RabbaVeMeansArshi #RabbaVeMeansSarun https://www.instagram.com/p/CEYn9uApkPn/?igshid=hb9chuwsp5ki

[manmarziiyan]

hey, what are your top 5 non-surbhi-related desi tv shows?

Hi!

Oh man, my Tellywood fangirl journey before Surbhi was quite interesting bc back then I was never invested in the cast offscreen, I simply watched bc of the ships. I only remember having 1 character that I loved and rooted for pre-Ishqbaaaz days, which was Lajwanti from the show Lajwanti played by Ankitta Sharma that aired on ZEE TV.

But other NON-Surbhi shows that I loved/enjoyed watching are: 1. IPKKND 2. Punar Vivah 3. Lajwanti4. Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani (Season 1 only)5. Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo (highly recommend this one)

I wanted to add “Qubool Hai” as well but you said no “Surbhi” shows hehe

Thanks for asking!

[what-the-pyaar]

Hi! So I remember a while back that you said that the dargah scene in IPKKND is what made u fall in love with the show but what are ur fave Arshi/non Arshi moments BEFORE the shaadi????

HI!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this question! And I wanted to get itperfect, so I took a long ass time getting back to you, and I’m sorry! 

So I’m gonna go by Season throughout my favorite scenes pre(forced) marriage track!!! I’m gonna TRY limiting myself to 3 scenes perseason, otherwise this will be a ridiculously long post!

Season1 

·I think everyone knows what this is! My number one scene fromthis entire show happened in season 1. Y’all know what I’m talking about?!?!THE ARZIYAAN SCENE! that scene is literally the reason I started watching notonly IPKKND but any tellywood show in GENERAL! like that is how much of animpact it had on me. I think it’s just so beautifully done, everything about itis perfection. And if you don’t understand, WATCH IT AGAIN. CAUSE IT’SAMAZING! 

·I think the second scene is also kind of an obvious one…THEFIRST EVER RABBA VE MOMENT!!!! Like I reacted the EXACT same way as Arnavbitwa. So like. Yea. I get it Arnav. Also kinda attached with this scene-Ireally enjoyed the first (real) interaction between Akash and Khushi. I felt asif it was really indicative about Akash and Payal’s future relationship,because Akash was acting like an older sibling towards Khushi.

·The entire Khushi trapped in a damaged building + Arnav savingher –So..this scene I have really mixed feelings about. Sometimes I love itand sometimes it makes me SOOOO angry. BUT the aspect of this small sequencethat never fails to make me happy, is Khushi grabbing on to Arnav’s lapels, andnot letting go even when he puts her in bed. I just adore that motif that theyhad going throughout the series-and it was especially significant in Season 7,when Khushi DIDN’T (and then Arnav’s smile when she woke up and did..ANYWAYS!CUTEST SHIT EVER)

·A scene I feel is really underrated in season 1 is the scene inthe mandir after the resignation. Ijust loved the whole, “bumping into each other, and spilling Kumkum everywhere”thing. And also Arnav getting all whiny when Khushi won’t let him talk to heris ADORABLE.

·My last favorite scene during this season is when Khushi breaksher fast with Arnav!!! (I actually think that’s the name of the episode…???TWOOD needs to title episodes better y’all) I’m just such a slut for auspiciousforeshadowing like that.

Season2

·My first favorite scene in Season 2 (Maybe my all time favoritescene in this season???) is the scene where Arnav finds Khushi hiding in hiswardrobe. Like HOW FREAKING CUTE WAS THAT WHOLE SCENE?!?!? And he just looks soin AWE of her! Like he just gets so excited, and relieved! It was just thecutest shit ever.

·I love the scene where Khushi thinks she has to rescue Lavanyafrom Arnav, because he’s holding her “hostage” and not getting married to her.Like the way that Khushi just rationalized that! I was like “…this girl isinsane.” BUT ADORABLE! SO IT’S OKAY! And then the next day she passes himeating her fucking chole and muttering about what a “bin shaadi waala rakshash” he is

· Another! Instance of Khushi being just the fucking cutest! Wouldbe when she’s trying to cheer Payal up, and she acts drunk and ad-libs thescene from Sholay where Dharmendra is all drunk on the water tower! AND THEN! WhenArnav sees her safe at home and just breathes the BIGGEST sigh of relief (BECAUSEYA IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HER. IT JUST WOULD’VE BEEN BITWA’S FAULT. END OFSTORY.)

Season3-This is one of myfavorite seasons sooooo!!!!

·Straight off the bat! The scene where Khushi apologizes to Arnavabout playing all those pranks on him !!! LOVE IT!

“Mango juice.”

“It’s cause I couldn’t findorange juice!

Like howadorable can ONE person be????!!!! AND BITWA CLEARLY AGREES WITH ME.

·The scene where the pink dupatta lands on Khushi’s head whenArnav throws it. IT’S THE FIRST TIME ARNAV LIKE SEES HER AS HIS BRIDE. AND IT’SANOTHER MOTIF I’M IN LOVE WITH.

·I liked the scene where Arnav “learns to apologize” but I alsodon’t think it’s that big of a deal, so like it gets a mention, but in my headI always kind of roll my eyes whenever writers make a BIG DEAL of the male leadsaying sorry for the ~first~ time ever. Cause like, that just shows that thecharacter is so selfish and egoistic that they just never thought they’d evermade a mistake before…which like…really????

·THE SCENE WHERE KHUSHI CRIES WHEN SHE SEES ARNAV PUT HIS FUCKINGARMS AROUND LAVANYA. LIKE SANAYA AND BARUN DID THIS DAMN SCENE SO FUCKING WELL.LIKE KHUSHI IS HAPPY AND DANDY AND FINE, BUT AS SOON AS ARNAV RECIPROCATESLAVANYA’S AFFECTION, KHUSHI’S LIKE “HELL NO. THAT’S MY MAN. WHAT THE FUCK ISGOING ON?!?!” AND HER OWN BEWILDERMENT AT THE FACT THAT SHE’S CRYING. THISSCENE IS GOLD. SOLID FUCKING GOLD.

·Khushi saving Lavanya from Dadi when she puts the tulsi outsideAHAHAHA! Gooood shit! And she blames Arnav! He just looks so genuinely thrownoff when Khushi winks at him! It’s so funny!

· Khushi and her acidity waala dhak-dhak 

·The ENTIRITY of the Nanital track. Like that’s all I have tosay. It was just perfect and I loved it. (of course I wish Arnav wasn’t alwayssuch a god damn DICK)

· The scene after Shashi’s paralysis, when Khushi runs to Arnav.What really gets me about this scene is that when Arnav hears Khushi say she’s “completelybroken” you can just see him break too. And he wants to comfort her SO BADLY.But I always felt like he stopped because he didn’t think he had any haq over her. And only later, after hepays the bill and Khushi talks to him about her feelings, does he feel as if hehas haq and therefore comforts her byputting his hand on her head. A VERY meaningful gesture in Indian culture.

·Honestly. Almost ever scene with Khushi and Arnav for the restof the season. Like I’m not even joking this is my second favorite season inthe entire show. I loved everything about the progression of their relationshipand the resistance that they both had. This was the season where I stoppedwatching the show because I was “curious” and started watching because Igenuinely wanted to

Season4

·The entire Raizada clan working DESPERATELY for Khushi to stayin the house! OOO LA LA OOO LA LAAA!

·All of Akash’s attempts to propose to Payal, they’re just sosweet, and so very Akash.

·All the little winking, side smiling moments between Arnav andKhushi as they’re working on getting Payal to say yes to Akash’s proposal. “hai na Arnav ji?”

•The scene where arnav finds out about khushi’s engagement!

·The scene where Khushi cries on Arnav’s shoulder after she findsout the truth about Shyam. I always think about what would’ve happened if shehad told him. I still feel as if things wouldn’t have worked out with Khushiand Arnav for a LONG TIME

Season5-THE MOST GLORIOUS OF ALL SEASONS!!! THIS SEASON IS MY FAVORITESEASON EVER. LITERALLY EVERY SCENE BETWEEN ARNAV AND KHUSHI! I LOVE IT! THEYFINALLY REALIZE THEIR FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER AND JUST EVERYTHING ABOUT THISSEASON MAKES MY HEART FLUTTER! I can’t even pick specific scenes, because I’dhave to list them ALL. Literally this season is the BEST SEASON.

SO CLEARLY! my attempt at choosing 3 scenes per season failed MISERABLY! but I just LOVE THIS DAMN SHOW! 

[theincorrigiblemagpie]

Rishton Ka Chakravyuh (Episode 21) - Down With Baldev OFF With His Head

Aug 30, 2017

So after Baldev says he’ll leave Lal Mahal if Satarupa and Anami stay, Pujan and Co. also say they’ll follow Baldev bhaiya. LOL ghanta. This Dadaji is the WORST judge of character since King Duncan. Bunch of freeloaders will die before they leave.

Vikram is all “Satarupa, I have to choose between you and my family. What would you have done in my place?”

Er...is Satarupa also not family? Even if you don’t acknowledge Anami? #MenAreTrash and you can take that to the bank.

Pujan wants to make sure everything is clear so he tells Vikram that Satarupa and Anami must never have anything to do with this ghar or the business. Yeah, dekhte hai Royal Steel kaise chalta hai Satarupa ke bina, seeing all y’all’s competence levels.

Satarupa agrees to that and then says “mera koi lena-dena nahi hoga but Anami ke liye kuch nahi keh sakte cos this is her haq.”

Bas. Baldev jumps in about nursing a snake and whatnot and Dadaji says Anami will not get one phooti-kaudi. Ek toh, Baldev, you stop watching E! and the Tay-Kanye-Kim feud. Second, wow suddenly apne nalayak bete par itna bharosa, Dadu.

Aaaand Satarupa erupts. She asks Pujan and Baldev what they’ve ever done for the family and business apart from having the fortune of their useless asses being born into this family, whereas she’s toiled and worked and even sacrificed her children to this enterprise. And then she tells Baldev ki woh bhagwan se bhi ladd jayegi for her kids toh Baldev kya cheez hai. I actually paused and rewinded to watch again. She DESTROYS Baldev LMAO. And FINALLY, she says what we’ve been wanting her to say all along-- Baldev and Vikram had lied to her about Narottam being Baldev’s illegitimate son before marrying her so it’s a bit rich for them to harp on about sharam and izzat and whatnot. She says she’ll leave with Anami but they have another thing coming if they think this is the end. Evil Vikram has the grace to look shamefaced.

And then Anju Mahendra speaks up. Uff Juhi (the only other friend I’ve managed to corral into watching this with me) and I were wondering what she was silently doing all along. Gayatri tells everyone to shut it and not make more of a tamasha than has already happened and until they get to the bottom of Anami’s truth, Satarupa and Anami will not go anywhere. Aha!

Satarupa goes to recuperate in Vatsalya’s room which she still keeps locked to everyone else. I’m glad he’s still a part of this show even in death. And then Damo informs her that this is the third day Anami hasn’t eaten.

Anami is asleep with an untouched plate of food beside her and Dadi strolls by to see. She carefully covers her up with the blanket which she’d kicked off and leaves, troubled. Dadi has definitely been won over by that massage-trick. She goes to brood in her own room and I have just one question. Is this purple gown the only nightclothes she has? I’ve noticed everyone in this house wears the same nightclothes every day, more or less. Little bit of a slip up.

Anyway, she tries to tell the despotic fool she’s married to that she senses a resemblance between Anami and Vatsalya, especially in their touch and he tells her that this is all Satarupa’s plan. A SLOW CLAP FOR THIS IDJIT. THAT DADI, PART OF THE SATARUPA SUX CLUB, THINKS ANAMI IS STRANGELY LIKE VATSALYA, IS PART OF THE SAME SATARUPA’S PLAN.

My god, he asks to be assassinated.

He tells her to be strong or whatever nonsense.

In the meantime, Anami wants to bathe at Poonam’s house and Satarupa threatens to bulldoze Poonam’s house if she does. Anami concedes this round but promises to be back for more. Uff I can’t imagine these petty conflicts on a daily basis and Anami’s doing it all on an empty stomach. Props to her. Also, has she not been bathing for 3 days, then? Eww.

Here for the Anami-Poonam bonding, though.

Satarupa goes to see Whiny Manchild aka the Petulant Nincompoop she has the misfortune to be married to and he whines some more. I think the last 7 minutes of this episode were written to see just how much I can loathe a single TV character. Like boss, Baldev reminds me of the most annoying days of Anjali Di on IPKKND, and she at least had her moments. This man has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I guess points to Ajay Chaudhary if I’m meant to loathe Baldev? No points at all if he’s meant to come across as complex and sympathetic. Minus points for that.

Naturally, they start arguing in minutes and it deteriorates to “Vatsalya was MY son and only a power-move for you and uss jangli jaahil ladki ka naam mat jodna uske saath etc etc.” Baldev is a textbook example for the very WORST of old feudal strongholds-- entitled, feels wronged despite his enormous privilege, whines non-stop, won’t lift a finger to make himself a cup of tea (literally), and is a filthy bigot when it comes to those he considers beneath him in class and caste. I make a strong case for the guillotine again.

Satarupa tells him to fuck off and that he’ll love Anami some day and he says he’d kill himself first. LISTEN I’LL PULL THE TRIGGER FOR YOU MYSELF. Anami can do WAY better for a second dad. I mean, that girl has such genuinely terrible luck when it comes to birth parents.

Tomorrow Dadi and Anami bond over Anami’s hair and Satarupa (FINALLY) wants a DNA test for Anami which some lawyer type dude tells her only the CBI can requisition. Hain? Since when? Or maybe it has to do with the investigation? I hope they explain this weird caveat tomorrow. She tries to call Adhiraj but Ila tells her they’re not available that day and Satarupa overhears Adhiraj asking for directions to a Benaras address and is disturbed. Adhiraj actually goes to the Pathaks and wants to record them presumably telling their story.

Umm not to pour water on plans to destabilize Lal Mahal but isn’t this a bit much for an investigation where he hasn’t even conclusively established whether the death was murder or an accident? Just how will the Pathak testimony fit in and this is exactly the sort of extra-judicial stuff the cops (rightly) get shit for.