Monday 14 December 2015

Na Bole Tum Par Maine Toh Bahut Kuch Keh Diya - Part 1


One NBT fan asked if I could make a list of my posts in the NBT Forum. So I went to India Forums to prepare the list. Boy, was I surprised. Some of my posts had over 11,000 views. Yo!!! Just shows what a unique show Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha was, that even after the forum has been archived and the show has been off air for over two years, fans still flock there.

Okay, so here goes:

1. DEKH SAKTI HOON MAI: 

The makers had reduced Mohan's role to that of a bechari bahu in Season 2 and I was fed up of seeing the bindaas Mohan of Season 1 crying all the time.


2. WHY THIS KOLAVERI DI:

Wrote this one after Kunal had been nominated for the best actor ITA award.


3. PARTY TOH BANTI HAI:

We had a virtual party on the forum to celebrate Kunal's ITA win.


4. DRAPAUDI KI SARI AUR KUNAL:

Whenever Kunal was mentioned on the forum, the thread would run into miles, much like Draupadi's saree or Mohan's chewing gum ;)


5. DIL KI KALAM SE, MAINE LIKHI EK PAATI:

Wrote this one for all my beloved NBTians, when I heard that the show would be ending in September to make way for Big Boss.


6. HAAN HUM BURE HEIN MAGAR:

I joined NBT forum quite late, in January 2013. An old member made a derogatory remark about the new members. I was hurt and replied the only way I knew how to.


7. A WALK TO REMEMBER:

This one was for a dear friend who wanted me to write a serious piece on Kunal, rather than my usual fun posts.


8. FAREWELL ADIEU, IT'S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE:

Alas, I did not know then that we wouldn't be seeing the entire Vyas parivaar as well as Guru after the revamp. Otherwise I would have included all of them in this post.


9. TO MY HERO WITH LOVE:

10. SAARI DUNIYA KA BHOJ HUM UTHATE HEIN:

I was very upset when I came to know about the revamp. It's a different matter that once those episodes started, I quite liked Kunal as Vasu Bhao. Actually liked is an understatement ;)

Here in this post, I was not only referring to Mohan's burden, but also to the fact that the entire Season 2 had rested on Kunal's shoulders. Alas, how long could a single actor have carried the weight of an entire show without the support of a good storyline?


So these were some of the posts I made while Season 2 was still on air. I will be sharing the ones I wrote after the show went off air, in a few weeks, so watch this space.

RELATED POSTS:

Na Bole Tum Par Maine Toh Bahut Kuch Keh Diya - Part 2

Monu aur Sonu ki hai Jodi Ajeeb


Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Monday 30 November 2015

Aur Nikal Padhe Hein Dil ke Armaan


There's something about tonight. I can feel it in the air. I'm by myself and for once am glad to be home alone. I switch on the TV, bursting with anticipation. And when the background music starts playing - aur nikal padhe hein dil ke armaan, I know it's going to be our night... Now the moment of truth. I'm on the edge of my sofa. The nominations for the best actor are... My heart is thumping faster than a racehorse... And the winner is... Shilpa screams. I scream even louder.


I jump up and clap my hands with glee. Hastily I switch on the computer. I'm so excited, I can barely type. Somehow I manage to log into the JJKN forum and the euphoria there is electrifying... Armaan fans are delirious with happiness. 

Mona & Apurva - ITA Awards 2005
(Credit for uploading: Rupali)

That was 3rd December 2005.

It's been ten years, but I can still remember every single detail of that memorable night. Woh raat, woh lamha, woh andaaz mujhe hamesha hamesha yaad rahenge.

As I watch the above video, I cannot help but notice how calm and serene he looks. A man at peace with himself. Like a monk. And such a contrast to Armaan Sir in Jassi Jaisi koi Nahin

ARMAAN SIR. My first crush on a fictional character. What a character! He was not black or white like the villains and heroes of the 1970s, but had a hundred different shades of grey. No doubt a difficult character to portray. And there was just one actor in the whole of India who could play that role.


APURVA AGNIHOTRI. The man who played Armaan Suri.  The man who breathed life into the character of Armaan Suri and made him immortal. The man who played the role of Armaan Suri so convincingly that there was a line of girls right from America, through Europe, to Mumbai, who wanted to marry him.

When you watch the first few episodes of Jassi Jaisi koi Nahin, you notice a certain stiffness, a camera consciousness; you get the feeling that perhaps he was trying a tad too hard? But with each new episode, Apurva eased into the role, until he was eating, breathing, living the life of Armaan.

(watch 7:33 - 8:45)

The result - a large number of JJKN viewers were soon found suffering from a condition known as Armaanomania. Not sure whether you were one of them? Well, if you had or still have three or more of the following symptoms, you were probably inflicted by this condition.  

Symptoms of Armaanomania:

1.  Whenever you heard the word "armaan" in a Bollywood song, your antenna went ting. And you soon realised that every other Bollywood song has the word armaan in it.

2. The moment Armaan came on the screen, even your two year old would lisp - mamma, look - AMAAM!

3. A yellow stress ball was on the top of your Christmas wish list.


4. You stood in front of a mirror, poked your cheeks with your fingers and wished you had dimples.

5. Even after ten years, you still remember he wore a white suit and a red shirt in the Valentine's Day episode, that he was wearing a light blue suit when he confessed his love to Jassi and that he was wearing a printed shirt when he clobbered Nandu.


6. You loved everything about him, whether it was the way he closed his eyes for a split second when upset, or the way he repeated certain words twice, or the way he squished the life out of his stress ball. Most of all, you loved the way he cupped Jassi's face with his hands and touched her forehead with his.

7. Even after ten long years, you still remember every single JandA scene, nuance and dialogue. Like the scenes shot in Amritsar, Armaan bathing like Mandakini, Tham Ja, the  scenes shot in Goa, the way he clicked his tongue the morning after, the thapad that was heard all over the world, the jealousy track, Octavia, his confession, vada pau in Raj's apartment, the first time Armaan sees Jassi after her makeover and our hearts sang - ude jab-jab zulfein teri... 

8. Coming back to the symptoms - you thought our national anthem was - tu meri jaan hai.



9Instead of chanting Jai Shri Ram, you chanted - Jai Sir Armaan!!!

10. The 3 little words you loved to hear were not 'I love you' but 'Damn it Jassi.' Waise Armaan Sir, aap din mein jitni baar Jassi kehte the, utni baar Ram ka naam lete toh kabka moksh prapt kar chuke hotey.

Speaking of Jassi, I personally believe Mona brought out the best in Apurva. As Apurva has himself said in some of his interviews, there was sheer magic whenever Mona and he were in the same frame. I remember my TV broke down when I was watching the scene below. The electrician said it had got overheated :P

(watch from 8:20 - 14:40)

Sigh!!! Ek meethe se rishtey ki woh meethi si shuruaat ab sirf ek yaad banke reh gai hai  :( If only we could see them again in the same frame - even if it were just a cameo or a guest appearance.

After JJKN ended, Apurva did some brilliant work in daily soaps like Kaajal and Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Ye and also participated in reality shows like Big Boss and Say Shava Shava. Soon he will be seen with his wife in the reality show, Power Couples.

But no matter how many shows he does, no matter how many different roles he plays, I will always think of him fondly as my... err... Jassi's Armaan Sir ;) 

And as he celebrates his birthday later this week, I wish him a world of happiness. May he soar to heights he's never reached before, whether in front of the camera or behind it. 


He loves flying, so my birthday wish is - may he soon play the role of a pilot in a daily soap. Oh c'mon, fans too have a right to make a wish on their celeb's behalf ;)

Alas, time for me to fly as well.

O hansini, meri hansini
Kahaan udd chali?
Mere armaano ke
Pankh laga ke,
Kahaan udd chali?

Any guesses why that happens to be my favouritest number?

 Bye guys. Ciao. Hasta la vista.

RELATED POSTS:

Jassi Jaisi koi Nahin - 12 Years on


Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Monday 9 November 2015

Of Lice and Mums


So, my entire weekend was dedicated to head lice.

I guess most mums, especially those that have daughters, have encountered these terrifying monstrocities at least once in their lifetime. Well, for me it was a first, so you can imagine my shock when I saw a big fat louse tightrope walking on a strand of my daughter's hair.

THE HORRORS!!!

But I learnt a few facts about lice that day and thought of sharing my newfound wisdom:

1. Head lice are for mums, what monsters under the bed are for toddlers - they can give you NIGHTMARES.

2. No matter how squeaky clean your child's hair is, she can still be infested with this plague.

3. They multiply fast and how. If left untreated, you can find an entire louse village up there, in just a couple of days.

4. Once you are done checking and treating your child's hair, your own hair will begin itch for days,   no matter what you do to get rid of the itch.

5. You will feel as though hundreds of mini beasts are crawling all over your head, for days to come. Believe me, you don't have a single louse; it's all in the head (pun intended).

6. Most head lice treatments, DO NOT destroy the eggs, even if they claim to.

7. Once you start checking your child's head, every single speck of dust will look like a louse.

8. After the head lice killing spree, your bathroom will remind of a minuscule battlefield, especially if you have just watched the dvd of Asoka.

9. It is as difficult to get rid of the lice treatment  lotion from your head, as it is to get rid of the lice.

10. Head lice are by far one of God's most horriblest of creations. What was He thinking?

Have you got any head lice horror stories to share? Just click on "comments" below ;)

Until next time, happy nit-picking.


Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Monday 19 October 2015

Diwali pe Rangon ki Holi


DIWALI - Amavasya ki woh raat, jab chand ki kami mehsoos nahin hoti... kyunki, uss raat, saare sitaare aasmaan se utar kar zameen par tim-tima rahe hotey hein.


So friends, with Diwali less than a month away, how many items on your Diwali to do list have you managed to tick off so far?
  • Ghar ki safai ho gai? Are you sure? Abhi do minute pehle I saw a cockroach doing tha tha thaiya on your kitchen window.
  • Kapde-latte ki shopping ho gai? Yey kaam toh sabse pehle kiya hoga. 
  • Mithai aa gai? Waise, itni jaldi mithai khareedoge toh Diwali tak kharab ho jayegi. Isse abhi unticked hi rehne do.
  • Kheel-batashe-khilone? Wonder if anyone buys these anymore.
  • Agarbati diye aa gaye? Laxmi pooja ki saari samagri?
  • What about patakhe? I won't say don't buy them at all, but do be careful. 
  • Aur rangoli? Hoping to wow your friends with your spectacular rangoli? What did you say? No time? Then how about ready-to-use ones? 
Here's my list of reasons why you should give Ready-to-use Rangolis a shot:

1. Traditional rangolis can take a long time to make.


2. You might spend ages creating one, only to discover the next door neighbour's dog has run across it. 


3. You might find the rangoli all over your toddler, instead of the floor and wonder if it is diwali or holi.

4. You can make a different pattern each day with just four pieces.


5. You don't need to have a single creative or artistic bone in your body to make amazing designs.


6. And best of all - you don't need to spend a fortune. Readymade rangolis can be used over and over again. They last LONG.

Still not sure? Then check out this page Maya Festive Designs

And while you are at it, don't forget to have a look at the diyas as well :D


So peeps, Happy Navratri, happy shopping, happy jhaadoo maroing. Stay blessed... until we meet again :) Don't forget to tell me how your Diwali preps are going, in the comments below.


Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)



Monday 5 October 2015

Mona ki B'day ke liye Kuch Bhi Karega


MONA SINGH began her career as a model, but it was her role as Jassi in the show Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin that catapulted her to fame. As Jassi, she became the voice of the middle-class women of India. She embodied their values, their dreams as well as aspirations.



Have you ever wondered how JJKN characters would wish Jassi on her birthday, if it was still on air?

So ladies and gentlemen, young and old, far and near, in order to usher in Mona's birthday, I have done, what even T&D have not been able to do... I have gathered together, once again, the entire cast (well... err... almost) of Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin...

DRUMROLLS...

Happy Budday Jassi. Mera ashirwaad hai, tere saare sapne ek din zaroor poore honge.

Apne uss Armaan Suri se keh dena - meri Queen Victoria ka birthday hai. Woh aaj office nahin aayegi. 

 
Happy Birthday beta. Babaji ki kripa tujhpe hamesha bani rahe. 


Jassi budhu, mai tera birthday bhool sakta hoon? Mujhe pata tha mummyji ne garam-garam jalebi banai hogi, isliye breakfast bhi nahin kiya.

Damn it Jassi. Tumko pata hai mujhe kuch yaad nahin rehta. Kamse kam apna birthday cake toh order kar sakti thi?

Chasmish, mai kaisi lag rahi hoon? (a long flutter of false eyelashes)... Btw, happy birthday.

Oh my God Jassi, tumhara birthday hai? Party se pehle mere paas aa jaane. Try karunga ek ugly duckling ko sundar banane ki.


And now a treat for Mona's fans. Here are some of your favouritest scenes; a big thank you to  Rupali for kindly uploading them. 

1. KAISE RAHUN CHUP KI MAINE PI HI KYA HAI:


2. EK GARAM CHAI KI PYAALI HO:


3. YE SEAT BELT TOH... PYAAR KA BANDHAN HAI:


4. TERE JAISA YAAR KAHAAN:


5. PHOOL TUMHE BHEJA HAI JASSI:


Later this month, Mona will be back on our TV screens with a bang as Preet  in Ekta Kapoor's Pyaar ko ho Jaane do. Here's wishing her the very best. Hope the show breaks all previous trp records.


Have a wonderful birthday Mona. You know, Jassi was not just a fictional character for me. She was someone I could identify with. She came into my life when it was at an all time low. She gave me back my self confidence, she gave wings to my dreams and friends for life. And for this Mona, I will remain indebted to you, forever.

RELATED POSTS:

Jassi Jaisi koi Nahin - 12 Years on

Shopkeepaa... Cake Dena... Hanji... Benji

Aur Nikal Padhe Hein Dil ke Armaan


Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Monday 21 September 2015

Shopkeeepaaa, cake dena... Hanji Benji


GAURAV GERA became a household name when he played the role of Nandu in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin.

But I've known him ever since he was a kid. You see, we went to the same school... together. He was this shy, quiet, innocent...


Ahh!!! How I wish I could boast like that. But the truth is, I too noticed him for the first time when I started watching JJKN.

Btw, have you seen Gaurav and Mona's latest stint as Nandu and Jassi? Check this out -

There's this  one scene in JJKN which is very close to my heart. Even today I tear up whenever I watch it:


I remember thinking, when I first saw this scene - Jassi is so damn lucky to have Nandu. I wish I had a friend like him...


Sometimes wishes do come true...

Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin ended in 2006. So did Gaurav's role as Nandu.

I heard of him again in 2009.  Making another splash. This time it was not on TV. But on facebook. His were the statuses that got 1000s of likes and 100s of comments. Seriously??? I turned up my nose as I read them. No way was I going to comment on THAT!

Two days later I was commenting on every single status. Not once, but several times. Such is the Gera pull.

Here's a taster of what some of his statuses used to be like -


Couple of years later, another wave. It was a music video this time. When I told him after ten minutes of its release that the video had already got hundreds of views, he humbly replied - "Nah, that can't be mine. Must be that other video which was released recently." And he went back to his shooting. Half an hour later the video had tens and thousands of views. The rest is history.


He did it again this year. But this time it wasn't a splash or a wave. It was a flood. Nay, it was a bloody tsunami.

Let me start at the very beginning. Early this year, owing to some deadlines, I went off social media for 3 months. When I logged back in, I was gobsmacked. There was an avalanche of Gaurav's videos everywhere. His name as well as the characters he had created - Chutki and Shopkeeper, were splashed all over the social media, radio, television. Hundreds of comments, thousands of likes, zillions of views. Interviews in umpteen newspapers and magazines like India Today and Times of India. Dubsmash videos by the likes of Akshay Kumar, Vivek Oberoi, Jacqueline Fernandez. People the world over, who didn't understand a word of Hindi were shouting - Hanji Benji!

Hein??? I rubbed my eyes. Had I been away for just 3 months or had I woken up after 20 years like Rip Van Winkle?


Most actors will agree that it is more difficult to make people laugh than cry. I remember watching a short film as a kid. There's this monkey trying desperately to make his audience laugh. He does all sorts of antics, clowns around, hangs upside down. Nothing. Just a vapid expression on all the faces. Then he starts hurting himself. The more he bleeds, the more hysterical the laughter.

That's how difficult it is to make your viewers laugh.

And to make them laugh globally like Gaurav has done, is no mean feat. The comic timing, the expressions, the nuances, have got to be bang on. Top that with sweat, blood and guts. Yes, guts - loads of it. After all, how many men are there who have the confidence to play the role of a woman like Chutki? Or to play it so convincingly and effortlessly that people forget that the actor is actually a guy?


That's not all. Chutki is just one of a range of characters in Gaurav's videos. There's the famous shopkeeper who seems to have the biggest shop in the world as it sells everything under the sun, then there's his son, his green assistant, Chutki's brother Chutku, her mom and her boyfriend Suyyash. Not only does Gaurav play all the other characters as well, but also writes the scripts of all the videos himself.

VERSATILITY, thy name is GAURAV!

If there's one thing that's more amazing than his acting calibre, videos and unique characters, it is his ability to connect with people the world over. His fans are everywhere - in Dubai, in East Africa, even in Jhumri Talaiya.  For some his videos are stress-busting elixir; others claim his humour touches their soul. But they all agree, he has a very happy vibe about him and hope his humour will continue to linger on for years to come.


So guys, if you haven't already, check out the following link and you'll understand what I'm talking about -

Gaurav Gera YouTube Channel

And as this king of madness, creativity and originality celebrates his birthday this week, here's wishing him a very Happy Birthday.

Thank you Gaurav, for coming into our lives. Thank you for all the LOL and ROFL moments. Thank you for being you. Keep rocking. Keep creating storms. Above all,  stay grounded always. Coz that's your most endearing quality :)

RELATED POSTS:

Jassi Jaisi koi Nahin - 12 Years on


Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Monday 14 September 2015

Yaadon mein kitni dafa... Na Bole Tum Revisited


After reading my last blog post, a friend asked - "How did you cope after JJKN ended?"

"I swore never to get so attached to another show again," I replied.

I succeeded in doing just that for seven years.

Then NBT happened.

And Mohan Bhatnagar.

Now that Kunal Karan Kapoor's Doli Armaanon Ki is also ending, I took a walk down Juna Mohalla yet again and found myself chuckling as I remembered some of my favourite scenes  from Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha. 

Here's a handful from my long list of favourites:

1. MOTHER'S DAY:


I always crack up whenever I watch this scene. It is from one of the earlier episodes, I think the fourth one. This scene was perfect in setting the tone as well as the dynamics of four main characters, namely Mohan, Megha, Nanhi and Addu, that we would be witnessing in the rest of the episodes to come.


2. THE INFAMOUS AD:


This scene was totally brilliant. The comic timing, the expressions, the dialogue delivery of every single actor in this scene were spot on.


3. FINDING NANHI:

I've watched this scene like a hundred times. The way Mohan emerges from the mist in the soft blue twilight, holding Nanhi as though she's a fragile porcelain doll and the most precious thing on earth - the scene has so much tenderness, warmth and softness that no matter how many times I watch it, it never ceases to touch me.


Btw, did you guys know that in the long shot of this scene, the girl in Kunal's arms wasn't Ashnoor? This is what Kunal says about the scene - "that scene there's a shot where I'm walking in the distance,the long shot...that girl is a duplicate..Nanhi wasn't available due to her studies..but then returned the next day..I love that scene too."


4. KIS HAQ SE:


This scene was my hook, line and sinker moment. No idea what I'm talking about? Check out this post - When Kunal Shrugged


5. THODI SI TOH LIFT KARA DE:


Two people stuck in a lift for one whole hour - BORING. Not so, if the two individuals happen to be Mohan and Megha. In the entire mahaepisode of one whole hour, all that we saw were these two stuck in a lift. And yet there was never a dull moment. Such was the chemistry between Megha and Mohan; the unsurpassable acting of Kunal and Aakanksha and the spell cast by NBT on its audience! Not to forget Mohan's rendition of Kishore Kumar's pyaar maanga hai tumhi se... LOL LOL LOL.



NBT came into our lives when most Indian shows on TV were reeking of foundation and suffocating under heavy jewellery and whisked us off our feet with its simplicity.

SIGH!

Sunn na, why do all good things have to end?

So NBTians and Kunalians, if you were to pick ONE favourite scene from NBT, which one would it be? Do share in the comments below.

And suggestions for future lists, most welcome :)


Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)







Tuesday 1 September 2015

Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin... 12 Years on


Twelve years ago, I discovered the fascinating world of India Forums.

Twelve years ago,  I was introduced to the joys of online friendships.

And twelve years ago, a girl in a blue salwaar with humungous braces and holding a pink umbrella, grinned her way into my heart.

Yes, it's been exactly twelve years since JASSI JAISI KOI NAHIN went on air on the 1st of September 2003. But in spite of the years, have you been able to forget this show? I haven't and can say even today that JJKN jaisa koi nahin!

So here's my list of JJKN characters that remain even today, inimitable, fresh and unforgettable:

1. JASSI (played by Mona Singh) - She was warm, she was clumsy, she was a nerd. And how we loved her for those very reasons and connected with her instantly. Btw, a treat for Mona fans, coming up in October ;)




2. ARMAAN SIR (played by Apurva Agnihotri) - If Jassi's here, can Armaan Sir be far behind? Sigh!!! My first ever crush on a fictional character. O Rabba mere, agle janam mohe Armaan Sir ki Jassi hi kijo. But more about him in December ;)



3. RAJ (played by Parmeet Sethi) - What a fine actor he is. Whether it be a serious role as in Dastaan or Armaan's friend with a devil-may-care attitude, he plays it with aplomb. His one liners in JJKN were some of the best dialogues in the show.



4. NANDU (played by Gaurav Gera) - The most loveable geek ever. Yes, he was way cuter than Sheldon and Leonard, I have to admit. More on him, in a couple of weeks. So Gaurav fans, watch this space ;)




5. JASSI'S MUM (played by Surinder Kaur) - I loved her in Nadiya ke Paar and again in JJKN. She reminds me of my mom - soft, warm, huggable.



6. BILLOO PAPAJI (played by Veerendra Saxena) - more than his chemistry with wife and daughter, I loved his chemistry with Nandu.



7. BEBE (played by Uttara Baokar) - She was the grandmother I never had. I believe she's great fun in real life as well - still single and ready to mingle. So don't forget to party with her next time you're in Mumbai.



8. NANDU'S MUM - OMG! She was hilarious. Bossy, dominating Punjabi mom and I totally loved her.



9. MALLIKA (played by Rakshanda Khan) - The moment I think of Mallika, one word springs to mind - classy. She is one classy, stylish young lady. And even though she was the "other woman" in the show, I still couldn't help admire her.



10. PARI (played by Manini Mishra) - Ooo la la! The coquettish batting of long curling eyelashes, the sparkling smile, the sway of those hips - that was what Pari was all about and Manini played the role to the hilt.




11. MADDY (played by Rajesh Khera) - Famous for playing the Devil in the Onida TV ad prior to this, Rajesh blew us away as Maddy. His dialogue delivery, his mannerisms, his quirky walk were so spot on.



12. CHESTA (played by Monaz Mewawala) - How could I forget Nandu's sweet, bubbly, Guju girlfriend? And even though she was a tad matlabi, we loved  Monaz's cameo nonetheless.




Lastly, a big thumbs up for Tony and Deeya for this unique show, that touched the hearts of millions and remains even today, one of our favouritest shows ever.

Some good news for those who wish to watch the show again or missed it the first time around - SET Asia has uploaded most of the episodes - so check out their channel on YouTube. 

That's all folks. Do share your memories/ anecdotes/ links of this awesome show. Suggestions for future lists most welcome :)


Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)