Journey from 'Humesha' to 'Hum'

Episode 1:Will You Marry me?

So,the wait is finally over!! 'Kaisi Yeh Yaarian' is back with a third season and so is 'Manan' which is a major cause for celebration among the fans of KYY.

KYY was a major success when it aired on MTV from 2014-2015. It garnered widespread viewership among the youth and became so popular digitally that BBC decided to make a third season as a web series on Voot.

The first episode introduces us to Manik and Nandini after a period of four years and shows us how they have grown as individuals. Both of them are so busy in their respective careers that they hardly spend quality time with each other anymore. Nandini has finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a scientist and Manik is now a famous musician.

When Manik goes for a brief date with Nandini before his concert, little does he know about Nandini's intentions. The date under the 'hazaaron' stars, leads to Nandini proposing marriage to Manik in the most cheesy (or romantic for some) way possible.

However,Manik's tormented expression says it all as he rejects her proposal. Before Manik is able to explain himself properly, a heartbroken Nandini walks out on him leaving him angry and frustrated.

As expected, Nandini and Manik turn to Mukti for help in an attempt to solve their problems, who suggests that 'Manan" take a break with Nandini starting to date other guys. Where does this lead?

I guess we'll find out in the upcoming episodes.

First of all, I would like to say that I'm really happy that the show is now a web series, as there are no constraints when it comes to the language of the show. So, throughout episode one we see people drop f-bombs, but the language remains mostly urban and the dialogues are scripted majorly in English. The use of expletives never seems like a ploy to attract attention or raise eyebrows of the viewers. (Class of 2017, I'm thinking of you!)

It's also good to see some new faces along with the old ones. Mukti who is now engaged to Zubin, has changed from a bratty tomboy to a level-headed Relationship Guru (a role earlier essayed by Cabir Dhawan),and she finally seems contented.

Manik's duet partner Inaaya played by new-comer Radhika Bangia appears as a bimbette in the first glance, but she adds a certain degree of sass and spunk to the show. Her verbal sparring with Manik minutes before his concert was fun to watch.

The camaraderie between 'drunk' Manik and 'apprehensive' Zubin was a delight. Parth has definitely improved in his portrayal of Manik in the drunken state since season 1. His humourless and sarcastic laughter adds a certain realism to a scene which might have otherwise seemed fake.

Manik's concert performance was also extraordinary, be it Parth's lip-sync to the melodious song 'Manjha' or the crowd separating 'Manan' which is symbolic of their current relationship status.

The cute flashback scenes show us how attached Manik and Nandini are to each other and how their relationship has blossomed and matured over the years. Nandini who once used to run from intimacy now craves it just as much as Manik whereas Manik has become a calmer and more understanding person.

However,the show still suffers from poor editing and in portions the dialogues are quite dull. Manik's first statement after rejecting Nandini's proposal is 'It's not you, it's me!' Seriously? That has got to be the most clichéd breakup line ever! And he wasn't trying to break up with her anyway!

Editing was always a major problem for the show even when it aired on T.V but now that it's on a streaming platform, the show should be more technically sound than it was previously. The earlier background score is retained and the show also fortunately or unfortunately has a charming clunkiness to it reminiscent of when it aired on T.V.

About the marriage proposal, am I one of the select few who get why Manik refused? Even before the third season was announced, I always felt that Manik (who I believe to be one of the most well fleshed out male characters on Indian T.V) would be apprehensive about marriage because he has seen too many failed relationships in his lifetime. Many people may disagree with me here, but I am glad to see that the creatives have embraced the topic of why Manik doesn't believe in the institution of marriage and thus kept one of the core traits of his character intact.

Overall, the show is quite a delight for the KYY fans! However any first time viewer who isn't familiar with the previous two seasons will not form any kind of emotional connect with the show or the characters at the end of episode 1. The show is off to a rocky but promising start with episode 1. But hey, who am I to judge? As said by the director himself,'Kuch bhi karlo,show hit hai!'

P.S: Just in case you're wondering about PaNi's onscreen chemistry, then let me tell you it remains unfazed and just as spectacular as before! For this alone, this show must be watched!