Out of the box: What the heart knows

Ram Kapoor and Gurdeep Kohli in a still from Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane.

Show: Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane
Channel: Sony
Timing: Monday to Thursday, 9:30pm

There are two reasons why one should tune in to Sony’s new show Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane — Ram Kapoor and Gurdeep Kohli. Here are two seasoned actors who carry weight and traction, and a long trail of loyal fan following. Back on screen after Kasamh Se, they know how to put ‘act’ in acting, and that’s what makes the rather slow (and we are hoping steady) start to the show worth our while. Ram, the doting father and husband, and Anu, the perfect wife and mother whose cancer has relapsed, distract us from the synthetic sets, which include the painfully yellow and purple sofas, and the superficial mela of a typical Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma-type mohalla.

The first couple of episodes have already set the base — a happy family is shocked when Anu’s cancer returns. While Ram is adamant on saving his wife, she refuses to undergo chemotherapy again for its nauseous side effects. Playing the role of their teen daughter Disha, Mahima Makwana is instantly likeable as she brings a bit of spunk to her character. Ram and Anu had a love marriage against all odds, and so, we do have a lot of history to play with back and forth. The father of the bride is Pankaj Dheer.

Based on Mahesh Bhatt’s Daddy, and also being mentored by Bhatt himself, Dil Ki Baatein… thankfully steers clear of the saas-bahu routine and actually ventures into uncharted territory by debating difficult decisions like euthanasia. Having said that, the tragedy of Indian television and its programmes is that it allows lazy writing, mediocre plastic sets, and half-hearted production systems. The show could do with a little more detailing. For instance, a violin doesn’t make Ram a musician, and when face-to-face, Dheer hardly looks like Ram’s father-in-law. Also, the hospital reports need to look more authentic, for a sheet of paper looks lame. Dil Ke Baatein… has potential with two great talents. Our advice: exploit them, keep it short and crisp as it is time to raise the bar.

Jaskiran Kapoor

Source:: Indian Express