Over 6 months ago, we were introduced to a format of TV viewing which was meant to revolutionize the way we pursue Indian television. The much-awaited and much-delayed Beyhadh‘ went on-air and in no time it became the show that set several benchmarks.
It almost seems that the makers and channel aesthetically planned the execution of this show, which is apparently a 260-episode finite series that after reaching half-way, the tables will turn.
What was proposed as Season 2, a new and refurbished ‘Beyhadh’ went on-air this week and the anticipation was at its peak. So, here we go, a three year leap and a week of episodes later, we analyse ‘Beyhadh Season 2.’
The Story So Far..
Three mysterious years have passed and there couldn’t have been a better way to begin the new chapter with Maya (Jennifer Winget) having a dreamy bath and of course, portraying her obsession for Arjun (Kushal Tandon). There were rumours that it is because of the fans’ constant nudging that makers designed Maya’s comeback as the obsessive and psychotic lover. Well, if that’s the case, we cannot thank the fans enough. In the next few frames, we witness Maya’s psychopathic love as she carves ‘I Love You’ on the mirror with her blood and kisses it.
If you thought that’s a full-stop to her possessiveness, you are surely mistaken. From having Arjun’s photographs in every possible corner of the house to planting cameras in every possible frame, Maya literally doesn’t want Arjun to be off her sight for even a fraction of second.
Cut to welcoming Saanjh (Aneri Vajani) back to India. Yes, a returning Saanjh is happy and elated as she re-unites with a more serious and nerdy looking Ayan (Sumit Bhardwaj) at the airport. Also, the quintessential ‘met-but-not-met’ moment takes place as Arjun and Saanjh cross paths at the airport but somehow don’t meet.
Just when we thought what Arjun would be about after enduring Maya’s obsession, we are introduced to Arjun’s ‘idee fixe’; an obsession of ending his marriage with Maya. Arjun has become meaner and darker and the man absolutely hates Maya.
Deep down, a delusional Maya understands that Arjun doesn’t love her anymore, but she absolutely refuses to accept the same. From denying herself to refuting the society, Maya puts a brave face inspite of facing atrocities from Arjun which includes domestic violence, constant boycotting and hatred.
We then come across an unanticipated reunion which was that of Maya and Saanjh. Yes! Awkward nostalgia hits Saanjh and her meeting with Maya is equally weird. However, the highlight of that conversation turns out to be Saanjh noticing Maya’s bruises and realizing that Arjun and Maya are living a troubled marriage.
Arjun is sick and tired of Maya and he quite literally changes the name-plate of the house from ‘Arjun and Maya’s house’ to ‘Arjun and Maya’s Hell.’ As soon as Arjun enters home, Maya surprises him with a cake and a party with several guests, which, as expected doesn’t go down too well with Arjun.
He hates the same and gets drunk which transpires into another showdown between the couple. However, Arjun’s fury reaches its peak as the locket he throws uncovers a hidden camera. Already irritated with Maya’s obsession for him, he loses it and pushes Maya to the wall and tortures her. The guests at the party try to get him away but he screams at them and leaves the party.
Finally, we are introduced to Saanjh’s love interest in the filmiest style. A rather Gandhigiri-driven handsome man driving a bike decides to teach Arjun a lesson in a non-violent manner. Why? A drunk and speeding Arjun cuts through the man’s bike and immediately a chase sequence follows. Blocking Arjun’s way, the man gets down from his bike and just when you think that they will have fight, the guy rather hugs Arjun. He explains that Arjun actually needs a hug else he will hit someone and in no time, the man teaches Arjun a lesson by deflating the tyres of Arjun’s car. Parallely, Maya picks up the broken locket and reiterates that their bond is unbreakable.
In a matter of few episodes, there are a million questions and million mysteries waiting to be resolved. Is Arjun actually violent’ towards Maya? How will Maya come to the actual realization that their marriage is a failure? Will Arjun ever get happy again? What role will an unmovable’ Janvi (Kavita Ghai) play in this scenario? And finally, how will Saanjh and Arjun re-unite? Only time will be the answer to all this.
Rating – **** 1/2 (4.5/5)
What’s Good?
One of the biggest highlights of this post-leap scenario is that the element of mystery is n times more than pre-leap. The mysterious three years of time has left several questions to be answered and the teasing only gets you more curious.
The intricate details have been highlighted in the smartest manner. From giving a quick reference to season 1 when an otherwise confident Maya would be petrified of her father Ashwin (Rajesh Khattar) to currently in season 2, where Maya is apparently beaten up by Arjun, the treatment is identical and breath-taking. Also, the scene where Maya is gathering the broken beads and referring them as their broken pieces of marriage, it is celluloid viewing at its best.
The portrayal of two parallel worlds is designed in a beautiful manner. A troubled, delusional and sorrowed marriage in contrast to a happy and recuperating family which includes Vandana, Ayaan, Saanjh’s parents, her brother and Saanjh herself; the presentation is amazing.
In probably a really sadistic way, it is absolutely amazing to witness Maya in her vintage psychotic avatar once again. From having Arjun’s photograph in her bathroom to wearing a top which has Arjun’s image and constantly re-assuring herself by watching the tattoo on Arjun’s chest, it’s amusing.
Rating – ***** (5/5)
What’s Not-So-Good?
Its difficult to churn out something that did not impress, but if micro-analysed, the idea that Maya is so delusional that she cannot accept Arjun’s denial inspite of obvious hatred is rather difficult to digest.
Rating – **** 1/2 (4.5/5)
The Performances
From frame 1 to frame infinity, Jennifer Winget keeps reminding us that she took up the character of Maya to get the Indian television viewers used to watching real acting.’ The switcheroo of emotions to her excelled psychotic avatar, she is absolutely brilliant and adjectives are an understatement.
Refreshment is defined by Kushal Tandon aka Arjun, as we witness him in a literally never-seen-before avatar. Arjun is sad, angry and hates Maya unlike the Arjun who was once happy-go-lucky. Kushal has managed to live up to Jennifer’s acting prowess and flaunts a bravura performance.
Aneri Vajani continues to do what she does best and that is act as the relief amidst all this madness. While, Saanjh in the past was the addition of comic relief, this Saanjh is the addition of happiness and smile while Arjun and Maya have not smiled since ages.
Rating – **** 1/2 (4.5/5)
The Verdict
‘Beyhadh’ Season 2 is the answer to the age-old question, When will we start making shows like the ones in west’? We have been cribbing about how Indian television is regressive and continues to present run-off-the-mill content. However, this new season of Beyhadh’ slaps those questions and slays in style. Love, deceit, mystery, hatred, obsession, passion and unpredictable storyline, Beyhadh Season 2′ has the ingredients of being one of the mystery thrillers of all time. You can keep having bets about what will happen next and it will keep surprising you again and again.
Perfectly knit screenplay with crisp writing and impeccable performances and the acceptance to change makes Beyhadh Season 2′ a winner. We can only thank the makers for giving this fresh breath of air when it seemed the show is loosing its charm.
Be vindictive, be cunning and be sadistic (well, not literally), but be ‘Beyhadh.’