Saying that Indian television doesn’t generally treat us with soaps and serials which break the shackles of kitchen politics would not be entirely wrong. Because, the ones who make serials rarely experiment and so, it all comes down to planning and plotting. As sick as I am with the repetitive plots, there is one show which went on air recently that has given me hope. The serial in question is Yeh Un Dino Ki Baat Hai which started on Sony a few days ago and it does have that spunk to keep one hooked to the TV screen (at least for now).
The serial is about Naina (Ashi Singh) and Sameer (Randeep Rai) and their love story set in the small town of Ahmedabad. Naina studies in the 11th standard, is a topper, while Sameer ditches his schooling in Nainital to visit his Nanu in Ahmedabad. Both of them are from quite different universes, and how they meet and fall in love with each other forms the crux of the story.
Stills from Yeh Un Dino Ki Baat Hai
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If you are thinking, it’s a typical boy-meets-girl story, then you are mistaken. As cliche as this plot may sound, it is the treatment of the story which makes that impact. I have watched all the episodes of the serial till now, and here is what I loved about it:
- The treatment: Since the show is set in 90’s, the makers have come really close to depicting the era in a perfect manner. There are no unrealistic things on the show. Our protagonist Naina goes to school on a bicycle and eats lunch in stainless steel tiffin box. Though Sameer belongs to an affluent family, the show doesn’t promote him as a royal prince. We don’t see Sameer riding flamboyant cars or anything. His affluent status is not forced on us, unlike other serials. In one scene, Sameer gives Rs 5 to his friend for samosa and cold drinks, to show how such a small amount of money could do wonders at that time.
- The music: Anu Malik has composed the music of this show and it is soothing. The background music is melodious and gives that mushy feel. The best part about the serial is there is nothing which is over-the-top.
- The narration: Naina, who is now a celebrated author, is the narrator who takes us down the memory lane. She points out the stark difference between the current era and the bygone one. For example, she explains how getting a fancy haircut was such a big deal back in 90’s and if at all they did, how the parents would get furious and force them to run errands (just to punish them).
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Apart from this, Yeh Un Dino Ki Baat Hai also discusses middle-class problems in the most relatable way. In this show, the middle-class family looks like one. They do not have opulent show pieces in their house, and even a torn dupatta creates a ruckus in the family. The show’s love story seems so sweet that you will find yourself rooting for them after the first episode.
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Ironically, Yeh Un Dino Ki Baat Hai belongs to the same production house which made Pehredaar Piya Ki. The show that depicted an unlikely marriage between a 10-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman. The content was slammed by many and in the end, the show was banned.
A still from Sony TV’s Pehredaar Piya Ki (Courtesy-Twitter)
It is welcoming to see such a show being aired on TV which makes you feel good. I just hope it doesn’t end being a saas-bahu drama, and stays true to the concept.
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