TV review: ‘Punar Vivaah’ makes dull viewing
We watched six episodes, hoping to be able to say something positive about the show, but…
Imagine this: A sad tall guy is in his room whose walls are lined with his dead wife’s framed photographs. He talks to one photo, moves across the room, talks to another photo, moves again and talks to a third photo. That’s how our male lead Yash Scindia (Gurmeet Choudhary) expresses his thoughts to us. What he doesn’t express is why he has to keep moving. Something wrong with the photographs? Such inane questions popped in our heads as we watched six whole episodes of Zee TV’s new show, Punar Vivaah. You can tell how‘engrossing’ the storyline was if our thoughts could stray so easily.
Oh yes, the storyline. Aarti (Kratika Sengar), a mother of a young boy, lives with her in-laws even though her husband has divorced her and moved out of the house. Her mother-in-law Shobha loves her like she was her own daughter and wants to see Aarti happily married again. Yash is the middle son of the wealthy Scindia family. Yash’s wife died three years before the story begins and left him with two toddler girls. Yash doesn’t want to marry anyone, but agrees that his girls need a mother. There are a few clichéd instances where Yash and Aarti almost accidentally meet. We know they were meant to tug at our heartstrings, but instead of going aww, we went yaawwn.
That’s not the only thing that put us off the show. Shobha repeatedly says that they will never hide the fact that Aarti is a divorcee with a child, as there’s nothing wrong with that. Agreed. But when Yash’s mother talks to them about the alliance and makes it very clear that they don’t mind a widow, but are against divorcees for their son, Shobha listens to her husband and doesn’t reveal the truth. She lets Mrs Scindia get the impression that Aarti is a widow. It is unconvincingly out of character for a woman who till then has been portrayed as a strong, broad-minded person.
Then there’s Aarti, supposedly a beautiful, capable, kind woman, but she comes across as being a stupid and an arrogant one, who can’t even say ‘thank you’ to a guy for helping her. Yash is said to be more internal and reserved, still bearing the pain of his wife’s death, but we are yet to catch even one expression of Gurmeet’s to support this claim. The show asks the question: can a marriage survive when it is founded on a lie. We ask the producers the question: can you build a fan base on the foundation of such unsympathetic characters?
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First Published: 10.45 AM IST 02.28.2012
Sia
Posted at 11:33 PM on February 28, 2012
Good review…Absolutely agreed with Kratika’s part, She does look like the hero of the show.. No offence :P
SIYAHI
Posted at 11:32 PM on February 28, 2012
so u are Asha here and Himangshu in scrutiny? Kuch dimaag istamaal karo yaar we read the Himangshu version…waise mere sawal ka jawab nehi dia kisne paise die ;)
nishangore
Posted at 11:32 PM on February 28, 2012
I agree with writer…very very bakwas…and casting is wow…kya cast kiya hai…badi Didi or chote bhai jisi jodi karegi romance woow…very very nice…of money and power will buy the trp…do din nahi huwe 7rank…wow…concept to chisa pita hai hi…saas bahu and rona dona…and promo dekh kye hi….
paree
Posted at 10:18 PM on February 28, 2012
kya real life mein aise ho sakta hai ? good story.i like very very much.
sneha
Posted at 9:23 PM on February 28, 2012
Do not agree with the review at all.
The show is an interesting watch with different and realistic concept,and is being handled very sensibly and maturely. Rather than being dull, found it quite fast paced. Sure this show is not for those who find only OTT melodrama interesting. But if you are looking for something mature and refreshing this is the show. And all actors are very capable and doing their jobs brilliantly,especially Gurmeet and Kritika.
Ajnabee
Posted at 6:40 PM on February 28, 2012
Agree with the review in someways.
Good Cast..no doubt about it..but dont like Yash family settings too gloomy n dont have the wow factor in the family…can’t feel Yash pain while watching the show too predictable..n Yash family is not striking at alllll i think in this story line they shouldn’t have put the line that they the boy family will agree for the marriage if Arti doesn’t bring her son..so stupid, n stale story line n yecckkkkk how stupid is Yash family in this day n age that was so wrong of the story line i felt…
On the other hand Arti seems more natural n realistic and the same for her inlaws they suit the characters to the the T for now…
I should say few changes have to made in the story line so that it won’t become boringggg..for now me too was very disappointed till up to now the story did not require all this drama’s to begin with it doesn’t touch the heart yett more or less like yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Bithi
Posted at 6:19 PM on February 28, 2012
Will you please act like a sensible person, ms. article writer?! Punar Vivaah is a very good show along with good story n casts. Viewers have started loving it too. How could you raise your finger towards Gurmeet?! :O … He’s the best actor of his ages in the industry right now. We won’t tolerate any of our nonsenses against him or his shows. So please.. stop being biased and keep your nonsense to you.
krati
Posted at 5:02 PM on February 28, 2012
well instead of d gr88 show ur review is d one which makes me yawn.. show is a promising one…….. go nd watch d show b4 writing such a ridiculous review…………. nt dn’t dare say nythng abt d asctors or charecters…….. these r tyotally real life one nt d hypothetical ones. go nd see d real world….. stupid article
Shareeza
Posted at 4:37 PM on February 28, 2012
This is a great show! its something very fresh n unique! It is more real life story based! every show mke i keep want see more n more n just eager to c how a new will be! hmm! nt gud to critize such a wonderful show!
Himani
Posted at 4:19 PM on February 28, 2012
What a foolish article is this. Trying to forcely insult the show. I am loving the show. The characterisations r simply good and actors r doing a fabulous job and whats wrong in talking to one’s dead wife’s picture. That scene was amazing with great work from Gurmeet Choudhary. Arti is nt at all arrogant. I m shocked. who has written this article. Ur observation is quite poor.
Priya
Posted at 11:27 PM on February 28, 2012
Punar Vivaah is not a full on entertainment or saas bahu serial….it has a crux on real life situations and the need for society to accept Punar Vivaah as a tradition….. so the reviwer you better go to sleep and dont see Punar Vivaah…. we are very happy and excited watching and the story is going very good and all are doing their job perfectly except for people like you and Gurmeet is totally rocking………i hope so you very much bothered only about the fantasy serials….so put your thoughts down only on those things and not on Punar Vivaah…please….
Nitika
Posted at 2:33 PM on February 28, 2012
Have you grown up watching Gossip Girl? Its a sadist’s view and you need to switch to cartoon network because only that channel will fit the size of your brain. PV is BRILLIANT -THAT’S ALL.
misty
Posted at 2:20 PM on February 28, 2012
I don’t agree with you!!
I loveeee this show b/c it is showing reality and it is far than those saas bahu sagas on Indian television right now!
ayesha
Posted at 2:11 PM on February 28, 2012
The review is so dull it made me yawn… And the review didnt give a single point to ponder about,forget being insightful. Writer hasnt even taken the effort to make the review atleast look credible. It seems that reviewer is either heavily biased against show/actors, so didnt let the quality of episodes come in the way of bashing or the review is just a desperate attempt to gain attention, by illogical criticism of a very popular show(in which it has succeeded,considering that this review has become most popular,or rather unpopular,on the site). So to sum up, this is a very stupid review.
mitul
Posted at 1:54 PM on February 28, 2012
first, can i say that it is the worst & most biased review i have ever read!!!!!!!!seriously!!!..
you said that you went yawwwnn….plz speak only yourself…we are loving this show….the script, storyline, characters, costumes…everything is very realistic.aarti is not a stupid & arrogant girl.she is an orphan,moreover, she experienced a heart-wrenching betrayal…so,her attitude towards men makes senese to us…but she is definitely not stupid….just watch her phone convo with yash…she was using logic,did not go on with nonstop blabbering which we find in many other shows….& ”few cliched instances”???……..do you want a list of shows where i have seen more cliched scenes???……..& you pointed out about the lie issue, we know that too…but let the cvs unfold the story…we yet don’t know what will happen……..
& a little advice, a review is about to criticize the whole show….just pointing out faults cannot be considered as constructive criticism…..the actors are good, the set is good…you could have brought these things too..
nishangore
Posted at 11:24 PM on March 1, 2012
@mitul es article may kisi ne 6ep review diya to galat, or scrutiny ne sab sahi likha hai kya, two diff trp sahi hai…wah ji wah….
Sheena
Posted at 1:50 PM on February 28, 2012
Are you kidding me! Have you even watched the show? If you did you would not write a review like this. The show has been really good so far and all the actors are doing an amazing job even the kids. Your review seems very biased as if you have a grudge on the show or it’s actors.
Piyasa
Posted at 1:30 PM on February 28, 2012
Haww!!! How can sumbody give so much bad review of this wonderful show!!!
i think sumthng is really wrong wit this person..i mean may be she/he dint like the show or its lead couple at first place!! thats why this kind of pathetic review!!!
for a new show, that too only 6 epi on air, PV has done wonderful n we already r liking it.
PV is a grt show with its unique plot n it has all the potentila to be even grtr in future..
And it has got two amazing actors as its lead to say the least..
so Cheers to PV..
mini
Posted at 1:26 PM on February 28, 2012
hahaha…are u mad or something else??
This show is Doing well & u are talking just opposite, am loving PV’s all characters & yess their is something unbelivebable which is common for all TV shows, & it increases intrest of viewers towards the show, I am loving PV, & About Gurmeet Choudhary..HE is just swesome, He is a brillient actor, he is a phenomenal performer ever, He pulled me to watch this show with his sweet angels(daughters), & Kartika is really Good with his son, i liked their sweet funny scences a lot!!!
Everything is fine about this show…now waiting for Yash-Arti meetings!!!
piya
Posted at 1:26 PM on February 28, 2012
lolzzzz i can’t stop my laughter after read this puking review lol …..
i love this show soo much gc rokxxx i love pv story sooo much. never saw a show like pv love love loved it .
varsha
Posted at 1:25 PM on February 28, 2012
This review makes dull reading. I read the whole review,hoping to be able to see something genuine or insightful, but…
The whole review seems biased,with the single intention of putting down the show anyhow.
manali
Posted at 1:09 PM on February 28, 2012
I dont agree with ur review, thibs show is really intresting & something diff. with mixture of romance, emotional, familit drama, childs, few funny scenes etc etc…& yes Gurmeet choudhary is the KING OF EXPRESSIONS, his Eyes & facial expressions ae sufficient to Hit any scene of any show, & arti is also a quiet intresting charcter, she is not like always crying for her Stupid Husband, she is bold &lovely natured, she lives happily for the sake of her family & child!!
& u said her stupid?? lol
at last i’ll say…PV rockss!!!
piya
Posted at 1:28 PM on February 28, 2012
agree with u
PM
Posted at 1:00 PM on February 28, 2012
Ridiculous review!
neha
Posted at 12:58 PM on February 28, 2012
Do not agree with the review at all. I found the show quite interesting and refreshing. Aarti is stupid and arrogant? Oh well she didnt strike me as stupid. She is a girl who held her own,despite having no parents,and then being ditched by her husband. She seemed to me like a single strong women,who is bravely facing all odds and bringing up her son. But then who am I? Just a normal viewer. Maybe the definition of intelligence is nw silently shedding tears in kitchen like Gopi Bahu. And Gurmeet’s expression dont suggest that he is bearing the pain of his wife? I havent seen him so fay jumping wit joy…But then again,i am just a normal viewer.
veena
Posted at 12:57 PM on February 28, 2012
Great Great sadisitic review form this authour…..Show is just brilliant and this will be proved with the TRPS.wow u saw nothing in YASH and ARTI that was the biggest joke in ur review..
i am laughing reading this review
Ria
Posted at 12:40 PM on February 28, 2012
sorry but disagree with this review totally!
The show is quite interesting.
and Arti comes across as stupid, really?
and the author is yet to catch one expression of Yash to support the claim that he is in pain?
I haven’t laughed so hard in a lifetime!thanks for the entertainment by the way!
Neeraja
Posted at 12:14 PM on February 28, 2012
I do not agree with this review at all… I found Punar Vivaah to be a refreshing, engaging and realistic show with brilliant actors, well written characters and a different storyline… The show in my opinion has made a brilliant start… unlike the usual uni dimensional characters on television, the characters in this show are realistic and have a lot of shades… reading this review it seems to me that the author of this piece was watching the show just to find faults… i wonder at the kind of shows the author watches for her to find this show ‘dull’… if not going the melodramatic route is being ‘dull’ then i’ll rather not know what the author will find ‘interesting’…