There were a lot of protests and chaos a couple of months ago when Pehredaar Piya Ki aired on television. It got so bad that the channel had to take the show off-air overnight. As a replacement to the show, Shashi and Sumeet Mittal gave us one of the best shows of Indian television, Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai. What's so great about this show? It's simple, realistic and is set in the '90s. The show revolves around Sameer and Naina's love story when they were in school. Not only do they show Sameer and Naina's love in the '90s style but they also reflect on how relationships were then, be it with your parents or friends, or lover.
In the age of Tinder, Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai reminds you how beautiful and innocent romance was in the '90s. Handwritten love letters, cards, flowers and everything that is called a 'cliche' today. Call me old school, but I would still prefer handwritten notes over Facebook posts. It's personal and special because the person has spent that much time to make it for you. But coming back to the show, this one should be as popular as the ones that we see in the BARC reports every week. (ALSO READ: Tired of the regular soaps on the telly? Breathe, The Test Case and these 7 other web series should solve your worry)
There is no unnecessary drama or murders or all that hullabaloo. Here are 5 reasons why I think the show is underrated and one of my favourites.
Narration
Sameer and Naina's love story is narrated by an adult who plays the grown up Sameer in the show. After every important scene, either grownup Sameer and Naina talk about the significance of it. For instance, in one of the recent episodes, Naina's family had a relative flying in from Mumbai and it was a big deal back then because people who traveled by the airplane were considered important. No, it's not offensive. It's just an insight into how things used to be and how they are now.
The 90s nostalgia
From the costumes and the set to background music, everything will remind you of the '90s. All '90s kids or viewers who have lived that era will relate to every plot and scene. The Devrani-Jethani relationship which is shown as poisonous in so many TV shows is rather cute and a little funny here. You'll know when you watch. We're pretty sure all your parents have complained to you about not liking a certain relative, but still being respectful towards them.
Music and Romance
Okay this is my favourite bit. Instead of playing songs from a film that's yet to release, they play songs from the '80s and the '90s like Maine Pyaar Kiya and a couple of more. There are movie references, too, in certain scenes and it fits beautifully in the plot. As far as the romance bit is concerned, I love how Sameer and Naina don't even need physical contact to express their emotions or communicate with each other unlike most TV shows. That's the kind of relationship you hardly see nowadays. It's not that I'm against cheesy, touchy romance but it does get boring after a while.
The emphasis on relationships
Like I said, romance in the '90s was much different than it is now. Sameer and Naina's ways of communicating with each other during class or otherwise, is romance personified. But even a brother-sister or a father-daughter relationship was not as liberal as it is now. A brother would never openly ask his sister if she is dating someone and the sister would also never openly confess to her brother about these things. Fathers saw daughters as someone who is only going to be managing household chores after marriage instead of giving their academic achievements any importance. But none of these things are portrayed in an outrageous way that would make you furious. In fact, the last episode where Naina's father realises her daughter's worth will make you cry a little bit.
Love like 'Eye To Eye'
Naina doesn't have to fall into Sameer's arms somehow to get lost in his eyes. Whenever he does something special for her or when they have a conversation, they sort of keep staring at each other. *That's when the music plays* It's so refreshing to see couples look into each other's eyes normally rather than falling into each other's arms in front of one hundred people and not taking their eyes off each other.
Have you watched this show? If not, you must start watching it and tell us what you think of it in the comments below.
About the Author
Anusha Iyengar
This author needs no introduction. Just follow her on Twitter @iyengaranusha for a lot of awesomeness.
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