Karam Apna Apna: Testing Times

By: Arya Aiyappan
Thursday, January 11, 2007

"Karam Apna Apna" is the latest serial to follow its predecessors with replacements. Iqbal Khan, the hottest hunk on television decided to leave Balaji telefilms and "Karam Apna Apna" in which he plays the lead. Yash Tonk has stepped into his shoes and has shouldered the responsibility, though the audience could not accept him in place of their favourite hero. Iqbal mania is far more than expected. Audiences are hoping against hope that their much-loved star would be back in action.

Yash Tonk has gone deep into the character of Shiv Kapoor to the extent even taking on the informal yet macho look of Iqbal Khan with the stubble and the earring. Yet he cannot however reflect the charisma and the electrifying screen presence of Iqbal Khan. The fan following for the star is immensely large and now with the news of his marriage to Sneha Chhabra in January 2007, the ardent fans are left hopeless.

The serial is passing through a major dramatic turn of events as much action unfurls with the passing of each day. The love triangle with Gauri-Shiv-Ipshita has much suspense to offer. Gauri is madly in love with Shiv unaware of him cheating on her. Her blind faith and deep-rooted love has left Shiv uneasy, whose conscience pricks him leaving unsettled. Ipshita in love with Shiv cannot stay away from him augmenting his troubles. Gauri's father Alok has acknowledged his daughter but cannot completely accept Shiv for the miseries that Gauri had to and has to endure.

The story revolves around the central characters yet other characters like Kaya, Vivan and others do feature in them. Kaya's marriage proposal and the plot behind it has led to problems unfurling in Shiv's life. The current episodes feature Shiv charged with the rape of a girl, his arrest and the court case which ensues. Gauri the loving and devoted wife runs helter skeltor for rescuing him, but the witness turns hostile. Adding spice to the episode Ipshita lands in the court requesting the judge to pay heed to her plea, leaving the audience in a trance.

Ekta Kapoor's "Karam Apna Apna" is another daily soap with a difference with the K-tag attached to it. Replacements have occurred many times in Ekta's serials like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi where Mihir Virani was portrayed by three people. What needs to be borne in mind is that sometimes the replacements click while occassionally it can fail as well. "Karam Apna Apna" has to pass the acid test so also Yash Tonk who has to make it to the hearts of the audience.