Kyunki: Generations at spar

By: Arya Aiyappan
Saturday, January 20, 2007

"Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" one of the popular daily soaps on Star Plus is heading towards a major climax with Tulsi at the helm. The title is suggestive enough to indicate the tender relations between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, affirming the idea of being a woman centered serial. One can never complain of the dearth of strong women oriented stories when Kyunki revolves around the lead character Tulsi. It is in short a chronicle of the trials and tribulations she undergoes in her journey of life. Problems crop up every now and then, with her being constantly entangled in them. She finds her way out and as a crusader of justice and uprightness saves her family from the evils wrought by time.

The new generation with their beaming spirit and vigour have their own vision of life, which leads to clash of traditional values upheld by their predecessors. Tulsi cannot come to terms with Bhoomi's callous and indifferent attitude to life, so also Bhoomi cannot digest the age-old traditions and customs imposed on her, leading to an obvious conflict between the two generations.

In Kyunki the past always messes up with the present. History repeats forever. Bhoomi, Karan's foster daughter unaware of her biological father Ansh Gujral falls prey to the anonymous woman who instigates her against Tulsi. Repercussions of the black tragedy, Ansh's fatal death engulfs the Virani household, as some fear lurks in every mind. Karan fears he might lose his daughter Bhoomi, Tulsi fears the family disintegration, and Bhoomi, Eklavya about their very own identity and relationships.

The anonymous troublemaker has obviously sowed the seeds of doubt (Ansh's torn photo and a gold chain with Ansh's photo in the locket) in every mind as each one has different views and some like Tripti and Mohini with singular motives as well. Tulsi tries to wean Bhoomi away from the dark secret of the past as her well wisher but to no avail. Bhoomi's disrespect and aversion towards Tulsi at its peak, cannot even acknowledge her as her dadi let alone her well wisher. The serial has its share of sub-plots wherein the romantic angle is obvious with the love triangle that has developed among Eklavya, Lakshya and Krishna Tulsi and also Bhoomi - Joydeep marriage, passing through a turbulent phase. The audience cannot help but sympathize with the meek and gentle Joydeep who must be assertive enough to put his foot down when the circumstances demand.

Ekta Kapoor's "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", a family saga, on air for many years, is sure to rally around Tulsi - Bhoomi scuffle with Ansh's spirit playing the fiddle for them in the backdrop as long as it tops the popularity charts.