#arnav

[awarenessinmoments]

Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon

IPKKND

[anlemontree]

IPPKND Appreciation and Rant

I've just binge watched IPKKND the last 2 weeks. I was in my early 30s when this show came out in 2011. I remember watching a few bits here and there that time but I was busy with life. I'm surprised that the show aged so well given it's been 15 years. Of course, there are many things I love and many things I feel so angsty about this show.

I felt a strong sense of sadness and dissatisfaction that the show ended and I wasn't happy with most of the storyline post hate marriage.

This is a sort of rant and venting my opinion to give some kind of closure to this agonizing feeling I have about the way the story progressed. 

All the cast did so well. Sanaya was fabulous and gave an outstanding performance. Barun was a phenomenal actor in this show, this showed him in his prime youth and gave me pure joy to watch his subtle acting and his facial expressions. But, I couldn't help feeling somewhat angry that the guy took off for a movie shoot midway and caused deterioration of storyline by the team having to go for a stupid kidnapping track. Most of it was devoid of logic, a multimillionaire missing and Khushi/mami accessing airport security tapes, police ignoring Khushi and a whole host of other issues, it just was so unbearable.

I hated the comedic treatment of Khushi's suicide attempt. Hated is not a strong enough word for this track. I don't want suicide to be used in the shows in this manner, it's a terrible and deep wound for people and families who experience it. Given Arnav's trauma with his mom's suicide, it's unfathomable as to how the writers even came up with this sort of treatment for Khushi's supposed suicide attempt. Even if they wanted to show a suicide track, how I wish they showed a complete breakdown of Khushi and attempt suicide seriously in a really weak moment. They could have built the story from there, by creating situations where Arnav notices discrepancies in Shyam's statements and what he noticed/missed earlier. They could have even made Khushi amnesiac from suicide/accident even and I would have preferred that more compared to the terrible kidnapping track. 

Weak redemption arc for Arnav. I just didn't understand when Arnav realized the truth and when his misunderstanding cleared. When Shyam was character-assassinating Khushi in Shyam confrontation post kidnap, it just doesn't make sense for Arnav to be a spectator especially when he knows about Shyam and what Shyam says doesn't align with what he said to Arnav.

Showing Khushi more kid-like and immature as the show progressed. Granted, holi track is largely good, but who would want to celebrate holi in such a way especially if one's life is upended overnight? I understand they needed to lighten the emotional negative heavy feel and I can overlook it somewhat. But, I couldn't tolerate the other episodes with Khushi's antics and infantilization. The episodes by themselves are comedic and evoke a laughter, but they just didn't fit well in the storyline. I expected to see more angst and desperation and breakdown from Khushi and all I got were stupid swami track, Kamlesh Khabari track and what not. 

I haven't watched Sheetal and Ms India tracks fully, but they are irrelevant to the main plot, so, it's ok. 

There are other things I didn't like, like the Bubbly track, khushification of Lavanya's wardrobe, underutilization of Akash, Payal, Shashi, Mamaji, but I can live with these issues as it doesn't deviate from the characterization and story foundation.

I think the other crew also changed after the hate marriage. Barun's look was awful after hate marriage and got worse and worse. I watched IPKKND Ek Jashn and I didn't like it, I found the magic and chemistry missing and it was looking forced. All I could see was Barun in those episodes, there was no trace of ASR. Ek Jashn gave the impression that Barun and Sanaya can't recreate similar magic if they were to do a similar show now. When I see Barun in his interviews, I am put off by his lack of grooming. Maybe he will do all good if he gets a romantic role, but the way he looks with beard and ill groomed in the interviews doesn't inspire confidence. Sometimes I keep wondering if it's the same guy who looked so dashing in IPK and who I was looking at in the interview video. I know that 15 years is a long time, but he is still in early 40s and doesn't seem to care about how unkempt he looks. Sanaya looks older, but still looks pretty in any interview I see her.

With this impression that Barun is past his prime looks wise, I keep fantasizing that some brilliant AI company will get all the necessary licenses to recreate this show with the look of the original cast and alter the storyline to make it wholesome and satisfying. I know it's a slippery slope in terms of real production vs AI boundaries, but I feel so dissatisfied with the post hate marriage storyline and feel so helpless about it. I wonder if the writers changed for the show after the hate marriage, I can't believe that the first 200 episodes and next 200 episodes are written by the same set of people.

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi Jalebi,

It was me who asked the question, on what exact point Arnav realised Khushi is innocent and trusted her.

I’m so elated that you liked my question. Very eagerly waiting for your answer. And one more thing to add, (regardless of what your answer is) would Arnav sought out Khushi after the kidnap scenario even if he hadn’t trusted her?

Hope you have a good day!

I hope that softens the fact that I have not answered your question in... ages.

The reason why I truly loved your question was because it is something that's never really stated in the show, so it's very very open to interpretation.

For everyone else, the question was

[But at what exact point, do you think Arnav completely nullifies or forgets or accepts or maybe comes around the fact that indeed khushi is innocent, because he was very much believing in the concept of hers and Shyam’s affair]

There are two things here.

When did Arnav believe Khushi & when did Arnav realize the whole truth because I think the show frames it as two different points.

When Did Arnav Believe Khushi

This phase, I believe, happens over the course of a few months. In general I like to think that Arnav was irked and disturbed by Khushi's contradictory behavior. Cause the way she was, at times, genuinely did not fit the kind of woman Arnav believes her to be. Also, at some points I do think Arnav knows that he's meting out unfair punishment.

At one point he isn't even punishing Khushi for hurting his sister. He's punishing Khushi for hurting him. (A part he doesn't quite easily accept cause that means he loved her and he'd rather accept anything except the fact that he was vulnerable, in love, and in love with the wrong person).

And then when he unleashes his rage and hears her story and refuses to believe it, a part of him has registered her story. At least there's a different point of view to everything - which is why he also waited for a proof.

The fact that she wants him to believe her, soothes and hurts him at the same time. Maybe it's an extension of her act, maybe somewhere there's the woman he loved.

It's too optimistic to hope that what she's saying is the truth.

And then when he's kidnapped, isolated, and almost forced to a brink of impending death - then other things and matter disappear. To hear that somehow, miraculously, Khushi was worried, crying for him - undoes him in many many ways.

He believes Khushi's innocence. Her love. Their love. Or whatever it is.

The likelihood of Khushi's innocence is far greater, and when she comes across all odds to just save him and not have a word about anything else - he believes her.

When did Arnav realize the whole truth

This, interestingly, happens during Shyam's whole panicked yet intelligent speech at Shantivan.

Shyam knows Arnav loves Khushi - assumes Khushi must have told Arnav everything at this point and he would believe the woman he loves - so Shyam no longer cares about what story he spun to Arnav.

What was important was to discredit Khushi and anyone who believes/supports Khushi.

But with Shyam's set of lies and Payal standing up to Khushi's defense - Arnav sees 2 things very clearly.

That Khushi was right, and how easily Shyam could spin a story into another.

I truly think that's when he got the grasp of what went between Shyam and the Guptas.

Hope this answers your question!

Lots of love,

Jalebi

P.S: Really wished though this was a full track.

[dnkkpi]

✦ ACHE

I think of you as I drift off to sleep, when I wake up, and in between.

I inhale you—never exhale.

I see you when I close my eyes, and search for you when I open them.

Visions of you fill every crevice of my mind.

And my skin carries the burn of your trace— gentle, fleeting yet searing.

And the rest of me, untouched, craves to suffer the same.

I am made of you.

I can only see myself reflected in your pupils.

In your eyes I exist; I am what you see in me.

You keep me intact, your gaze— the glue that binds me.

Thus, I am.

For you, by you, through you—I exist.

[arshiradio]

Babua was struck! ❤️

@arshifiesta

[ipkkndpanorama]

ARSHI OS : THE STORM AND THE DIYA

The Storm and The Diya

10:00AM

The snow-peaked mountains were cloaked in mist and chilly winds. Nestled at the edge of a pine-covered ridge was the Serenity Cove Retreat, where AR Designs had offsite training. Arnav stood by the window, watching the drizzle and regretting that he had agreed to this madness. He was about to make his way inside when he noticed her. She was sitting with her sketchpad in the corner of the outdoor gazebo, staring at the mountains. Her face seemed serene—until he noticed the furrow of her brows and pout as she sketched. She sat alone, away from the group, unnoticed by everyone. Except one— Arnav Singh Raizada.

The Night Before — 9:00 PM

She had wandered off unintentionally, curiosity leading her to the restricted wing where construction expansion was underway. Khushi found herself trapped inside the barely stable wing, alone in the dark with creaking wood and shuddering silence. She screamed for help. Hours passed before the incessant rain slowed and everything was quiet, when someone came calling for her. It was him. He called out, “Khushii, Khushiiiii.” Before she could respond, Arnav grabbed her arm—angry, cold with fear. “Do you have any idea what could have happened? What were you doing here alone?!” he shouted. Khushi, shivering and dust-covered, stared at him with wide, furious eyes. “You think I did this on purpose? If I knew this was restricted, would I wander here out of curiosity? Why do you always assume the worst?” Her voice cracked. “You’re so reckless! If something happened to you, I’d be held responsible—and you small people always wait for such opportunities to play victim and make money out of it!” he snapped. “No, you're judgmental,” she spat back. “Paisa hi sab kuch nahi hota! Haisiyat se jyada bhi insaan ki koi pehchan hoti hai. Par aap ko kya, apko apne ilawa koi dikhta hi nahi! Aapka sirf gussa hi nahi, aapki poori zindagi galat buniyaad pe bani hai!” The words hit harder than she expected. Arnav’s gaze dropped. She realized he was still her boss. Alarmed, she covered her mouth and avoided his eyes like a startled kitten. He found it amusing. Suppressing a smirk, he told her to get back to the resort and not wander off again—like a child being scolded.

1:00 PM

The sun bathed the mountains in golden light. Arnav stood at the trail’s edge behind the retreat, facing the rising sun. He heard footsteps. It was her, holding a package. “I was just passing by,” she said awkwardly. “I heard it’s your mother's birthday today.” He sighed. She continued, “Your eyes… they’re like your mother’s, aren’t they?” He scoffed—bitter, broken. “Please stop. You have no idea what it feels like losing your parents.” Khushi froze, then gave a sad, distant smile. “I wish no child had to lose their parents. I was eight,” she said softly. “I didn’t know what death meant then.” She placed the package on the table and ran. In her rush, her shawl slipped, revealing bruises—echoes of last night’s grip, filling him with regret. He opened the package. It was a sketch of his mother—not the stiff formal photo at AR, but mid-laughter, as if caught in a moment only he remembered. Her eyes sparkled with joy, reserved for him, when he’d cling to her or crack some silly joke. For the first time in years, he smiled. This brought back beautiful memories lost under the storm. Realization dawned. How did Khushi know? Maybe… maybe she gave him what she had always wished someone had given her—a glimpse of a parent smiling, alive in memory. And that broke something in him. Because while he had shut out the world in his pain, she had somehow understood it… and responded with kindness. She had lost her parents at eight, with barely any memories to hold on to—yet she still found ways to spread light. Now at eighteen, she was working to provide for her foster family. She had no privilege. No safety net. Only grit, innocence, and a kind heart. She was surviving in this cruel world like a flickering diya in a storm—fragile, yet determined to glow. While he was always scoffing at her because he was terrified of the emotions she evoked in him, she trusted him with a piece of her soul, with her deepest pain without any expectations. He felt ashamed of himself and whispered, “Khushi,” like a prayer.

8:00PM

He found her at the gazebo. “Khushi,” he called very softly. She turned to leave. “Sorry. I am really very sorry,” he said remorsefully. He saw her eyes well up with tears. She blinked and asked, “Why? I don’t want sympathy.” He said gently, “You deserve an apology… and thank you for the sketch. It’s beautiful. And Khushi, if and when you ever feel like sharing more… you can talk to me.” Khushi gave a small, grateful smile. “Thank you for asking. Someday, I’ll share.” He nodded in understanding. She lightened the moment, saying, “Sorry and thank you together? Aap bohot ajeeb ho!” and then burst out laughing. He admired her laughing freely, a rare smile gracing his lips. Her laughter was a fragile spark in the darkness—a light so pure and fierce, it made him ache. He wanted to shield her from every storm life could throw her way. In that moment, all he felt was the burning need to be her guardian, the one who would never let her flicker fade into shadow. He whispered to himself, “Protect her.” Devi Maiyya smiled, for the storm was over—and the diya, once flickering in the wind, now burned unwavering, a tender flame of love strong enough to mend what life had broken. A true love that would be built on respect, understanding, and trust.

#ipkknd #arnav x khush i#arshi #ipk #khushikumarigupta #arnav #arnavsinghraizada #KHUSHI #barunsobti #sanayairani #sarun

[francarieq]

Arnav and Tece Kronos dump because they’re the best to ever do it

[featheredclover]

Basorexia (II)

Part I

“Leaving early?”

Patience was not his virtue. And here someone was seriously testing it.

He didn’t wait, just walked ahead to the elevator as Aman caught up with him. 

“Thrice in a row hah? Khushi Gupta must be really something “

“Mathur”, he warned.

“I am serious! You have never blown off work for something, let alone someone.”

He couldn’t say anything. He could hardly explain it to himself. 

After he had dropped Khushi off to her apartment, he had found himself asking for her number. Of course, she had not given it to him straightaway.

“I thought you bid for this evening Mr R. I think you’ll have to pay a million more to the charity to get my number “

She had giggled before taking his breath away by leaning forward to fish out his phone. He got her number after all.

He couldn’t even wait twelve hours to call her. And he had. Utterly mesmerised . He loved the way she talked. The way she teased his boring ways.

He found himself in front of Prada every evening after work, waiting for her. The first time he saw her, he was astounded by how professional she looked. All in grey, maroon and black power blazers, skirt and stockings.

He knew they were intended to look professional. But god help him- all he wanted to do was tear those stockings, push her skirt up and make her his.

He could barely admit it but her giggle drove him crazy. He wanted to hear her moan. He wanted to feel her come apart around him. He wanted to kiss her. God! Her lips. It was like they had a mind of their own. They pouted, quivered , grinned and giggled. 

But he couldn’t mess this up. Not with Khushi. So he swallowed, forced himself to think about AR’s latest venture and behave like a goddamn gentleman .

“Earth to Arnav?”Aman quipped.

“I think I have Basorexia when it comes to her”

“Baso- what?”

“I just want to kiss her and I -“

Aman burst out laughing.

“Only you could describe falling in love with a woman like that, Raizada . Would it kill you to admit that you are attracted to her?”

“It goes deeper than that”, Arnav replied with clenched teeth.

“How much deeper?”Aman smiled. 

———-

Khushi knew the man dining in front of her liked her. It was evident in the way he called her every morning. Also in the way he waited in front of her building every evening, leaning against his Bentley. He had caused quite a stir in her workplace.

How did Khushi bag the millionaire? 

A few had even asked her outright. But she had simply winked, asked them to “Go join an auction “ and laughed at their frowns.

Arnav seemed to love her company. He didn’t say much. But he couldn’t stay away. She knew she could change things in a jiffy. She had seen the way his eyes had trailed down her legs, his jaw flexing as if he was restraining himself. And that had been enough to set her senses ablaze. 

She tried to signal all the time. She leaned in to whisper into his ears when there was no need to. She clutched his forearm every moment she got. She stumbled to get his hands on her waist. 

She was acting like a juvenile and she knew it. Could Arnav not tell she wanted him just as badly? 

“You are quiet tonight”

His eyes searched her face, a twitch of his hand giving away his anxiety.

“There’s a lot on my mind”, Khushi grinned.

“Work?”

She took her shot.

“You”, she whispered and traced her heel up against his trousers.

A clink and his glass spilled over. Shooting up, Arnav gracefully held her hand and guided her up and out of the restaurant. It all happened so quickly. Khushi suspected she had had a whiplash. 

Giggling ,she stopped him just before he could wrench his car door open.

“Wait! Wait! You didn’t tell me what you want .”

He twisted to face her, his eyebrows quirked to an angle she loved so much.

“I want you. Ripped stockings. On my lap”

“Aren’t you a poet?”, Khushi rolled her eyes, even as the blush on her cheekbones gave her away.

“Khushi”, his eyes now lost some of the burn they held, sombering up.

“I have never wanted anything like I have wanted you in my life.”

He was a man of few words. But with his grip on her waist, his warmth on her and his eyes which drifted to her lips more times than she could count- Khushi heard what the man said.

————

His moments were choppy and rough. Driving on a whim.

“My apartment please”, Khushi laughed.

“Mine’s closer”, he replied, genuinely confused.

“My aunt always told me to never spend the first night at the guy’s place”

He found his lips curving into a reluctant smile.

“I am not a serial killer”

“I might be”, she winked.

Chuckling, he twisted the wheel to drive to her street. One block at a time.

————

She wondered what Arnav saw in her apartment. It was minimalist at heart but had so many artefacts of colour. Vogue and gq were left around the place. 

But she realised her apartment was the last thing on his mind, when he grabbed her and pulled her up against him.

“I can’t wait Khushi “

Her arms went around him, as she pressed against him further.

“Then don’t “

He groaned before taking her lips into a kiss.  It was everything she had imagined and more. But it was his reaction that drove her crazy. His hands were trembling as they traced her jaw before angling it so he could deepen the kiss. Khushi let him have his way. Because he felt oh so good that way. Arnav kissed with a passion which somehow belied yet didn’t surprise his calm, no-nonsense nature.

He broke away, resting his head on her shoulder. His warm breath tickled her collar bones, sending a shiver down her body.

“Bed…Khushi please…let me take you to your bed…please”

Arnav Singh Raizada was begging. But she was too lost to think.

“The bedroom is on your left”

She yelped as he picked her up in his arms, carrying her over the threshold to her room.

There was just one moment Arnav wasn’t with her- the time he undressed. 

But even then, she was kept pinned to her bed.

He had stopped her when she had reached for her stockings after kicking off her heels.

“Keep them on”

Her legs trailed down his shoulders and wrapped around his hips even as his kisses sent her reeling.

She moaned helplessly as he looked between them. Aligning her with him, Arnav took her lips just as he claimed her.

He groaned hoarsely just as her breath hitched. He was in her. She felt the fullness in her. And it was him- him that caused the experience to be so overwhelming. He was just devastatingly handsome with his perfectly gelled hair, now all roughed up from her fingers.

He began moving. Thrusting in her with a pace which left her clinging to him, moaning into his ear.

“Oh god Arnav! Don’t stop. Ple-“, Her breath hitched again as he tilted her hip, reaching deeper than she had ever felt before.

Her eyes rolled back as she pulsed around his girth. He kept thrusting in a frenzy, before he shuddered. Khushi was mesmerised by him. He was so masculine in everything he did, she couldn’t help but feel giddy.

Mr R definitely lived up to his name.

———

Her white comforter covered them both, as they lay wide awake surrounded by pink pillows.

Even as they lay in the aftermath of hot sex, he couldn’t stop touching her. His fingers traced her everywhere. 

“If you keep that up, I’ll be forced to jump on you again”, she teased, a lazy smile in place.

“Wouldn’t mind that”, he nipped her neck, making her moan.

“You have just worsened my basorexia”, he kissed her, sliding his tug against her nudging her into a sensual play.

She giggled, “Basorexia?”

“Hmm, since I have met you, I have had this curious affliction. I just want to kiss your lips”, kissing her again once more he pulled away, “Endlessly”

Khushi stared at him. In the few days she had known him he had never been so playful. 

She stretched, a sharp sensation of pleasure shooting through her ,as his naked body felt delicious against her.

“Well,then I hope I never cure you of your condition Arnav”

He engulfed her in his arms, cocooning her in his strength.

“I’ll hold you to that angel”

———

The End