TV Show Review: Naamkaran’s New Entry Neela Is Melodramatic And Nagging

Mahesh Bhatt’s Naamkaran started off on a promising note and in the mid-week episode, the show introduced a new character – Neela, played by Sayantani. She made an entry as director Ashish Mehta’s (Viraf Patel) best friend and I didn’t like her entry at all.



And here comes the twist which you just can’t run away from. 'Coz...hello it’s Indian television.

Just when I thought we will see more chemistry between Asha (Barkha Bisht) and Ashish, director saab (I mean Mahesh Bhatt) dropped the bomb – a marriage alliance between Ashish and Neela! Why oh why? And that too through the age-old and hackneyed formula – ailing father wanting to marry off his daughter and the mother of the son thinks it to be a ‘nek vichaar and oonche khayalat wale family proposal’--- and hence agrees without even asking the son! 

To top it all, I have to talk about Neela’s character (I have no complaints about Sayantani though, as she plays her part well as per the requirement). Even as a best friend, she seemed pretty irritating and over enthusiastic. 

But the melodrama could have been turned bit lower.

It was only when their alliance is fixed by the parents--- and Neela steps back (thank you for understanding) and wants to talk to Ashish alone--- I heaved a sigh of relief.

And then came the dialogue of the year from Neela: All I ever thought that one day My Prince Charming would come and sweep me off my feet. I wanted him to go down on his knees and propose to me. But thank you for breaking my heart.

I wonder in which world does Neela live? Here are a few points why her character is so nagging:

- Two minutes ago, Neela – you were just a best friend

- Ashish had no clue about your feelings (because obviously he loves Asha and has a kid)

- Who shouts at the top of her voice in a hospital and enacts picking up pieces of broken heart?

- If Ashish is your bestie, shouldn’t you be willing to listen to him?

So where did Neela’s accusations come from all of a sudden? And Ashish proved that he's either too gullible or lacks spine. Though he starts to open up about his girlfriend to Neela and she goes on to call off the wedding, Ashish stops her! And tells her that he was joking! Why would he do that? I would have digested his joke if it was an arranged alliance.



The point I would like to make: If Ashish and Neela are shown best friends – he could have conveniently turned things around and taken her into confidence to patao the mother. But no!

As I told you earlier that I am eager to watch how Reema Lagoo’s character unfolds – it’s no different. The same which every other television show has offered: Mom’s word is the last word. And as the last episode revealed Asha’s character to be Muslim, the conflict safely lies here.

Naamkaran is now at an interesting point. If Ashish and Neela’s wedding is fixed, what will happen to Asha and Avni? The time the mother-daughter move on...that’s the time when Naamkaran will justify its title. And I am waiting for that turn.


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