Wednesday 30 May 2012

A Serving of Mohan Bhatnagar!

"I've decided that today is going to be amazing. 1, 2, 3... GO!" 

I have more than a sneaking suspicion about that being the thought Mohan Bhatnagar woke up to, the morning of 29th May. 

Picture the scene...    Sprawled across the parapet of his stingy stretch of a balcony in his usual king-of-the-world languor, he frowns when an annoying rooster crows. Once. Twice. Thrice. Somewhere in the realm between asleep and awake, he yells for Guru to shut the freaky bird up. And somehow, it works. Quiet prevails again. But unaccustomed as he is to things going his way,  easily as that,  Mohan snaps out of the semi-consciousness. Barely survives the fall of an entire storey between jumping to his feet and not slipping over the very edge, feels an immediate crick in the neck from the night's not so flattering position, and looks about skeptically to find what silenced his everyday enemy, that vengeful neighborhood rooster. Before his search can culminate however, his gaze is distracted by the fluttering of the curtains of  her  room. And unlike most of his days, today he does catch sight of her. Just for a second, just in time, before she flits past the dresser out of the door. The rooster crows again. Mohan rolls his eyes almost fondly at the return of normalcy. Looks in the distance at the intriguing blend of indigo and pink ribbons that form the pre-dawn sky. And  just like that  he decides... that today is going to be amazing. 1, 2, 3... GO! 
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But hold your horses right here. This post is not about a day in the life of Mohan Bhatnagar! Not even, if the day turns out to be as entertaining and goofy-grin-inducing as that from the episode of 29th May. To which, btw, the above was my mentally accommodated prelude... 

But no. This post is only a means to finally blog about my current favorite Indian show. A post I was intending to make no later than last week, which marked the well reached milestone of 100 episodes completion for Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha. Since I'm altogether late for that now, but still wish to pay some tribute to the NBT team, I think I shall dedicate this post to doing what I do better than much else - gush about my favorite character from the show, a stroke of genius from the makers who have conjured a character this close from being real! 

For the uninitiated, meet Mohan Bhatnagar. The cynical man-child who can outwit bad guys a dozen a dime, but not wrap his head around the rocket science that is tying laces. If you insist, he's likely to launch into some half baked theory about the (delightfully psychedelic colored) laces left purposefully untied in accord with current trends (in Mohan-land of course). But beware, lest you get talked into any such glib - even a precocious 8 year old (read: Nanhi) knew better than to! Still, if you choose to overlook the warning, I trust Mohan in all his klutzy glory to oblige. By dutifully and unfailingly stumbling upon his fashion-statement-waces - while still in the middle of excusing his goofy ways as "style" - and effectively proving otherwise. 

But moving beyond my (evident) obsession over the waces... 

It is just as well that I warn you at this point also, about Bhatnagar's self destructive knack of casting epic fail first impressions. In defense of his virtues though - his heart is gold, his affections precious and his witticisms priceless. His guard is impenetrable, as long as you're not tricking him with good homemade food to get your way past it. And that is curiously enough, not Achilles' only heel. If by some miraculous chance you come to be in possession of this mysterious blue bordered white female hanky recovered from his denims or backpack, hold onto it. From reliable sources it is known, that there are unbelievable extents he will go to, to get it back. Maybe,  just maybe both his desperation and your luck are running high enough - that he will even trade his pehla pyaar dumroo in return! 

If his cynicism stumps you, you haven't yet seen his candor. And if you think nothing could top that, you haven't seen his concern! His signature expressions of courtesy - sun naa, arey yaar, chal be - are (excuse the immodesty) a cult of their own, spreading like an epidemic among keen idolizers; the latter being a number on exponential rise. 

But don't be so impressed. On days of his life - when he's not busy being adorkable with Chawanni, playing knight and confessing love to her feisty mother Mirchi Vyas, being encountered by the ever-stalking Vyases, being advised by insufferable know it all biwi Guru, or being patronized by moody Maa - Mohan does have a mundane life of his own, in which he is a star crime reporter. On his less eventful days, he can be found chasing witnesses or villains down highways and narrow alleys alike. His phone logs will usually be equally divided among Karan, Tawde, and Guru. Sometimes he can be found looking dorky in glasses as he doogles information about the goons. If there is nothing at all happening, boredom can compel him to land in a supermart and seek out transient action in disturbing peaceful shelves of order. 

So really, Mohan Bhatnagar is a noone-special-nextdoor. 

So how come that extensive fan following, you ask? It reminds me. In all my rambling I forgot to mention that the lesser known Mortal Bhatnagar is also available in the form of his invincible superhero alias - SpiderM(oh)an!!!

And just because I'm a nice fan who doesn't feel so territorial about letting others in on trade secrets, I will have you know that the exclusive rights to contact Spidey belong to Nanhi. Rumor has it, that Spidey only responds to an archaic ring-a-bell mechanism, set up personally by him, to cater to his very own chota bomb

Did You Know Trivia: 

-  His nickname is Monu. He will deny it, even at gun point. But that is the truth, and honestly he should quit running from it! Of course, there is a catch. Any guesses for the one  person who gets away with calling him Monu? No, not his mother, duh! And before you even go there, Mirchi finds much more appeal in calling him "musibat"! Guru is too biwi-minded to address him by a nick name - oh the sheer blasphemy! Which leaves only one. Chota bomb! 

-  Mohan's favorite color is a point of contention. Teal is his earliest known favorite. In more recent times however, he set his mind on black. But if the latest hints are anything to go by, I say he's warming up to yellow. Of course it has nothing to do with Mirchi's choice, psst! 

-  Milk is definitely not his drink. There is no evidence favoring bhaang either. If it was on me, I'd put money on masala chai, preferentially served half-a-cuppa! Okay fine, I wont deny Mirchi's credit for this one. 

- Mohan's greatest competitor comes in pocket-size. Goes by the name of Piddi Vyas. When they're not up against each other in a perpetually lasting war,  they do have their rare moments of "bonding". The exact terms and conditions of which are tricky to explain...

-  He's not usually one with a taste for flowers. Nanhi never approved of his choice for starters. There are witnesses to his once upon a time physical assault against respected Mrs. Renu Vyas with a beautiful bunch that he all but sent hurling at her. But recent events have changed that. And you just have to see the look on his face at the sight of a cactus in bloom, to believe when I tell you - Mohan does love some flowers. And some butterflies, while we're at it. 

-  The famous Mr. Bhatnagar is his mysterious father. A man he shares an inexplicable love-hate relationship with. I haven't really figured out this one to be honest. If I may, I doubt Mohan himself has figured it out yet. 

-  He doesn't like jalebi or laddoo or gulab jamun so I'd say he's not much of a sweet tooth. No surprise, given that he does chase after a woman he fondly calls Mirchi Madam!


And that's enough for a start. If you haven't really gotten to watching this show yet, I say you do it now. If you're a non-Hindi speaking blog follower - I feel for you. Mohan's magic will be quite lost on you, because no subtitles do justice to vintage Mohanisms. 

Finally, to the entire team of NBT - you people just get what entertainment is about. Enough said. Here's to a long innings, that never feels too old! Keep it rolling! 

To Kunal Karan Kapoor - Who would Mohan be, if not you? No. Change that. Who would you be, if not Mohan?! Yes, that's a trick question :P

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And I had better get back to understanding the life and styles of Parisian salons in the 19th century. Yay, exciting! *insert emoticon per your perception of my sentiment here* 

xx
J.

23 comments:

  1. EEEPPP! JZ this was an absolutely AWESOME read. I LOVE the ending question directed at Kunal. 45%?! Yeah Riiiiight! **rolls eyes Mohan style**




    ~ Amy

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    1. *tackles Amy into squishy hug* - no words needed! =)))

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  2. If Kunal Karan Kapoor's Mohan leaves me speechless, then this has left me simply in awe. Thank you for the accurate character analysis. You write beautifully.

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    1. Aww thank you Payal (from the forum I presume?) - Really happy for what you have to say of it!!! =) @matching Mohan/Kunal - One can only try! But let's agree about the inspiration being a genius!

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  3. I stumbled across this curtesy your tweet to KKK - Mr 45%, and what a find...
    Amazing read, really well written...
    I'm saving this address to revisit and savour for when I can do it justice, but until then 'Hats off Lady' (Lady I think it is - apologies if it isn't)

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    1. Lady it is =) And gracias mucho for the wonderful comments, glad the tweet found someone to claim! =) Will look forward to hearing again, if and when you come back by!

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  4. LOL only you could sum it up like that!...Beautifully put JZ! *whistles* :D

    -Maz

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    1. *blushes and flutters eyes to whistles* te he :))) Thankgee Mazzy!

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  5. Jazzaaay! I freakin LOVE this....only you could have described him so amazingly...so glad Amy linked me to this...I'm totally gonna save this and read it again and again....leaves me with a huge smile on my face....loved the trick question...haha my fav. bit...lol...


    ---Nur

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    1. Aww Nurey *BIG HUG BACK* I had fun writing this one - as is evident from how much kick I was getting out of each sentence - Mohan/Kunal are inspiration enough :D

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  6. JZ! Didn't know u had a blog! Aww how beautifully u sum up mr.Mohan bhatnagar, the man child! Couldnt help grining all the way while reading it. By the way I HAVE to follow u and not miss out the beautiful musings by the one & only JZ.
    love
    shamil

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    1. Thank you so much Shamil *hugs* And I'll look forward to hearing from you as and when - but don't bid too much! I just come random ramble on this blog, the random-est things under the sun!

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  7. Very good write up. Loved it totally.Thanks. I shall later explore your blog.

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    1. Thanks you so much Swati - and sure, find your way around as and when =)

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  8. Jeeez..Awsome piece of writing. Loved it.

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  9. Merci! Glad you enjoyed it!

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  10. I think u wrote reallly really well!!! Big hug to u... ��

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  11. Delicious serving right on my dinner tabel!!! How much I liked Mohan Bhatnagar earlier, I thought that was enough from my capacity! But now it looks like not enough 'cos you have created some more space for my liking! Beautifully written!!! *Claps*

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    1. Aww, thank you Poo!!! Your words are very kind! It amazes you how much ground you can find under his feet, even in the middle of a generally lost storyline (or lack of it) as from this season!

      Have you read the more recent Kunal posts I've made on this blog?

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  12. WoW...as much as kunal as an actor n person inspires me this article has inspired me too
    You write really well...dont ever give it up

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    1. Thanks a bunch! I went back and read the post myself, to remember it all. This Mohan, and NBT1 now feel like a surreal feature from another life...!
      ps: Thanks again, for your warm words.

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  13. I enjoyed very much but was directed towards some details which I really missed and will pay more attention to them. Perhaps because I don't see from a writer's eye even though I have never stopped the urge of saying something about him that was completely unstoppable. Learnt so many new words describing like 'glutzy glory' and mentioning the crick in his neck from the night's not so flattering position. Enjoyed your expression of him looking dorky in glasses as he doogles information about the goons. And at his pleasure of seeing Cactus in bloom merely reminds him of objecting to the watering of it. Thus being an association with the woman who is in his mind and he has not been able to get a word out of her and was so concerned about it. I loved Mohan's look at Megha as he starts to move towards her and perhaps have something to talk about more neutral than personal but Megha is suddenly addressed by Karan who shows how
    happy that makes him and so on. But Megha as she continues to glance at Mohan pushes the pot over the edge. It is one of my favourite scenes. He is wonderful to watch in every situation and I love the actor who can produce the variety of effects which is often beyond the reach of the norm. So, we are all very lucky in sharing Mohan's magic in his Mohanisms and his Expressions which have never seen by me and never liked a character so much before. Thank you for sharing your blog with us which I have really enjoyed and am so proud of you sharing this joy with me and all those who are crazy about Mohan Bhatnagar.

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