Thipkyanchi Rangoli – Episode 189 – Written Update and Episode Review

No matter how hard I try to look away,
I am my gaze’s favorite person to betray.
It finds you even in the overwhelming crowd,
And this foolish heart starts yelling – that’s my woman, shouldn’t I be proud?
– IAdoreYouCreates

W H A T   H A P P E N E D   I N   T H E   E P I S O D E ?

The episode begins with Shashank entering the room. As he collides with Apurva who is busy reading, she frowns, calling him double battery. Hearing a new nickname from her, Shashank gets furious. 

Shashank – What? What did you just say?

Amey and Prachi – Double Battery.

Shashank darts a glare at the duo – I listened – making them look down.

Shashank – I have glasses because I have studied day and night but how will a dumb girl like you understand that?

Apurva – Dumb? Dumb? You called me dumb?

Shashank – Yes. I called you dumb. Did you not call me chashmish?

Double battery – Amey and Prachi correct him in unison.

Shashank – Whatever and you are dumb. 

Suva Aai mentally facepalms herself as the duo starts fighting but Maai makes her see the bright side of their fight as she points out how their argument is distracting Babi Aatya from her pain. 

Suva Aai can’t help but nod as she concludes that Shashank and Apurva’s meaningless fights are better than the gloomy silence. At least they maintain the energetic vibe of their home. 

The scene shifts to Deepali and Bhaskar where the latter brings soup for the former. She inquires if he has eaten and if Ovi has slept to which he nods. 

Deepali asks him if he is still upset with her as he is not talking to her. Bhaskar ignores her question and reminds her to take her medicines before sleeping.

When she confesses her willingness to apologize to Babi Aatya, Bhaskar refuses, telling her that she wouldn’t have done what she did if she felt anything at all for Babi Aatya. He adds that everything is left behind now.

Deepali asks if everything is indeed left behind then why doesn’t he also leave everything behind?

Bhaskar subtly warns Deepali not to draw any meanings from his incomplete wedding. He makes it clear that his life has a place as his life partner for only Babi Aatya. He admits to having taken her responsibility but firmly lets Deepali know that the only person who has a right on his love is Babi Aatya. 

The scene shifts to Babi Aatya and Apurva where the latter finds the former tearing papers and throwing them in her room. Apurva gets all excited and tells Babi Aatya that she wants to do it too.

Babi Aatya laughs and reveals that those papers are movie tickets, adding that she has been extremely fond of movies. Knowing this, Bhaskar used to take her to the first day, the first show always. Babi Aatya reminisces the joyful memories of the beautiful time that she has spent with Bhaskar before he had left for the U.S.

While recalling how they used to eat roasted nuts and Vada Paav, Babi Aatya tells Apurva that holding hands used to seem quite romantic to them back then. Her mind travels back to the time as she talks about how she used to involuntarily reach out for Bhaskar’s hand while watching a thriller scene and how he would put his hand on hers to comfort her. 

However as the once beautiful memories now stand blurred and broken, Babi Aatya confesses that everything has slipped out of her hands now.

The aroma of the roasted nuts. 

The darkness. 

The romance. 

And… Bhaskar.

Shashank lingers outside Babi Aatya’s room as he contemplates how to see Apurva. He assures himself that he can ask her if she has studied.

Inside the room, when Apurva questions that since they did not have an access to mobile phones back then, how they communicated, Babi Aatya reveals that they had time and places fixed and they would just reach the given place at the given time.

Apurva – And what if one got late? Then what? 

Babi Aatya – Then what? Wait! 

Apurva – You wouldn’t get mad at each other?

Babi Aatya smiles, shaking her head – Appu, you know when you are truly in love with someone… all of these things… greed, anger, ego… seem insignificant. I wouldn’t get… mad at him. 

Apurva mentally decides that she should also make Shashank wait someday. 

The next day, Bhaskar arrives and tries to convince Babi Aatya and Kanitkars but all in vain. Babi Aatya inquires about Deepali’s health and asks if he left her alone with just Ovi. He tells her that he has kept a nurse to take care of Deepali, making Babi Aatya quickly reply that Deepali has taken care of him all these years and that he should be the one to be with her and take care of her at the moment. 

Bhaskar – I was with her when I needed to be but now, the most important thing for me is to apologize to you. 

Babi Aatya – Apologize? For what?

Bhaskar – That day, I left you alone in the middle of the wedding but as a doctor, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to my responsibility. 

Babi Aatya – You are absolutely right. You fulfilled your responsibility. You don’t have to apologize to me. I am not mad at you at all.

Bhaskar – Thank god. I knew that the whole world may draw wrong meanings out of my behavior but you… would understand me, Vidya.

Apurva pulls Shashank by his hand, drawing his attention to herself as she expresses her annoyance – what is he doing? Is he here to apologize to Babi Aatya or defend himself?

Shashank shushes Apurva, asking her not to speak in between when the elders are talking. 

Apurva – Why should I not talk? I want to talk. Bhaskar Kaka left Babi Aatya in the Mandap for Deepali Aunty. Babi Aatya was constantly crying. Only I know what all that I have done to make her smile. She used to smile for a minute and then would start crying again. What is Bhaskar Kaka thinking? That his one sorry can fix everything? Can make Babi Aatya forget everything?

Apurva – You stay quiet. Dada-Kaka is looking at us.

Bhaskar admits to having gone wrong and pulls out the Mangalsutra from his pocket as he confesses that he is there to complete the only wedding ritual that is left.

Babi Aatya tells him that there is no need for it anymore, adding that she no longer wants to marry him.

Babi Aatya sticks to her point despite Bhaskar’s persistent persuasion. When he requests Kanitkars to make Babi Aatya understand, the Kanitkars firmly stand by Babi Aatya, in support of her decision.

A dejected Bhaskar leaves.

Later at night, Apurva comes to meet the Kukki gang after Babi Aatya falls asleep. 

Shashank watches Apurva and the Kukki gang who are downstairs discussing something 

Shashank shakes his head, realizing that Apurva is up to something again – something is cooking in her head and she is shoving it down the Kukki gang’s throat. But why am I thinking about her? Have all of the good thoughts in the world ended that I am thinking about her? But I have to know how high this Shishta’s weird imagination is soaring. No matter what I say… whatever that she does always gives everyone happiness. The happiness on her gang member’s faces is telling it. What the heck is wrong with me? I am just continuing to think about her. No. No. I have to think about Babi Aatya at the moment but who knows this Shishta must be thinking about Babi Aatya only?

While Shashank is lost in his own thoughts, Kukki spots him.

Shashank mentally facepalms himself  – dammit. This Kukki saw me. Now he will draw out different meanings and harass me again.

M Y   T A K E 

Shashank and Apurva’s meaningless fights are better than the gloomy silence.

Couldn’t agree more. The way the last couple of episodes pushed the otherwise cheerful Kanitkars into a deep pit of grief was quite saddening to watch. Moments. A couple of moments and one incident were all that it took to paint everyone in the black color of pain which was supposed to be the beautiful red color of love and that hurts. 

I think Thipkyanchi Rangoli is one of those few shows where I am genuinely interested in almost every character. Almost. Why the whole Bhaskar-Babi Aatya track is pretty interesting to me because I am interested in their tale! 

Also, have to… have to applaud the wonderfully perfect cast that Thipkyanchi Rangoli has. I am sure I have said this before but I am in awe of these actors and the offscreen team. The way they deliver a scene is so captivating.  It couldn’t have been possible if anyone from either the onscreen or the offscreen team hadn’t been at his/her best but these people seem to be at their best every single day. 

Gives away the genuine efforts, creativity and hard work that everyone is putting in. Their individual contribution makes the show as a whole shine so bright. 

Chashmish. Double Battery. Dha ( Dunb). Sheti ( Farming).
Bhoot. Chetkin. Ganittadnya.
Khadoos. Shishta.

It’s officially confirmed that these two can talk about anything. Anything. Literally the lamest things possible. Look how Mrs. Kanitkar has rubbed off on Mrs. Kanitkar. Otherwise, who would have thought that Mr. Kanitkar would abandon his serious and sincere side and join his wife in the competition of craziness?

An entertaining duo this is! Even Kanitkars got pretty entertained with the Chashmish and Dha’s fight! 

Shashank wasn’t lying when he had slyly hinted toward the Kukki gang members being jokers, entertaining in a circus. 

The poor fellow had no idea that one day, even he was going to be a part of that circus and that too.   willingly. Am I right, Mr. Shashank Joker Kanitkar?

Being a joker isn’t a bad thing, Mr. Kanitkar! You and the Kukki gang are those sweet jokers that make hundreds and thousands of people smile and laugh every day. 

Sweet Jokers! 

Apurva and Babi Aatya’s scene was another good one. The whole old tickets and Babi Aatya’s fond memories reminded me of a movie and a story I can’t recall the names of. But the vibe seemed so familiar. I have grown up reading a bunch of Marathi books. All of the fun books though. It was like several long years ago. 

They were so much fun. Offered so much to learn. The tickets reminded me of this one story of a boy that I had read about. How his father forgets to give him money for the tickets and how he ends up earning ₹2 for his tickets by selling envelopes and reaching his destination. 

Sorry, I got carried away a bit so yes, I loved the whole conversation. From Babi Aatya’s smile that automatically crept over her lips as she walked down the memory lane to Apurva’s sheer astonishment upon hearing about what kind of romance was in existence back then.

Apurva concluding to make Shashank wait for her had me in splits. No matter who she is with, no matter what the situation is and no matter who the discussion is about – this woman somehow ends up connecting everything to her husband. 

From Deepali’s step to now this idea of making him wait inspired by Babi Aatya’s and Bhaskar.

This way or that way – she ends up making him the other end of the thread of her thoughts!

Khadoos. Khadoos. Khadoos.

Everywhere… in everything… he stays the only one her heart wants to choose.

Poor Mr. Kanitkar roaming around the Kanitkar house, lingering around the new room of his wife, getting all unsettled upon not having her by his side in the bed and coming in search of her, just hoping to have some verbal exchange… maybe just hear her voice, argue a bit, maybe steal a chance or create one to hold her hands for a minute or two…

Oof. Mr. Kanitkar! Oof!

Haan Hum Badalne Lage, Girne Sambhalne Lage,
Jabse Hai Jaana Tumhe, Teri Ore Chalne Lage!
-From ‘Hasi’.

Deepali and Bhaskar’s conversation! Sigh. I am sure now… now everyone saw it coming. Deepali’s perhaps the very first vulnerable attempt to get Bhaskar to see that she sees a life with him and Bhaskar’s stern refusal and perhaps the last attempt to get Deepali to see that the only person that he sees a life with is his Vidya. 

Kanitkars were pretty harsh on Bhaskar but can’t blame them. The way I still believe Bhaskar did the ideal thing – in the very same way I support Babi Aatya’s decision. Despite believing that Bhaskar kinda doesn’t deserve it. Why? Because it’s her choice.

The way Bhaskar chose to halt the wedding and stay with Deepali till she gained consciousness… Babi Aatya has chosen not to go ahead with the wedding anymore. 

Bhaskar had the right to make the choice that he made and so does Babi Aatya now.

I quite liked that Bhaskar stayed on his point that he does not feel that he made a wrong choice. He was honest about it all along. In his opinion, he needed to do what he did and he does not regret it. Sure, it caused Babi Aatya a lot of pain and suffering that she did not deserve – and for that… he IS sorry.  

One of the initial dialogues – I was with Deepali when I needed to be but now that the life and death situation has passed, my priority is you – spoke volumes.

Mrs. Apurva Vartak Kanitkar is up to something. Again. But this time, Mr. Kanitkar is strangely neither anxious nor scared. Mr. Kanitkar has come to trust Mrs. Kanitkar now. 

He still finds her both childish and immature though but he has come to understand and acknowledge that her childish and immature ideas get his family smiling and laughing. 

He has come to trust that everything that she does is in his family’s best interest.

Trust is one of the main pillars of any relationship and Shashank now trusts Apurva.  To the extent that even he himself isn’t aware yet. And the trust is here to stay because he hasn’t offered his trust to her. She has earned it with everything that she has done so far for him and his… my bad.. their… their family. 

That Areeyyyyy though. I legit laughed so hard at that bit. Kukki and Shashank together – even when not in one frame – are hilarious. 

Yet another fantastic episode! 💜

This is completely my perspective. You can have a different one. I would love to hear if you do. Like I always say, we can always agree to disagree.

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Much love