‘Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil’: Love mein videsh wala twist

Star Plus has brought in a romantic drama, ‘Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil’, in its 8.00 pm slot on weekdays. The show, which went on air on November 7, 2016, stars two popular television actors, Arjun Bijlani and Drashti Dhami, in the lead roles. Produced by Balaji Telefilms, an additional attraction for the show is that it has been shot across locales in Austria.

Said to be inspired by Shah Rukh Khan-Mahima Chaudhary starrer ‘Pardes’, ‘Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil’ is about how two strangers are brought together by fate in a foreign land, unaware that destiny has plans for them together, before they realise that they are meant for each other. The show also delved into the deep bond shared by mother-daughter.

The story so far tells us how Naina’s (Drashti Dhami) close relationship with her mother causes a break-up with her beau Amit (Vicky Arora). Two years after the break-up, Naina and Amit happen to bump into each other and rekindle their feelings for each other. The two even decide to get engaged, which seems incredulous as neither had even bothered to get in touch with the other during these two years. However, on the eve of engagement, Amit mother plays spoilsport, saying that Naina will always give more importance to her mother. So, the two break off again. Shocked by these happenings, Naina’s mother suffers a heart attack.

Circumstances then lead to Naina travelling to Austria, where her brother and sister-in-law are based. There, she meets Raghav (Arjun Bijlani), who is part of a rich Indian business family. The matriarch of the family, Indu Mehra (Surekha Sikri), brings up Raghav as her own grandson, even as her real grandson Veer (Laksh Lalwani) turns out to be a spoilt brat. The undercurrents in the Mehra family are presented early on, where Indu’s two sons and daughters-in-law dislike Raghav. Naina is left heart-broken when she learns that Amit is now married to an Austrian woman to get citizenship.

The story so far has nothing novel or gripping to offer. But the beautiful locales of Austria are a welcome sight. Both Arjun and Drashti have acted well and have created an affinity with their characters. Veteran actress Surekha Sikri (seen as the rustic Dadi Sa in ‘Balika Vadhu’ not so long ago) is a delight to watch.

It’s a wait and watch to see how the story pans out, what twists and turns are introduced in the plot.

Cast:

Drashti Dhami as Naina Batra

Arjun Bijlani as Raghav Mehra

Laksh Lalwani as Veer Mehra

Alok Narula as Rajiv Batra

Surekha Sikri as Indu Mehra

Manish Khanna as Balraj Mehra

Alka Amin as Asha Batra

Aditi Gupta as Sanjana

Production: Balaji Telefilms

Channel: Star Plus

Timing: 8.00 pm