Akshata Rawat

"साजन तोरा ताके रस्ता सदियाँ निकली जाएँ..." 𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘴. Let’s begin. Season 1 was electric, but it doesn’t quite overshadow this one. The USP of Season 1 was its focus on classical genre, which was refreshing and resonated deeply with the audience. We’ve seen countless films about artists struggling for their art, but rarely in a pure Indian classical gharana setting. That’s why Season 1 gets a 10/10 . Season 2, however, was more experimental. I’d rate it 8/10. I came across some reviews criticizing the ‘lack of chemistry between the two leads,’ but for me, Bandish Bandits is about more than just the 'happily ever after.' In Season 1, we watch Tamanna, our blue bandit, experience a world beyond autotune, while Season 2 explores Radhe’s journey into the showbiz,a space he’s unfamiliar with. Yes, the love triangle felt completely unnecessary and dragged on for too long (honestly, you could’ve avoided it!), and at times, I found myself tempted to skip it. One of the most beautifully portrayed aspects is how the makers captured the evolving dynamics of the Rathore family, where each member brings their own unique flavor, yet are united by an unwavering love for their Gharana. From the traditional values of Panditji to growing acceptance of new ideas.Every character is a gem! Shankar Mahadevan and his team are the true legends. However, the new talent also deserves recognition. The entire cast deserves a 100/10. Huge thanks to them for their stellar performances. Amit Mistry, you were dearly missed. Rest in peace. **Spoiler Alert** The ending- I’m not particularly disappointed with how the makers wrapped up both seasons. Why did Royalty Free win over the Rathores, despite lacking intricacies? A rewind to Season 1:we already knew Digvijay was nearly unbeatable, especially when compared to our young Radhe (undeniably talented,but was still growing). Without Arghya’s "Har Arjun ko apne Krishna ki zaroorat hoti hai", Radhe wouldn’t have won. This time too, it was the set format. Radhe knew their performance was out of format (especially with Digvijay participating) but still chose to honor his gharana over the IBC, wanting to spread the melody of their beloved Gharana to the world - a win in itself. As for the love story across both seasons, I believe that had it ended with a fairytale conclusion, Tamanna would have constantly found herself comparing her life to Radhe’s, eventually feeling disconnected. After all, a sweet melody needs resonance. But our Radhe will always "main intezaar karunga..." (Damn, these fictional men! The way they elevate my romantic ideals! Uff!) Lastly, I really hope the makers don’t pursue another season. This one is perfect as it is. Kudos to the entire team!