Splitsvilla 7 wrap-up: Soppy love odes dominate episode 15

Splitsvilla 7 is about many things: politics, abuses, terrible item numbers to name a few. What we don’t expect is soppy love odes. This time, the producers decided they must show the good side of Splitsvilla. So for once, it wasn’t just plotting and scheming. Instead love was in the air. To recap, this week’s episode began with three boys: Yasir, Mayank Gandhi and Ayaz in the dumping zone. The boys had to impress Queen Khushi in order to avoid getting dumped. This was also the point where the producers managed to get Amazon to pitch in with some product placement as the boys bought a gift from the site for the Queen. As far as we’re concerned, it’s better than watching the men dance and sing all over again. The boys met the Queen on a date where they handed over their gifts. Khushi was reminded of her manners and told that she must say “Thank you” to Amazon.in, as well lest they get angry. The point of all this gift-giving was to show the boys trying to sort out their politics. Yasir was worried Khushi would dump him since he hasn’t spent enough time with her. Mayank Gandhi turned up dressed like a waiter without a bow-tie. Ayaz looked really smug since he was convinced his equation with Abhishek would help with Khushi. Khushi’s criteria for dumping: someone who won’t back-stab her if and when she’s dethroned as Queen of Splitsvilla.  Finally, it was on to the dumping zone, which turned out to be one soppy tale. For starters, Mayank told everyone how Rashi was his someone special, followed by Ayaz doing the same for Priyanka and then Yasir for Dana. Sure, we believe you. The boys wanted the Book of Fortune to be opened. And what did that reveal? Essentially the Book offers a reality-tv-friendly test of true love. If the girls really love the boy they claim to care for, they can switch with places and enter the dumping zone themselves. Once they do that, Queen Khushi will then dump one person. But hold on. That’s not all. After Khushi’s decision, the final decision of who gets dumped will be decided by the Book. It’s a whole lot of complicatedness and here’s how things went. All three girls in true Savitri style offered to switch places. Yasir said no to Dana, because he figured, “hey I have a broken leg and will probably not be able to win the show.” Dana happily accepted this explanation within seconds. Rashi also offered to switch with Mayank Gandhi and unlike Dana, she didn’t back off and made sure the switch took place. Priyanka offered to do the same and Ayaz effectively told her that even if he got chucked out, she could team up with Abhishek and be safe. So who did Khushi dump? Shockingly, it was Ayaz she picked. For her, the Abhishek comment from Ayaz was a bit too much. Splitsvilla lesson 1: Khushi called dibs on Abhishek long back bro, so you can’t be giving out such advice to your woman. [caption id=“attachment_1724645” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Screenshot from the episode.[/caption] Priyanka was upset, but was still hoping the Book would help her and Ayaz. But sadly, the Book ruled Khushi’s decision to be final. Splitsvilla lesson 2: You’ll get dumped if you’re selfish on the show, which is ironic since everybody is out to save themselves. After this, Priyanka and Ayaz claimed their undying love for each other. She also said, “I’ll agree to be your Valentine” (to Ayaz), aka words that all 14-year-olds are dying to hear. After this obnoxiously soppy dumping session, we finally got some bitchiness on the show. Khushi and Shravan were allowed to spend a night in the villa. Dana now took on the role of vamp-in-chief (this probably explains the over-the-top vampirish make-up). Dana told Khushi that Scarlett might call Abhishek her brother, but really, they’re friends with benefits. Gasp! Abhishek, Scarlett and Dana ended up fighting, with Scarlett asking Dana, “Do you even know what friends with benefits means?” Later Dana confessed she was trying to break Khushi’s confidence. This was followed by a ‘Patate Raho Session’ during which Dana accused Scarlett and Abhishek of smooching. The two of them got rather defensive. Yes, it’s the same old fight being dragged out all over again.  You can’t help but think that Sunny Leone and Nikhil Chinappa are schoolteachers and the other three are squabbling students who are in danger of being punished by their teachers. Even as this fight got over, another one started. This one was about a kambaal (blanket). Abhishek, annoyed by people saying there was no connection between him and Khushi, lashed out at Apoorva and Shravan. “Whenever she (Apoorva) sees Shravan she goes and sticks to him,” he said. “I don’t do the same with Khushi, so people say we don’t have a connection.” He then hinted that Shravan and Apoorva may have got naughty under the kambaal. Mad King that Shravan is, he started abusing and screaming to everyone in general and no one in particular: “Sab log jawab do, kambaal ke neeche kya ho raha tha!” (What was happening under the blanket, everyone answer!) Sadly that answer was lame: Shravan was sleeping underneath it. Way worse than the smooching controversy. Finally in the Patate Raho Session begins, the boys had to ask each girl  a question. The one who gave the most honest answer would get a rose. The girl with the most roses would be a contender for Queen. With the questions turning out to be boring — example: “How seriously do you want to be a Queen?” — Leone stepped in and started asking the questions. If the boys felt that the girls were answering Leone’s questions honestly, they’d get a rose. In the middle of all this, Dana was dared by Yasir to perform “a sexy move”. According to Dana, shaking your crotch qualifies as sexy. She got a rose. By the end of the episode, Ranji, Dana and Rashi had the most roses. So who will finally be giving Khushi a run for her money? We’ll find out in the next episode. Splitsvilla airs on on Saturday 7 PM on MTV Disclaimer: Splitsvilla airs on MTV India, which is part of Viacom 18, a joint venture between Network 18 India and Viacom Inc. Firstpost is published by the Network 18 Group.