‘Desi Rascals’ 5 – Getting rid of the Nazaar (evil eye)

August 26 2015

We’re just over the half-way point of the reality TV series, ‘Desi Rascals’ and after a shaky beginning it’s beginning to develop deeper story lines or is it too superficial and bizarre and ultimately unreflective of anything other than a few oddballs…

By Chayya Syal

IT WAS THE FUNNIEST, yet one of the most bizarre episodes of Series 2 so far.

Episode 5 of “Desi Rascals” got off to a flying start and proved to be an entertaining piece of TV from beginning to end. It had it all, from temptation and old school superstition to a party where a fight (or two) predictably happened.

We saw Owais and some of the ‘Wolfpack’ go swimming, as a remorseful Owais reflected on the nuggets of wisdom that Prakash and Sanj had imparted to him, while Shmoyel jokingly blamed Owais’ luscious beard for his troubles.

Whatever you do Owais, do not shave it off! We’ve still got our theory about the power of beards to prove! Despite his later attempt to make amends with Feryal, it didn’t go too well and it looks like there’s no chance of them being friends again.

It was a refreshingly deep conversation and showed a different perspective to the raging testosterone-addled behaviour that we have seen from the Wolfpack throughout Series 1 & 2.

Moses found out about Jo’s plans to go to acting school in India and was visibly shocked. I felt like giving the poor guy a cuddle and telling him that everything would be alright.

The Wolfpack (Anj, Mo, Shmoyel, and Owais) show off their chiselled features after swimming in a lake

However, could this be a wake-up call for him to listen to his heart, admit that his friendship with Jo will always be emotionally charged and try get back together with her? Does Jo want the same? With these two only time can tell – but – I am hoping that they can overcome their differences and get back together.

The last member of the Wolfpack, Jason, found himself in hot water as his dream of being driven in a Ferrari came true in the form of Adam. It was a bittersweet moment as Jason opened up to Adam and tried to thaw the ice between the feuding men – but it all went in vain the second that Owais and the Wolfpack saw him step out of the Ferrari.

Owais’ eyes flashed with rage as the Wolfpack stood in stunned silence as Jason sheepishly explained how he ended up in Adam’s car. It all sounds so much more salacious than it actually was, but the moral of the story here is this: ‘Don’t get into a stranger’s car; even if it is a Ferrari.’

It’s a given that the tension between Jason and Anj is already strained, but will his ride in Adam’s car push them to tipping point? And more importantly, will Jason heed Ross’s words and desert the Wolfpack to become the Lone Wolf of “Desi Rascals?”

I’ve got a bee in my bonnet about Ross; I don’t really see the point of him being on the show because he doesn’t bring anything to the cast or to storylines, except his accent and the fact that he is Jasmin’s meddling boyfriend.

At this point in Series 2, he’s an annoying background character, who randomly pops up in conversations, spouts misogynistic comments and then leaves.

Jasmin looks upset when boyfriend Ross says it's their relationship or acting school in Mumbai

He literally has nothing to offer. I can’t help but feel like he brings out the worst in the other boys with his outdated views on men and women’s roles: ‘Lads play footie; girls go shopping’ while he craftily talks Jasmin out of her ambitions.

She looked crestfallen, and it was heart-breaking to hear her say, “Silly idea”. Someone needs to educate Ross, bring him back into the 21st century or help Jasmin see sense. Could this come in the form of Nat and Rita?

Speaking of Nat, she was enlisted along with Yasmin and George in a brainstorming session ahead of Solly’s business’s anniversary. As always, George’s face speaks volumes on behalf of everyone, as he facially disapproved of Solly’s plans to have girls in blue hot pants and matching lipstick at the event. It was nice to see the cast interact in a different way and actually show that they are more than just passive business owners. Will this side of the cast’s personalities continue to be explored to its full potential in series 2?

The highlight of Episode 5 was when Moses went round to Farha’s for dinner. While he felt slightly overwhelmed by the mermaid ornament and lavish interior design, things almost became awkward when Harjit (Farha’s mum) walked in on their dinner date.

It was borderline surreal as Harjit effectively became Kris Jenner, as she talked up Farha’s cooking skills and ‘wifey’ potential – did Moses get the hint? Even if he did, he took it very well and was extremely respectful to them both (this is why we love Moses so much!) It was beautiful to hear Harjit speak about Farha and show an active interest in her personal life; can we have more Indian mums like Harjit!?

Adam is defiant and tells Yasmin not to contact him

The icing on the cake to Harjit’s plans to bring Moses and Farha together (in holy matrimony?) was when she decided to take away any nazaar (Evil Eye) from them.

I have not seen this tradition happen for a while, and I thought that nobody did it any more. I was proved wrong and sat there gobsmacked as she brought out the green chillis, circled them above Farha and Moses (his bemused expression said it all!) And later put them over the gas to, quite literally, burn away any evil spirits. Harjit may have her quirks, but you can’t deny that she does them in style. Call it outdated, backward or whatever you, I am interested to see if Harjit’s experiment has any substance or influence upon these two!

At the event, Yasmin clashed with Solly as she expressed her disdain at aligning her product with the event’s ‘childish’ atmosphere. Solly gave as good as he got; has Yasmin met her match business wise? Things went from bad to worse, as a final argument between her and Adam took place, which effectively spelt the end of their friendship.

There’s a saying: ‘Silence is golden’ – someone should have really told Yasmin this before she went into verbal diarrhoea mode, when Adam refused to accept her apology. It was difficult to watch, because Yasmin was really trying, but Adam simply did not want to know. Was Adam too harsh with Yasmin? Or has Yasmin’s thorny exterior pushed away one of her most genuine friends?

The drama continues on Wednesday, as Jasmin backtracks on her plans, Jo films an audition and Jason and Anj come to blows about friendships and the Wolfpack.

Top picture: Mum Harjit performs ‘Nazzar’ on Mo, as daughter Farha looks on

• ‘Desi Rascals’ continues on Wednesdays at 8pm on Sky 1.