Originally posted by: natkhat_angel
ITV has this very old formula of sabotaging the ML in order to drive the story forward. All SP shows - Rajjo, Pandya Store, YRKKH, Imlie, YHC run by the same formula. The idea being that in old days stories like Kyunki, Kahaani, YRKKH season 1, KKR etc etc had so many side characters, that the leads often worked in tandem to get those characters justice/love/married. However, now all the stories focus only on the leads and because of the need to churn out episodes everyday, someone has to be the scapegoat.
But Virat is a different case altogether because he has NEVER actually called out Letter publically and berated her. The whole story hinges on his indecision - farz ya pyaar. On top of it, being personally involved with the main antagonist of the show has clouded the character's arc. In my head, if Sai was being played by AS, there would have been a considerably more steadfast approach to Pakhi's resolution. She wouldn't be out of the show, but Virat would have much severe reactions to her actions. While most people might not agree, personal relationships run a lot of the story in the background. In Yeh Rishta, the PL is played by the maker's daughter's best friend or something. So every track is written in a way that she has to come out unscathed even if she is the culprit. Same as with Pakhi.
As for the butchering - Virat has been butchered as a husband and brother before. Now he is being an abuse-hiding father. It would be very easy to slowly phase out Pakhi and give Virat a good redemption arc to put him against Satya. But will the makers take that route as long as AS plays Pakhi?
The SaiYa ship may sink or sail - depends on the born cutie mentioned above - but if Sai ends up with Virat despite no proper redemption - it would be very unbecoming because Sai is everyone's favorite, be it the TRP aunties or the online audience. Virat is just a little better than Vanraj from Anupamma and KB's character from Saubhagyavati Bhav, when it comes to being a good husband. The viewers don't care about Virat or Satya as long as Sai gets her justice, her two kids and is happy.
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