Understanding Ishaana
A Contemplation on a Complicated Character
"In her eyes, the sadness sings - of one who was destined, for better things."
Lang Leav, Love & Misadventure
Even before her entry, both Ishaana and Vrushika have been plagued with scepticism. I'm not here to defend Vrushika today, I'm trying to understand Ishaana - the character. This is not an Ishaana appreciation post, because I will absolutely acknowledge that she is very flawed, but this is also what makes her real.
The simplest way to define Ishaana is: intricate.
Like any normal human being, she is made up of the good and the bad; as the norm goes, people are very quick to pick out the bad. Let's be fair and look at both sides of her personality.
In my opinion, Ishaana is a turbulent ENFP.
There is no doubt that she is curious and exceptionally observant. She sees things that most don't, which is evidenced by her sharp insight into Omkara. It took her one conversation with him to know that he is just as damaged as she is.
She is endlessly resourceful: she will find a way, or make one. Ishaana is also eager and lively, always ready to jump out of her comfort zone and take a plunge into deep water. Her communication skills are excellent as well, and she is friendly and approachable.
Nevertheless, Ishaana is not what she seems. This might seem fairly straight forward, since she is a con-woman by profession, or rather necessity. In her attempt to deceive the world, Ishaana is only deceiving herself. She has convinced herself that she enjoys what she is doing. She has taken it into stride, and made a sport out of it and yet, when faced with the prospect of swindling someone as honest and kind as Omkara, Ishaana balks at the opportunity.
Ishaana is melodramatic. She is flamboyant. She smiles, sings, dances to show the world that she is fine, but often it is the saddest of us who leave the least clues behind. We know that she is in a bad circumstance, and it is admirable that despite all her setbacks, she does not give up. Yes, she's chosen the wrong path to achieve her ends, but she hasn't bowed her head in defeat. She doesn't submit to her circumstances, and she is the only one in her family who is trying desperately to protect it. Ishaana is misguided, presumably due to the lack of a maternal figure in her life, and with the addition of an irresponsible father. Like Omkara, she has not experienced a happy childhood and therefore is still childish and immature. However, unlike Omkara, she does not try to escape reality. She does not dwell on negativity, instead Ishaana picks herself up and moves on. This is why, she will be a suitable partner for Omkara because she will teach him how to face life, head on; to not be afraid of making mistakes, or hide from problems.
Lacking practical skills, she is full of ideas, but she is unable to execute them properly. She is always in a rush, and is easily distracted. Her lack of focus can be attributed to her tendency to overthink things. She is a beautiful chaos of incomplete thoughts and indecisions.
With an affinity for pretty things, expensive things, Ishaana is ambitious. Like most of us, she values wealth and aesthetic beauty. However, at heart, more than unending riches, she simply desires financial stability because she knows what it feels like to be poor and needy.
But, Ishaana has set herself up for failure. She will never be a successful con-woman, because she simply does not have the ruthless temperament that is necessary to achieve what she desires. She is a feeler, and will choose not to capitalize on many opportunities because her emotions will get in the way.
Ishaana is intricate. She is full of false bravado and infinite imagination. She is a wild, untamable force, but she is loyal to those who are loyal to her. And she has already proven that she is loyal to Omkara. Even though she has all intention to swindle him, the thought of him suffering has her rushing to his aid.
She feels an ineffable connection to him. Perhaps it is his ingenuity that strikes a chord within her, or the fact that he was by her side when she was vulnerable. She respects him, and somewhere, we all know that it will be Ishaana who will fall in love with Omkara first, and not vice versa. We can surmise that there is an impending fall out ahead, once her reality is revealed. It hurts to even think about it, because we know that there is no nice way around it.
But, they need to separate to get back together. And I have faith that they will.
Omkara is a classic INFP; he is Ishaana's introverted counterpart. This relationship, if portrayed correctly, has the potential to be divine.
Both of these individuals are dreamers. They live in their head. Of all the couples at Oberoi Mansion, this is the couple that would be the most connected and balanced. Each pairing has their ups and downs, and I'm not at all suggesting that one is better than the other. I am infatuated with all three at this point because each has their own beauty. Nevertheless, once they are finally together in an honest relationship, Omkara and Ishaana will be the couple with the least conflict. With Ishaana's sharp insight and Omkara's ability of internal analysis, they are bound to be discussing and solving the problems in the lives of their loved ones.
They are both extremely empathetic and sensitive, and so just as they will rejoice deeply in each other's joys and achievements, the will also suffer greatly for each other as well. This relationship is one of mutual emotional investment. They will be fiercely loyal to one another, they will heal each other. Ishaana will bring Omkara out of his shell, and he will ground her with unconditional love, something that she is not used to.
There are people who don't like the fact that Ishaana calls Oberoi Mansion as her sasural. To others, it is endearing. I'm not challenging anyone's sentiments; rather, I am wondering why she would think this way. Has she already started to fall for Omkara? Can she foresee a future with him? Is it instinct, or perhaps just a gut feeling that this is where she belongs? Or is this just another one of her whimsical fancies? It could be anything, because Ishaana is unpredictable. She is the type of person who jumps first and builds her wings later.
There is no dearth of Ishaana haters on this forum. Whenever I am on this forum, one thread or another is apparently dedicated to Ishaana's bad characterisation.
Perhaps it is just us. Maybe, we just haven't learnt to read between the lines yet.
It is my sincere request to CVs and the show's writers, if you are reading this - please know, that I admire this incomplete, imperfect and irrational character that you have created. Please nurture her character. Plant the seeds, let them take root and allow her to grow. Don't let her get lost in the crowd.
