@annikaa - While I agree that the Generation Gap is responsible for some divergence in thinking, it doesn't justify Dadi's behaviour wholly. She has been positioned as the matriarch of this elite family who holds an exalted place in society. She has been shown to have a special bond with her grandchildren and they respect her immensely. And it isn't mere deference. That wouldn't happen without her having a certain degree of empathy with them. Without them feeling she understands them.
She has her daughters in law obey her unreservedly. She has her sons respect her. Had she wanted to, she could have made sure that Svetlana was dealt with much much earlier. As Pinky correctly pointed out, how can it be okay to have your son's mistress living in your house along with your daughter in law and children? She has allowed it to reach a point where her son will walk out if she insists upon him choosing between wife and mistress. And it is that fear that keeps her away from confrontation.She harps on about the sanctity of marriage without paying heed to the importance of self respect. A joint family system will only thrive when the rules laid down are fair for all. And are equally applied to all. When you have positioned yourself as the family head, you have to think beyond your own ideas of what is right and wrong.To a large extent, it is the fault of the CVs because they aren't clear in their characterisation. If you think of what the character was initially and what she is now, you can see the confusion writ large. They showed this evolved matriarch in touch with today's generation, and now suddenly she has stepped into a time machine!Just my thoughts :)