This is long post but I encourage you to read it carefully. Please bear with me.
Arnav Singh Raizada, a man who isn't just black or white. He is all the shades of gray. Yes he is the male lead of this show but is he a hero?
This is how dictionary defines a hero
1. A man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. A person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. The principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
If we follow definition 1, ASR has certain attributes which will make him fall under this category. He was extremely courageous when he fought those goons to protect Khushi. It was noble of him to pay the hospital bills.
If we follow definition 2, he does not perform heroic acts. He is certainly not regarded as a model or ideal by general people.
If we follow definition 3, he is most certainly the principal male character of this story.
Now let's look at the definition of antihero
A central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.
According to Wikipedia
In fiction, an antihero is generally considered to be a protagonist whose character is at least in some regards conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypal hero, and is in some instances its antithesis in which the character is generally useless at being a hero when they're supposed to be one. Some consider the word's meaning to be sufficiently broad as to additionally encompass the antagonist who (in contrast to the archetypal villain) elicits considerable sympathy or admiration.
If we assess the character of ASR, although a hero (according to definition 1 and 3), he falls more into the category of an antihero. The archetypal hero would not drop a girl from his office window; he would rip the strings of her outfit or leave her in middle of the road at night.
But this does not take away from all the good deeds he has done. He did save Khushi from the goons, he did pay the hospitals, he did not take advantage of Khushi (despite being attracted to her) when they were alone.
It is evident that he is head over heels in love with Khushi. He wants to be near her but the moment she comes close he pushes her away. He misbehaves and often manhandles her but the moment he sees her in tears, it breaks his heart into a million pieces. It leaves him shattered.
Now in the usual circumstances, it is expected that people would learn from their past mistakes. But ASR does not. He hurts Khushi and in the process he hurts himself even more. He repents but ends up repeating the same thing. It is a cycle. Why does he do it?
Is this sadistic? NO.
According to dictionary definition, Sadism is to derive pleasure by inflicting pain on others.
ASR hurts Khushi but he does not find pleasure in it. He regrets and suffers more than her.
Is he masochistic? NO.
According to dictionary definition,
1. Masochism is to derive pleasure physical or emotional abuse.
2. The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from being humiliated or mistreated, either by another or by oneself.
3. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.
Does ASR enjoy his own suffering? He most certainly does not.
So ASR is neither Sadistic nor Masochistic.
Now ASR certainly has some emotional/psychological issues. He has an inability to express his emotions; He cannot be vocal about his feelings or desires. He is unable to enjoy himself at any festivities or events. He is afraid to fall in love or be loved because he has an innate fear of losing his loved ones.
What could be the cause of these issues?
ASR was obviously traumatized when he lost his parents at such a young age. And it is evident from the flashbacks that they died in some tragic circumstances. It left him devastated. On top of that, he was thrown out of his home by his uncle. He had to move in with his nani, mama, mami and cousin. It's true that they love him but could not fill the void created by his parents' death. He had to be the support of his disabled sister who was clearly as distressed as he was. It was a lot to take in at such a delicate age. He probably needed some counseling or therapy to deal with his pain but he must not have got the emotional support he needed at that age.
He had to grow up much faster than he normally would have. He was deprived of the normal adolescence he deserved. He may not have had that many friends because he could not open up to them or worse maybe they could not understand his pain.
He was forced to learn the importance of money and all other harsh realities of life at a very young age. He is a self made man, a business tycoon at the age of 26. He must have started working very hard at a very young age. He may never have had the time or the privilege to hang out with friends or bunk classes at college.
He is a diabetic at an early age. Who knows for how many years he has had this disease. It does not make life any easier.
All these things turned him changed him into a man he may not have become under normal circumstances. From the child hood memories he recalls with his sister, it appears that he was a naughty kid, a prankster. Under normal conditions, he might have enjoyed Khushi's stupid pranks.
It made him cold on the surface but not uncaring on the inside. He feels every emotion but is unable to express it. That is the beauty of his character.
That is the reason I admire this fictional character; because it is complex and true to life. In reality nothing is black or white. it is gray.
Fiction is best when it is closest to reality.
But the character would be incomplete without its marvelous portrayal by an actor. The man, who gives a face to this character, brings him to life.
Barun Sobti, I applaud you for being ASR. đ đ đ
The makers of IPKKND, i applaud you for creating ASR đ đ đ
Sorry for ranting but I had to say it. Please leave your comments.
It's 6:30 am and I haven't slept all night. I will reply when I wake up.
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