You say you watch this show because it is different … really? Truth, lies or plain delusion?
Original concept involved an affluent family, the Raizadas, who believe in traditions whilst the eldest son, ASR, is modern and does not believe in anything that he does not control. He is self-made and is the main source of the family's wealth. ASR's only weakness is his sister, Anjalie, and most importantly does not believe in love. Both siblings experienced the same trauma, which we now know to be the suicide of both their parents. Yet each grew up having different beliefs, Anjalie is religious and has a nice disposition thus she is considered a "nice person." ASR is tough as nails, does not believe in religion or traditions and refuses to suffer fools thus he is considered "not nice."
So what's different?
- Nice is still the same definition: pray daily, goes to temple, smile sweetly = nice. What's different?
- Not nice remains the opposite of nice! If you are rich, none traditional, arrogrant and question the status quo you are "not nice!" What's different?
- Nice sister who can always shed tears or throw tempter tantrums to get her way, bad brother gives in! What's different?
So what's different?
- Nice in this case means that if you are last in the happiness chain as an individual you = nice. What's different?
- Average working class people automatically bring their children up with values; you need money but you stay at home, pray, go to temple, chant the name of God; treat your adopted child differently and always ensure that she knows she is not "blood" = values and good people. What's different?
Fundamentally nothing is different because these are the stereotypes and or biases of Indian soaps. In today's society YOU need to be WHOLE; YOU need to like YOU before you try to change the world. Change is not a bad word nor is being different bad. If this show wanted to be different then there are many social issues that can be introduced in a Love/Hate/Story. Most importantly the Production House could have hired new writers with the vision to write for this "change!"
The only thing different here is that there are two good looking leads with amazing chemistry and an illusion that he is like a Mills & Boon character = love hate relationship. So what is a Mills & Boon character like?
- Typically a strong male; affluent; physically attractive with a strong female following; arrogant; confident and generally is the master of his destiny. He does not allow mother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousins etc to dictate his life. He is sexual active and not ashamed of it. He is attracted to simple, attractive, often independent women who can take care of themselves. If they are innocent in terms of sex that is an added bonus. If not, who cares! Most of these men are westerners or have grown up in a western culture. Despite their ethnicity their outlook is western simply because the authors are predominantly western.
In comes the female lead, Khushi, innocent, simple, very traditional and an attitude that she must always put everyone else's happiness before her own. So you have what you think is an unconventional man being attracted to not just a typical female but one that is clearly outside his normal circle of women. Create some day-to-day reasons for interactions and you have "attraction; hate; love" but love based on what?
Love happens when a man and woman interact one on one. In this show you have Khushi interacting with his family and having loyalty to his family, her family and she always has and always will put them before this man that she now claims to love. Love does not mean you become a doormat; it does not mean you fight to save him after you were part of the reason for his kidnapping. Lust is not love. Love is trust, honesty, respect and a healthy dose of sex/sexual attraction.
Every now and then the creatives of this show claim to have a "different show" yet not once did they hire a writer who has experience with Mills & Boon type romances nor have these characters ever really developed as such. In fact you have the lead actors claiming that they are not comfortable with intimate scenes! What rubbish! An actor acts and needs to do what the story requires. A love story requires intimacy. So our lead actors can set parameters on love scenes but not on nonsense scripts?
So what exactly is IPKKND about? Are the creatives and the actors up to this challenge?Most importantly is the audience up to the challenge?
Khushi: She is acting according to her character and the typical "good girl" image. She will never put Arnav first because in Indian Soap and culture when you get married you must put your in laws needs first, then your husband, then your children or children in the family and if there is time then you can think of your needs. So do not delude yourself that she can love him unconditionally. So where's the great love story?
Arnav: A confused character because the creatives do not have the experience to develop this character in accordance with their vision. The original ASR did have some shades of a Mills & Boon character but that was just a brief interlude. If he does not believe in traditions then what the heck is he doing? So he is neither Eastern nor Western. No wonder we are having difficulty in relating to him now. As the original ASR he would not allow a criminal to go free nor would he allow his sister to dictate his life. He would use his resources to investigate and provide evidence to ensure that the criminal is brought to justice. If his sister does not want to eat or take meds then you put her in a clinic and have them sedate her and intravenously feed her.
The great love stories are in the FF! The great love stories are in the VMs!
This post will not be popular. I doubt that anyone would bother to comment because it makes you look into yourself and realize that most of us never did understand why we got caught up in the show. It was never different and today it has no focus except to pamper to the wishes of certain actors as evidenced by yet another weak storyline with secondary actors playing leading roles. So again were are the lead actors and why do they not also demand good scripts?
I too got caught up in the Barun/Sanaya hype. I never favoured one over the other because I do not know them, nor wish too, outside of their characters. In my opinion Barun has showed that he is the stronger actor of the two with a greater range and may go further in this field. Sanaya is too much like Khushi from what we have seen and heard but that does not take away from her as an actor. Both are impressive. Both are wasted on this show. But I do love ARHI and will continue to watch the show as what you may know as a "time pass" and what I know as "killing time!" Hey I may also learn some Hindi!
So we may "belly ache" and shake our fists etc but this show was never about making a difference, it failed to take a stand on any social issues, disrespected both men and women and never delivered on any of its promises. So as I make my last new post, I say to all my respected members be honest with yourselves and accept the fact that nothing we say or write will make the least difference to 4 Lions or this show. Taking a stand on women's rights or social injustice will only be effective if the Indian culture itself changes and women bring their children up without gender bias. The rest of the world is still trying to get this right but change does need to start where charity does and it is in the home!
Best wishes to my many friends and young ones who reached out to me for help. Be strong and fight the fight where it counts. Jai hind!
Maya
Toronto, Canada
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
