IPK and Feminism Query#2 Page 36 - Page 3

Originally posted by: minimuffin86

The intention of the post wasn't to compare Lavanya and Khushi, it was to define how a channel that vaguely spouts about feminism doesn't show feminism at all. I think you misunderstood. I understand what the main story of IPK is, and also I mentioned I will be doing this character by character. Lavanya was just the first character I choose.

We will get to Arnav and Khsuhi as CHARACTERS later, but even then I will not be talking about dynamics in the storyline, but how the characters are stereotyped which could have been avoided and the storyline could still have been the same.

And "they did not anticipate smart technology savy women." Then they wouldn't have a FaceBook page, or a Twitter account. Gul Khan is a working woman as far as I can remember and if she didn't anticipate this than I am not surprised at the un-feminist characters and plotlines.

Thanks for your response!

Originally posted by: merit

But does that kind of approach work on tv where most of the daily soap audience is female and pretty much laps up a romantic fantasy which gives it a respite from the grind and the disappointment of real life?

Originally posted by: HeadOverHeels

👏

Take a freaking bow... now! Because honey... you nailed it!! 👏

Haha. Thank you. Straight from the horse's, or in this case, the mare's mouth, that one. 😆

Ahh loved this topic! This is subject that's really thought provoking in terms on how they,ve portrayed Lavanya! The thing is,in Indian media, theyve always showed that women like Lavanya are basically bitchy s**ts which is so not the case! I loved Lavanya's character from the begining, minus the slight bitchiness, but that was needed I guess for the story. Lavanya is like someone, I will probably be able to relate to in a couple of years in terms of her career goals, and ideologies of life and hell, I am so not going to change for a guy's family. Thats where you find the SP element of the show, its not about what the guy likes, you also have to make sure what his family likes LOL. The transition of Lavanya was a bit annoying because why did she have to leave her clothes, her lifestyle because it was not wrong, it was just who Lavanya was and liked to be. Even the whole respecting elders and believing in religion aspect, I mean I dont see anything wrong in being an atheist, and Lavanya was never rude to the family, she always respected them. Coming to Arnav and Lavanyas relationship, well,I think Arnav admired Lavanya for being so clear and career oriented and independent, and she really didnt have to lean on him or expect things and that just made things easier for him. Of course, there was some emotional aspect in it, not so much as love, but more than friendship. I wish that this sterotype would die down that if you cant cook, dont wear salwar suits or are religious, youre a plain downright s**t who's wasting her life. I mean, think about it, Khushi's dabba service was supported so much, but Lavanya's working in the office wasnt right? Is that all what women should be doing? Cooking and only taking up jobs that are somewhat related to the kitchen? The answer is no. But sadly this world of entertainment still hasn't been able to embrace that fact, because money matters and that all depends on how many people watch your show and people only do that when they get good drama...The intention of Lavanya was to show that sometimes, even when you have a vision of the person you want, you may just end up still falling in love with the exact opposite person and all that jazz, and its agreed that people who are similar fall in love, but its all about what sells at the end of the day and showing original Lavanya as a bitchy drunk s**t turn into a salwar suit, religious girl who can cook as an amazing thing just happened to sell :P But loved the topic, and lets hope someone has the balls to show this and break down the stereotype one day!

Rubs eyes to recheck who is TM
omg munchyyy

i wl read in a while :p

All I understood about Lavanya was she was shown to be a modern girl who used to FLAUNT her relationship with Arnav in the society though Arnav wanted
Nothing to do with her except visiting her for his NEEDS often.
She was hell bent to HOLD onto the relationship which was ONLY based on Mutual understanding with the GURANTEE of a sexual life ahead with plenty of social exposure as ASRs GF .
She later fell in love with him and ASRs growing admiration for Khushi made him hold onto La( selfishly of course) as a shield from Khushi. La fell deeper in love with Arnav.
Now when she understood she left him because by then she was deep in love with him and understood the true meaning of love. I felt their break up scene was very mature. La changed a lot and though I don't support her having to learn to cook, sew, doing pooja makes her ideal woman anyway , I loved it when she handled the break up in a very very mature way.I loved her character during that phase more because she held onto her ground and was extremely gracious during the whole BREAK UP fiasco. She became a complete modern woman for me after her break up handling ONLY.
Yes their break up scene was emotional and the same ASR who might have never given her her due respect , got extremely emotional and let out his feelings( whatever it was) for her for the first and only time.

Originally posted by: Rockerchic

That was a rather a thought provoking post. RC was mindlessly looking at the diffident post (ASR sux, Khushi sux, sex, forum nanny, sex, etc) and BAMN this one comes up!

Very interesting on many levels.

SP is clearly promoting a stance that you have to behave and act a certain way to become a perfect little 'bahu'.

I've never looked at IPK on any feminism grounds. Not now, not ever. And it's funny when people say it was pro-feminism then, rather than now. Because it simply never promoted women.

We saw a man who cheated (maybe not by actions but certainly by his thoughts.) on a woman and a strong willed woman change herself to be worthy of the said man.

Not modern in any way.

But this way of thinking is not limited to IPK, unfortunately. And it's a sad bitter truth.

I particularly don't like the way they showed Lavanya changing her mind and desperately wanting to get married.

Originally posted by: HeadOverHeels

The character of Lavanya was portrayed as a dim witted airhead, who through some miracle managed to secure a high paying job at the company owned by Arnav Singh Raizada. Hence, one of two things occurred.

1. He hired her because she wasn't an airhead, or dim witted, and actually educated/experienced enough for the job in his prestigious company.

2. He hired her because she was an airhead and dimwitted, but she pulled a Sharon Stone ala Basic Instinct in the interview chair, which in turn just makes him a horny, no thinking putz.

Her friends (who visited at Diwali) were also portrayed as bimbos who were dressed inappropriately for the event (but let's not compare that to how a high society cocktail reception ends up being a free lassi party, because that's not the point of this post.)- And, Lavanya by then being "reformed" did not hesitate to 'educate" her bimbo friend in the ways of the real world, the right world, the world where women reign supreme due to their knowledge of, and respect for tradition.

There was one incident which occurred with Lavanya which touched upon her instinct as well as her feminism, although unfortunately it was glossed over pretty quickly, but it didn't go unnoticed.

When Arnav trapped Khushi in a room and the whole "Character Dheela" incident took place, Lavanya then entered the room, and instead of being suspicious instantly, she instead "felt" (yes it came across THAT well) that something was amiss, VERY amiss. However, like I said, it was glossed over, and that was a blow right there to women, because there WAS a violent/threatening act which took place in that room, a young girl was deliberately frightened with a physical act, and she did leave the room physically (as well as emotionally) bruised.

And, it was Lavanya who KNEW! - So, she always gets credit from me for that scene, simply because of how well she emoted all through it.

Great thread! I look forward to your series, Munches.

I echo your sentiments HeadOverHeels. 😊

When Arnav trapped Khushi in a room and the whole "Character Dheela" incident took place, Lavanya then entered the room, and instead of being suspicious instantly, she instead "felt" (yes it came across THAT well) that something was amiss, VERY amiss. However, like I said, it was glossed over, and that was a blow right there to women, because there WAS a violent/threatening act which took place in that room, a young girl was deliberately frightened with a physical act, and she did leave the room physically (as well as emotionally) bruised.

That incident is still fresh in my mind. She voiced her concern for Khushi immediately by just feeling the situation. She was very much a "woman" sensing another woman's pain there. It did not go unnoticed by me either. La had so much potential and depth to her character. I wish her exit was not sooner, tough it was required at that point of time.

I just want to say
u made me fall in love wid La just like ur stories.
Looking forward for other chars.