The Last WIL: 2nd December 2012
Fans to the left
Fans to the right
And into the valley of (well, not exactly) death walked IPKKND
A strange battle this has been, where nobody won and everyone lost something.
SP lost a show internationally acclaimed.
PH --- well, let's just say they lost a lot!
Fandom, kinda lost it all, and doesn't quite know what to do with it now.
What would become of Arnav-Khushi addicts!?
Most wouldn't know what to turn on at 8 p.m. each evening ' at least for a week. I hear of a bunch who would like to see an episode each day from the beginning. I'm certain there would be those who'd thrive on Fanfictions, OneShots, etc. There would be many who might just shake their heads and wonder ' "Wow! What just happened?"
A war to end all wars ' I never quite knew what it meant till I saw this one.
When I first formed the word Fandom in the WIL of January 14th 2012, I hardly gave any thought to the meaning. To me, it just stood for a bunch of fans. Little did I realize that this word formation often refers to dominion of the said entity ' in this case, the fans. So Fandom is where fans rule ' and rule they did even till the end; let no one stand in their way, even if the kingdom fell.
IPKKND has remained a tale of great beginnings and sharp anti-climaxes all its life and it's stayed true to its character in its death. In the story, when a high point was reached, there were many options to take and though the worst case scenario was visible, no one thought the story would take that course, but it did. Fans would generally boil over and only later realize that whatever happened was for the good.
One only hopes this is the case in real life too, but life ain't a serial.
Still ' one hopes this is for the best.
So following the epic battle let's look back ---
A Classic Love Story
It reminded many of the many classic love stories, the fairy tales, the Mills & Boons ' the evergreen story of a man and a woman who may never have walked a step with each other had destiny not intervened ' star-crossed as they were called.
They didn't want to meet. They didn't want to see each other. They didn't want to talk to each other. Their every conscious decision was to put as much distance as possible between themselves as was possible. Yet, it seemed that no sooner had they decided to turn away from each other, a force picked them up and stood them up face to face again. Despite all their efforts, someone wanted them together till they realized that they were made for each other ' so what if they didn't think so.
Many mindsets, many misunderstandings, many hurdles, many evils, many hurts later ' they do meet, with a promise of forever.
Only a Love Story?
But was this story only a love story? Was there nothing to it, apart from being the 'star-crossed love story'?
Well, honestly ' to me it wasn't. If it was only a love story, it may not have even caught my attention.
To me, love was the means to the end.
The story didn't just base on different ideologies of two people. There was a deeper chasm between the two protagonists ' that one of them had been hurt severely in the past due to something related to the other one.
The man grew up with not just hatred, but a deep seated distrust and carelessness for the world and its routines. Not just that, he grew up disbelieving in love and in the institution of marriage ' which for him does not mean anything. The past hurt, its pain and scars are deeply embedded in not just his mind, but in his personality, his beliefs, his approach to life and are always fresh in his memory.
In his family, he was known as Bitwa, Chhote, and Bhai ' but to the outside world, he has become ASR ' Arnav Singh Raizada. Although he always remembers his mother's death, he has dropped his father's name and kept his mother's family name. The only people he lives for is his immediate family, and the only person whom he allows 'love' in any form, is his sister ' his Di.
He isn't prepared for a colorful, loud, clumsy, honest, trusting in goodness, sweet, helpful, hard-working, courageous, and naive girl ' who is his complete opposite on the surface. ASR sees Khushi just as he sees every other person, but every time he meets her, he ends up learning he was wrong about her. At every step, Khushi turns out to be exactly who she claims to be.
As she proves ASR wrong, he becomes even more pressed to prove himself right. Sometime during these frictions, he feels an unknown attraction for this girl and her simple beauty. Then there came a day when he found that there was something more than just surface frictions and attractions that linked him to this girl. They both have lost their parents and they both have a tragic past.
Just as ASR has developed his ideologies owing to his background, so has Khushi. She has her own set of ideologies owing to her past and the family who took her in. She trusts easily, believes there is something good in everyone, believes in love and relationships, rituals, and god.
There could be no meeting for them unless there was a convergence of their paths through destiny and through love. Love was very unlikely unless they discovered that their differences were on confined to the surface, in their hearts they were the same simple people who loved and longed to be loved. Even after they realized and accepted their feelings to themselves, they face every kind of challenge; from their social statuses, their pride, their ego, their differences, their friction to the external circumstances, social attachment to different people, deliberately planted seeds of misunderstanding, personal loyalties and priorities, and finally their painful past.
The miracle of love, however, strengthened them to overcome every obstacle and win till they were united.
~*~*~
In an article written back on 20th January 2012, I'd stated:
While their bringing up, their backgrounds, their values and belief systems are as far apart as east from west ' yet on a very deep basic level ' Arnav and Khushi are the same. Among many qualities they share, some noticeable ones are: they both are fiercely committed to their families and relationships, they both have a never-say-die spirit, they would never give up or give in unless it was a matter concerned with their loves ones, they are very clear about their priorities in life, they are very much grounded in what they believe in - which is not based on a whim but on their life's experience.
This is a level that they have subconsciously felt about each other as well. They identify with each other. While initially, when they had met each other, the circumstances and their reaction to them had forced them to form an opinion about each other that was not entirely true. It was superficial, to say the least. However, as time when by and they were thrown into each other's constant company, their views gradually changed ' to the point where they not only understood each other but fell in love.
Theirs wasn't a love at first sight story. It developed through time. It has taken root far deeper than they realize. They have found each other and connected on a level most people take years to even realize. Their time together and the unique circumstances they faced has slowly stripped off the superficial layers and reveal their true nature to one another. Because they have seen each other as they really are, it now irritates them when one still chooses to wear the mask in another's presence, or clings to a belief that they know the other does not really believe in.
...
Arnav will have to look beyond his past and free Khushi from hers. Khushi will have to look beyond her present and free Arnav from his past. They will have to be a team ' knowingly, unknowingly, or divinely.
I still hold on to this view.
The story was more than just a love story. Because of his ruined past Arnav put on a mask, as his sister put it, of Arnav Singh Raizada, an arrogant man. Because of her past and bringing up, Khushi developed a belief that everything is good and trustworthy. This was not just a tale of love ' but the story of healing and freedom from the past for both of them.
It was just a transition for Arnav from being the ASR, the man behind the mask. It was also a transition for Khushi, who learned to look beyond the mask and loved him despite it. There could be no meeting for them unless there was a convergence of their paths through destiny and through love.
Love was not the end here, but the means to an end of healing, freedom, moving on and making fresh beginnings.
So, the problem...?
#1. Star-Crossed Factor
The story was promoted as a love story of two people who stand opposed to each other. The 'star-crossed' factor was highlighted. The differences in their viewpoints, ideologies, and status were highlighted.
The focus was on love but never on the fact that an aim was to be achieved through love.
The outcome was both positive & negative.
It had its desired effect. The fans were attracted to the 'opposites attract' theory. The Junta stood divided over 'Arnav' and 'Khushi'. It kept the audience not only glued, but occupied in a constant debate.
So much so that one sect screamed that Khushi wasn't worth Arnav, and another screamed that ASR wasn't worth Khushi. One part declared that ASR was made to look bad, and another declared that the makers of the story hated Khushi and had something against her.
The makers may or may not have intended it or realized but even ASR's suits and hair gel & Khushi's attire and hairdo had more discussion among the Fandom than the story's progress and movement.
#2. Romance??
Because the 'love story' angle was highlighted the most, the junta automatically gravitated towards the 'romance' factor.
It had its desired effect ' both positive and negative.
The audience was targeted in almost all segments and across age-groups. However, the 'romance' factor was so aptly hit that the audience refused to see anything but romance.
In a strange outcome, the 'romance' factor which should've been a part of the story became larger than the story, the characters, their goals in life, and everything else.
Rabba-vey - A simple tool for showing a deep-rooted bond between Arnav and Khushi became bigger than their relationship even. It was often joked that an episode can have rabba-vey and the audience would be happy, even if no progress was made. In fact, towards the end this was proved true. Junta seemed okay with having the couple together with plenty of Rabba-veys even if there was no story to tell. The thing became a monster in a way.
What didn't for work for me
Ah! Now, this is something I have never included in any WIL ' quite simply because I called the review What I LOVED.
>> Every story thrives on conflict. The story ends when the conflict ends ' even fairy tales.
Check out Cinderella. Yes, the highlight was Cinderella turning into a princess each night for the ball and meeting the prince, falling in love and finally becoming the queen. However, one did need to see the 'cinder' part of Cinderella enough to fully appreciate and enjoy the transition.
Beauty and the Beast. One needs to see the beastliness of the beast before he turns into this helpless victim who just needs beauty to rescue him ' in order to fully enjoy his transition.
ASR had at least 14 years of distrust, hatred, and disbelief in anything pure and holy. He had good enough reasons for his stance. And, four months of being in Khushi's company changed it? That was a very quick change. ASR should've been allowed to hold his fort for a good several months before he allowed any flicker of emotion show up.
Perhaps, if it hadn't been for the constant chant of 'romance do, romance do' from the fandom, ASR might've had his say. He was the challenge, the conflict, the first barrier. When he fell, the story wrapped up all too soon.
>> ASR saw Khushi apparently involved with his brother-in-law. Again, ASR ought to have held his fort against Khushi longer than he did. It wasn't something he ought to have forgotten or become accustomed to as soon. After all, his belief in his own beliefs had just been reinstated. Yet, a few weeks down the line, he woke up one morning to see Khushi mumbling in her sleep and he mumbled that she was crazy ' but his comment had no hatred, acidity, anger or even irritation.
I s'pose protests about insensitivity to Khushi, women's empowerment, wrong done to Khushi, ASR's heartlessness, etc ' did achieve the debate, but at the same time, sped up the resolution of conflict once again, and hence the story too.
>> Khushi was wronged by two men. She hated one of them and loved the other. There were conflicts Khushi had to face when it came to her own feelings about being cheated by someone she called a friend, and again by someone whom she'd loved, about the mess her life became because she was forced to marry, and her fight to gain justice for herself and for her sister.
I s'pose again as the conflict with Arnav was resolved too soon (Fandom fighting against ASR and for Khushi's issues), Khushi never knew when she moved from being angry to falling helplessly in love with Arnav.
>> Arnav found the truth about Shyam and as a result of that threw him out. That was one of the biggest conflicts of the story. That was resolved within a few episodes.
Among other external factors, once again, the cries for a quick disclosure and dismissal of Shyam so that romance could progress, Rabba-veys may bloom, and the much-awaited Suhaag Raat could be staged ' the conflict which should've been an ASR vs. Shyam, was simply a dragging out of the villain and it left many questions unanswered.
>> Arnav and Khushi came face to face with the past. This was the first and the deepest conflict. ASR had been deep frying in this hot oil for over 14 years. All it took for him to make the choice to move from the past to the present with Khushi was time he spent in his mom's garden, a few flashbacks, and an accident ' all wrapped up in a few hours!
>> I would have LOVED to see the original story intended to be shown by the makers and the story-tellers. I wanted to see the 'intended version' rather than the 'make-it-as-we-go-as-per-the-feedback' version.
It's nice to keep in touch with the audience and to take feedback. However, one needs to draw a line where feedback ends and where listeners influence the story-tellers enough to change the story line.
Besides, with so many segments of Fandom, each of which had a different demand, it was never going to be possible to please everyone. For instance, there was a bunch who found Khushi's antics OTT, and there was another who found it cute (this segment apparently included even ASR :))! One segment felt Khushi deserved better clothes because she was the lead and she was ASR's wife; there was another who felt (including ASR, again) that Khushi didn't need to change at all.
>> Symbolism: Too much of it. Initially, the symbolism pointed to the story and it achieved its intended motive - to keep the Fandom debating and busy. Later, the symbolism got too much and Fandom was more into symbols and their decoding than into the story this was meant to be.
>> It seemed that the story-tellers met all (or most) of the intended high points in the story, even if they didn't take the route they wanted or the duration they wanted. That's a shame because the story, the concept, the characters deserved it.
Buddies Corner
I'd asked the buddies if they'd like me to cover anything in the last WIL, and here is a consolidated list of what I got.
1. ROMANCE ka recap from beginning till end - Sadaf
>> I hope I covered something of which you asked for Buddy in the few few sections.
2. Ur fav Rabba veys n what u felt n Loved abt them... ' Sadaf
>> Rabba-vey, the song is what first caught my attention. I remember the first one that I saw around the month of October last year, where Arnav and Khushi were passing each other in RM. I like it because it got me into this story.
3. ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE - Krishna
Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve Rabba ve rabba ve rabba ve - Krishna
Krishna, Buddy, I'm not sure what you asked for but I hope it's covered ' whatever I could from my perspective ' in this last WIL.
4. asr's regret ' Tin Tin
>> If by regret you asked for ASR's regret for doing what he did with Khushi and his redemption ' I had a very different view to ASR's redemption and the story has met that. I covered it in the WILs on 2nd June: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/3012689/what-i-loved-weekend-extra-special-2nd-june-2012
5. An encapsulation of love changing ASR to Arnav would be fantastic in your words/I would love for you to do an encapsulation of how love turned ASR into Arnav... ' Pankaj Chhangani
>> I would have loved to see this transition. I didn't though. For me, it came in jerks and starts, but a smooth transition, no. However, I have covered some of this in the sections above, though I'm not sure if it helps you.
ASR to Arnav will be fantastic... ' Sabi Bindu
I would like you to tell me about ASR's journey towards becoming arnav. ' Sana Malik
6. You analysis are always unbiased towards the story as well as characters and are very cult. So I would be curious to know who is your most favorite character and least favorite character (which I guess is hard to pick)...
>> My favorite characters were two: Arnav Singh Raizada and Shyam Manohar Jha.
Least favorite character: None really. I just wish Anjali's role and character were used better.
Would love for you to cover your most favorite/impressive scene(s).
>> A few:
The conflict scenes where Arnav and Khushi are adamant on their philosophies.
1. Arnav & Khushi argument on the festival of urs
2. Arnav & Khushi dialog over the first contract in AR Designs
3. Arnav & Khushi dialog in the run-down building before Khushi collapses
4. Arnav's attempt to talk to Khushi in the AR Design Store room and then when he tried to apologize
5. Arnav & Khushi dialog on the New Year's Eve about their different viewpoints
By now, you get my drift, I'm sure :)
Would love for you to cover your most favorite track/storyline. ' Prakal
>> The one which I wanted to see developed better (instead of only romance/Rabba vey) '
ASR, the beast, the ruthless, the proud taking on a simple Khushi to prove he is right ' attempting to hate her with all he is and not being able to let go of the fight ' as a result, staying focused on her even though he doesn't think her worthy of his attention.
Khushi, the simple, brave girl take on ASR and staying rooted to her ground and her ways ' again, not really wanting a fight, but unable to let go of the challenge he announces on her beliefs.
~*~*~
There we go Buddies ' this was the last WIL of IPKKND.
I have loved writing these reviews and even though I continue to write a lot more than just this review, I will most certainly miss it, and miss lovely discussions with my buddies and listening to your viewpoints.
Thank you so, so, so much for your viewpoints, your love, and the loads of encouragement you sent my way every day! You've no idea what and how much it meant to me.
LOVED it all!
Bindi
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