Just though would do an analysis on what, why and how of Sultan, a character introduced with a lot of pomp and then relegated to the current level. Forgive me if it is a bit too long.
Stage 1 : The golden hearted DON
So, after the unwedding, when RK was at his cheap best, Sultan was introduced. Audience at that time were waiting for a new entry to counter RK and were really excited. But the first error done by the CVs was making him a gangster. On top of that they made him a weak gangster who needed the heroine to save his life, had to hide in a chawl etc. The chawl scenes firmly established him as a Chota Mota Goonda in audiences eyes.
Then you had a superstar to compare, who was already the heroines husband and was clearly in love with her though at that time behaving like a jerk. Further, the wife was also in love with him.
Compare apples with apples, dont give audience peanuts to compare with apples. In the previous shows where gangsters were successful, they had shown women from poor background, in dire circumstances falling for the gangsters. Not wives of rich, successful and handsome men who are in love with their wives.
Further, educated women from good families NEVER befriend gangsters.
I still remember, 15 years ago Dil Se movie was released and was a big flop. SKR had at that time said that Indian Audience are not matured enough to understand the movie.
Even after 15 years if that movie is still released it would be a big flop. Because it was not a question of maturity. A boy protecting his terrorist love at the cost of his family and country instantly repulsed the audience.
They just could not connect with the lead. Like in this case the audience just could not connect with Sultan or MBs friendship with him.
Stage 2: Bhai- Bhai
Then when the CVs realised that romantic track was out of the question, they introduced Bhai-Bhai track. Do you think an actress like Zareena Wahab would be taken for a 10 episode role of a loony and then to disappear. No, they had bigger plans but the audience again rejected the track vehemently. Please note that CVs dont wait for TRPs to decide whether the audience is appreciating the track or not. They have other assured channels of information.
Stage 3: Omni potent Villain
By that time the audience was so fed up and so irritated that they refused to accept him in that form also. Also, he was lusting after the wife of his younger brother. Even divine intervention could not have saved this track.
Stage 4: End of the game
So RK the majnu was again wrapped up and smart RK was reintroduced.
Audience the real catalyst, the decision maker
Yes all this has happened under audience pressure. Because you may say on a random tweet use the remote but you would do anything possible to prevent that from happening. And I again say audience is not stupid and no one should dare treat it like that. (Chk the SRK incident quoted above)
Blaming the audiences maturity level for not liking or rejecting a track is the easiest way out for any show/movie maker. Audience is not blind nor mentally retarded. There are some established societal norms, some moral values which audience adhere to.
And if something is shown which is in direct contrast to it, they simply refuse to watch it. Forget the talk of principles, if something is being shown that is downright boring then also they will not watch it.
With respect to TV, Entertaining means something that can be watched with the entire family, children and even grand children. In India mothers dont allow children to watch certain cartoon shows they find offensive and they would let their children watch saga of an abusive husband and wife. If RK had been perceived abusive, if his behaviour was so bad that it could affect the moral values of our society like lajja, maryada etc, you think the TRP audience would have allowed the show to be run even one day on the home television.
PS: pls comment only on the character and do not pin point any one
