Portrayal of Raghav Rao and Inconsistencies - Page 6

Originally posted by: AnushkhaA

Agreed with the objectifying part. It was damn cringey. I had to skip through those parts. I understand the need to show the male lead's physique.. but you are right in the regard that they are over doing it. They really don't need to sexualize Raghav. It is weird and unnecessary. It is going overboard. Till it was in context, I never felt the need to open my mouth.

As for recognizing Raghav. It would have logically been very easy for her to recognize though. I mean not by touch perhaps but his looks were enough. Even with the mask and eye patch... a person can very easily be identified by the eye. Pallavi has seen his bare torso... and she could have seen the exposed skin through the shirt. That was easily understood. The height, body shape and language, the eye... everything screams RR. It doesn't always work that way honestly. 2 people can have similar body structure and hence there is no sure shot way to know if a wife is able to recognize her husband by touch or 1 eye or body structure.

And then the fact he told he'll come for her, to be ready that morning itself must have been there in the back of her mind. But RR didn't at that point have any plan. It struck him much later how he will enter D house. So i believe technically she must have recognized him. Hence, I felt it was far-fetched to expect P to realize that R will come to D house as a cook. But ofcourse even if she didn't.. can't blame her.. almost burning might send your senses haywire. And her ability to recognize her husband proves nothing of her love for him. Yes, this is a valid point. Even if she didn't doesn't prove that she doesn't love him.

Equading that with this would be plain ridiculous.

Having said that, I believe it wasn't too incosistent of Raghav to dream about Pallavi that morning. He was always shown to be impulsive. One moment he is furious and the next he's thoughtful. One moment he is rude and insensitive and the next moment he us caring. He might have lost his cool in a fit of temper the previous night but he must have realized Amma's and Farhaad's concerns and calmed himself down before going to bed. Yes, his actions were all over the place if you sit and analyse it one by one. Sometimes, we can hawa main filter but it is important to point out when things go beyond a certain level

These are my two cents. No offense to anyone. Why will anyone be offended by your opinion (even if you agree to my views or not). No need to put disclaimers. Happy to read and respond

Replies in red

Originally posted by: Mysterie_girl

Thanks for the tag and taking out time for all this

You guys have pretty much summed it up all, objectification of any person (the gender shouldn't be considered here) is not right.

Till yesterday it was fine, but looks like to add the humor they got over-boarded with certain things.

If they are trying to add humor so as to make heavy and emotional scenes somewhat light for the audience as well as the actors they could have used something else. I hope in the coming episodes, they will tone it down

The makers need to keep check on the same as the age group of audience is very diverse.

There are definitely so many inconsistencies in not only Raghav's but almost every character but since you mentioned about him, even if a person drown oneself in alcohol as much as he want but at the end only sleep let the mind calms (at least the case with me)...so it was fine on my part if he was getting some peace from sleeping

I get it that he need to think about strategies to blow Mandar's cover, think about his wife's safety but mind needs some rest as well so as to work again and if in sub-conscious mind he dreamt of Pallavi then I didn't had any issue on that front.

And concludingly, there is no comparison between them for love, they both love each other equally...they never had that phase of verbal assurance of I love yous and I don't think they needed it as well...they understand each other to this extent that they know about their partner well

Every person have their own set of flaws and those cannot be removed in a jiffy...people need to keep patience for the same and enjoy Raghav-Pallavi and their journey to get more strong!!

So true, entertainment ke naam pe kuch bhi can't be sold, right? Sulo literally drooling was not in the good taste at all. Toilet scene had just these two... yet they could make it lively then why such ineudos?

Sleep wala part... even when he had slept after being heavily drunk he came back to reality in a spur of the moment when he slept on her. But today he being drunk on love, in this situation is what I felt off. But that's what I think.

Flaws is a part of being a human. No one is perfect. But these two have built together in an imperfect relationship is perfection. If not for Raghav or Pallavi... it wouldn't be Raghvi.

Had it not been for Mandar making an entry, I don't think Raghav would have said I Love You to her. He needed to make his stance clear to her when her ex walked in. It was simply stated, like the most obvious truth. As far as, her confession is concerned, since she wanted to say it, he got the elaborate set up done for her. Besides he had forced the marriage on her, so though he didn't need that customary I love You from her anymore... it was still like a balm to his soul.

Thanks for the revert... such discussions opens up different perspectives 🤗

That has always been the storytelling style of Sandiip sickand. This is a masala show and the focus is always on that. There are no frequent deep conversations between RaghVi if you notice. I don’t ever remember saying ok i am in awe of raghvi’s conversation today or how maturely this situation was handled. Here a plot point is created, leads are separated but they somehow always remain bound to eo. Their love is such. That’s the usp of the show- its not a grim scene. The show is always high on adrenaline than on creating profound scenes. Hence the buildup of scenes is always like that. For ex. After the forced marriage the kangi scene was v badly placed, Pallu’s comfort in that scene was weird. Also she treating his finger and blowing air on it immediately after their forced marriage was too quick.

I feel seeing the history of the show, theres no point going into such detail because this show has many a times sacrificed on placement of scenes for sake of romance. Its about the perspective of the storyteller.

Originally posted by: fria319

EDIT: Anytime I say "you" I do NOT mean anyone specifically. Please be aware I'm not calling anyone out specifically here. It's just the 'general you'. I just wanted to make that clear. OMG this forum people and their disclaimers.. why cant people accept a contrary opinion without viewing it as offensive. UFF

Some quick points bc I' m having my coffee right now and have a few minutes, but may not be able to reply back. You wrote so much in your coffee break girl

Excuse the disorganized thoughts - I'm still drinking my coffee this morning before I tackle work, I will try and respond to each of your thoughts. It doesn't matter if they are organized or not. This is not a college assignment or a work deliverable.

Disclaimer: I am someone who doesn't advocate for more nudity in any show. I actually switched off American cable bc of the high level of nudity and preferred genres of shows with less. But let me just play devil's advocate on a few points:

1. I do agree about the extra showing of Raghav shirtless. It doesn't need to be in as much frequency as we've seen so far. We can have a perfectly amazing show without nudity, or touching, or anything. (see: Pakistani dramas) Thanks, totally agree. I love Pakistani shows as well and have been very vocal in pointing out I would have loved MHRW as much even if they didn't show any explicit romantic scenes. What makes them different is their journey to love and the chemistry is an added bonus which I can accept without any complains.

2. I am on the fence about objectification vs characterization. The increase in frequency in him being shirtless lends to the fact that it is objectifying his body for shock value, for audience appeal, etc.

However, the counter is that we're getting more scenes with him at home, in his own space. A lot of men like to be shirtless in their house. Raghav is a character that embraces his s**uality and his appeal to women. He's never shied away from that. So is it odd that when he's at home he's shirtless? Who can say really? We're not the makers of this show. While you made relevant points (which made me REALLY think) and we may have to eventually agree to disagree - If you see our post we are not talking about the shirtless scenes when he is at home. What put us off was that he was shirtless in the D house (again it can be argued that he was inside the room) but what point I am trying to make here is whether this adds to the scene or is just a gimmick used by makers to appease the fandom. Again, pointing out that I watch Pakistani shows and you will rarely see such scenes but that doesn't dilute the impact of the scenes. His gym scene, his sleeping on bed shirtless is never an issue. I have never raised this point before because it made sense to me but the towel scene could have been a bathrobe coz he can come out of the bathroom in a robe and then gets the idea comes running down. Again one can argue the other side but you do get what I am trying to say. Out of context and repeated scenes bring down the beauty of it - I don't want to see a shirtless Raghav everyday.

3. His unbuttoned shirts.. I mean is it any different than Pallavi having an open back blouse? Is it just ok bc she has long hair? A see-through saree (everything nowadays but her silk sarees are see through)? Why is all that "ok" but him having his shirt with the first 3 buttons open now objectifying him? Is it just ok that Pallavi's clothes are see through bc that's part of culture and traditional clothing? Why is that fashionable and not objectifying her? I don't think either of us have said anything about his unbuttoned shirts. That is his style and his comfort and so it is totally ok if he is comfortable showing that much skin. Similarly, I have no issues with Pallavi's deep neck blouse or see through sarees as long as she is comfortable.

[no bashing of Pallavi or Amruta please - I will not tolerate it ]

Why can Amruta wear crop tops, a super mini dress, etc., and that's fashion, & not objectifying her, but Raghav having a few shirt buttons loose or an open shirt, or no shirt is now objectifying? Again., as long as Amruta is comfortable in her clothes I don't think her clothes are something we should be pointing at.

Besides what Amruta wears is her comfort zone, the idea is not to flaunt. But with Raghav, it doesn't come across that way. This exhibitionism is when things goes OTT. Like while he was swimming, it fit the bill. Even then, the first thing he did was wear a robe the minute he stepped out. That seemed natural. We are not even pointing it when he is in bed and sleeping shirtless is his comfort zone. But beyond that, every single time and anywhere where the flaunt doesn't fit the script but is just a flashy glamour picture is where the problem start to arise.

Why can he wear a dhoti/lungi and tie it up to show his legs but, shirt buttons are objectifying him? For me, it's just part of his characterization. Like Amruta is comfortable in her own skin, she is comfortable showing more of her body, than say Pallavi, Raghav also is comfortable in his own skin and body, and has no issues showing it off. Men, like women, do like to play up their assets. We have never talked about his shirt buttons and don't think they can be classified as being objectified. And even when he tied up his lungi, it was very casual. When has the focus even been on his legs? (thank God for that, though!)

4. Sulo & RaghavSNS - What's the ship name now? RaBin? RaSu? LOL. I found it hilarious because she's a middle aged woman, bored of her husband, not in love with her husband, ogling the new young guy in her house. This is textbook middle aged woman portrayal. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. If the roles were reversed, if it was done in comedic tone as Sulo's was, I would've laughed too. Probably, this is where we dont agree in principle. Any on blatantly ogling at a half-naked body of another person (man or woman) is not right. It is more crass when there is a age gap as huge as mother-son. See, I can understand her frustrations due to her mid-life crises but this can't be bucketed under the tag of comedy. It doesn't sit well with me.

In Main Hoon Naa, SRK lusts after Sushmita in the scene just as Sulo did. Sush was walking with her hips swaying, emphatically, with a figure-hugging (maybe see-thru?) saree, and no one had any issues with SRK appreciating her beauty. Where's the line between appreciating beauty, handsomeness, someone's physique & then objectifying them? See, in MHN, they both were more age appropriate. He was more kind of smitten by her. He liked her and she did approve of her advances so it didn't strike me as inappropriate - if she didn't approve of his advances, it would have been called stalking which would be called out by me. Did Sulo ask him to walk around shirtless? No she didn't but if he was walking around shirtless, doesn't give her the right to ogle him like she did. Did Sulo touch his abs? (omg I cannot believe I'm speaking on behalf of Sulo right now LOL ) Why do you think only if she touches him it is inappropriate? Keeping a bad eye on a person that makes the other person uncomfortable is also not right. If you remember the look, Mandar gave to Pallavi during Satyanarayan pooja during his confrontation with Raghav, when he said Pallavi ko main hi rakh leta hoon was so cheap while eating the sheera. So looks can make a person's skin crawl. Doesn't matter for a male or a female.

When we the audience watch the show, whoever is an SKR fan, or not, do you not immediately go, oh he looks so handsome, oh he looks so hot? What were your first thoughts when you saw SKR? Is it wrong to think someone is hot? Did those thoughts honestly not race through anyone's head? Has anyone on here dated before?? Did you not think those thoughts before you were pursued/or did the pursuing? Honestly, both Saishi didn't appeal to me or Soni when we first saw them and I have also mentioned this on the AT and not just saying this to justify my thoughts. I think what makes them attractive to us is their overall personality and not just how good looking they are (maybe this is just us?? We are wired differently). They make you fall in love with them for who they are. I don't think I view actors from the perspective of their body and hence this doesn't sit with me (same goes for Sonia).

Why is it only objectifying when it's done when he's shirtless vs when he's fully clothed? Either way, if we go by that standard it, you would be objectifying him, even when he's fully clothed. (I personally don't think it is but just trying to show/ask where the line is) Again, I don't think the clothes matter but being shirtless surely increases the possibility. Objectifying any person is wrong irrespective of how much clothing one has on but when he is shirtless, it will happen more than when is fully clothed (trying not to victim blame here - it is basically the mindset of the one ogling).

She's a mother, so? Does that mean she's lost her s**ual drive/desires? She can't appreciate another good looking man? All she said was he's hot, and she stared at him. You're telling me if SKR walked past you, you wouldn't stare or take a second look? Or maybe not do any of those things, but still in your head, be like "damn, he's foine". Here, they're just voicing Sulo's thoughts out loud. See, there is a difference between appreciating someone's beauty like - hey, this person is good looking vs ogling at someone who is shirtless - eyeing them top to bottom and saying this man is a HOT- TEA. Again, there are 2 aspects to objectifying - one how the person (R in this case) feels and the intent of the one ogling

I'm not going to discuss the moral implications of all of this i.e. she shouldn't do this because she's married, etc. Yes, we can let the moral implications go. Even if she was unmarried with no daughters, it would be uncalled for.

5. As for problematic things - ITV will always be problematic to me. This show although surpasses a lot of ITV shows, I don't think it's some oscar worthy show that needs to always be held to being politically correct. I agree it is one of the better shows out there and hence we do tend to hawa main filter a lot of things but at times it is important to discuss some topics which merit a discussion. The fact that SKR has now done brownface, multiple times, when he has to go undercover as a worker, is HIGHLY problematic to me, and this is the lead of the show. Brownfacing is an issue for sure but here in this context I think it was to keep his disguise, I don't think it was possible to make him fair and hence I let this slide - any other instance I would have clearly pointed it out. In this instance, they still did that to him, despite covering up everything except his eye. This is more problematic to me than the LGBTQ concerns Amma had (which I didn't 100% like either). They did rectify it eventually so I am fine with it (you cant change what is telecasted and viewed) But to each their own. That speaks to people's own comfortableness and culture and upbringing more than anything else. I'm glad in general makers course corrected - but there's no use watching ITV with a magnifying glass - everything will be problematic to you at that point.

I say don't take things too seriously. It's just a 22 minute show and it's not something with the high budget, long shoot time, etc. They're racing against the TRP machine so they don't get axed. We cannot expect perfection or a highly PC show when we are (who I have gaged to be millennials and gen z) not their target audience. I completely disagree with this point as we don't go around making criticizing posts for every episode. We let slide a lot of things because this show overall is good and worthy of all the praise. But at the same time, it is important to raise issues because they bring about a change. Isn't it surprising that brownfacing and LGBTQ offensive content was not acceptable to you, similarly, the points we made were not acceptable to us. We are all different and have different perspectives. I do not agree that it is a TV show, move on, forget it or use the remote. Of course we have the discretion to do all that but if we can bring a change, then why not.

You know I didn't want to bring this point as it may not go well with people who read but after seeing this post and the comments we received here, I realized one thing that people here are so afraid to point out things because it may "offend" someone - just see the disclaimers we got on this thread. Why will I judge someone who gives their opinions. We are here to debate, discuss and learn from each other's point of view. Another thing, I have been stalking the main forum for 3 odd months and rarely found a post where I feel like commenting. It is like people are no longer interested in having any serious conversations. All the posts I see are either BTS or ATs or overly critiquing posts (read P bashing but that is just my opinion)- no posts on symbolism, very few posts on appreciation and analysis of the episodes.

That being said, I have really loved the 50th AT so much because I crave to read analysis of the episodes because it gives you so much insight.

Again excuse if it's disorganized & typos. I prob should have reread/proofread this and then choose to post, but everyone knows I live on the edge when it comes to forum life.

Also if I offended anyone, sorry, didn't mean to :D It's a forum on the internet, please don't take anything I say super seriously :D LOL. SEE this is what I was talking about. Why post a disclaimer if you are giving your opinions. The ones who are offended will be offended despite the disclaimer and ones who aren't don't care about it.

my reply in red

Probably this was a wrong post to bring this all up but it has all happened in flow. I won't apologize because I trust you are smart enough to realize I mean no offense to you in particular.

Originally posted by: _symphony

That has always been the storytelling style of Sandiip sickand. This is my first show of his and so far the experience is really good (barring very few smaller instances I am willing to let go) This is a masala show and the focus is always on that. Yes of course, isn't that a given. There are no frequent deep conversations between RaghVi if you notice. Actually, I agree to disagree here. The reason I love Raghvi as much is because they talk. I have not seen many ITV shows depict this kind of understanding and organic relationship growth. It could be just me? I don’t ever remember saying ok i am in awe of raghvi’s conversation today or how maturely this situation was handled. I think I really loved the sequence of moving on after they put Sunny behind bars. It was a poignant scene and very well handled. Here a plot point is created, leads are separated but they somehow always remain bound to eo. Isn't it better than other TV tropes where there is a forced MU, separation and leap. Their love is such. That’s the usp of the show- its not a grim scene. The show is always high on adrenaline than on creating profound scenes. I agree on the adreline part - they sometimes rush important sequences while drag unnecessary ones - case in point - Krishna Rao truth, Mandar accident truth, Amma- Raghav patchup etc. Hence the buildup of scenes is always like that. For ex. After the forced marriage the kangi scene was v badly placed, Pallu’s comfort in that scene was weird. I think the track was changed due to covid and Shivangi's ill health. Also she treating his finger and blowing air on it immediately after their forced marriage was too quick. I felt it was in character. P never held grudges against anyone for too long. R put her tied to a chair before a truck but she still was friendly with him after few days.

I feel seeing the history of the show, theres no point going into such detail because this show has many a times sacrificed on placement of scenes for sake of romance. I agree sometimes the placement of scenes make it look disjointed and characters appear out of line to fit in the forced comedy and lollipops Its about the perspective of the storyteller. But isn't the viewer as important as the one who is telling the story?

My reply in red

That’s the problem makers have

Post wedding pallu eased out I hated it

Comb scene was let down

But redeeming of Raghu some how covered it off

But here after Mandy entry pallu characterization and Raghu characterization gone for a Toss

One moment u see angry Raghu next moment sleeping peacefully

Seriously ur wife is stuck in that dam house u do nothing

Pallu dumb to the fullest she fights with Raghu goes there expect him to bring her back

Problem is with the way show is handled

sunny is finding the truth of pallu 🤷🏻‍♂️😡

What’s Raghu doing ??

We’re is that pocket mai sab kuch wala from police to system 🤷🏻‍♂️

Raghu hand is tied and pallu made a dumb

Oversmart sunny

Creepy Mandy

What’s going on 🤷🏻‍♂️
Pallu doesn’t recognize her own hubby

Raghu does nothing to track Mandy down

🤷🏻‍♂️😡what nonsense they are up to

Highly disappointed

But more than anyone I think pallu is shown as most irritating one neither she acts nor allowing Raghu to act

What’s wrong with makers just dragging this track we are fed up

I don’t know about others I puked at the scene of su hitting on Raghu 🤮it’s not even funny

Like Mandy hits on pallu 🤮

Originally posted by: drnidsur

Both of you have raised some brilliant points here 🤗

Things which I feel deeply about-

1. The objectification of ml is too much sometimes - he used to be shirtless in scenes even from the start many times ; when required - he sleeps that way and he prefers it - all those parts were absolutely okay for me that's raghav but that space shouldn't be breached - like woman doesn't deseve to be looked at in a bad light , a man deserves the same respect for his private space , I genuinely feel for the actor and raghav bcus I love him and sometimes it might get uncomfortable for him when people breach the line on sns
2. The sulo angle : totally wrong ! There is such a variation in age groups of who all watch the show and this doesn't come across as funny at all to me(atleast) . The words which were used or the expressions - not something to portray on National tv ; sends such a derogatory message across
3. One thing I would add - some lines against the LGBTQ community : parts which have been now removed from hs - I am glad they removed it , the community is trying hard to make space in our society and anything which makes fun of it shouldn't be encouraged at all .

Having said all of this , as a Raghvi fan I love the show to bits❤️ , but I wish the show considers these points as sometimes the social message sent across might impact the way people think , which isn't a good path .

Nids

I completely agree to what you mentioned. If it happens to a common person on SNS it is harassment but coz ML is an actor, it's ok? Really? This public life is damn difficult! One must respect their boundaries as well as uploads other persons dignity.

When that sulo thing played and she demanded for hot tea... I was like what the heck is this! Is this their best attempt at humor? As if mandar's creepiness was less to take they added more creepiness ka tadka to it.

I so agree with the lgbtq part. Do we realize the struggle of the community? Discriminated, battered, pushed and ridiculed the community have been through hell. We don't have rights to undermine someone's right to survival.

The concern behind this post was exactly what you mentioned. TV has an impact. And this show is watched by millions of people from diverse age groups and backgrounds. You can't normalize things like this to the audience.

No offense intended…but do people have control over dreams???

He loves her dearly she doesn’t stay with him, they met only for a brief period so misses her and dreams of her…isn’t it logical…

And I also don’t expect Pallavi to recognize Raghav just with those touches when he is disguised beyond recognition…it doesn’t happen that way…

As far as Raghav’s expectations…probably coz of his deep love for her..but Rama, his house help reasoned it out for him and I don’t think he is holding it against her..he was desperate to reveal his identity to her, he could not, he thought she might recognize with his touch she didn’t so now he wants to take this opportunity to have some fun with her in his sasuraal…honestly I see the team doing a pretty good job with the past week’s episodes..their efforts shows , be it the pace, the character development or presentation…

And Sulochana ogling Swapnil, As of now it’s shown in a comical way to bring in the fun element..nothing serious, I don’t think we can compare it with Mandar ogling Pallavi…Sulo is indulging in harmless flirting but Mandar is psychotically obsessed..

Originally posted by: Niaaa10

Thank you for the tag ♥️

Well I completely agree about objectification of men not only MHRW but in other shows and movies as well.

Totally totally agreed. But in my more than a decade long TV experience, here it goes a bit more overboard. Sai is such a wonderful actor, he doesn't need to put his physique on display. So you having Raghav drop his shirt for no reason was like having atleast one shot of Salman khan shirtless in his movies. Whether that makes sense or not. Let it be the demand of the script, I am up for it.

It was totally creepy on Sulochana's part to ogle on his body and then openly eye him in front of her daughters. And truly said if genders are reversed that will be termed as harrasment but just because it's other way round it has been taken as comedy.

Objectification of both men and women is equally wrong and it's high time it should stop.

💯💯💯 gender reverse karne se things don't change. It's society's ignorance and double standards. Men deserve their privacy too.

Now coming to the inconsistencies of the characters I don't think too much into that because at the end of the day it's an ITV show and they have to deliver 6 episodes a week and have to keep changing according to the taste of audience with the sword of TRP hanging on their head. If anything is too much out of character I just skip that part and hawa mein filter it & move on with the show.

I watch whole episode on my first watch and after that watch only RaghVi and some other good scenes on repeat so don't bother about the context of it and what happened before and after that. 😅

True that. Raghvi makes this show unique. Having said that I also love them. But sometimes I feel we must ponder on what we watch n get addicted to. It's fun to break into characters, understand psychologies of people and read into different thoughts. You learn so much and it overall enhances a viewing experience. Baaki we know that ITV pe you need to take things with a pinch of salt. When the salt becomes too unbearable run away 😆

They love each other equally there is no doubt in that. The kind of love they have for each other doesn't even need daily need of verbal acknowledgement and I am so happy their love is not limited to just confessing I love you to each other again and again it's much more than that.

Again everybody have their own opinion, I respect each and every opinion stated in this thread.

Don't mean to offend or disrespect anyone.

Thank you.

Nia why should anyone get offended to begin with? To each its own. We are not bashing, just putting what we like and what we don't... and trying to understand situations from each other's perspective.

I am really enjoying reading everyone's thoughts here... thanks for the reply

I support freedom of expression, including sexual expression. I don't want to shame anyone, real or fictional, for objectifying an adult person, for being "too old" to desire another adult, or for having adulterous or incestuous thoughts. Harassment, touching without consent, and invasion of privacy are wrong, but feeling attraction is as natural and innocent as dressing attractively.

Whether Sulochana's behaviour comes across as śṛṅgāra rasa (erotic sentiment) or bībhatsa rasa (odious sentiment), it's part of the dramatic spectrum and I don't object to the creative effort, even if it flops. Maybe the next episode will have Raghav get drunk, pity himself that Pallavi doesn't recognize him, and seek physical comfort from Sulochana, only to have Pallavi walk in ... let's leave it up to the creative team's judgement to define their characters and tell their story.

If the creative team's concept of Raghav's character is that he likes to be indecently clothed (e.g. he received Pallavi for a business meeting while shirtless; he strutted in a towel in front of Pallavi the morning after their wedding day, and gestured that he would take off his towel; he took off his shirt the first time they shared a bedroom; he took off his tank top to distract her from yoga ...), then they should be free to portray that character authentically. If one daily drama that gets too close to erotica bothers us, we can say so and choose other options for entertainment. And in the interest of equality, topless female characters should be allowed somewhere too. There are African cultures in which female toplessness signifies childlike respect for elders, the same way that Raghav's toplessness for Śivarātri pūjā was traditional and not sexualized.

Other than Śivarātri pūjā, being in the shower without water, and swimming, I can't think of another scene in which Raghav's dishabille was integral. As an actor, Sai Ketan Rao should have the right to refuse scenes that make him uncomfortable. When he shares images on social media as an individual, the implication is that he is comfortable and invites everyone to appreciate his look, objectify him, ogle him etc. If he's comfortable, honi soit qui mal y pense, I guess.

I follow a Marathi daily drama (Sundara Manamadhe Bharali) on which the male lead's love of fitness defines his character, so Abhimanyu is always shown exercising. Surprise - he's never shirtless! He wore a tank top in one of the earliest episodes, and his rival does so occasionally, but the show never sexualizes characters who exercise. Instead, there was a scene a few days ago of Abhimanyu feeling sexual attraction when he sees Latika bundled up in a raincoat with only her face visible; the sleeves were too long for her arms. With talented actors and the right background music, the scene totally convinced me that he desired her.

Deletion of homophobic scenes, or "no homo no foul," isn't a satisfactory response. Homophobia is real; so, by all means, show characters like Jaya and Raghav making homophobic remarks and let Farhad or Pallavi rebut them. The solution to homophobia on Indian television is to create sexually diverse characters and develop them fully.

/soapbox