Hi FLS,
Thanks for not only commenting, but also for taking time out for expressing your POV in such thought out detail. My apologies for taking so long to respond. The exigencies of life refused to be put on hold!
Also, thanks for the appreciation, and as far as disagreement goes... since it (if any) stems from the fact that most of us have invested a lot of time and emotion in this show and its characters, which places us basically on the same side of the fence, it's all good :-)
After reading your comments, a few thoughts came to mind. I think a lot of it comes down to a) perspective and b) the level of attachment one feels for the show.
To be honest, I was most attached to RR and its characters during the first three months. After that, due to whatever was happening in the story for whatever reasons, my interest started waning. Not too much initially, because by that time I was completely hooked to the insane chemistry between Rudra and Paro as well as Ashish and Sanaya (they look ridiculously good together).
Over time, I realized I was enjoying the show in bits and pieces...an episode here and there. I still watched everyday, but was left feeling dissatisfied on most days.
By the time the whole Paro Shantanu Rudra mess up happened, I was quite resigned to the fact that yet another show had gone down the path of no return, as far as retaining my interest was concerned.
Paros's death was definitely very upsetting and shocking. That is the one episode I have never re-watched. Not just because it was very upsetting story wise , but also because it served no worthwhile purpose. Again, the lack of logic.
However, I also feel that the story of Rudra and Paro had pretty much ended before that. It would have been better if they had treated RR as a finite show and ended it when all was sorted... a sort of happily-ever-after, if you will.
But this strange need of producers/CVs/channels here to keep a show on air well after its story has seen its finale is what makes them indulge in these horrific so-called "kamal ka twists"... hence the Ekta style leap and come-back of the heroine.
This is conjecture on my part, but from what I read here, it seems the CV/producers weren't certain that the show is going to be pulled off. Maybe the channel gave them a last chance to see if they can swing the TRPs. So they swung into action, put on their best Kekta hats, and pulled a "fresh" story out of the bag.
Now this is where the perspective comes into play. For me, the story of Rudra and Paro and their soulmate love had already been completed. I had read the last chapter.
This new lease of life was a fresh story, albeit with a LOT of baggage, which I guess they couldn't avoid. Since I don't watch a lot of other Indian dramas, I don't know whether this technique has worked in other shows. I'm guessing it must have else they wouldn't have thought of using it here. Although, with these CVs, I'm not too sure of that either!
You're right about the fact that if it hadn't been Sanaya who came back as Myrah, I would not have watched the show anymore. The thing is that in spite of the butchered story line, I am still a fan of the chemistry that Ashish and Sanaya share. Which is another reason why I don't mind watching Rudra and Myrah come close to each other.
And, there is yet one more reason why I don't mind this pairing. I prefer happy endings. I just do. And the thought of Rudra and Dhruv moving on out of this dark and depressing rut of a life they are stuck in appeals to me immensely.
At the same time, I realize that those viewers who were and are still attached to Paro would find this very difficult to accept.
I also don't think (again pure conjecture on my part) the CVs intended to rush the story. They might have taken their time to develop and build up the connection between Rudra and Myrah. However, the channel seems to have thrown a giant spanner in the works, giving them just about a month (if that) to wrap up. Hence, the lack of connect between Rudra's words and actions. So much to fit in in such little time!
And after all these nonsensical, logic-defying, mood spoiling twists, all I want is a somewhat believable, non-Ekta like end to a show that I still am very attached to and would like to remember with great fondness. :-) I guess it's just my way of feeling better about how the show turned out.
Oh well...just a few more episodes left. All questions will be answered soon... :-)
I'll miss Rudra-Paro/Myrah a lot, but I'm actually looking forward to getting my 9:30-10 pm slot of life back :-)
Cheers.
Cricket
