hi Aimf pardons for being a day to respond to your brilliantly expressed post. You chose the character that occupies the key role in AN.. Dashrant the patriarchical head of the household and the faith head of many humble , devout devottes of Banaras. Yes he is self obsessed and wants some as perfect as him to step into his shoes,rocking chair. I reckon its his placement amongst people who believe in knowing about their future.. the well boding of their stars ,that which puts dashrant in a position of being nothing less than a godhead figure. Basically people's blind faith , has fanned his clout within himself. I dont blame him for considering himself above all else. He is seen as expert on numerolgy which he cashes into for his livelihood.. Yes dashrant I feel latches on to the notion of keeping his power in place..,yes he sought people who would aid him ,but as you explained in your post.. the man was let down by his blood..shambu and by his son viplav whom dashrant nurtured ,,but then dhani comes and changes viplav ,no wonder dashrant loathes the girl through and through..
Now intersetingly you mention raja as the sun/sonin dshrant's life.. if you ask me, this raja son will cause the eclispe in dashrant's life.. and you and I want to be around to see it! kanak could be DT's perfect son but her gender fails her.. plus she is firebrand and erratic, likely to do the unexpected! so who will be DT's power expansion tool??
aimf , thanks for your thought provoking post.. reminded me once more about the gravity of the show.. much love hammie