Manic Pixie Dream Girl

Aria1234 thumbnail
11th Anniversary Thumbnail Explorer Thumbnail Fascinator 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 9 years ago
#1
'Manic pixie dream girl' is a term used to describe females who come into a guy's life with the sole purpose of making them better people. Recently,I have felt that Annika has been reduced to exactly that.It's such a common trope,it is very visible in Gul's other productions too. She keeps using this outline for female characters because she knows it works.
Think about it,in a way Anika's life revolves either around Shivaay,his life,his family or Sahil. There's nothing wrong with loving your family,but Anika's only job seems to be taking care of Shivaay's family and Shivaay.


The worst thing about the manic pixie dream girl,is that she doesn't exist in real life. Even the nicest of people have flaws,they make mistakes,their moral compasses do not always point the right direction. Anika's only flaw so far seems to be being poor.She is always understanding,caring and forgiving. Her conversations are always about people in the family or Shivaay or emotions.

Shivaay is a character full of flaws. Some which I cannot stand,but I accept it because flawed characters exist,but according to this show Annika's main purpose is to bring light into Shivaay's life and teach him how to live and love,and for that she herself has to be flawless. A relationship is all about sharing and giving and taking. But to me it seems like Annika's the only one giving. The only thing Shivaay seems to give Annika is financial support.

I get why Shivaay likes Annika...but I don't get why she likes him. After all these constant insults he throws at her...she bounces right back...
And where is the character growth. So far none of the leads have any significant character growth. Shivaay likes Annika and so he's kind of nice to her despite her being poor,but he's still as close minded and arrogant,he just added an exception to his rule-Annika. And about Annika I can say the same.Can you imagine meeting a guy like Shivay in real life,and managing to tolerate him? If any of my friends dated a guy like that I'd honestly feel bad for her...So until there's some character development on both parts I don't want to see Annika and Shivaay in a relationship.


I don't mean to offend anyone,just sharing my thoughts


Created

Last reply

Replies

8

Views

1.2k

Users

6

Likes

20

Frequent Posters

poemssyndrome thumbnail
11th Anniversary Thumbnail Navigator Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 9 years ago
#2
First of all thank u for adding a new thing in my vocabulary. Didn't knew that.

Secondly, u r absolutely right. To be honest, I wouldn't even talk to someone with Shivaay's thinking. He is flawed, actually perfect representation of real human being. He is a hypocrite, selfish, prejudiced person who keeps his family first.

But I would disagree with the fact that Anika is perfect.She ain't real but She is not perfect. Not because she lacks the money, education or status, but because she is too good. And that's her problem. People like her do not survive in real life. Most of the time they are badly used by others. And when this realisation strikes them either they become untrusting towards others i.e harden their shell or succumb to terrible means like addiction or suicide.

Anika has done the first that's why nobody at Oberoi's knows her real problems. This is what makes her less perfect. Of course I would be really surprised if Gul explores this part of Anika as She explored Om's or Shivaay's flaws.S he haven't yet done that with Anika that is why she might feel perfect.

People like her don't believe that people would really help them, therefore they never seek it even when they know that the problem is too big for them to handle and this behaviour of them will be self harming. This makes them independent yet lonely.

But the sacrifices she made for Shivaay that's what makes her unreal. Becoz no strong independent woman will sacrifice herself for someone who she doesn't even likes or at least thinks she doesn't. People might say that it would be selfish of her, but that is the thing. That is the thing about real people, they are a bit selfish.

Of course this is what I think.

And about them having a relationship, I completely agree with you.
Edited by poemssyndrome - 9 years ago
yellomellow thumbnail
11th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail
Posted: 9 years ago
#3
I really enjoyed reading your post.
I could be wrong, but I don't think either of them like each other yet. I think one of the main themes of their story is change and neither are willing to accept or are ready for that change. He's not bad person, but his priorities are all wrong he needs to learn to respect others. You can't consider someone family if you don't respect them. He will have his own personal struggle when overcoming his bias.

With her she can only relate to him because she values family, but she doesn't respect him as a man. You can't like or love someone you don't respect. There is nothing other than his affection for his family that appeals to her. Not his money, his power, or his behavior. He has only shown her the ugly side of his personality and what good qualities she did experience were unintentional.

Their pride is no joke. It might take awhile, but I feel like there will be mutual respect before they like or fall in love. When things do change I can also see her having her own personal struggle accepting the fact that she doesn't have to fight alone anymore.

Right now, there is a mutual attraction (and a basic understanding before he ruined it lol) but I don't think either of them "like" each other yet. At times it does feel like there are two versions of them.


Sometimes he respects her other times he doesn't.
Sometimes he stares at her like she is the only person in the room other times he glares at her.
Sometimes he values her opinion other times he treats her like an outsider.
Sometimes she seems completely affected by him other times it's like he doesn't even exist. Sometimes she loathes him other times it's like she is madly in love with him.
It's like they don't even what's happening and react based on the other person current version. All of their actions are erratic... I don't know maybe it's done on purpose to illustrate their conflicting emotions.


I disagree with you about her flaws. She has a terrible temper, is incredibly impulsive, and is extremely brazen. She has no filter and I like the fact that she is assertive, but sometimes she is a bit overbearing. Don't get me wrong, I love her character and her strong personality. I think the whole point is that she matches him on every level. The only difference is that she is MUCH kinder than him and doesn't judge others based on superficial reasons. She could have saved him because she is a better person.


I agree with you I would love to see more character development for everyone.
Edited by yellomellow - 9 years ago
nim_var thumbnail
12th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 9 years ago
#4

Originally posted by: yellomellow

I really enjoyed reading your post.

I.

With her she can only relate to him because she values family, but she doesn't respect him as a man. You can't like or love someone you don't respect. There is nothing other than his affection for his family that appeals to her. Not his money, his power, or his behavior. He has only shown her the ugly side of his personality and what good qualities she did experience were unintentional.

Their pride is no joke. It might take awhile, but I feel like there will be mutual respect before they like or fall in love. When things do change I can also see her having her own personal struggle accepting the fact that she doesn't have to fight alone anymore.

Right now, there is a mutual attraction (and a basic understanding before he ruined it lol) but I don't think either of them "like" each other yet. At times it does feel like there are two versions of them.


Sometimes he respects her other times he doesn't.
Sometimes he stares at her like she is the only person in the room other times he glares at her.
Sometimes he values her opinion other times he treats her like an outsider.
Sometimes she seems completely affected by him other times it's like he doesn't even exist. Sometimes she loathes him other times it's like she is madly in love with him.
It's like they don't even what's happening and react based on the other person current version. All of their actions are erratic... I don't know maybe it's done on purpose to illustrate their conflicting emotions.

I agree with you I would love to see more character development for everyone.


great points above. would like to see them..develop affection not born out of gratitude and bias on Shivaay's side..and genuine...love from her side.for the man that he is. Some attraction is definitely there..but there has to be more.

yellomellow thumbnail
11th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail
Posted: 9 years ago
#5

Originally posted by: poemssyndrome

First of all thank u for adding a new thing in my vocabulary. Didn't knew that.

Secondly, u r absolutely right. To be honest, I wouldn't even talk to someone with Shivaay's thinking. He is flawed, actually perfect representation of real human being. He is a hypocrite, selfish, prejudiced person who keeps his family first.

But I would disagree with the fact that Anika is perfect.She ain't real but She is not perfect. Not because she lacks the money, education or status, but because she is too good. And that's her problem. People like her do not survive in real life. Most of the time they are badly used by others. And when this realisation strikes them either they become untrusting towards others i.e harden their shell or succumb to terrible means like addiction or suicide.

Anika has done the first that's why nobody at Oberoi's knows her real problems. This is what makes her less perfect. Of course I would be really surprised if Gul explores this part of Anika as She explored Om's or Shivaay's flaws.She haven't yet done that with Anika that is why she might feel perfect.

People like her don't believe that people would really help them, therefore they never seek it even when they know that the problem is too big for them to handle and this behaviour of them will be self harming. This makes them independent yet lonely.

But the sacrifices she made for Shivaay that's what makes her unreal. Becoz no strong independent woman will sacrifice herself for someone who she doesn't even likes or at least thinks she doesn't. People might say that it would be selfish of her, but that is the thing. That is the thing about real people, they are a bit selfish.

Of course this is what I think.

And about them having a relationship, I completely agree with you.


Couldn't agree more with you. There are people who are just too kind for their own good. That in itself can be a huge flaw. She is too impulsive and doesn't think about the consequences her actions will have.

Exactly. Hopefully her character will be explored more.
Edited by yellomellow - 9 years ago
OMG12399 thumbnail
Posted: 9 years ago
#6
Sigh welcome to the world of tellywood, where every show either features a sanskaari abla naari or a sanskaari manic pixie dream girl😆
Atleast we can be thankful that Anika is the second (abla naaris are so much worse) and she's not as sanskaari as usual...
small mercies in life😆
yellomellow thumbnail
11th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail
Posted: 9 years ago
#7

Originally posted by: nim_var


great points above. would like to see them..develop affection not born out of gratitude and bias on Shivaay's side..and genuine...love from her side.for the man that he is. Some attraction is definitely there..but there has to be more.


Me too. I'm looking forward to this.

TheTroubleMaker thumbnail
16th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 9 years ago
#8
This looks interesting...will read all n edit comment later😃😆
Aria1234 thumbnail
11th Anniversary Thumbnail Explorer Thumbnail Fascinator 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 9 years ago
#9
Good to see that there are people who agree with me. I personally don't think that being uneducated and poor count as flaws in her personality. Those are results of her circumstances,they don't really make her personality any worse. Shivaay on the other hand is despicable most of the time,and that too for no reason. Considering Gul khan's usual flow,I don't expect too much character development .
I mean in IPK arnav had a pretty difficult personality,but Khushi was the most typical manic pixie dream girl,both of them didn't really change...so I wouldn't hold my breath for a change in Shivaay or Annika. I do hope that after a while Annika goes back to college and gets a proper job. I don't want her to end up being ridiculed like Pinky.

Related Topics

Top

Stay Connected with IndiaForums!

Be the first to know about the latest news, updates, and exclusive content.

Add to Home Screen!

Install this web app on your iPhone for the best experience. It's easy, just tap and then "Add to Home Screen".