A common statement that I hear is that Silsila is realistic and not glorifying EMAs, so we shouldn't be criticising it and watching it with an open mind. In fact, I found out yesterday that even the writer thinks the show is realistic. So I wanted to point out all the "realistic" instances so we can discuss and conclude how "realistic" it is 😆:
1) A man suddenly falling for his wife's best friend after a rain dance, without even spending much time together with her to fully understand her.
😆 Arre rain dance is tellywood's way of telling you the two leads see each other's soul, and that it is true love , and is blessed by God.
2) A man who was in love with his wife suddenly falls in love with his wife's friend the next day. No realisation about falling out of love with his wife. Just a sudden transfer of love from his wife to her best friend.
Yes , they did screw up pretty badly with the speed at which things moved. I think Kunal was/ is in lust , and felt like his ego was hurt ,cause he is no longer the MAN of the house. I think Nandhini is also more on a rebound , than love.
3) Pursuing that aforementioned friend with no guilt and using religion to justify his feelings. No conflict, no guilt, in fact no thoughts even about his wife. Even after having sex, he happily romances his mistress in front of his wife.
I think Mouli was not ready to face reality. She didn't want to believe all that people said , or even what she intuitively knew. The whole religion angle , came out of nowhere . And that's what makes it real. In real life , desperate people will pin the blame on anything. Both of them know it's wrong . Tho jhoot moot hi sahi, come up with a reason , and what better than Blamming God?
4) A woman, who is a victim of marital abuse and rape, (her circumstances are risk factors for depression and PTSD) exhibits short bouts of sadness and no clinical symptoms of PTSD and depression. In fact, now days when I look at her, can't even tell she was a victim who underwent trauma recently because she is happily pursuing her best friends' husband. The underlying conflicts and doubts in that character is never seen.
FINALLY. SOMEBODY SAID IT. WHERE IS MY PTSD SYMPTOMS? THe whole intimacy thing came in way too quickly. Especially,given Nandhini's previous experiences. I was fully expecting moments of near kisses , and her freezing /screaming , and Kunal calming her down , getting to know her. But then , that would imply love. Tbh, this felt more like a drunk one night stand on some levels.
5) That said woman is told by a 'babaji' that she is destined to fall in love with Kunal and she falls in love with him after that. And yes divine mantras are being played when they have sex. Definitely, religion sanctions EMAs. Maybe spouses who cheat should use that justification next time.
I think this is where reality does come in. If not Babaji, then divine vision , or near death experiences.Anything to justify and falsely sooth yourself into accepting /doing something you KNOW is dead wrong. There are moments when we all do it , although for far smaller things. Also it's how affairs work, creating alternate facts and truths to cover up unease.
6) Again, that woman forgets all of what her friend did for her and happily fornicates with her husband. No guilt about even romancing her husband in front of her.
This once again , I think comes down to two people (here Kunal and Nandhini) choosing to shut out the world , to indulge in what they want. Yes, the complete lack of moral conflict on both their sides did bother me. It's what made their intimacy , seem more like a rushed drunken impulse . I hope they play out the conflict in the upcoming episodes.
7) Again selfish and thoughtless husband and best friend can commit a sin without an inch of guilt, yet they are presented as white characters.
You described it perfectly - what Nandhini and Kunal was thoughtless and selfish in the extreme . Neither of them appear in love , if you ask me . But I also hope they do t either white wash Mauli into a sati Savithri , main bechari White , or a I'm going to ruin your lives forever jet black psycho.
I wish they show us a strong , if broken Mauli, a complex and confused Nandhini - who doesn't not just weep over what has happened , but grows from it , and a Kunal that introspective , instead of just making empty promises to himself , and to the others.
I think Silsila lets its audience decide what is white , and what isn't . Because what appears perfectly white at the start of the show , has changed so much. They hope to show the many shades of grey that we are all made of ,I'd say.
What do you all think? Is Silsila realistic?
Debate Mansion
