Balaji versus AltBalaji

I've read a lot on this forum about the story of the original - the multiple marriages, the mother causing break ups, the controlled man etc. Since I haven't watched the original, the view I have formed may be incorrect, obviously. But it all seems to old fashioned and regressive and not what TV should be showing as normal or acceptable. Unfortunately viewers like me may be in a minority since Balaji's most popular shows still show that old fashioned nonsense.

Having said that there have to date been a few things in Kasauti 2 that made me feel this is AltBalaji rather than Balaji. For example:

- Anurag aayjng we as a society always equate manliness to men behaving badly with women;
- Prerna and Anurag being perfectly comfortable with the possibility of Anurag being gay;
- The very casual and mature reference to Anurag's previous girl friend;
- The way Prerna says "being rich and having an AC car have you even sat in a cab. That dialogue is used so often in movies and TV to show someone has lost touch with normal people and it was used as a joke here between P and A. I found that scene so cute!

If this writer continues with thre serial, I really have high hopes. Also I saw an interview in which Parthw as shocked that the original Anurag had 4 marriages. He didn't know that and Erica was telling him. He told the reporter "that's not going to be the case this time. So I am keeping my hopes up for a reconstructed serial meant for the audience of 2018/9!!

times changed...whatever sanskaari shown in 2001 will not be shown in 2018...times changed...mindset changed...generation changed

Hi

I am a silent member but I wanted to respond to you post. I closely followed the previous KZK up until the first generation gave way to the second generation mainly due to the prime time slot it was aired in (became a fan of Mr Bajaj and Ronit Roy somewhere down the line but in general was not a fan of the show or the leads). I stumbled upon a few posts in this group recently discussing about the previous one being a regressive one and hoping that this one isn't regressive at all. Honestly speaking, in terms of content, it really wasn't regressive for its time or even for today's day and age.Prerna was one of the strongest female lead of that time who took every decision of her life by herself (whether you agree with her decisions or not is not the point here). She was a working woman in the time when shows like Kyunki, Kahani Ghar Ghar ki, Kumkum glorified the role of housewives (and most of the serial, especially star plus ones, still do). She married a man who was not only way older than her but was divorced and had three children, two of them grown up. When widowed, these very kids got her married again. This serial explored the different kinds of love, different types of friendship at a time when no one even thought of exlploring these.Sex before/outside marriage was a major theme in the plot and Prerna was an unmarried and single parent. From my perspective, none of this is regressive. Single parenthood, divorces, multiple marriages are actually quite modern concepts. Even the premise of being friends with the father of your child and your spouse also befriending him,to me,is a relatively modern concept.I finally gave up when Anurag got married for the third time because I personally belong to old school and for me, marriage is for keeps. I believe in second chances and if and when marriages fall apart, it's alright for the people involved to move ahead, fall in love again and get married again but between Anurag and Prerna the number of marriages were turning out to be too high for my level of comfort. Although to just 2 people, Prerna got married a total of 3/4 times and Anurag got married 4 times to 4 different women, so yeah, that I could not handle..hahaha..however, I think two things made up Kasauti, the first Prerna's single parenthood and the second, Anurag and Prerna's marriage being an epic failure despite their immense love for each other:I am not sure the story would be half as passionate or hold half as much depth if these two things are changed.

So yes, if anyone tells me that this multiple marriage thing needs to be changed, I will happily agree but if anyone tells me that KZK was a regressive show, I can't agree to that. Staying in a marriage that makes you miserable is regressive, not wanting to marry someone who is a divorcee with children is regressive, marrying anyone only for family's honor or to give your child a father's name is regressive. Anurag, Prerna and Bajaj were anything but regressive. So I don't understand why people are assuming that KZK was regressive. Anurag's mother threatened to end her life which is why he had to give up Prerna, if that is the basis of considering the previous installment regressive, well, I wonder what a son can do to be progressive, let his mother die and go after his lady love? Anurag was just a son, not a mamma's boy or controlled by his mother at all. He was always closer to his father. On the contrary, the new Anurag seems to be more moved by his mother's tears. Likewise, the new Prerna seems quite regressive compared to the old Prerna, the old Prerna would give a tight slap to a man who dared to give her an dirty look let alone physically harrass her. The old Prerna never shied away from giving a piece of her mind and didn't think twice before putting someone in their place even if it meant raising her hand (at times I thought she could be less physically violent).

I am watching KZK 2 to see how they handle Anurag and Prerna's relationship: a relationship where there is immense love, dedication and loyal friendship but which, when put under a label such as marriage,becomes destructive and not just destroys these two but creates havoc in the life of many.

Originally posted by: Push-pull

Hi UK girl..😉

Given a choice to watch the original show I wouldn't pick it up even to see what it was😆.. And I didn't have any idea about the original show until I came across this reboot news, all thanks to Erica-Parth 😳.

And just checked the wiki to know what the original show was all about.. I've watched none of the shows of the leads in fact I'm surprised to see I don't even know any of the cast members from that show except for Jennifer. Though I have not watched her shows I have seen some glimpses of her here and there.. Pretty girl she is.. Anyway my count of shows are limited but still none from the list is surprising for myself..

And with that said I don't have any memories tied with the original show or actors.. If it had been then maybe I wouldn't even try watching the reboot for want of not spoiling my good old memories. Many times I don't watch the movie remakes of some of my favorite movies because I can't help myself from comparing and keep praising the original one. I may end up cribbing and complaining like a whining child because I am not ready to accept the new one or the changes that the new one can bring to my memory.. Unless I am open to look forward to something in the new one it's better I don't burn myself in it , spoiling it for the others as well . It's like the old generation keep on going about how it was all good during their times and now they can't appreciate the changing times..

Can I go back and see what it was like during their times and go about complaining and not appreciate anything about what they had? It's of no use doing this.. Nobody likes to hear others saying what a poor thing that they are to get whatever they've got or getting.. Every generation has to accept the times that they're in and get the best out of it.😉

And about the show's content and whether it will suit to the changing times, it's all in the TRP game dear.. What a good content KRPKAB show lost it to the number game.. Very few are able to succeed in TV business and Ekta is definitely the power woman and she knows her game very well.. And her major business drivers are the TV audience who are regular to the shows without bothering about other entertainment medium.. So she gives what keeps them entertained and hooked without changing channels.. Even if she wants to change content or people want to see different content, neither know how to get that because it became a chicken-egg story.. Maybe all the TV producers together should define some new template and stick to certain norms and boundaries.. Then it's creative field and who can define boundaries and limitations on creativity.. And sometime there are some formulas that have been working for decades without knowing why and how? Getting difficult to understand the combination for the formula and so the experiments, some with new methods and some with proven methods.. If it works then all good if it doesn't then try all over again..😉

Just wanted to post something to reply though it became a long boring theory for myself..😆

Sorry to have spoiled your space.. Now that it's done, Hope you don't mind...

Of course I don't mind! Thanks for adding your two cents!

Originally posted by: athai

Hi

I am a silent member but I wanted to respond to you post. I closely followed the previous KZK up until the first generation gave way to the second generation mainly due to the prime time slot it was aired in (became a fan of Mr Bajaj and Ronit Roy somewhere down the line but in general was not a fan of the show or the leads). I stumbled upon a few posts in this group recently discussing about the previous one being a regressive one and hoping that this one isn't regressive at all. Honestly speaking, in terms of content, it really wasn't regressive for its time or even for today's day and age.Prerna was one of the strongest female lead of that time who took every decision of her life by herself (whether you agree with her decisions or not is not the point here). She was a working woman in the time when shows like Kyunki, Kahani Ghar Ghar ki, Kumkum glorified the role of housewives (and most of the serial, especially star plus ones, still do). She married a man who was not only way older than her but was divorced and had three children, two of them grown up. When widowed, these very kids got her married again. This serial explored the different kinds of love, different types of friendship at a time when no one even thought of exlploring these.Sex before/outside marriage was a major theme in the plot and Prerna was an unmarried and single parent. From my perspective, none of this is regressive. Single parenthood, divorces, multiple marriages are actually quite modern concepts. Even the premise of being friends with the father of your child and your spouse also befriending him,to me,is a relatively modern concept.I finally gave up when Anurag got married for the third time because I personally belong to old school and for me, marriage is for keeps. I believe in second chances and if and when marriages fall apart, it's alright for the people involved to move ahead, fall in love again and get married again but between Anurag and Prerna the number of marriages were turning out to be too high for my level of comfort. Although to just 2 people, Prerna got married a total of 3/4 times and Anurag got married 4 times to 4 different women, so yeah, that I could not handle..hahaha..however, I think two things made up Kasauti, the first Prerna's single parenthood and the second, Anurag and Prerna's marriage being an epic failure despite their immense love for each other:I am not sure the story would be half as passionate or hold half as much depth if these two things are changed.

So yes, if anyone tells me that this multiple marriage thing needs to be changed, I will happily agree but if anyone tells me that KZK was a regressive show, I can't agree to that. Staying in a marriage that makes you miserable is regressive, not wanting to marry someone who is a divorcee with children is regressive, marrying anyone only for family's honor or to give your child a father's name is regressive. Anurag, Prerna and Bajaj were anything but regressive. So I don't understand why people are assuming that KZK was regressive. Anurag's mother threatened to end her life which is why he had to give up Prerna, if that is the basis of considering the previous installment regressive, well, I wonder what a son can do to be progressive, let his mother die and go after his lady love? Anurag was just a son, not a mamma's boy or controlled by his mother at all. He was always closer to his father. On the contrary, the new Anurag seems to be more moved by his mother's tears. Likewise, the new Prerna seems quite regressive compared to the old Prerna, the old Prerna would give a tight slap to a man who dared to give her an dirty look let alone physically harrass her. The old Prerna never shied away from giving a piece of her mind and didn't think twice before putting someone in their place even if it meant raising her hand (at times I thought she could be less physically violent).

I am watching KZK 2 to see how they handle Anurag and Prerna's relationship: a relationship where there is immense love, dedication and loyal friendship but which, when put under a label such as marriage,becomes destructive and not just destroys these two but creates havoc in the life of many.

Originally posted by: athai

Hi

I am a silent member but I wanted to respond to you post. I closely followed the previous KZK up until the first generation gave way to the second generation mainly due to the prime time slot it was aired in (became a fan of Mr Bajaj and Ronit Roy somewhere down the line but in general was not a fan of the show or the leads). I stumbled upon a few posts in this group recently discussing about the previous one being a regressive one and hoping that this one isn't regressive at all. Honestly speaking, in terms of content, it really wasn't regressive for its time or even for today's day and age.Prerna was one of the strongest female lead of that time who took every decision of her life by herself (whether you agree with her decisions or not is not the point here). She was a working woman in the time when shows like Kyunki, Kahani Ghar Ghar ki, Kumkum glorified the role of housewives (and most of the serial, especially star plus ones, still do). She married a man who was not only way older than her but was divorced and had three children, two of them grown up. When widowed, these very kids got her married again. This serial explored the different kinds of love, different types of friendship at a time when no one even thought of exlploring these.Sex before/outside marriage was a major theme in the plot and Prerna was an unmarried and single parent. From my perspective, none of this is regressive. Single parenthood, divorces, multiple marriages are actually quite modern concepts. Even the premise of being friends with the father of your child and your spouse also befriending him,to me,is a relatively modern concept.I finally gave up when Anurag got married for the third time because I personally belong to old school and for me, marriage is for keeps. I believe in second chances and if and when marriages fall apart, it's alright for the people involved to move ahead, fall in love again and get married again but between Anurag and Prerna the number of marriages were turning out to be too high for my level of comfort. Although to just 2 people, Prerna got married a total of 3/4 times and Anurag got married 4 times to 4 different women, so yeah, that I could not handle..hahaha..however, I think two things made up Kasauti, the first Prerna's single parenthood and the second, Anurag and Prerna's marriage being an epic failure despite their immense love for each other:I am not sure the story would be half as passionate or hold half as much depth if these two things are changed.

So yes, if anyone tells me that this multiple marriage thing needs to be changed, I will happily agree but if anyone tells me that KZK was a regressive show, I can't agree to that. Staying in a marriage that makes you miserable is regressive, not wanting to marry someone who is a divorcee with children is regressive, marrying anyone only for family's honor or to give your child a father's name is regressive. Anurag, Prerna and Bajaj were anything but regressive. So I don't understand why people are assuming that KZK was regressive. Anurag's mother threatened to end her life which is why he had to give up Prerna, if that is the basis of considering the previous installment regressive, well, I wonder what a son can do to be progressive, let his mother die and go after his lady love? Anurag was just a son, not a mamma's boy or controlled by his mother at all. He was always closer to his father. On the contrary, the new Anurag seems to be more moved by his mother's tears. Likewise, the new Prerna seems quite regressive compared to the old Prerna, the old Prerna would give a tight slap to a man who dared to give her an dirty look let alone physically harrass her. The old Prerna never shied away from giving a piece of her mind and didn't think twice before putting someone in their place even if it meant raising her hand (at times I thought she could be less physically violent).

I am watching KZK 2 to see how they handle Anurag and Prerna's relationship: a relationship where there is immense love, dedication and loyal friendship but which, when put under a label such as marriage,becomes destructive and not just destroys these two but creates havoc in the life of many.

Thanks for the insight into the original Prerna.

Sounds interesting and I too find the idea of "different kinds of love to be interesting and realistic. However most outlines of the original focus on Anurag giving up his love for his mom - the typical Hindi movie and serial story. This is what I found regressive. Yes you are right about any child not wanting to harm their parent but to them marry someone else. In a way it's all about perspective right? There was another recent star play serial Naamkaran which was made from the perspective of the child whose father does that. From that perspective it is regressive I guess.

Anyway after reading your take on Prerna, I am really keen to see her character develop. And I hope Indian serials start portraying men like my male friends who can juggle their parents, their partners, their culture etc. Strong men!

Beautifully analysed UKGirl22, Athai and Push-Pull!

Originally posted by: UKGirl22

Thanks for the insight into the original Prerna.

Sounds interesting and I too find the idea of "different kinds of love to be interesting and realistic. However most outlines of the original focus on Anurag giving up his love for his mom - the typical Hindi movie and serial story. This is what I found regressive. Yes you are right about any child not wanting to harm their parent but to them marry someone else. In a way it's all about perspective right? There was another recent star play serial Naamkaran which was made from the perspective of the child whose father does that. From that perspective it is regressive I guess.

Anyway after reading your take on Prerna, I am really keen to see her character develop. And I hope Indian serials start portraying men like my male friends who can juggle their parents, their partners, their culture etc. Strong men!

Ah, so that's why the discussion regarding the regressiveness of the show.Well, yeah, that part on itself does not seem like something that happens in this day and age.As I said, she put him in a spot where he did not have much choice. My marriage was a love marriage so when my parents initially did not agree, I told my father that alright, I will not marry against your wish but don't expect to marry anyone else. When my father saw that I was adamant in my decision for greater half of a year, he finally gave in. My friend left his home to get married to the woman he loved. But then again, our parents did not threaten to kill themselves so I can't imagine a situation where a child would say alright dad/mom, please go ahead and die.I am going ahead and getting married to the person I love anyways'. I absolutely hated Anurag for giving in to his mother's whims because I,as an audience knew that she was doing all drama and so I thought Anurag was a spineless jerk for jilting Prerna but then Anurag himself had no way to know if his mother's threat was real or if she was faking it,right? Could he, or any child, take the risk of testing the threat? I personally feel that people who love each other should be able to stand by each other through thick and thin but I think Anurag was never one with a strong personality as opposed to Prerna who was extremely headstrong. I guess Anurag and Prerna were meant to be of opposite personalities which is why, despite their love for each other, they could not remain happily married.

Originally posted by: SanFrangirl

Beautifully analysed UKGirl22, Athai and Push-Pull!

I havent watched the earlier version so it was indeed great to hear your take on why the show was ahead of its time in 2000.

I think there is a lot of truth in finding different kinds of love in different people. It is not necessary that your husband/wife should be the be-all and end-all of every- relationship you can hope to find. Of course marriage is the biggest and most defining relationship in anyone's life. But it can be that intellectually or attitude wise you find some other relationship more comfortable.

Case in point -- Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are intellectual equals and deep friends, but they fall in love with different people. In BOF, Jan-di find s a soul mate in Jin Hoo and a lover in JunPyo.

I so wish they could explore the complexity of human relationships in this manner. Rather than opting for the time-tested tropes of sacrifice for motherly love. Also self-denial and sacrifice is no longer such a desired value. This is 2020-- if couples have problems, they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty and try and salvage relationships. No longer does any young educated couple run to Mummy to solve their problems; And no longer do parents want to ride rough-shod over their children's feelings.

I hope they have brought some of their Alt-Balaji sensibility into the re-write.

I think Anurag's characterization was one that of relenting to other people's wishes while Prerna was the more headstrong one. However, neither of them ever really took their issuse to their parents, on the contrary, they just said and did whatever they wanted to while their parents were trying to bring the situation under control and make them work on their marriage when they were married to each other. They messed up their marriage because they lacked trust and faith and their personalities clashed. Sure, there were villains creating misunderstanding but that was only possible because their relationship lacked what it takes to make a relationship work. Anurag's marriage to Komolika was one of the rare times when he just gave in to his mother's wishes without paying attention to his wishes and Prerna's as he was already dating Prerna by then but in all fairness he believed his mother to be on the deathbed, so I don't know if I associate it with Anurag being a dedicated son or sacrificing for his mother's happiness: for me it was more like if you know it is in your hands to save a life, you save that life and if that happens to be that of your parents, you just put all your energy and concentration into saving that one life without any regard to yourself or anyone else at that time.