Welcome to the forum.
I slightly disagree with the review.
It is Ekta's trademark Dhoomtana Dhoomtana melodramatic style of storytelling which I find to the biggest flaw of this show. Now, times are changing. Viewers now prefer realism.
In this regard, I'd say, Silsila had better direction where the story (good or bad) was told with more subtlety and personal touch.
The plot of Pavitra Bhagya too is just as banal as it can be.
In fact, it is the performances that make it watchable IMO.
Kunal Jaisingh is very good, if not perfect. Jugnu is fantastic. As for Aneri, she is usually very natural in tomboyish kind of roles, but here, has room for improvement. Even then, she is good.
The fiance, on the other hand, is decent but nothing extraordinary IMO. Although, he does look very handsome and has the potential of becoming a hot villain in the future.