ANALYSIS! Arnav's Acceptance of Contract Marriage *New* Pg 11 | Oct 5 - Page 2

I love the whole reverse engineering method to reach to the conclusion. I definitely agree and maintain that temple wedding was more for the viewers and for Khushi rather than for Arnav. I do love the addition of legally wedded wife that comes up in the end days of the six month contract because for Arnav, the wedding was a contract that he feels like can be extended. For Khushi, it was half of a wedding and one of the reasons the absence of pheras bother her is that besides the symbolic nature of her marriage, there was nothing that was typing her up with Arnav.

I do think though that of it was anyone else in place of Khushi, Arnav wouldn't have married that person. he would've found million ways to make that person's life hell but I think one of the major reasons he was driven to offer a six month marriage was because of how smug he was in his interactions with Khushi before he wedding. He knew he had an impact on her and I think the emotional betrayal of Khushi's provoked him to make sure Khushi suffers in a way where he ultimately has the last laugh.

Khushi being Khushi changed a lot of things. Her relationship with the family was something else that bothered Arnav as he couldn't ever figure out how she was duplicitous.

I think also the fact that his encounters with Shyam, he wouldn't recall the terrace night as much but with Khushi, the entire terrace scene was etched in his memory.

I think Arnav wanted to think that Khushi wasn't important enough for him. Hell, Anjali hated the thought of Khushi being above her in latter part of the marriage track. Arnav's reaction at broken snaffles and bangles before payal-aakash's haven was indicative of what Khushi meant to him. Both Malik siblings didn't want to think Khushi was as important to their lives as she proved to be. I think Arnav's own indecision about his feelings, and his guilt for seeing through this middle-class girl helps in him deluding himself enough to think that Anjali's happiness mattered more than his own pain.

Originally posted by: dramebaaz.af

I love the whole reverse engineering method to reach to the conclusion. I definitely agree and maintain that temple wedding was more for the viewers and for Khushi rather than for Arnav. I do love the addition of legally wedded wife that comes up in the end days of the six month contract because for Arnav, the wedding was a contract that he feels like can be extended. For Khushi, it was half of a wedding and one of the reasons the absence of pheras bother her is that besides the symbolic nature of her marriage, there was nothing that was typing her up with Arnav.

I do think though that of it was anyone else in place of Khushi, Arnav wouldn't have married that person. he would've found million ways to make that person's life hell but I think one of the major reasons he was driven to offer a six month marriage was because of how smug he was in his interactions with Khushi before he wedding. He knew he had an impact on her and I think the emotional betrayal of Khushi's provoked him to make sure Khushi suffers in a way where he ultimately has the last laugh.

Khushi being Khushi changed a lot of things. Her relationship with the family was something else that bothered Arnav as he couldn't ever figure out how she was duplicitous.

I think also the fact that his encounters with Shyam, he wouldn't recall the terrace night as much but with Khushi, the entire terrace scene was etched in his memory.

I think Arnav wanted to think that Khushi wasn't important enough for him. Hell, Anjali hated the thought of Khushi being above her in latter part of the marriage track. Arnav's reaction at broken snaffles and bangles before payal-aakash's haven was indicative of what Khushi meant to him. Both Malik siblings didn't want to think Khushi was as important to their lives as she proved to be. I think Arnav's own indecision about his feelings, and his guilt for seeing through this middle-class girl helps in him deluding himself enough to think that Anjali's happiness mattered more than his own pain.

bold - 👍🏼

blue - probably. He was anyway going to confess that night but when he saw them and misunderstood the situation, he impulsively decided to marry her. Partly to make her suffer like you said and partly to tie her to him in a way he knew she valued the most.

I dont think its true that both Malik siblings didn't want to think Khushi was as important to their lives. We saw very little of anjali's insecurities and thank god they let that track go in a short while. But I doubt it was because she didn't think khushi as important person. It was mainly because she was insecure about her position in arnav's life. Anjali always liked khushi, even after shyam's first truth revelation, she doesn't confront khushi. As much as she doesn't believe what khushi said about shyam, she didn't believe what shyam said about khushi either.

^ yes, I was watching the episode earlier where he listens to literally one line of what Khushi says and then he is so heartbroken and shocked that he turns away unable to look or hear anything further. He's a man whose always had such high walls around him and then the one time he lets them down, this happens so that betrayal combined with the ruthless businessman qualities of him led him to unintentionally lash back at the hurt he felt.

I think you're right. I watched a clip of the last few episodes and there's a scene where Anjali tells Khushi that they are also such great friends and then obviously at Shyam's revelation she turns to Khushi first and exclaims that she's sorry for not believing her before. I think though that maybe Anjali never considered that Khushi will be the person to play a role in the breaking of the illusion she had of her brother and husband. She requires assurance from Arnav after catching Arnav and Khushi in a hug after Arnav's Agra trip gets cancelled and she gets upset that Khushi is a reason for lies. But I do agree with you. I misinterpretted Khushi's relation to Anjali for a moment there 😒. With Arnav though, I think he subconsciously knew what Khushi did to him but he kept denying it or tried to push himself away from it. I think that's why he says I love you to her when he's kidnapped. He has no idea if he'll make it out but he also knows that Khushi won't take his confession of love lightly even if she accepts it.

Originally posted by: aysemLDG

I loved your detailed analysis and would like to read the following ones in the same thread. In this way it will be easy to follow them.

I also had similar experiences when I watched some of old TV dramas after a decade. Because my attitude towards life has changed through time, hence my perspective on characters.

I still have difficulty in understanding how Arnav's manhandling, abusive behaviours were interpreted as his love towards Khushi. I still hate to see finger marks on her arms because of his pulling and pushing. He did it not once but many times, and he was forgiven for this abusive action over and over again. I guess itmight be something about Asian culture. Because be it Korean or Japanese dramas, holding a woman's wrist tightly without her consent is considered as romantic moment. However it's abuse and an abusive husband should has psychological help. But in Arnav's case, he was rewarded with Khushi's unconditional love.

Thank you so much! Yes I'm thinking of putting a certain number of analyses per thread!

Indeed, time and experience truly changes a viewing experience.

Oh no, at no point should his manhandling be considered romantic and to give due credit to the show - for most parts they never showed any of the shitty flashbacks with a romantic bg score which means a lot.

Perhaps it's something cultural, perhaps it's not cause even a lot of problematic themes are pursued in some American tv shows as well. No idea, but thanks for commenting!

Originally posted by: Savera84

Wonderful analysis! The way I saw it was, Shyam said, Anjali was the big obstacle in his love life with Khushi and Arnav put himself as the biggest obstacle. He doesn't want Anjali to get hurt. He doesn't want her to see or face ugliness. She removed her as the obstacle and put himself in her place.

To his benefit, he tried to tell Anjali but, her pregnancy news and after witnessing her happiness on conceiving after a long time made him change his decision.

So, he picked his next option, put himself as the biggest obstacle, between Khushi and Shyam. For the reasons you mentioned, he thought Khushi won't pursue Shyam anymore, because she is now married. He fully thought, she is still pining for Shyam.

Now my question is, what was he planning to do after 6 months? How was he planning to handle Anjali after the 6 month contract period? Shyam declared that he never loved Anjali. Arnav must remove him from Anjali's life. But, he wasn't shown doing anything about it. I know it was not the question.

PS: You can do this analysis in different threads and keep an Index at one place.

Or you can post analysis on different characters and situations on one thread and create a new thread for every 10 different analysis.

Cheers....

Thank you so much! Indeed, and Arnav is an immoveable obstacle. I think Anjali was only married for 3/4 years? But yes, that scene was acted brilliantly and poor Arnav, his hands were tied.

You know that's a question I had as well because post giving birth Anjali would be in a more vulnerable situation... and through a child Shyam legally has some access to the kid and all. Perhaps there was a plan that was not followed through? I don't know - questions I'd like to ask the writers one day!

P.S - Yes, I'm thinking of doing a certain number of analyses per topic! Thanks for your suggestion <3

Originally posted by: PriyaArshiSarun

Beautiful S ❤️. I also thought if instead of khushi there are any other girls whom shyam love then also Arnav married with her like he married khushi. The ans is big No.

It's khushi his love that why he married her and also like you said because of Akash love payal. Arnav don't want to separate them.

I also thought if atleast one time Arnav asked khushi about khushi and shyam relationship like he asked shyam then situation would be else but arnav anger, what we can do about that.

PS: you can do analysis as different topics.

Thank you so much!

Yes indeed, the fact that Akash's life, the Gupta-Raizada relationship, Khushi's moral compass and all contributed to Arnav marrying Khushi. He always had an advantage over Khushi when it came to the marriage and knew Khushi might not pursue another when 'married'.

Between Shyam and Khushi, Shyam is his most trusted friend, jijaji, a man he looks up to blindly for the past 4ish years. Shyam also accepts the affair (such a smart man) so there's no room to second guess.

If a man like Shyam could deceive Arnav, then why couldn't Khushi do the same. Anjali loved Shyam as much as Arnav loved Khushi.

One was a liar, the other was true - it's difficult to understand who's who.

Thanks for your great comment!

Originally posted by: renee.bee

I totally loved your take on why Arnav married Khushi. What Arnav thought about Khushi and why he married her was different from what I had perceived about it.

Imo. In his opinion Khushi went after Shyam because he was the Damad of Raizadas. So she was a girl who'd do anything for money. He literally said that when he revealed his reason to marry her.

His logic didn't make sense because he knew Khushi met Shyam after Payal was engaged and if she loved her sister so much to not risk her marriage a second time why would she trap Anjali's husband of all men?

Secondly he was so enraged by Khushi's engagement that he was so edgy at the prospect of encountering her fiance. He was way too territorial about Khushi the need to have all rights on her was seen in the way he held her which imo wasn't right. They tried to show how he held Khushi but never held Lavanya the same way except one time she turned her back and he was thinking of Khushi. What were the makers trying to show here? That a man will treat you with civility if he doesn't love you but will hold you tightly and arm twist you only if he loves you? Or Arnav's manner were only for High class girls like La and Sheetal and because Khushi was a middle class girl she deserved to be pushed around?

If Arnav was not so class conscious why this treatment was only for Khushi?

So it all boiled down to him falling for Khushi and he lost all control when it came to her and that's exactly what happened that night.

His first feeling was betrayal from Shyam and not as much from Khushi. He had literally looked up to Shyam always and that man was professing his love. His thought was that his Jijaji betrayed his sister and what Khushi said was an after thought. The guy was in love and wanted to share his feelings what exactly he'd have said I am not sure. However he left the place heartbroken but his past made him confront his Jijaji. Every one has a question why he confronted Shyam but not Khushi.

1. Shyam was married to Anjali not Khushi so the committed one has an obligation to Anjali not Khushi.

It's funny how whenever there is an extra martial affair it's always the other woman's fault but the married man is a poor child who got trapped without checking facts. It's takes two to tango if there is any truth to the affair and if there isn't why blame only the woman.

2. Shyam wasn't only Anjali's husband he was also family and he presented himself like a noble ethical man who the entire family loved and trusted him so much.

Arnav was smart but not with words especially when he was angry he lost control on his tongue. The world judges people on sweet tongue not actions. He could have played with words but he blurted what he Made of what he saw and Shyam manipulated him to think Khushi also loved him back.

Why didn't Arnav verify this with Khushi.

1. Arnav loved Khushi he realized that and probably wanted to confess but was he prepared for a No from Khushi? No.

He till that point knew Khushi had feelings for him and he knew it since Diwali that's why those Faraks to get her to accept her feelings when he himself didn't want to.

2. He would be heartbroken even more if he confronted Khushi and she said she loved Shyam. He didn't want to consider that because he had a situation at hand to mope over his own pain he needed to be strong. He avoided that possibility

Lastly why he chose to marry her and would he have done the same if it was any other girl then my answer is no. He didn't believe in marriage the only reason he offered marriage to Khushi was he loved her and the only way he knew Khushi could be his was marriage.

1. He already knew what he felt the night prior to the wedding when he thought he lost Khushi. Khushi had become important to him other than Anjali

2. If Arnav can get Akash his love when Payal refused saying Mera bhai Na sunne ke liye tayyar nahi hai

Then how would he let the girl he loved go.

He wanted Khushi as his.

As much as he said he married Khushi for Anjali's sake he actually married her for himself too

3. He put that condition for 6 months so he doesn't have to look vulnerable to Khushi and also when the baby arrives if Khushi still wants to leave then he has an out from that Marriage.

4. I don't know but if their souls were so connected I'd think he somewhere wanted to protect Khushi from Shyam as well. In RM Shyam wouldn't get as many chances as he'd if Khushi was sent somewhere because of Payal it wouldn't be a secret.

Arnav hurt Khushi emotionally physically while Shyam didn't suffer at all.

My whole problem is Khushi being called names her character being questioned time and again for what? No one from the family questioned Lavanya's character when she was living in without marriage with Arnav not even Nani who considered her too modern for their family but not characterless. Khushi was called dirty names and not worthy of being a bahu of a good family by Dadi because she lived with Arnav without phere and Nani and Anjali agreed just like when Shyam used the filthy language for Khushi and everyone stood quiet. Sorry for me Arnav's slap wasn't enough. Arnav and Khushi were legally married. He said that you are my legally wedded wife so the Sindoor and mangalsutra was just for Khushi's sake yet these idiots made a big deal of it. All their family reputation wasn't at stake when Anjali invited Lavanya for a live in. If not for Nani Lavanya was headed for Arnav's bedroom as soon as she entered RM so what bullshit was Anjali saying that Arnav was wrong this time? Nani agreed to what that old hag. If a girl who lives with a man without marriage isn't worthy of being a bahu why did Nani accept Lavanya and was throwing out Khushi by humiliating her. Disgusting people.

I didn't like the message they sent by showing Arnav's love for her in the way he arm twisted her literally all the time. To show his pain his love they ridiculed a young innocent girl's emotions and pain. Khushi had said you wouldn't hold me like this once after marriage but if anyone observed Khushi must have been subjected to force and abuse and hiding it behind a smile given how easily Garima and Buaji slapped her. That's why Arnav's behaviour didn't outrage her. However Payal was a pampered child so she would whine about how she's fed up even with Akash being cold to her and taunting her a couple of times.

Even Arnav is subject to taunts by Nani while Anjali is literally pampered even when she's wrong. That's exactly why Arnav became who he was and he resorted to extreme measures to get what he wanted or what Anjali wanted. Anjali btw also wants what she wants. She did blackmail Khushi to train Lavanya so blaming Arnav alone for what he did to Khushi isn't right Anjali was as much responsible for how Arnav behaved with Khushi especially when he told her she was the biggest mistake of his life after Anjali said someone cast an evil eye on our happiness.

Please make separate threads because its easier to find a relevant topic and follow those discussions

Hey I'm thinking of certain analyses per topic (but updating and keeping an index so as to the discussions can be followed)

Thank you so much for the detailed comment! It's very interesting to read. Oh trust me I came to this conclusion accidentally while trying to reply on Tumblr - even a year ago I hadn't thought the same 😆

It would make no sense for Khushi to go after the 'Damaad' of the Raizada's when she had the attention of the Raizada himself. It's just... disadvantageous to her? I kept on thinking that Arnav threw accusations left right thinking one would stick and finally let her motivations be known cause her actions were visible but motivations... weren't?

Your second point about Arnav's behavior post Khushi's engagement - I think they precisely showed why it would have been terrible if they had kissed. Arnav wasn't the best partner to anyone and Khushi would have been expecting more than what he could offer. He was completely wrong and I'm happy that the show showed he was completely wrong. Fun fact: they never play the full fledged Rabba Ve between Diwali to post NK arriving, there was no full on Rabba Ve at that point :D

As you stated, the betrayal from Shyam broke Arnav and that it was Khushi out of everyone broke further - but it makes full sense why he confronted Shyam instead of Khushi. Shyam was closer - his trusted ally, his friend, a man he looked up to.

When it comes to why he didn't verify from Khushi... Shyam accepted the affair so Arnav didn't think Shyam lied. Because who would lie about having an affair? I don't think Arnav was not ready to hear a 'no' because he knew Khushi wouldn't say a 'no'.

She chose the sari he suggested, was evidently lost, flustered, shy and happy around him. She wore his gifted bangles the whole day and was more than eager for him to confess - that conversation by the mirror was nearly a confession. They both knew what the other wanted to say. Only a literal verbal confession was left.

Yes, I don't think Arnav had the strength to hear what he heard from Shyam to hear from Khushi too.

I incline further towards logic than emotion when it comes the forced marriage - again, personal opinion. Arnav's decision was very... calculated. At no point was possession important for him, rather it was important for Shyam to know that he couldn't access Khushi and for Khushi to know she's someone's wife (hence wouldn't continue with her shenanigans). Shyam couldn't approach Khushi given she's Mrs. Raizada - the fastest tactic Arnav could pull. And Arnav always had a power/advantage over Khushi in this relationship, he convinced her he could control Payal/Akash's marriage.

It broke his heart further cause this was probably the one woman he actually wanted to marry.

Oh I was so pissed off at the Raizada's when NONE OF THEM took a stand against Dadi for Khushi! Uff, I'll write less about it because it angered me to no end! How dare they call her all that crap!!! Yeah, I wasn't happy about that side of the track. Ugh.

Payal's marital issues were actually nice - I wish they properly explored the track instead of leaving it midway and half baked.

Yeah, was never a fan of Khushi being slapped by her family, ugh...

If anything, I'm happy that the show never played romantic music over tension filled moments. That's the only saving grace. I too wish that at one point if they addressed the problematic behaviors, but seeing what we're getting right now *the less said the better*

Originally posted by: m4manju

Great analysis and loved reading all replies above. 👍🏼

I recently started re-watching this show, had knowingly stayed away from it back then as I sensed it will be injurious to my studies 😆 And damm I was right, it is SOMETHING!

To the topic, I also had this question and Arnav's indecent proposal made me puzzled too. In fact, it felt like Arnav thought Khushi was two timing, cheating on him as well as Shyam (what with her kiss on his cheek, writing A in her mehendi and all). From his pov then, what kind of a girl he thought she was? He should have confronted her then and there. *sigh*

I like how you said he thought he witnessed a breakup. A good idea. But then how he explained her recent inclination to him? Did he think she was trying to make shyam jealous by doing so? 😔

I also agree with one pov stated above, he was afraid to hear her answer, that she may have liked shyam. He probably thought why would she like him, with all the arrogance, rudeness et al while shyam was more of a sophisticated guy (in his eyes, till then)? Still wouldn't explain khushi's closeness to him.

There is also another view i read and made sense, that he did not 'completely' believe what shyam said and so married her to 'save' her from him (still bizarre way to protect your love, but anyway). So he tried to 'tie' her to him. But he never mentions why 6 months? What was he planning to do in between that time and after the end of it? Probably expect his Di would have her baby by then and shyam would come around and forget khushi? 🤔 and what would he do to khushi after that?

Loved this part specifically from your post "You see, Arnav does not ‘misunderstand’ Khushi. He misunderstood the situation." and "He misunderstands her anger for Shyam. BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY OF HIS DECISIONS RIGHT. " 👍🏼

I am also glad that they married but yeah it should not have been an abusive marriage and at least after a few days they should have cleared the misunderstanding and worked together to get rid of shyam.

Now THAT was a lengthy reply 😆 will keep looking forward to your posts.

p.s. I am so glad this forum is still buzzing after so many years the show ended, says enough about the craze for it.

Thank you so much for the lovely comment!

Yes, the show was definitely something!!! I think Shyam's confrontation answered everything Arnav questioned - and if a man like Shyam could be this (who everyone literally thought was God) then... there's no reason why Khushi couldn't be someone totally different.

Memories are very fickle - he remembered other things and joined a broken narrative to what happened.

I don't think Arnav thought Khushi tried to make Shyam jealous or anything. The one thing about Arnav and Khushi's relationship is that a lot happens in their minds as opposed to in action. Yes, there were some interactions, some fleeting moments - but the scene of her yelling at Shyam to divorce Anjali if he loves Khushi, definitely pushed those fleeting moments far behind his head.

He didn't even remember a lot of those things, probably thought he initiated everything (cause Khushi kissed him accidentally but he did it on purpose), he misinterpreted things and with the whole storm Shyam brought down, Arnav probably could never analyze those fleeting moments until he was drunk on Holi or was left alone, close to death, during kidnapping.

I don't think Arnav tried to 'save' Khushi. In my opinion that's far fetched. Arnav is extremely logical and practical - Khushi could do something like that to 'save' Arnav (and she has done bizarre things in the name of love).

I have no idea what the 6 months plan is - I'm dying to ask the question to the writers!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for loving that part of the post <3

@bold EXACTLY!!!! IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COLD, LOVELESS MARRIAGE BUT WHY WAS IT ABUSIVE? IMAGINE THESE TWO, PRETENDING TO HATE THE OTHER, BUT JOINING FORCES TO TAKE DOWN SHYAM AND REALISE... REALISE THAT THEY STILL HAVE THE RABBA VE'S FOR EACH OTHER 😭

Uff, we'll never stop loving IPK? Haina?

Originally posted by: dramebaaz.af

First, I absolutely love this post because with rewatching IPKKND, I want to go back to discussing and engaging with the content of the show and it's hard to find the similar kind of content analysing outside of maybe Tumblr answers right now!

Thank you so much!!!!

Coming to the analyses of the entire situation, I started watching the show when I was 14 and it ended when I was 15, because I stopped watching after Shyam's revelation. I think with any content, whether it's a daily soap or web series, it's important to engage with it critically. Regardless of how the show was written, we had a lot of Easter eggs from day one in Lucknow about the interconnected pasts of both of them which will make it hard for them to ever be close to each other. The central theme was angst and tragedy which I think the show deviated away from with the second marriage happening the way it happened.

I think they didn't have much planned for what would happen post Shyam revelation and that was shown. I have a separate idea on tracks that could've been - I'll post that analysis one day! And yes, critical engagement is necessary (as well as pre scripted shows that end in 100-200 episodes so as to we can get solid material and poor cast and crew don't have to struggle)!

I think recognising that interconnected past that they both are unaware of, and the way their lives overlap is important to understand in the angst and abuse that the first six months warranted. In no way do I think that the trauma of past and the overlap in their lives justifies abuse. The way Arnav manhandles Khushi is past toxic and crosses over into abuse because in the end he ends up next to Shyam with both therein to assert their possession of her with their actions.

Exactly, the abuse will never be justified - emotional as well as physical.

I think I disagree on one point. I don't think Arnav thought he witnessed a breakup. I think Arnav thought he witnessed the aftermath of a break up because when he goes on the drive after witnessing the terrace thing, he remembers Khushi's reciprocating steps towards him which leads him to the point you're making that Khushi's love does abide by certain ethics. While Arnav thinks he does understand Khushi, or is perhaps familiar to with her next actions, he still doesn't trust her the way he trusts Akash and Anjali. Of course, why would he. He has misunderstood Khushi from the get go and all of his encounters with her which leave him smitten, or leave him in cloys physical proximity to her have been accidental and never on purpose. I think Arnav's understanding of Khushi and his pull towards Khushi is captured perfectly when Lavanya asks him to throw the dupatta over her head and it lands' on Khushi's and he is gobsmacked by the entire thing. Till the end of his engagement he never considers Khushi as a serious partner and his history of bruised ego in regards to Khushi doesn't help him in thinking about Khushi critically and in an unbiased way.

Yes, Arnav had never seen Khushi as a potential partner until the very end and when that trust and frail feelings were crumpled - it was close to impossible for him to perceive that there would be another picture. And you excellently described that Arnav has never had an unbiased opinion of Khushi. Something that wouldn't be the case if Akash had witnessed the terrace scene.

I think his own hesitancy in recognising Khushi as a serious partner until the day before Aakash's wedding when he realises he might actually love her the way Anjali describes love mirrors in him thinking Khushi might have feelings with Shyam. It's a good point to note that every time he addresses about the Shyam-Khushi equation, he addresses is as an affair which of course it is but usually the term affair eliminates the idea of love and emphasis on lust. It's a perfect term to use from Shyam's behalf since his need to possess Khushi like an object is driven purely from lust and Khushi's rejection of him. I don't think Arnav ever truly thought Khushi loved Shyam but he did think that she had started developing similar feelings towards Shyam that she had towards him in-duration of Akash-Payal's wedding. The overall event, till he reveals the details to Khushi when she finds herself choosing suicide as an option to make everyone else's lives around her easier, shows that Arnav doesn't trust Khushi's love. He is a man who we know very clearly that he doesn't believe in love, and that too with a person exact opposite from him. Khushi's personality in not just the exact opposite of him but also her lifestyle and life's struggles are in contrast to his'. As much faith as they both develop in their love for each other, they fail to develop the same amount of trust in each other in regards to anything other than their love for each other.

I personally find the whole suicide-revelation to be poorly written. Khushi's explanations were all philosophical, holier than thou and nothing that could appeal to his sense of logic and pragmatism. I, being a fan of Khushi, found it extremely hard to believe Khushi's take of preserving Anjali's marriage (even though Shyam is a two timing snake who successfully hoodwinked a family about his marital status). The only thing that worked is that I actually saw what happened on Khushi's end. If Khushi had been a bit more honest, laid less blame on Arnav not seeing a different picture when she didn't provide any, given Arnav some sort of proof of Shyam's activities and told she feared for Payal's marriage - that conversation could've had another outcome.

Also, I absolutely love the last line of your paragraph above.

Overall I agree with you on the decisions' Arnav takes in order to make sure Khushi doesn't pose as a threat to his sister' marriage but I think Arnav and Shyam do not differ in how they treat Khushi. Both look at her as an object. and both try to play into the narrative that will give them control of the situation. Arnav resorts to the previous patterns which had made him successful over Khushi and Shyam briefly resorts to making himself the victim of an abusive marriage. I think your explanation of why we see a temple wedding and using symbols of a suhagan on Khushi also plays into why Arnav is better than Shyam, and Arnav's own understanding of how he thinks he is better and more deserving of Khushi as well. He understands what's important to her whereas Shyam fails to understand what is important to her. Khushi has grown up being told on number of occasions that as much as she is wanted, she is also not wanted and that she remains an orphan. We are unaware of Shyam's own family situation until the very end and I think in the first few episodes of Anjali talking to someone from her in-laws makes it known that Shyam doesn't have blood relatives. Khushi on the other hand has no one related to her besides Garima. and Arnav understands Khushi's pain. He also understands how to exploit that.

Oh yes, I almost laughed how Khushi gave into Shyam's concealed threat of Payal's marriage to hide his fraud from Anjali and yet, how Arnav used the threat of Payal's marriage to blackmail Khushi. The parallels between the men are infinite. What differs is Khushi loves one and doesn't love the other. Arnav understands Khushi well... and at times, a bit too well.

I disagree with you on one point. if it had been Khushi who was in love with someone else, and it hadn't been Shyam, I think Arnav would have taken a similar route of forcing Khushi into a marriage with himself. He would've probably created ways and events in which Khushi would've had to walk towards him because once you remove Anjali from the equation, Arnav still felt betrayed and cheated on at least emotionally from Khushi and he would've figured out a way to make her pay. I think this would've been parallel to how he ends up buying Sheesh Mahal from chacha ji only because Chacha ji hurt him and he needed to get his own way.

I think marrying Khushi strongly stemmed from the other man being Shyam. We saw the way Arnav reacted when Khushi was engaged to another man. Yes, he did a lot of bullshit but he never compelled Khushi to get into a relationship with himself instead nor did he ever force Khushi to break off her own engagement. Arnav felt cheated by Khushi because:

- He assumed Khushi knew Shyam was Anjali's husband

- He had seen the kinship between Anjali and Khushi

- He saw how his family treated Khushi as their own

And she went ahead, breaking the marriage of the family's daughter.

If it was another man, Arnav would've yelled and lashed but not married Khushi forcibly because there would be no incentive to that. The reason he could take this big stance is because there was a bigger villain in picture (Shyam) in front of whom no 'right' nor 'wrong' existed.

Arnav understands Khushi's relationship with love and Khushi understands Arnav's relationship to love but they both don't understand anything else about each other. Thats why throughout the brief moments of closeness and understanding from one another in the six month marriage, they are both left confused if one person does something for the other where their own intimacy and love isn't a central part. I think that also shapes in their opinion of one another on faking care for each other in front of other family members because even with the precedent, they don't believe that the other one would go far enough in their love to care for the other one.

@red - that's so well articulated.

They are both emotionally stunted people, and their entire equation is extremely toxic. I absolutely do not condone abuse, especially the consistent romanticisation of physical abuse. Romanticisation of abuse is in Indiana shows and even this show is a whole another topic of conversation in regards to patriarchal narratives and gender roles. But the premise of the show from the initial promos to the equation we see Arnav and Khushi sharing is one that demands some form of lack of healthy parts of a relationship in order to persist.

Fun fact: In my history of watching television shows, IPK is the only one in its genre that does not play romantic music over hand twisting/abuse. It's the only one that shows Arnav is wrong and the only one that never flashes back to any of the terrible moments *until the show goes really offtrack but that's the exhaustion of writers/editors at that point*

If I knew Arnav and Khushi in reality, I would've advise them to stay miles apart and partake in intense therapy sessions because they both are despite their love, incompatible for each other. The only thing that ties both of them is their love. They show no trust in each other besides trusting certain aspects of their. love. Their love eliminates care for each other. Arnav's more-so than Khushi's.

Therapy. I firmly believe they went to therapy. Except therapy isn't considered sexy so we don't get scene of those *sigh* maybe one day I'll write an SS about their visits to therapy?

With rewatching it, I think I can see more clearly the kind of content the show was. The show tried doing something progressive for its time but it relied on the most regressive understanding of love.

Yes, and trust me when I say it still is the best in its genre

I think that regardless of the kind of marriage Arnav and Khushi could've had, they both as their characters established till before the second marriage, they wouldn't have ever survived being married to each other. I think these two are good characters for a love saga but nothing else. I think in light of that the shows' name, Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon, is apt.

I think it might be missing a few points more but absolutely love that you posted this. It's up to you to have single thread of analyses or separate. I don't see too many topics so I would do different threads but I guess see how many people are active and go with that.?

Thank you so much for your sincere comment! I absolutely loved going through it! Yes let's see - there's been a bit of engagement and discussion and that's amazing! Maybe I'll post all Arnav/forced marriage related stuff in this thread and categorize as such? It was a suggestion that now kinda makes sense.

Originally posted by: IPodcastKKND

Thank you so much! Yes I'm thinking of putting a certain number of analyses per thread!

Indeed, time and experience truly changes a viewing experience.

Oh no, at no point should his manhandling be considered romantic and to give due credit to the show - for most parts they never showed any of the shitty flashbacks with a romantic bg score which means a lot.

Perhaps it's something cultural, perhaps it's not cause even a lot of problematic themes are pursued in some American tv shows as well. No idea, but thanks for commenting!

To me, even showing abusive actions in a love story, between the main couple is a huge problem. It's the new agenda in some countries since this kind of behaviours affect audiences, especially the younger generations. Some people can argue that violence is a part of daily life so showing it on TV is a realistic attitude. However, I fed up watching violence. So I wish, at least TV dramas, could ignore this common belief.

Coming to IPKKND, a few "I'm sorry", a few mimics showing remorse was enough for Khushi to sweep Arnav's abusive behaviours under the rug. She should have put a condition of him seeing a psychologist before forgiving him.