Portrayal of Raghav Rao and Inconsistencies - Page 2

While I chuckled when Sulo saw Raghav, I know it is problematic. See, our society never recognizes the fact that men also deserve privacy and respect. We see it everywhere. A good example, as I always say, is how fangirls behave with their fav male actors. They objectify him to no end, and if they meet in person, they often jump and kiss him on the cheeks. Did anyone ask him if he's comfortable? Many women think that male actors must be loving it, but I'm sure they are uncomfortable. There should be dignity in what one says to their fav actor and how they interact with him because "uski izzat bhi izzat hai". Imagine if this situation was reversed? I can only imagine the outburst.

As for Raghav's character inconsistencies, I agree. On ITV, a character starts off so well, the writers draft an entire manual of how it is meant to go. Then the TRP pressure spoils it all. I applaud Sai for carrying himself with so much poise. I'm sure he must be feeling that a Don doesn't behave this way.

At the end of show's actors tend to get frustrated because what they signed up for and what they get towards the end is different, rather poles apart.

As for FL, I feel sorry for them because they get nothing but a sanskari bahu to play.

Thanks for the tag and taking out time for all this

You guys have pretty much summed it up all, objectification of any person (the gender shouldn't be considered here) is not right.

Till yesterday it was fine, but looks like to add the humor they got over-boarded with certain things.

If they are trying to add humor so as to make heavy and emotional scenes somewhat light for the audience as well as the actors they could have used something else. I hope in the coming episodes, they will tone it down

The makers need to keep check on the same as the age group of audience is very diverse.

There are definitely so many inconsistencies in not only Raghav's but almost every character but since you mentioned about him, even if a person drown oneself in alcohol as much as he want but at the end only sleep let the mind calms (at least the case with me)...so it was fine on my part if he was getting some peace from sleeping

I get it that he need to think about strategies to blow Mandar's cover, think about his wife's safety but mind needs some rest as well so as to work again and if in sub-conscious mind he dreamt of Pallavi then I didn't had any issue on that front.

And concludingly, there is no comparison between them for love, they both love each other equally...they never had that phase of verbal assurance of I love yous and I don't think they needed it as well...they understand each other to this extent that they know about their partner well

Every person have their own set of flaws and those cannot be removed in a jiffy...people need to keep patience for the same and enjoy Raghav-Pallavi and their journey to get more strong!!

Originally posted by: joliefemme

Hello everyone

.

First and foremost, if you'll keenly observe, in most episodes you will see a shirtless scene of Raghav. I can cite examples from recent episodes but you all know the scenes in question.

While an in context shirtless scene makes sense (we have been shown a shirtless Raghav doing exercises or roaming around in his room), showing such scenes excessively is going a bit overboard in my opinion. It may be done for the Trp audience or for the online fandom but this comes across as borderline objectifying the male lead. This is a problem across ITV and not just our show. I wish this stops (MHRW beings an iconic show and not a run of the mill, the expectations are high), unless required contextually. We love Raghav equally (if not more) in his business suits.

Secondly, today's scene of BWA oogling at Swapnil who's old enough to be her son was in such bad taste. The background music of dirty picture and her saying hot did not make the scene funny. Again, if gender roles were reversed this would be pretty creepy. When Mandar stares at Pallavi it is creepy, same way, BWA staring at Raghav/ Swapnil shirtless is plain creepy. Her own daughter was shocked at her behaviour today.

Hello Ren 🤗

I agree with you here. I don’t mind a shirtless Raghav in his personal space if that’s how he prefers it . But no denying the fact that ML objectification has been an issue in this industry.

Oh and I personally love Raghav in his suits or shirts the most. Raghav in clothes >>>>>>>

And I agree, the Raghav- Sulo scenes today were extremely unpleasant and unnecessary. I didn’t find them funny at all and had to just hawa mein filter. Just the reversal of genders and we can see where the problem lies.

I do hope makers take a note of it somehow and realise that these things aren’t funny, really.

Originally posted by: joliefemme

Thirdly, there are so many inconsistencies in Raghav's character that I can't understand what the makers are even thinking. This guy who is the don of Hyderabad is nicely sleeping in his double bed dreaming of his wife (who btw told him last evening how dangerous Mandar is and how he has emotionally and mentally tortured her and killed people in his obsession for her). While I loved the romantic scene and even saw it multiple times, it was so out of character that Raghav who was so angry the earlier evening (all guns ablaze) would sleep so peacefully. It is strange that people call out how Pallavi loves him less but when she was afforded the opportunity, she came to the RR mansion to meet Raghav (mind you this meeting was within 24 hours of their earlier garden meeting). This was a risky move specially considering Keerti the mole lives there but she did it out of love for her Ghamandi Rao.

Lastly, while Raghav saved Pallavi from the fire and installed microphones in the D house, he's more bothered about why Pallavi didn't recognise him. They are in a battlefield, the stakes are so high, this should be the least of his worries. He had a good opportunity in the kitchen to tell her he's Raghav instead trying to rile her up because he loves her fiery mode. This was not how Raghav would react. We saw him tackle lion before, we saw how he trashed the goon who kidnapped Pallavi on Mansi ka Sangeet night.

I see the point you are trying to make and totally get where you are coming from. But Like i said in my reply to Soni, I don’t expect them to behave a certain way ever. Like it’s his nature so he should do that or this is how Pallavi should behave. I instead try to make sense of why they are doing what they are doing- so it helps. Because I have never seen anybody maintain their characterstic traits or their usual behaviour 24*7. Reactions vary according to the situation, surroundings. Never had an issue with either Raghav or Pallavi, don’t have one now. 😳

Originally posted by: joliefemme

Also, those who feel that Pallavi should recognise him from his smell, touch and physique, coz he is her husband, I'm sorry to say it doesn't happen in real life. If Pallavi did recognise him I would say that his disguise wasn't as good as he expected.

Another point, Raghav has only recognised her by smell of her shampoo so there's no guarantee that if Pallavi is in disguise, he'd be able to recognise her (those shampoo smells are quite common).

Lastly, none of these things actually prove who loves the other more or who is deeper in this relationship. Raghvi both love each other equally and are equally invested in the relationship. Both have made mistakes, both have repented and moved on, high time the audience does too!!!

TLDR: I love MHRW, Raghvi equally

I agree with this. With someone in disguise, you will always have second thoughts, even if their smell/touch feels familiar. Obviously one would be vary like what if it’s somebody else.

Yes they do love each other all the same and that’s all what matters. Till Raghav and Pallavi are working together- nothing else matters.

RaghVi FTW

❤️

Originally posted by: joliefemme

Its not about being single or in a relationship/ marriage, it's funny to assume that you can always smell or touch people and recognise them. Voice is a different matter altogether and that is why Swapnil can't speak..

You know the LTBTQ offensive sections are deleted from hotstar so the makers rectified their mistakes. This casual objectification should stop on ITv. It's neither HOT nor is it funny.

Thanks for the reply.

Which were they?

I might have completely missed the reference

Could you please tell?

First, thank god you raised some of the points. I will comment on the indecency of it all.

First, Raghav being shirtless too much. It is indecent beyond a point. You have to, have to draw a line. One, it is too much objectification. Two, it's not appropriate. Three, it takes away from the mood of the scene/storyline.

Second, Sulo ogling over Swapnil. It was fine if it was not in the face to be honest. But she is his MIL in name for god's sake. I think they don't take anything seriously in the show....

Third, about Mandaar. Again they don't take him THAT seriously. Neither the makers nor the characters. Neither his creepiness or pervert intentions or the harm he poses to the family. So let's just ignore..

About characters and graphs, I think they are on different tangent than what we thought these characters to be... Raghav isn't some grey shade charismatic ultra smart don, period...He is all shades of mood, but not this...not what people think him to be, he is much beyond all that and we are chronicling his almost daily life... I take all of his moods as natural and not character deviations, uska apna hi chalta hai...He has had his own share of stupid/ghonchu moments so far to not take him THAT seriously. These days he is almost like a kid bursting with so much energy...

Originally posted by: Srijeeta06

Which were they?

I might have completely missed the reference

Could you please tell?

Amma and farhad interactions in the post shower scene where farhad changes Raghav's clothes and Amma asking him if he has a girlfriend or not. Those sections are deleted as far as I know

Res!

I’ll reply to both Soni and Ren in the same post once I finish watching the episodes.

I’ve read both your posts by the way and they seem to raise many good points but since I have nothing to refer to I won’t express my opinions just yet.

Both of you have raised some brilliant points here 🤗

Things which I feel deeply about-

1. The objectification of ml is too much sometimes - he used to be shirtless in scenes even from the start many times ; when required - he sleeps that way and he prefers it - all those parts were absolutely okay for me that's raghav but that space shouldn't be breached - like woman doesn't deseve to be looked at in a bad light , a man deserves the same respect for his private space , I genuinely feel for the actor and raghav bcus I love him and sometimes it might get uncomfortable for him when people breach the line on sns
2. The sulo angle : totally wrong ! There is such a variation in age groups of who all watch the show and this doesn't come across as funny at all to me(atleast) . The words which were used or the expressions - not something to portray on National tv ; sends such a derogatory message across
3. One thing I would add - some lines against the LGBTQ community : parts which have been now removed from hs - I am glad they removed it , the community is trying hard to make space in our society and anything which makes fun of it shouldn't be encouraged at all .

Having said all of this , as a Raghvi fan I love the show to bits❤️ , but I wish the show considers these points as sometimes the social message sent across might impact the way people think , which isn't a good path .

Originally posted by: joliefemme

Amma and farhad interactions in the post shower scene where farhad changes Raghav's clothes and Amma asking him if he has a girlfriend or not. Those sections are deleted as far as I know

Ok

I hadn’t started watching then on a regular basis

So I didn’t even know that such a scene was there also

EDIT: Anytime I say "you" I do NOT mean anyone specifically. Please be aware I'm not calling anyone out specifically here. It's just the 'general you'. 😳I just wanted to make that clear.

Some quick points bc I' m having my coffee right now and have a few minutes, but may not be able to reply back.

Excuse the disorganized thoughts - I'm still drinking my coffee this morning 🤣 before I tackle work,

Disclaimer: I am someone who doesn't advocate for more nudity in any show. I actually switched off American cable bc of the high level of nudity and preferred genres of shows with less. But let me just play devil's advocate on a few points:

1. I do agree about the extra showing of Raghav shirtless. It doesn't need to be in as much frequency as we've seen so far. We can have a perfectly amazing show without nudity, or touching, or anything. (see: Pakistani dramas)

2. I am on the fence about objectification vs characterization. The increase in frequency in him being shirtless lends to the fact that it is objectifying his body for shock value, for audience appeal, etc.

However, the counter is that we're getting more scenes with him at home, in his own space. A lot of men like to be shirtless in their house. Raghav is a character that embraces his s**uality and his appeal to women. He's never shied away from that. So is it odd that when he's at home he's shirtless? Who can say really? We're not the makers of this show.

3. His unbuttoned shirts.. I mean is it any different than Pallavi having an open back blouse? Is it just ok bc she has long hair? A see-through saree (everything nowadays but her silk sarees are see through)? Why is all that "ok" but him having his shirt with the first 3 buttons open now objectifying him? Is it just ok that Pallavi's clothes are see through bc that's part of culture and traditional clothing? Why is that fashionable and not objectifying her?

[no bashing of Pallavi or Amruta please - I will not tolerate it 😎]

Why can Amruta wear crop tops, a super mini dress, etc., and that's fashion, & not objectifying her, but Raghav having a few shirt buttons loose or an open shirt, or no shirt is now objectifying?

Why can he wear a dhoti/lungi and tie it up to show his legs but, shirt buttons are objectifying him? For me, it's just part of his characterization. Like Amruta is comfortable in her own skin, she is comfortable showing more of her body, than say Pallavi, Raghav also is comfortable in his own skin and body, and has no issues showing it off. Men, like women, do like to play up their assets.

4. Sulo & RaghavSNS - What's the ship name now? RaBin? RaSu? LOL. I found it hilarious because she's a middle aged woman, bored of her husband, not in love with her husband, ogling the new young guy in her house. This is textbook middle aged woman portrayal. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. If the roles were reversed, if it was done in comedic tone as Sulo's was, I would've laughed too. In Main Hoon Naa, SRK lusts after Sushmita in the scene just as Sulo did. Sush was walking with her hips swaying, emphatically, with a figure-hugging (maybe see-thru?) saree, and no one had any issues with SRK appreciating her beauty. Where's the line between appreciating beauty, handsomeness, someone's physique & then objectifying them? Did Sulo ask him to walk around shirtless? Did Sulo touch his abs? (omg I cannot believe I'm speaking on behalf of Sulo right now LOL 🤪)

When we the audience watch the show, whoever is an SKR fan, or not, do you not immediately go, oh he looks so handsome, oh he looks so hot? What were your first thoughts when you saw SKR? Is it wrong to think someone is hot? Did those thoughts honestly not race through anyone's head? Has anyone on here dated before?? Did you not think those thoughts before you were pursued/or did the pursuing?

Why is it only objectifying when it's done when he's shirtless vs when he's fully clothed? Either way, if we go by that standard it, you would be objectifying him, even when he's fully clothed. (I personally don't think it is but just trying to show/ask where the line is)

She's a mother, so? Does that mean she's lost her s**ual drive/desires? She can't appreciate another good looking man? All she said was he's hot, and she stared at him. You're telling me if SKR walked past you, you wouldn't stare or take a second look? Or maybe not do any of those things, but still in your head, be like "damn, he's foine". Here, they're just voicing Sulo's thoughts out loud.

I'm not going to discuss the moral implications of all of this i.e. she shouldn't do this because she's married, etc.

5. As for problematic things - ITV will always be problematic to me. This show although surpasses a lot of ITV shows, I don't think it's some oscar worthy show that needs to always be held to being politically correct. The fact that SKR has now done brownface, multiple times, when he has to go undercover as a worker, is HIGHLY problematic to me, and this is the lead of the show. In this instance, they still did that to him, despite covering up everything except his eye. This is more problematic to me than the LGBTQ concerns Amma had (which I didn't 100% like either). But to each their own. That speaks to people's own comfortableness and culture and upbringing more than anything else. I'm glad in general makers course corrected - but there's no use watching ITV with a magnifying glass - everything will be problematic to you at that point.

I say don't take things too seriously. It's just a 22 minute show and it's not something with the high budget, long shoot time, etc. They're racing against the TRP machine so they don't get axed. We cannot expect perfection or a highly PC show when we are (who I have gaged to be millennials and gen z) not their target audience.

Again excuse if it's disorganized & typos. I prob should have reread/proofread this and then choose to post, but everyone knows I live on the edge 😎 when it comes to forum life.

Also if I offended anyone, sorry, didn't mean to :D It's a forum on the internet, please don't take anything I say super seriously :D LOL.