Originally posted by: PPak
Hey thanks for the reply...I dont have the ability to assess the story like you - in academic fashion. I am a layperson - who is looking at the story based on just my perspective. - thank you for engaging with me too.. I guess my writing tends to get academic but I feel for the story as a lay person only ๐๐๐
I am a very 'Whats sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander" person - right tor wrong - I can't debate that, but I know what I feel when I watch the show. Generally that is good principle and nothing wrong with that I would say. Debating about the right and wrong would bring in ethics, etc and I donโt think it is really necessary except as an academic point
Storywise makers took trouble to create Runak so well, that when tracks like current ones come, we are still here. We can curse the makers all they want but they do have the skill to keep the viewer engaged; be it not consistent not logical. With Runak story they have created a web that we are all caught in. For that we need to given Leena credit. She understands some human psychology that I have not figured out yet...what is it in the show, that has some otherwise sensible viewers addicted to it, let their emotions be brutally tampered with and cannot seem to withdraw easily. Its not just Runak chemistry....its the way the story was told. She has used the same plot many times in diff flavors and each has been a success. This show outline mimics her 2 bengali shows Imlie S1 and now Maati se bandhe dor. Audience seem to have the appetite to take the same offering disguised in multiple ways. You are certainly onto something here. I have no experience of any of her shows. But simply from an academic perspective I would be happy to speculate whatโs that she is tapping into and that would be a separate post Briefly, I would say itโs about exploring the evolutionary nature of entertainment in a evolutionary societal setting
Coming to the story, I am not sure yet the story is abt Runak, the narrative is about Jhanak with Runak being featured heavily. Letโs not forget the narrative includes Arshi too. When the show started it was Runak because Ani was the wind beneath her wings, her savior, her husband. Now he has been totally invalidated and there is no reveal that will restore him back. He is falling each day to lower depths.
He is no longer her husband, her protector, her savior, her God! He does not trust her, does not prioritize her, stands by mute, uncaring & emotionless when she is insulted, and was all set to let her go. He is her 'Love', for what it is worth. J though not as inconsistent also has some stake in the mess they have made of their lives. They are slowly taking away even the slightest opening for Runak. Now it could be a huge dhamaka is coming that will turn this story on its end? Maybe teh narrative as I see it is - itโs always destiny that brings them together repeatedly, in spite of the mess they create - thats the underlying thread that drives their relationship. I have a huge allergy to this forced relationship /destiny angle and truth be told if I had seen the serial from the start I would have avoided this; I watched this mid way and somehow I assumed ( perhaps wrongly) that they are doing everything to submerge that angle. I know that is modus operandi of every show where shaadi is the real deal but Jhanak seemed to have an aberration in theme in the form of Ani who was everything a hero was and wasnโt and add to that the past of Jhanak excluding the possibility of accepting the union. Yet I gather they are reaching the same station but in a circuitous route 
Now the narrative could easily switch to - "even with destiny interfering a thousand times, it is our choice that matters in the end" We dont know. If keeping Runak away gets trp they will keep them apart and their title song...what is it saying? Their story start...will J get her dharja as wife? She already does not have it. If it's abt choice over destiny - they can have choice or destiny win. End will depend on which does and it can go either way. Runak coming today after being beaten to a pulp by destiny OR Ani choosing to stay with Arshi and J choosing to stay away from Ani. We dont know what the final story is yet, likely even makers don't.
I do love Runak - their story was so simple pure and powerful. The way the makers over time created the vibe of these 2 living as a couple with a strong emotional bond that developed over time under the nose of everyone at BH, her manner of speaking with authority to Ani and riling Arshi, his haq, her listening to him always in the end, inability to say no to him, his lying for her so smoothly, doing everything for her and adoring her from a distance....
But that is no longer the case. The last 50 or so episodes did happen, we cant pretend they did not. Ani is no longer that Ani.
You seem to be saying the narrative is Runak and it is bad execution. Iti s likely so, the makers promoting Runak BTS and in Teej epsiodes makes it seem so, but the way it is going now, it will happen after they do everything possible to diminish our love for Runak. Maybe we all be off Runak by then.
I'm saying we cannot be sure with Leena at the helm. Based on her track record, she has never ended her shows with a happy ever after. She may not attempt this in the Hindi space but who knows. Based on trps - Runak separation is working.
It could be a clash between destiny and the strength of our choices, wrong though they may be, and choice can prevail.
Sorry I dont take the time to organize my thoughts or correct my language errors. Its what comes to mind, so apologies if the response is long winded. I enjoy these discussions and pitting one perspective over the other. Sometimes I wonder if the makers put as much thought into analysing the story as our forum does. 
Responding to the above 5 paragraphs, no love story can survive without a catalyst of some kind. So the issue isnโt about the presence of situations, events or persons being triggers in the story. Just becos there is Arshiโฆ and she has been there throughoutโฆ it doesnโt mean that the love story has changed focus. A love story like any other is a writerโs prerogative, their vision is to be translated on screen, the writer is well within their means to change course, however one power still rests with the audience to judge whether they accept the version being sold. You are saying she has the audience hooked. Maybe she has but for those interested merely in the story have cottoned onto her modus operandi and while that section will still lose but cannot think of Runak as anything but a lost cause. Simply because one canโt throw absurdities as a curve ball. The destiny pitch may bail out those interested in a happily ever after but for me and may be others tooโฆ the question will remain, can a moral conflict only be solved by destiny?
BTW have you watched Imlie S1? No I briefly remember a few fleeting episodes but as there was a forced shaadi there too I didnโt step into the parlour to be caught in the web๐๐๐
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