With story line of God Father and Sarkar dominating the show so far, i think we are not wrong to speculate if RPS will prefer Shaurya over Shankar as the Waaris.... but i really doubt that is going to happen. Firstly because having watched Smriti shows this far, i dont think this team will come up with the most famous story the way it is... there surely must be a different take on it... something that will set it apart from God Father. Secondly, if Shaurya is supposed to be the actual Waaris, given how versatile Iqbal is... he could have easily played the role.... Iqbal is the most commercial aspect of Waaris... they arent going to play him down.
I was very surprised today when it wasnt RPS who told Shankar about the attack on Shaurya... Shankar came to know from Shaurya's principal. Why didnt RPS find it fit to inform Shankar even later? May be because he guessed Shankar's reaction and didnt want him to do what Shankar eventually did. There seems to be a permanent apprehension in RPS with regard to Shankar... no matter what Shankar does, this man is never going to be fully impressed
Shankar is one of the most complex characters on the show... I think we will never know him completely... every day, every situation is going to be a revelation. There are a lot of conflicting emotions in him... but he stands loyal to what he is today... not by choice but by a sense of duty towards his dad. It is pretty evident he worships his dad...but doesnt want his child or his brother to be like his dad or him... And he is fiercely protective about that. Even today he was very humble and apologized to the Principal of the college for whatever happened. Even when he asked his brother who did it, and when he came to know how and why the attack happened... he was very controlled infront of his kid brother(given the fact that he was so mad that he killed Pandey) He didnt fly into a fury or say anything against Karan, instead reprimanded Shaurya for not concentrating on studies. He does everything he possibly can to shelter Shaurya... and will. May be he finds solace in his sacrifices as Shaurya can have a normal life because he himself is there for his father.... and he seems to love his brother and father a lot and this is probably his only way of balancing both worlds... and he will give everything that it takes to make this balance work.
If and when RPS chooses Shaurya over Shankar... Shankar is not going to let that happen... not easily atleast. He wouldnt be thinking of his commitment being overlooked, but Shaurya having to be a part of their cruel world. If his family stand by him, Shankar might just revolt against RPS. Having given it a thought, I think there will not be a Waaris... because there will be nothing to inherit... may be as the story progress Yashodha, Shaurya, Gayatri and Shankar himself may root for the 'Samraj' as RPS calls it... to be dismantled.