Open Forum or Not---That is the question????

Recently I have noticed that members, new or old, may make comments which are truly constructive criticisms of the actors, characters, creatives, the channel etc but these members are then treated like pariahs because of it.

I have always thought that forums such as IF, of which I have been a member for many years although not that active, was a medium to discuss a show/actors etc we love. Our opinions do not necessarily have to be positive all the time and as long as members do not use abusive language, personally attack the actors or anyone they have a right to provide constructive feedback on any aspect of the show.

I mean even on her facebook page I have told Niv that the past few weeks viewers have noticed a coldness, a lack of emotions and eye contact with Himmanshoo not befitting Runjhun's character. Gunjhun interactions at times looked like brother and sister than husband and wife exploring their relationship, discovering love.

I mean actors are people too and obviously go through personnal turmoil, have bad days etc which can effect their performance. That is acceptable but because they are entertainers they should also expect criticism…and I don't mean abuse…but viewers notice when things are amiss with actors because it is reflective in their performance. I think both Himmanshoo and Nivedita are professional enough to handle constructive criticism without taking it a personnal attack so why should members who criticize be treated like pariahs.

This type of behavior alienates members which will effect forum activity as well as ultimately the show.

A forum is not for the few but for the many to openly express opinions without retaliation.

If IF rules have changed someone please let me know so that I don't criticize the channel, creatives and especially the actors, and post my opinions even if against the majority, which basically means I should stop posting!

I sincerely hope that is not the case because I love this show, the actors, the story and especially love discussing it here on IF with the many intellectual members who make such insightful posts and have such diverse opinions!

Nina

P. S. This post is not targeted at any particular member so I hope no one takes it personally.

I personally believe this is a very open and inviting forum. Everyone is open to express their views as long as it is done respectfully. We all have disagreed or agreed with each others opinions and viewpoints as the show has progressed. (Gardes and I disagree on many topics but that is good for discussion in my opinion)

I have not noticed people being treated like outcasts so maybe it is a misunderstanding. Personally I believe that if someone posts something that is not popular then people will read the comment and then move on. Not all posts get the same response and sometimes people do not have a comment or response to someone's posts but that does not mean that someone is being treated like an outcast. I have posted many threads where I got one or two responses but never did I feel that I was treated like a pariah.

I agree to both posts above.
Some time I dont like coming to forum coz people are just complaining about the show. they dont say anything else just one line that the show was not good. No discussion no wish what they want insted just negetive to the serial.
But I let it be!!! Since I do not agree i do not comment and it is hard to say otherwise on the same thread.

About Runjhun when I say I do not like or like her character I do give asolid reason for that. That is what I would appriciate from others too. I dont mind people having different opinion then mine but just say it in a way we discuss things here.

When I dont agree with a staement I just ignore that thread or post. I think others do the same.

Originally posted by: rani2007

I personally believe this is a very open and inviting forum. Everyone is open to express their views as long as it is done respectfully. We all have disagreed or agreed with each others opinions and viewpoints as the show has progressed. (Gardes and I disagree on many topics but that is good for discussion in my opinion)

I have not noticed people being treated like outcasts so maybe it is a misunderstanding. Personally I believe that if someone posts something that is not popular then people will read the comment and then move on. Not all posts get the same response and sometimes people do not have a comment or response to someone's posts but that does not mean that someone is being treated like an outcast. I have posted many threads where I got one or two responses but never did I feel that I was treated like a pariah.

I do agree with you here because I am a very new member and to be very honest BBAT is truly one of the first serials that I have followed from the start. I have been on and off the forum and I have enjoyed all the discussions because it's sometimes guide my thinking on the show; meaning I may be so hell bent on one thought or even one character that sometimes my attention span of a gnat or tunnel vision will not allow me to see the bigger picture and here is where I get clarity. For instance my take and view is that the Character of Guddu have gotten way to soft...but that is my view and for instance I think Rhunjun should just get on/over with it because I don't have alot of patience on my part. Then I come here and read a lovely piece Gardes had written on her and think we'll she has a point and grumble to my self...:) but I think it's all in good fun and we all have to agree to disagree at times.😊

WIDAC JAK NA DLONI (Proof IS Pudding)

@Wafah

Just the conversation makes me sad a little bit. I remember having an exchange on this topic with Nureat a while back on the forum.

In the academic profession, everyone feels free to criticize the book, the author, the author's influences, the issues in the book, the characters, plot, writing, style of writing, use of metaphor etc. I have sat with an author and openly critiqued her writing style. It is a given in that line of work and this type conversation would never even happen.

@Nina, I have never once read the forum rules, because I just figure if I treat other people on the forum like I do my colleagues and neighbors I should be fine.

I remember on the last forum I was on, there was a person called KoolSadu. Me and her NEVER agreed on anything and we would go back and forth on that forum. Sometimes we had marathon debates over the characters, story, acting in scenes and everything. I admit too that she bothered me at times with her sharp observations.

While I hardly agreed with her, I have nothing but the absolute regard for her. The only reason I spent so much time debating with Koolsadu is because I respected her fierce intellect. This is one smart person. I see her still on other forums and respect her still for her courage to voice her unpopular views.

Sometimes when I would go back and forth with Koolsadu, she would have a group of people that normally agreed with her. That was fine. One thing, I always respected about Koolsadu and the people that agreed with her was that they would hit the "Like" button on my post, even when they disagreed. And I would do the same. No matter how much I disagreed with Kools, she would hit the "Like" button on the post. So would the people that agreed with her. I would also not be selective, but hit Like on all the posts that had to do generally with the topic that I was engaged in. To me it was like looking someone in the eye when they talk to you: a marker of simple respect for a colleague/peer. It went a long way to creating great debate.

It was a simple gesture, but sealed to this day the high regard that I have for Kools. The Like button was not used selectively in the thread by those who agree with her, but was a simple acknowledgment that although we did not see eye to eye, all on the thread respected my opinion and hers. Or at least we all respected each others' time it takes to write and the right to do so.

This point is not meant to be directed at anyone here; so please do not take it as such, but just an example for me of a memorable intellectual debate that has no negative associations. I am just sharing.

I also remember talking about the lead actor' lack of dancing skills. We loved him, but still joked around about his stiffness. I remember it was a collegic and compatible forum to be in. We even had a thread that gave the actor's tips each day on their dressing styles. We had lots of good natured fun picking apart the clothes and complimenting them.

My point is here is just to share some thoughts on experiences that I have had, again not to direct any comments to anyone, as intellectual freedom is a topic near and dear to my heart.

PS. My next step is to send this thread to Kools:)

Thank you for this wonderful topic. Totally required.

IF is really not an open forum as many would like to believe. I have been a member of IF since mid 2005. Having opposite views are never appreciated by Fans. IF is mostly for the members who are die hard fans of the leads. Even Regionalism has been promoted on this forum at one time in 2005. Again these are my personal experiences and opinions.

I watch one or two serials due to what I have read on the forum. Specific member's honest and candid writing and mainly for the humor they bring to the forum. Something I have in common. 😃

I never follow any lead as a fanatic. I am way older and mature for that 😆

Contradicting views to the norm are moslty supressed or popular opinion is usually shoved down the throat of few who have diff opinion. Comes to the point that so called Pundits drive you off the section, report you for your candid views and finally a day comes if you dont leave they make sure you get banned.

Been there done that.

This topic is a De Javu for me of mid 2006.

I hope CVs do read and make proper adjustments to the storylines of any serials. No one should convince any one of their opinions. I am not here to convince anyone. I write my views and move on. But will never leave due to someone wanting me out. I stand in the firm as I have as much right to be in this forum as anyone else does. Too many politics and unwarranted reporting is used in diff sections by lead fans. All they want is flowery, romantic stuff abt the lead they like. Nothing candid or constructive which can make the serial better. There is word like "Reality" which they do not care for.

There is a grey line between Fan and Fanatics. Journey does take place and the person does not realize that they are justifying everything abt the character because they love the looks or the acting or what ever.

I dont watch serials so I get to learn abt Mahabharat or Ramayan or Geeta. I believe in Karma. So that is how I see things. I dont need forum to teach me my religion. I dont see god or godess in the leads.

Koolsadhu has made many valid points. Unfortunately I belong to the same minority. I write as I see the show. Nothing more or less.

Thanks for reading. God bless!!

Peace!!