Posted:
I am a silent member of this forum... I usually read the written updates in a hurry because I'm a PhD student and hard-pressed for time. I started watching this show on my twin sister's insistence because she said it was different and awesome. I admit, I was addicted within the first few days of watching it because the concept really was unique and, quite naturally, my expectations rose.
Sadly, I am so disappointed with the turn of events now. There are SO many loopholes in this story... if, perhaps, like many western shows, they split this into different seasons I'd understand the loose ends. But there is simply no justification, except sheer lapse of judgement on the creatives' part, for the mess they've made of this otherwise beautiful love story. I think they tried to weave too many plots and got entangled in their own web.
It started going downhill for me since Natasha's pregnancy track started. What was the need to hide her pregnancy if it was Karthik's baby to begin with? They made it sound like she was carrying someone else's baby and Niharika and Ishika forced her to keep it hush hush until after marriage so she could pass it off as Karthik's child. Then they conveniently forgot all about it till much after they returned from their honeymoon.
The next track was Apeksha. If she was Ram's sister, why was she hell bent on stopping Ram's marriage? The entire time they made it sound like she was his jealous, possessive ex girlfriend who wanted him all for herself and couldn't see him with someone else. Even when they were in Australia on their honeymoon Apeksha came to Priya and said something along the lines of, "You have what is mine" ...also, on their honeymoon I clearly remember one episode where Ram went to confide in Priya all about his past. He started with, "There was a girl in my life.." and Priya burst out laughing saying she doesn't want to know anything and to let bygones be bygones. And she'd never believe him if he said he had a girl in his life because of the way he is and from what Vikram has told her about him. Then suddenly a few episodes later when Priya herself went to ask Ram about his past, why did he turn cold and refuse to say anything? If he was so willing at one point, what brought on that sudden "I-have-my-secrets-and-I-refuse-to-share-them-with-anyone" facade? And then who was that girl? I genuinely thought it was Apeksha!
Yesterday's episode, although mushy in many ways, actually irritated me quite a bit. It was so convenient for the CVs to pass off Apeksha as Ram's sister because they couldn't find any other logical conclusion for the complex web they'd spun for this track. What was the need for all those conflicting dialogues and scenes? To raise the viewers' curiosity and to end it on such an anticlimax, is an insult to our intelligence. Do they think the Indian audience is so daft that they'll accept any nonsense they show?
I'm sorry about this little outburst and I do not mean to offend anyone or upset people who actually genuinely enjoy this show. I really like it too but there are secondary stories that simply make no sense.
On a positive note, I actually like the way they've portrayed Ayesha... I've read a few complaints about her character on other threads but she comes across as a realistic girl to me. She was always spoilt and had things her way when Priya and Karthik were unmarried. There was an element of selfishness in her character right from the beginning and that didn't change even after Natasha came into the family. If anything, it came out more glaringly. To feel insecure, especially when you've had everything going your way, only because of a new rich spoilt girl, is justified. That they didn't turn Ayesha into a simpering "your-wish-is-my-command" girl is commendable. Vikram's role is also believable and I actually like Mamaji and Niharika as villains. They add a bit of humour to their scheming and plotting which is a refreshing change from other typical shows.
But again, I'm not very happy with the other secondary characters. I genuinely feel that they could do a bit more with Rishabh... give him a more pivotal role instead of making Priya everything from a teacher to a lover to a detective to the eternal problem solver. Also, I couldn't understand Nats's transformation from a psychotic girl who threatened to shoot and kill herself, to someone who's so mellow. I know they tried to show that Shipra's love and the family's caring nature softened her but to show someone that neurotic turning into an understanding person in such a short time was a little unbelievable. Then again, I suppose it went down well with the audience so I shouldn't complain too much about that.
I think my whole point of this thread was that this show has so much potential (yes, still does) to be number 1 on Indian television. Saathiya has nothing on BALH. That show is a joke in comparison... but the creatives really need to get their act together. Maybe they should draw out a mind map or something on a piece of paper to keep track of all their plots and not leave things hanging. It's just frustrating to watch a show that leaves so many questions unanswered in a viewer's mind. Anyway, I'm still a loyal fan and I'll continue to watch this show... well, at least till Ekta predictably turns this into another one of her dramas. I just desperately hope that this doesn't go the same way as Tere Liye... even that serial started off on a high because it was different but then became messy and eventually went off air. The likelihood of BALH sharing the same fate as Tere Liye is slim right now but if the creatives don't fully use their creative juices to come up with more interesting secrets than "a long lost sister and mother" then heaven help this show.
Once again, I'm really sorry if my reaction was a bit over the top and uncalled for. To all those enjoying the current track, I'm happy for you. I welcome your views even if they're different from mine. Cheers!
Anupamaa
