- Wikipedia entry on Emma
Sounds familiar?
"I cannot make speeches, Emma...If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me. I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it."
Reminds you of a certain someone?
What happens when characters set in England almost 200 years ago meet characters in 21st century Bhopal?
It is something that you are going to find out.
(Unfamiliar with Emma? Familiar with Clueless? Aisha?)
Dear Readers,
This story is going to be an adaptation or I should say fusion of Jane Austen's Emma and Gul Khan's Qubool Hain. Since early days of the show, Zoya kept reminding me of Emma. And, later Asad being Mr. Knightley of her life - a friend, a partner, a father figure, a protector and a lover. I am not saying Emma is Zoya or Asad is Mr. Knightley. Both set of characters have their own personalities. I am just saying that I see an overlap. And, I see a bigger overlap in their relationship.
Still with me?
Emma can't be called a romantic novel like other works of Austen. It is Emma's story as the title itself suggests. TV adaptations surely had more romantic bent. But, if I add Asad and Zoya in the mix, surely a new flavour will develop, because they are Asad and Zoya after all. I will still call this an adaptation because plot points will come from the novel, and you will find similar characters and yet they are going to maintain their QH personalities. So, if you are a fan of Austen characters (I am) and cannot tolerate any changes, you may not want to read this piece of work. Same with plot points - you won't find everything that happened in the novel nor what finds its place will be exactly same.
Still with me? Good.
After finishing my current story, I had several ideas in mind, but all of them would have resulted in dramatic stories and I wanted to write something light-hearted. So, even though I already fear that I am touching something written by Miss Austen, I am going to work on this story and willing to bear all the flak that comes my way if I falter. I also want to practice a specific writing skill which I will be able to do here with the help of Miss Austen. Also, I feel that my stories are Asad-centric and I do injustice to Zoya's character. So here, I will try to find a balance.
To tell you the truth, this is one Austen story which I had left half way and finished it years later. As I write this adaptation, I am also going to gain more understanding of these characters and their actions.
Now, practical matters. All the characters belong to their respective creators. Main plot belongs to Jane Austen. Her works have been adapted a number of times, so I think I am not breaking any rules.
I haven't come up with a title yet. Should it be called Zoya'? 😛
If you are still with me, great!
So, let's meet Zoya Farooqui (Emma) and Asad Ahmed Khan (George Knigtley):
Here is a guessing game for you guys. Figure out which QH character is going to play which Emma character? You will be surprised finding similarities. BTW, I have already decided.
I concentrate on only one story at a time, so this will start when the current story finishes
Edit: And, it starts.
Index
Chapter 1: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/102422796
Chapter 4: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/103864081
Chapter 5: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/104206744
Chapter 6: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/104510945
Chapter 7: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/105354453
Chapter 8: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/106038482
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
