Really interesting discussion you have going on here, SJ.
"Debate is whether RR completely misses the target on a woman's perspective?"
In one word-- yes, I think it does. And it makes no bones about it. While the promos that had aired had been of a dominant and aggressive man and a quietly resilient woman-- I have NEVER seen the kind of exposition and exploration for Paro as I have for Rudra. I've seen many insightful posts about the characters on this forum, and have enjoyed reading them too.
But the point is, why do I need a guide to understand the characters-- especially Paro? I may be exceptionally dim, but I do watch with close attention. And I already have the advantage of being a woman AND being fond of watching Sanaya on screen-- fond enough to forgive a LOT in terms of characterization and story.
So, if I had never heard of India Forums, was not particulary enamoured with Sanaya, and only watched this show on tv (like a million others do in this country), would I still be watching this show? I don't know. Maybe. More likely not.
I think Rangrasiya shows dangerously inconsistent tones. While I am all for character development-- here it's been abrupt and...well...strange. I don't follow the arc. And if the dreaded TRPs are anything to go by, neither do a lot of other people.
Yes, it's amusing to watch because I find it funny (unintentionally, I'm afraid) and because I like watching kooky Paro make macho Rudra squirm. But various things about the show DO make me very uncomfortable-- much like many other shows on desi TV.
The day the discomfort outweighs the amusement, I stop watching, and that is all.
Because it IS a capitalistic, profiteering market-- as a consumer, I don't OWE the makers anything. All I can offer is feedback and fangirling-- and that too is my prerogative. I reserve the right to withdraw it when the show tips the scale too far. Dekhna hai toh dekho indeed. Only, perhaps Mr Hegde doesn't realize that it works more in our favour than his.
So what IS 'art' anyway? Who are the 'classes' and who are the 'masses'? We all have an answer, but we don't want to say it because we'll come off sounding elitist, superiority complex ridden, and bitchy.
And that is the crux, I guess. How far do the makers WANT this to be considered 'art'?
If they want TRPs (arbitrary though they may be), the content needs to be of a certain kind. If they want critical acclaim, the content and execution need to be of another kind. It is SO rarely in India, that the two meet. And I say this about films as well. One can deride a Rohit Shetty film as much one chooses (or even a Honey Singh song)--- but they ARE laughing their way to the bank. A Queen is INCREDIBLY rare.
So when it comes back to a simple question of what sells, RR is losing. Unfortunate it is, but TRPs have been average at best. And I think that's because the makers themselves can't decide the sort of line they want to take. They fluctuate so much trying to strike that balance between TRPs and a gritty, unusual story-- in the end, appeasing neither audience. If some of us want to see a man's story, obviously a larger chunk don't. You can't really argue with that, can you? To say that 'TRP aunties' don't appreciate 'good content' and are 'regressive', is not just terribly condescending, but also feels overly simplistic. There are SO many factors at play when it comes to what plays on TV. And frankly, even if it these TRPs were accurate and gave you a greater picture of the likes and dislikes of the Indian audience at large (which one can argue, movie ticket sales do), chances are that we'd still be disappointed.
Desi tv in general treats most issues at face value and distinctly superficially. So, I am not overly surprised when I see lack of depth here. Heck, I am a superficial person who watches because the leads are good looking. And I genuinely expect nothing better.
Inspite of, or maybe BECAUSE of the sort of reach TV has, and the number of channels, the content and handling is mind-numbingly predictable.
And therefore, much like you, I choose to not take this show seriously. I choose to only laugh about it. And even then it can be frustrating. And if I tried to take this seriously, heli mhari sunle Ramji will happen.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
