RangRasiya Creativity missing a Woman's touch - Page 2

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Vistaa thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#11
Thanks for this thought-provoking post.

Originally posted by: serialjunkie


Narrating Rudra's story should not compromise Paro's story, because one cannot be told with out the other. We get that Rudra has a disastrous past, but Paro herself has not been spared the pain of losing her parents. His misogyny has to affect Paro's distilled views in life otherwise, it simply shows Paro as a superhuman, or utterly insensitive. She is neither of that.


This is really the crux of the issue. The half-heartedness of it all. The lopsidedness. When they try, they do a pretty decent job of showing Paro. I thought her initial conversation with Bholenaath after meeting Varun, was brilliant. It captured the hopes and dreams of a young woman orphaned much before her time, beautifully. Since then, it has mostly been a case of more misses than hits.
I have tried to make my peace with it...but the frustration does peep out from time to time.
napstermonster thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#12
Serial Junkie:

Before you ask for a woman's touch, I must remind you of our traumatic history, our scarred past--no, we didn't lose parents to the Thakur's small member and large massacre of 1985. But I remind you of Gul Khan, and how a strong female actress playing a beloved female protagonist in a female produced show does not a female friendly product make. Your points will resonate with every other poster here. But I want to play devil's advocate and ask you--why? Why do we need a female voice in a show that has started on the premise of a man binding a woman to his vehicle and carting her off as a prize of war? There is no bigger indication to any thinking woman that this woman will not be --emancipated, She is never more objectified than on the back of that jeep.


I would argue that very objectification makes her mysterious, desirable, and the blank canvas for Rudra to project every desire, every (childish) dream of a perfect woman. She is instant wish fulfillment--get a virginal bride, take her to your stronghold, and she will be yours forever. Romance bestsellers have been written on less-so why not this show?


The premise is deliberate. And it was written by very clever men, with a surprising grasp of child psychology, a definite Oedipus complex and an unhealthy attachment to that beefy Mahadev fellow on Life-Ok. The premise has also been quite consistent--I dont believe the show is going down a rabbit hole, I see markers all along this path. And the role she has---The Bride--prevents Paro from existing as a flesh and blood woman. If she is in a dark ally, she must know in her heart that Rudra will teleport in to save her. if she is being accused of being a wh**e, her purity will prevent her from understanding the meaning of the word. She is so untouched, she is a vestal virgin at her God's feet. And her "flesh and blood man" treats her like one, when he is not also treating her in a manner that makes her feel "uii maa" without knowing what that suspicious twinge exactly is.


The mythology I've been forced to wikipedia for the past 3 weeks makes me also say-- given the fantasy elements they are weaving--she CANNOT be a real woman and get this specific man at the end of 2 years and a 20 year leap. She must be this Paro, the aggressively pure, virginal goddess of womanhood--who cannot be touched by another man, much less desire one--and who must shout this from the rooftops. And from what I understand, a virginal goddess is so self sacrificing, she is basically incapable of even protesting her abuse, much less fighting against it.


Practically, Paro has to be shown like this to counter the women our hero has encountered along the way.The women in Rudra's life have been ferociously damaging--we have the scorpion aunt who poisons a suffering child and taking away the last of his childhood. We have a selfish, amoral mother with breath-taking delusions. Who first adores the son and then drifts out the door one fine day. The actress playing her is pretty good so I buy her lack of even the slightest concern for her son's possible reaction--I find that deliberate. Ad then we have Laila, the coarse desert creature who embodies all the lusts of the flesh that (presumably) beautiful women feel. Who has given this man NSA sex and 8 years of crazy in one immoral role.

RangRaisya is based in a man's world, about aggressively manly things, but it it still a story about one man's ultimate prize, and salvation--through his prize. You did not see a female BSD officer, even in the heyday of the first week when they spent 5 crores to give it a serious sendoff. But the woman who inhabits the role of the hero's prize--she must be everywoman, to make up for the lack --the mother, the sister, the daughter, the wife, the lust object and wh**e, the venerated goddess and even symbol of the motherland.


They need to up Sanaya's rate to reflect her seventeen different roles here. Unfortunately, real flesh and blood woman, with a woman's issues, desires, feelings, fears and triumphs--not one of them.
Edited by napstermonster - 11 years ago
CyberOstrich thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#13
SJ sa- aap toh serious ho gayin?!
I have limited experience in watching indian TV soaps in the past decade- as far as I can remember there are only 2 which I watched religiously before they began their downward spiral- which invariably happens to ALL OF THEM -WITHOUT FAIL!! Its either the channel interference in the story and how it should be projected or the leads quitting- or some such!

But one of the soaps I was hooked to was Laagi Tujhse Lagan- though same old same old story of a Don- who hates beautiful women- falling for an innocent very pretty poor girl-who hid her face with soot (infact but for the Don part, Rangrasiya has total LTL feel). Anyways- there I saw some sparks of depth in female characterisation- they gave her a background and her absolute devotion to the Man- albeit his fallacies - was palpable and very believable. Though not revolutionary- even in the milieu it functioned had depth- and surprise surprise- it was an all female team of writers! Even the male lead- had such depth in his insecurities and shortcomings. In fact after the show went downhill- the original writers actually gave us the story they had in mind on IF everyday- and it was just beautiful! Really showed what they could do without the petty interference and the TRP game- driving and interfering with the original story.

I have not seen anything by Saurabh Tiwari earlier so cant comment- but here- though there is scope for depth- and they do have some moments in between- the story I think is too glossed over by- 'what will excite the junta'- like the dori scene today- it was just too contrived! They do seem to have lost the original sheet of papers somewhere- seem to have changed tracks to ghussao the 'romance' factor anyhow. And yes- the shiv- parvati story is the inspiration but it can be shown in a much more subtle way- and with more depth- not with Shiv aka Rudra- huffing, puffing and deriding and Parvati aka Paro standing on one foot- thats just making a mockery of the whole thing! And not touching upon paro's angst- her gravitas- makes it so much more superficial! But its shiv-parvati 'Pop-Version'- with sexy backless cholies and dories- so...
But still watchable- as of now- more because of the actors- I must say!
And SJ- THIS - 'If you've never had your heartbroken and never sensed the helplessness of a lonely woman cornered in a dark street of an unsafe neighborhood, how do you expect to capture her pain and fear'👍🏼

Edited by CyberOstrich - 11 years ago
serialjunkie thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#14
Thanks savvy, it happens, rare, but it happens to me too!! one serious post per quarter.

I see glimpses of Paro, and I grasp the straws soon after. i wish for a rip roaring show and lets hope it never gets unbearable.

Originally posted by: savvy05

SJ.. humein pasand hain..aapke both type of posts - the ones for the laughs and the ones for the thoughts.😃

The show has not presented the average viewer balanced views on the main protagonists and it echoes loudly as the days go by. By balanced views I do not mean screen space, rather a glimpse of what makes Paro, Paro. From the peeks we have been given so far she is quite unique - innocent, naive, fiercely loyal yet resolute and strong.. but a lot of this often comes from reading posts by the writers in this forum.

I thought the tide was turning this week, since the ME we have got know Paro a lot more that we ever have.. but Friday's episode set it several steps back. To top it all the precap and the literal Shiva-Parvati symbolism being forced upon😕😕 At this time I just want the marriage to get over as the main story probably begins from there. The ensemble cast makes me tune in more than the story at this point. To answer your question- yes it misses Paro's perspective and this quite possibly echoes in the TRP's - in spite of probably having a better storyline than most soaps out there, it is not surging ahead.

savvy05 thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#15

Originally posted by: CyberOstrich

And yes- the shiv- parvati story is the inspiration but it can be shown in a much more subtle way- and with more depth- not with Shiv aka Rudra- huffing, puffing and deriding and Parvati aka Paro standing on one foot- thats just making a mockery of the whole thing! And not touching upon paro's angst- her gravitas- makes it so much more superficial!


Perfectly and cohesively put. The precap was absolutely disappointing precisely for this reason.
Edited by savvy05 - 11 years ago
serialjunkie thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#16
you are preaching to the choir, msin-sa. it is precisely why I never make serious or critical posts. Dekhna hai to dekho. But with that bolna hai tho bolo bhi kabhi kabhi ho jaatha hai. is liye keh diya,

and modi and RaGa debate tho roar hongay n background. IF mein tho hum khele jee jaan se.

Originally posted by: msin

It's ok... I am liking it from a mAle point of view... They are not showing any historical epic or documentary where if they make goof ups I should raise my hackle.. It is their story how they want to show it... I will watch if I like it...if I don't I will watch something else.. I get to see good dialogs .. A more balanced parallel story.. Decent quality sets and good costumes..

With great looking leads.. I am not expecting too much if it entertains me for half hour I am happy..
There are enough stories in tv..which is written from the female point of view...Balika vadhu..is one..
We have the choice to watch it..
Just because we deign to watch RR.. Why should it be exactly what I want..
Is exactly what I want .. Same as exactly what u want or is it exactly what she wants..
Frankly there are enough issues to debate upon will modi come to power... What if...


I don't want to say it but GH has said it nicely... dekhna hai to dekho..

CravingKhana thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#17
REs
I want to say till get a cohesive answer going
but you know me it just to get goal side view of all the game play participants ...
gunji thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#18
U have said it beautifully SJ...
Its just that I am not able to make myself like the current track...I love this show and have been watching it from the very beginning...Rudra has always been this rough guy...pinning to the wall...shouting and everything...but he had never insulted her before..

his accusations now are nothing but insult...I am okay with Paro being helplessly in love but even in her weakest moment a woman will not take it down if the man questions her integrity...and i expect Paro to do the same.

Its not just a matter of MU...it has gone much beyond now.

But with the arrogant statements from people associated with the show...watch it if u like it...i dont even feel like voicing my opinion...but I liked ur post very much..so it just came out...😳

anyways i'll get back to hold-breathe-and-wait-for-this-phase-to-be-over mode again😊

stg1 thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#19
really good post! i agree, have forever been feeling a sense of disquiet and lack in terms of paro's characterisation, and it cant wholly be blamed on my love for the actress. i kind of now understand that great actors also need a great screenplay, one with depth and balance, that deals sensitively with certain issues that the character is facing and which every woman watching the show would feel. i think there is a female creative writer on the show so it surprises me time and time again that many of the women in the show have repeatedly been presented to us in such a shallow, one-dimensional way. unless this is the indian daily soap norm?

even if paro's life and circumstances and personality had been similar to sunehri's then i would still expect some introspection, certain reactions, some anger, disappointment, deep anguish at her initial predicament - basically the whole gamut of human emotions that a woman in her position would be feeling. so i think rr has definitely missed the target for showing things from a woman's perspective and i guess i dont expect it to now at all. and every once in a while something else jars and i dont think my low expectations of a balanced, inclusive narrative can sink any lower, but they do. so paro's sudden transformation doesn't quite ring true for me either. but even given all this so far mujhe dekhna hai to i'm dekho-ing and mostly enjoying it too.
nancynair thumbnail
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Posted: 11 years ago
#20
I don't agree with your view Sj on this
The RR creative team is very balanced ,two of its important members are- Janaki ,co writer with GH and Mukta sr creative director ,and I feel they are doing brilliantly

Why is everyone jumping their guns, Paros journey to womanhood has only just began previously she was too simple and indoctrinated and so we got no insight into her thought processes but now that she is evolving as a woman we are getting monologues and insights into her thoughts
Wait for her to make that wonderful journey into womanhood with her rangrasiya who already a man with many facets that we now understand because we were given insights to him

In Paros words kahani toh Abhilasha shuru hui I am sure it's going to be wonderful

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