Originally posted by: FlauntPessimism
I got your point and understood where you felt angry. I made an example of Zaroon because he is also a very flawed character (maybe not evil but definitely not perfect like heroes) despite being completely irreligious. So my point was that this show doesn't only promote religious people as bad but also irreligious ones as bad
Anyhow if you ask me even Kainaat was not completely religious. I never found her so. I mean yes she covered her head but her hair was visible clearly n she isn't even shown wearing a proper Hijab in few scenes but having her head covered by a Duppatta where her plaits could be clearly seen. Which religious girl will do so especially when there is a non Mehram in her own house (Hazma)
Secondly her intent in showing herself religious didn't even seem actually religious to me , her reason for being religious is to get a good husband, although having an aspiration to get a good husband isn't wrong, but that being the sole objective somehow shows her religious activities were just a camouflage, it's just that now when her sole objective isn't fulfilled, her camouflage has been removed.
About multiple stories being about good and bad sisters etc, I agree it's a very common topic just as inner Vs outer beauty, but just because they are repeating one common topic doesn't mean they should repeat the other one too. The main concept of this show is bursting the myth that all traditional girls/ people are good while the modern ones are bad, like most of Indians think, just one person can't be an example, this isn't modernity over traditionalism but rather an attempt to burst the stereotype. I think there was slight hint towards it in the Pakistani show Akbari Asghari, just the difference being in that show they showed Akbari as acting and manipulating very clearly in the first episode itself, in this show they just gave subtle hints
This show was always about Sufiana Ishq (which you might or might not find in the show and that's a different topic) and not about religious thoughts, it's about a Muslim family (just as other shows might be about a family of other religions. If the concept is that traditional girls are not always good they need to show the girl traditional originally, and if she is a Muslim she would be a hard core Muslim, you can not change the pretext of the story
Now that you gave the example of Swaragini, in that Ragini was shown traditional n religious but later turned out to be pure evil, so does that show become Hindu phobic? I don't think so.
You make really good points and there is definitely truth behind them.
The only problem with the Zaroon-Kainat comparison is that Zaroon is flawed BUT Kainat is evil. There is a huge difference there. They can't be compared.
You are absolutely right about the Hijab. Makers messed up there. They set up the traditional-modern dichotomy by making Kainat cover her head with her dupatta while Saltanat does not. The message is still there BUT they messed up on the execution and didn't follow proper Islamic principles. Anyways, K is still portrayed traditional.
Islam as camouflage: I disagree with this a little bit. If you recall, initially, Kainat would always be caught reading namaz and offering her prayers in her hijab. Its true that her goal was a husband but isn't that what many girls desire? A husband is someone you spend the rest of your life with so I don't see anything wrong with Kainat praying for one, like you said. Kainat didn't forgo her principles because she didn't get a husband. She abandoned her teachings because MJ sent her to jail without asking her for a justification. There is an episode where she says, "MJ's upbringing handcuffed me". It was that particular incident where she completely flipped. From the bottom of her heart, she gave permission for SaRoon engagement because she had faith MJ is there for her. MJ broke this belief so K abandoned all his teachings.
I don't think the main concept of this show is busting any myths. Its their attempt to show what "Sufiyana Pyaar" is. I think they are failing miserably but other people are loving it and its totally fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and it should be respected. Also, Star Bharat promoted this show as traditional vs modern (Proof: and ). They are clearly promoting modern ways over traditionalism considering how the story is progressing. I do think its ironic that this show is being aired on the same channel as RadhaKrishn, the epitome of pure love.
There is another show named "Ishq Subhan Allah (ISA)". ALL the characters are Muslims in that show as well but no one has ever blamed the writer for being against Islam even when the negative characters are Muslim. The main reason is that the negative characters were never portrayed to be hardcore Islam followers. Ruksar, the main female antagonist, was also introduced as an innocent sweet girl BUT she was never promoted as a hardcore Muslim so it made sense that she was actually very malicious. Alternatively, the lead characters are hardcore Islam followers. They made the Quran their way of life and abide by it. Every time they went against Allah, they used to apologize and keep roza to beg for His forgiveness. This story is a lot more palatable because they show religion in the right sense.
Shah family is not just any Muslim family, they are Islamic royalty. They are the one family that are supposed to follow the Quran with the utmost diligence. The female lead in ISA is the daughter of an Islamic head and the male lead is a Maulvi. ISA is the one show that is portraying Islam in all honesty. The female lead is actually modern in the show BUT her roots are traditional. She supports her ideology with actual verses from the Quran. This makes sense. I wouldn't have had a problem with SPM if they were any other Muslim family or if they had showed Kainat to not be "Allah ki bandi" then I would've been fine with it.
Swargini: If I remember correctly, makers were bashed for turning Ragini negative. Even Tejaswi was against it and they turned her character positive after she threatened to quit. She was right. The character wasn't being given any justice. Again, remember that Ragini doesn't come from Hindu royalty so the comparison of religion can't be made here. I mentioned Swaragini to show that evil vs good sister has been shown before. I wasn't comparing the religions.
In my opinion, the show needs better characterization. Its not impossible to show traditionalism and modernity without insulting one or the other. SPM fails to do this. I will admit though Saltanat is more modern than traditional but she still holds on to her Islamic roots. I do appreciate this. There was no need to make Kainat such a devil. It made it seem as if switching over to the modern side is better than staying traditional.
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