#advay singh raizada

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hey JWM,

Hope you are doing good.. here’s my ask, I read it somewhere long time ago that Feminist women love Arnav Singh Raizada.. and I am not sure what to think of it. What would be your view? Would you say Arnav was a feminist?

Hey!

I am a feminist. I love Arnav despite being a feminist.

Trust me, it's taken a lot of deep breathing and self awareness of how to engage with media and my love for the handsome faces of the opposite sex to keep loving Arnav.

I'd shut his mouth up the minute he goes to class, status, and all because apart from not wearing high fashion, what is giving him the entitlement to speak in such a way?

Gender.

Feminism is equality of all genders. Gender plays a role in how Arnav treats Khushi and Lavanya. Hence he's not a feminist.

Arnav is a man in a man's world and he reaps all benefits of it. He isn't as answerable, he doesn't have to lift a finger to be a part of Lavanya's life but she carries a list of his likes/dislikes and she has to make major changes to accommodate him.

And he is not a feminist because he thrives in male privilege. He makes no effort to acknowledge his privilege, nor is he attempting to make any change in it.

He's educated enough to know what privilege he has.

Yes he's progressive in terms of he absolutely does not follow archaic tradition, and he stands upto Dadi (but he's also standing upto Dadi cause she insults the woman he loves).

Arnav is a liberal. Which is that he is willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own. Which is why he has a temple in his house despite being an atheist. Which is why, he patiently tells Khushi just once, that he gets her understanding and upbringing is different but she has no right to interfere in his personal life. Which is also why everyone in his house has the freedom to do what they want and he expects that freedom in return.

Arnav is better than Shivaay, Advay, Omkara, Rudra, Asad.

But that's a low bar to begin with.

Aryan is perhaps the only 4Lions hero who came somewhat close to being a feminist (and even then you have to only count the 80ish good episodes and point out that he's very dismissive of Imlie's problems and he carries a certain authority over Imlie that also stems from gender apart from age and finance - even if it's for the good).

Best,

JWB

[desipotatoes]

IPKKND 3 : The Arsonist and The Psychopath

Idly watching the weird third edition of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, and I came across the scene where Advay is carrying Chandni for the diya ritual, and she has her sisters spread nails with the flower petals he’s walking on.

Now considering Advay is basically an abusive obsessive arsonist, I absolutely hate him as a “romantic lead”; but I can’t help but think of the potential.

If the borderline unhinged Advay was met with a dark!Chandni who responds to his antics with her own. Who gives pain for pain, hurt for hurt, thorns for fire.

I wanted the writers to commit to the darkness and explore the pain under the evil, layer the unforgivable actions with their pasts and the tainted love that binds them in hate.

[phati-sari]

Hey! Not an ask, but just an appreciation for always answering billions of questions regarding the show. I dont think even the makers could have answered in the way you do :) I just realized that tumblr makes things disappear so I just wanted to let you know I am grateful for clarifying my confusions and always giving quick answers :) Thank you

Hello!

Eeeee thank you! This is amazing!! I reckon -- as with creating anything -- they’d have loads of views on what they intended and what they wanted to show, which is fascinating all by itself. One of the most illuminating things for me is when Barun Sobti compares Arnav and Advay (even though he dislikes it when others do it haha) -- 

What is the biggest difference you find between Arnav and Advay?

This is an unfair question because I had immense fun doing both the roles. The major reason why I had so much fun doing all the roles was that it has been appreciated so much. However, the difference between Advay and Arnav is that one Advay is absolutely lonely, he has nobody in his life so you feel bad for him. He is vocal about it and is vengeful. Advay’s losses are so deep that he can go to any extent to make the people who are behind it to make them suffer.

(source) This interview was given before they rewrote the show! It also contains his statement about how IPK3 was originally meant to be something else -- which seems to be what Gorky released a still and video of.

How different is Advay from Arnav?

Arnav had found a way to hide his misery behind his work. Arnav never really dealt with his problem, he never liked to talk about his parents. Basically, that was what ate him up and that was what the whole character was about. Advay, on the other hand, refuses to stop thinking about it and his whole agenda lies around his past life. He is not like he will not talk about it. He will talk about it and he will react and behave based on what has happened in his past life. His agenda is very clear.

(source)

I generally don’t bring the intent of the creative team into my analysis -- I have a pretty hard and fast rule about what I consider canon and what I don’t -- but I find what they have to say interesting.

For example -- Aakash’s character arc. I know I’ve answered tonnes of questions on it but one thing I rarely bring up is Akshay Dogra’s feelings on the issue. I mentioned an interview in this post, it’s since been taken down and I can’t find it anywhere!

He also says that he was a “good guy” - no character depth - and had a weak script … “even Lakshmi had something to do!”. He says that the script never called for reactions and that any reactions, any semblance of character you see in the show, is his input, not the script. He even talks about the changes in Aakash during the kidnapping track and how a lot of the roles he’d envisioned for Aakash went to NK.

One of the things he said in this interview (I’m sorry I can’t provide a link but you should read that post) is that he had no idea what was going on on the kidnapping track and tried to play Aakash as if he knew that Bhai had been kidnapped. And knowing that, when one goes back and watches those episodes, Aakash’s behaviour makes a more sense. Basically, he thought the writers had done such a poor job of explaining Aakash’s behaviour that he came up with an explanation and tried to play it that way. And it didn’t pan out for a number of reasons, including the fact that they bought NK back to play the role he thought he’d be doing.

None of that is canon and it cannot be brought into analysis about his character. But it explains so much!!

I think I’ve gotten side-tracked hahahaha, thank you so much for the compliment, and for giving me a space to just ramble about things I don’t get to talk about much! Sending you loads of love! 

[rowdyprofessor]

Okay, so is Advay really a Maths Professor? I watched IPKKND 3 four days ago and it went by as a blur. Finished 70 episodes in one day and I honestly don't know how I feel about all this. This is toxic addiction. 🥵🤦‍♀️❤ He had me at the beard. 🥵💕

Hello!

I have no idea what I watched either. I mean: 

It’s such a confused mess hahah but holds a special place in my heart. I loved it in the beginning, Advay was such an arresting lead. 

I see you’d asked @theladyofthewest this question as well :) He was indeed a maths professor. Meghna introduced him to us in Episode 8:

Advay. Advay Singh Raizada. London-return. Maths professor, musician, and rich.

He had cloud-seeding software on his laptop and he saw equations everywhere (I called it Advay-vision, I never got over them getting rid of that.) 

There was also this gem in Episode 22:

Chandni: “Aap koi master-ji hai kya?”    [Are you some kind of teacher?] Advay: “As a matter of fact, yeah. Main ek professor hoon.”    [As a matter of fact, yeah. I’m a professor.]

So of course, Chandni calls him Rowdy Professor :)

I always thought he must have a very strong background in science as well, considering his tricks with electromagnets and what-not, but that’s mostly just me projecting my double degree onto him haha.

[kaahaani]

Barun Sobti sucked me into IPKKND 3 - you can’t blame me, who can resist stubbly Sobti with beautiful hair? I have thoughts, many thoughts. 

Important thoughts: 

I think Barun did an amazing job in the show because I found it very difficult to like Advay and I love Barun. I really enjoyed watching him in the “villain” avatar! His breakdowns and vulnerable moments were also perfect, basically only watch this show if you love Barun.

Questionable (but sometimes very cute) outfits - why would the family of a mahant dress like that in Allahbad?

Hot mess thoughts:

FIRST OF ALL, HOW DO YOU BLAME A CHILD FOR THE INCIDENT? I mean...she was like what, 8? What 8-year-old will purposely spread rumors that inevitably lead to someone’s death? Why would a child lead an angry mob to her friend if she knew that they were planning to kill him? Wouldn’t any logical person (Advay is a math professor ffs!) come to the conclusion that a little girl was fed lies and told to do these things by someone - most likely her parents? The whole Chandni-must-pay-because-she-betrayed-me angle doesn’t make sense to me.

Was it supposed to be a hate story or a romantic story? They were literally playing Rabba Ve a couple of episodes in, what about hate/abuse shouts romantic?! I am not going to go on about how regressive Indian shows are because...well, they just are and we still watch them. But how are you supposed to ship a woman with her abuser, especially one who tries to set her on fire?!

I am not surprised the show only aired for a few months, you can’t make a guy as dark as Advay Singh Raizada be likeable without fleshing out the character for months so the audience can watch him grow/change. Advay was a good villain in that his backstory made you think: “okay, I totally get why this guy is so messed up” but he still felt like a villain – not the hero he needed to be in order to ship him with Chandni. With characters like Arnav and Shivaay you saw a softer side to them when they interacted with their families - this is what made them likeable even when they were huge assholes. 

“When you name your show “Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon”, I expect a love story” thoughts:

I love the premise of the show, the backstory is amazing. I would have liked to see Advay come back to ruin the Vashisht family without focusing on Chandni. if you want me to ship them, show me that Advay:

struggles to blame her because she was once his best friend

doesn’t understand her role in the incident, she was a young child and was obviously put up to it

uses Chandni to get back at the family at first but feels guilty about it

“I basically want to rewrite the show” thoughts: 

 If I were writing the show, I would keep the initial episodes and change what is mentioned above and then have a Dev-Chandni confrontation very early on.

It would make sense for the two friends (that you are supposed to ship) to confront each other and have them deal with the “my family was killed by your family” together.

I want to see that Chandni is defensive and believes the best of her family but slowly learns differently.

I want to see the conflict of liking/falling in love with someone whose parents killed yours. How do you fall in love with someone in this situation?

I want to see that Advay is still Dev when it comes to Chandni, I want him to breakdown in front of her.

I want to see the anger and hurt felt by a girl who was made to play an instrumental role in ruining her best friend’s life.

I want to see how Chandni helps Dev deal with his past and how Dev helps Chandni recover from finding out that her mother is a horrible human being.

[puranijeans]

तुम खुशी हो या आंसू हो,     (You may be happiness or tears) तुम चाहे दर्द हो या दुआ हो, (You may be pain or prayer) चाहत हो या नफ़रत हो,      (You may be longing or hatred) जो भी हो, जैसी भी हो,       (what ever you are, how ever you are) पर सिर्फ मेरी  हो चांदनी।   (You are only ever mine, Chandni)

[tellywoodtrash]

Incorrect 4 Lions Show Quote

Female Lead: You're a heartless jerk!

Male Lead: Where did that come from?!

Male Lead: Oh, right. My actions.

[mukhtaleef]

IPKKND3: what could have been

You know what would have been interesting?

Advay properly wooing Chandni.

Indrani actually being a good mother to Chandni. 

When PeePee’s reality is revealed, Indrani actually being livid with with him and destroying him for even thinking about Chandni like that.

Advay stepping up to marry Chandni and she willingly marrying him because she likes him!

And then the start of revenge plot, where Advay doesn’t torment Chandni but very smartly and cunningly finds out the whole truth and dishes out revenge accordingly!

In the process, Advay actually falling for Chandni and Chandni’s realisation about the truth. hopefully she would actually help Advay uncover the truth!

But instead what do we get?

Advay being a lecherous creep, who forces his company on Chandni, in turn giving her massive anxiety!

Indrani is an evil stepmother(how surprising!) who doesn’t give two hoots about a girl whom she has raised since the kid was 6 months old! What is that old saying? Itne samay me to insaan ko jaanvaro se bhi pyar ho jata hai. But no sir, Indrani is not to be swayed. She is going to hate Chandni with all her might just because she isn’t blood related. No matter how much the poor girl tries.

Indrani is actually in cahoots with PeePee and his mom and actually selling off Chandni to them like some goddamn commodity! how different is this woman from sex traffickers? I would say she is even worse because Chandni considers Indrani her mother!

Advay forcing Chandni to marry him while saying all sorts of cryptic trash to her! the only reason that Advay can’t be classified in same category as PeePee because he doesn’t plan on sexually assaulting Chandni!

Chandni getting stuck between a rock and a hard place! Where she doesn’t want to marry either guy but she doesn’t have a choice, because independent woman doesn’t exist in GulNeet universe!

I don’t even want to get started on the revenge plot! Looking at Advay’s hate Chandni graph so far, I don’t even want to think what all things he will put Chandni through after getting married to her (lets not delude ourselves into thinking otherwise)!

What a waste!!

[kashmakash]

Rowdy Professor looking after his Bhagyawan

[pleasemindyourhead]

Intellectually, I completely understand that 4 Lions/Star Plus owns the Iss Pyaar Ko franchise and everything that comes with it, including the music, but it bothers me SO MUCH when they re-purpose the same music from the first season for IPKKND 3. And not just Rabba Ve, most of the romantic background score is similar and I immediately dissociate from the show when I hear it. I feel like I’m watching IPK 1 but I’m not and it breaks my heart a little. Except for the ‘Sa sa ga ma re re ga sa ne sa ga ni sa’ tune for Chandni, I don’t remember any new romantic background score for Advay and Chandni.

It’s not their problem, I understand, but it bothers me A LOT.

[dear-devi-maiyya]

When I read the Hotstar title for IPKKND 3 Episode 20 "Advay, Chandni do the ritual", I read it as "Advay, Chandni do the deed". Oops.

[arnavsinghraizada]

Ok but I can't wait till Advay falls in love with Chandni and they play "Chandni Aaya Hai Tera Deewana" 😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤❤

[tadibaaaz]

IPKKND 3 is becoming so problematic to watch, and i’m not even talking about Indrani’s shenanigans. PP is being all kinds of creepy towards Chandni, and she’s always quietly dealing with it for her family’s honor, making it the perfect setup for that 50-shades-of-inappropriate, gaslighting bitch, Asshole Singh Raizada to come in and rescue her. because guuyssss, when Advay harasses Chandni it’s because he’s broken, unlike PP who’s an absolute raakshas! so what if Advay is trying to ruin her life (like *ahem* PP), deep down inside he loves her!!!! sure, both men are forcing themselves on her, but forced marriage is much better than rape!!!!!!

the show is just trying to make Advay look good by making everyone else seem 3453 times worse than him. fuck. that. i better not see a slightly less abusive man being portrayed as a hero for saving the woman from a rapist. i want Chandni to stand up for herself, because *gasp* GUESS WHAT! most victims don’t get saved by the beautiful man who actually loves them and cares for them, they get harassed by him. and you romanticizing this issue isn’t helping anyone. the lesser of two evils is still evil.

[phati-sari]

Hey PS, I am a fan of both ipk and ipk3 and a silent follower of your two blogs phatisari and rowdyprofessor. And yesterday I was browsing through rowdyprofessor and a weird question (I don't know if is stupid too) popped in my head and I don't have anyone but you to ask. And I hope it is fine to ask this here as it is about both seasons. So my question is what would have happened if the pairings of the characters were reversed. That is Arnav-Chandni and Khushi-Advay. Please answer if possible.

Hello!

Thanks for following me on both blogs, this is very sweet!

I guess the character sketches for the male and female leads are similar enough for the reversed pairings to work in a superficial sense. There would be a few bumps in the road but nothing that terrible tellywood writing wouldn’t be able to hand-wave away in the name of True Love™️.

I’m cackling though, thinking of Arnav’s reaction to Chandni’s “How mean, chow mein!”

[rowdyprofessor]

Rabba ve Redux Version | Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon

[thebrightestwitchswandworks]

‘Haseen sa koi dhoka ya khoobsurat ek saazish hai tu...ya khud ne jo meri likhi woh kismat hai tu’. (Text written by me)