I had hoped to keep myself from responding to the mess by creating my own post, but it seems like I had to give in especially when I learned that some of the most sensible people around have expressed opinions contrary to mine. I heard Sanaya and I thought she was awesome without feeling the need to pay any close attention to her individual words until a very close friend wrote to me expressing her confusion post SI-interview. I was surprised to know that I did not even hear the hotly debated phrase, "a bunch of people," when I first listened to the interview. So my response was well the phrase itself is not offensive but it is not very polite either. Then I saw repeated posts including some by users I never expected who expressed their disturbance and concern over this phrase. So then I thought it's high time I revisit SI's interview.And guess what? You're right... she has indeed used the phrase. So let's look at the content of her interview and put things into perspective [quotation marks mean I'm quoting SI's exact words]:
How does she feel about Barun leaving?
She feels bad because Barun's been a friend and a costar for a year and a half now so they share a great rapport. She believes that as Arnav he shouldn't quit because "No one can EVER imagine the show without him!" Yet,"But as Barun, as my friend' if that's what he wants to do then he should go ahead and do it." She explicitly states the reason behind her support of Barun's decision, "I just hope whatever he does makes him happy."
What is Barun to Arnav's character?
Raj asks if a new actor should play Arnav's character. Contrary to the creative head of the channel who believes that the character is bigger than the actor, Sanaya asserts that Barun has become synonymous with Arnav's character, "I don't think anyone should play Arnav's role. Arnav is Arnav." What she meant was "Arnav is Barun!" She repeats herself with a great deal of conviction yet again, "I don't see anybody replacing Arnav, No!"
So why is Barun leaving then?
Unlike the confused person that Barun comes across in his interviews, Sanaya explains that he had been very clear about his goals right in the beginning. Barun had committed for one year but according to Sanaya "he has been good enough to work more than a year." Again contrary to the belief that Barun's turning his back to the show that gave him so much popularity in the hopes of making it big in the Bollywood, Sanaya thinks Barun has not only remained true to his commitment but in fact been so much more generous in giving the show more time than he initially promised. She was clearly attempting to justify Barun's decision to prove that he's not blameworthy. At the same time, she's careful enough not to contradict Barun's statement as she says, "it is probably just a long break" as Barun puts it.
How will Barun's leave impact Sanaya?
"I'll just miss Barun. His craziness. His crazy antics."
Time to get into the political aspect of it.. Ehem.
So what role did Gul play in this episode?
None whatsoever according to Sanaya. She explains that as a producer, it is hardest for Gul to let go off such a popular actor. Now that to me is simple logic. Hence, our Sunny Girl feels sad to hear people bash Gul because she believes that Gul's a wonderful woman. This statement was not surprising to me because long before this entire drama I had heard Sanaya dedicate her award wholeheartedly to Gul Khan during the SPA event. And I highly doubt she was held on the gunpoint by Gul before she walked up to the stage. She stresses how hard Gul has worked on the show and the characters [Note Barun too confirmed the latter part] to make it what it is today. Yet, she points out that Gul has been wonderful about letting Barun quit the show without any drama. Since I am too nave to read between the lines, I for one thing testify to this. Had it been a hard-headed producer, the lead would not walk out with so much ease. I know it would be repetitive but Gul accommodated Barun when he left for his movie. Gul changed the script to please Daljeet Bhanot. I have many other facts to support Gul's patience as a producer and only rumors to paint a monstrous picture of this woman. She further asserts that whatever has leaked is not true. For these reasons, Sanaya does not feel that it is right to bash Gul right, left, and center on the internet.
Finally, what is Sanaya's stance in the midst of so much drama?
She will stay in the show till its last day. Rockstar believes that it's really not fair for all the people who have put in so much effort to see the show suffer an untimely death. To quote her, "The only reason I don't want the show to end is because a lot of people do work really hard on the show. It is not fair that because of one person the show should end." Now I don't think she was sidelining Barun in making this comment because before this remark, she said, "Besides just ME and Barun in the show," 200 other people work to run their lives. That is, the person which currently happens to be Barun could have been Sanaya herself too.
Before I wrap up, let me also bring forth two of the most misinterpreted lines cut out from this interview:
1. Sanaya says that none of the viewers deserves an explanation.
This assumption led to a good number of posts defending "WE, the viewers!" But before jumping to those fierce defenses, I wish someone had paid close attention to the uttered words. To be exact, Sanaya says that Gul should not try and justify herself to anybody who blatantly refuses to believe her. So if you are that person who believes that you're way above the speaker and don't need to waste your time listening to someone's justification, then yes Sanaya has advised Gul against explaining anything to you. Wouldn't you advise the same to your friend? I would. In fact, this is one of my firmly held principles in life. Why should I insult myself by presenting an explanation to a person who shuts her ears? Sanaya's words could not prove truer if you consider the fact that those who bashed Gul did not change their perception of her post the interview with Barun. So what exactly did Gul achieve by giving that interview when a fraction of the viewers assumed that it was scripted? Isn't Sanaya right in this regard? Of course she is.
2. Sanaya referred to us as a "bunch of people."
What I gathered is by "bunch" Sanaya meant a fraction of people. She meant to say that the show will not end because a small number of people have raised the flag "No Barun. No IPK!" To put her words back into their original context, Sunny Girl said that it is not fair for these 200 crew members to lose their jobs because "a bunch of people just want to see Barun." Now she apparently knows that for the majority, it is Arnav-Khushi and hence she said previous to this, "I am very hurt that OUR fans" are behaving in such a way. So it's entirely up to you whether you want to count yourself in the category of "the bunch of people" or "Our (SaRun) fan group."
Now why SI should be upset with the second group of fans? Because a good number from this group too has demanded that the show should end and SI should quit simply because Mr. Sobti leaving, which is clearly unfair according to Ms. Irani.
End of rereading our Sunny Girl. Let me add my two cents:
Even though a good share of my few close IF friends believe that Gul is monstrous, I don't agree. Thankfully, we are all mature to realize that we can differ in our opinions so there hasn't been any world war amongst us. I have stated my reasons multiple times in other discussion posts so I won't repeat myself. But in short, I have to literally suspend logic in order to believe that Gul Khan has been mentally torturing Barun and Sanaya off-screen.
I know I am ignorant about the TV industry so I won't talk about showbiz but just rely on a simple example from my humble life. Recently a professor wanted me to do something unethical for a research project. I had a challenging experience with him and he tried my patience whenever he had the slightest opportunity. I was doing my last graduate course with him and he nearly failed me. I complained to the department head, he reviewed the case and concluded that the professor had been evidently unjust. I could get that professor in deep trouble if I complained about him in the research office, but I felt it's not worth it so I let it go. Now a simple student like me refused to take any crap from some higher authority but extremely popular and established actors like SaRun are oppressed by a producer. How can I bring myself to believe such a thing?! The other implication of this would be that both Barun and Sanaya are big time liars cuz both have abundantly praised Gul Khan in their interviews.
Other than this, as Sanaya has said "To each her own.."
In any case, Sanaya Irani did not fail to give important life lessons yet again in a brief interview - She's smart, I know it!
"Whatever is meant to happen will happen."
"Accept the outcomes gracefully."
"People who don't know you should not judge you."
"This is life. People will bash you. People will love you. But you have to move on."
Raj remarks on this "feisty" girl and says, "I Love her answers!"
Me toh too loved her answers Raj ji!
The bottom line of Sanaya's interview in her own words is, "Do not comment on Barun as a person, on Sanaya as a person, or on [Gul] as a person"
I heard it Sunny Girl, and I for one thing will certainly stick to your words!
PS: Please feel free to debate any ideas expressed on this post. You'll have Miy, Harshu and the rest of SI squad respond to your queries since I will be disappearing again for a couple of days...
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