I continue to ask myself the question, what is it that draws me to Na Bole Tum, Na Maine Kuch Kaha? One thing I can say with certainty that it’s the emotional link the writer, actors and director are able to establish with its audience.
When the art critic in me searches for something deeper, I find myself looking at the cultural subtext emerging from within the narrative. Megha, played by Akanksha Singh, is the strong woman protagonist despite her different outward appearance seems frozen in the mode of a conformist and like an automaton prioritizes the needs/wishes of her in-laws/children. We only catch a glimpse of her independent spirit in confrontations with Mohan. The woman in her was so deeply buried that it took a lot to bring it to the surface that she almost missed her chance at happiness. While the writer gives her attributes like courage and determination but seems almost afraid to portray her as an independent modern woman. Maybe it’s the fear of adverse response from a mainstream audience that inhibits the pen. One look at the heroines of serials with high ratings can easily give you an idea of conventional expectations. Will Mohan be the catalyst that puts her in touch with the forgotten woman in her?
In Mohan’s character (played by Kunal Karan Kapoor)we could be seeing a serious challenge to the power of the Alpha male hero on the South Asian screen. Mohan sheds the macho baggage with such ease, no wonder he is acquiring a cult status among the youth. He is the hero who is not afraid to cry when he is petrified to lose the love of his life. Not the token reel tears. He allows his to keep coming, as they flow from a deep emotional space. Each time Mohan sheds tears, he communicates a resilient strength. He is spontaneous in saying sorry to Megha with sincere regret whenever he slips up. No inflated ego stands in the way. When Megha begins to address him with a respectful aap, instead of taking it for granted as the arrogant ‘superior’ partner in a marital relationship he teases her till she relents and returns to the friendlier tum of the past. (My compliments to the writer for the dialogue of the aap/tum exchange , it has such a natural flow).
This new protagonist does not mark his emotional territory in a stereotypical way but confidently allows space for other memories from his wife’s past and comes through as a secure and empathetic partner. The sensitive gesture of giving Amar’s picture prominence is both touching and rare.. (it is difficult to believe that the same author with such an intuitive understanding of her characters could have penned the Riddhima fiasco ). Mohan’s exchange on pink as a popular metro sexual color with his brand new son has to be Kunal’s addition as I have never before seen a writer venture into that territory.
This deconstruction of the macho male protagonist on the South Asian TV screen is both thought provoking and a compelling watch, it has the potential to sensitize the audience to the change and create space for alternative male representation as machismo loses some of its validity.
Kunal Karan Kapoor and Akanksha Singh with their nuanced acting skills hold it all together, without their brilliance NBTNMKK could not have been so convincing.
Karachi based Niilofur Farrukh is an art critic, curator, columnist ( Critical Space, Daily Dawn) and cultural activist. She is the Founder Editor of NuktaArt, (www.nuktaartmag.com). Currently President of AICA ( Int Art Critics Association, Paris) Pakistan, she also serves on the AICA International Commission on Freedom of Expression Commission. Her critical writings focus on art as a tool of societal change. She is the author of ‘Pioneering Perspectives’ and among other shows curated ‘No Honor in Killing, Making Visible Buried Truth’ that toured Pakistan from 2008 to 2010.
8 Comments
1 Pallavi wrote:
Niilofur thanks for this article..we as viewers are seriously following this show since day one..and I must say, the characters of Megha and Mohan are so different from what is being shown in TV these days..Like you, even we ask ourselves, if the writers are the same till now..But ultimately they too had to give in to the channel demands and stoop so low and show unconvincing things ..my disappointment is more on the novelty being butchered and creativity being damaged in the name of Business.it does not only spoil the mood of audience but also the artists.Loved your taken on this story and definitely you are right about the actors who are making it worth watching..
2 Senpoo wrote:
The story is the strong base for the audience attraction towards the show! And the characters which make the low of scenes so natural and very practical! Lovable in every way!
With the right set of actors the work of the creatives made very easy and all success!
Everything looks together perfect and makes the show more and more appealing! Even amidst the mistakes it had done and the flaws the story has taken recently, we still love the show for its original flavor! And very much hoping that they cud still take a deviation in the right road!
With the actors taking the lead now, we are now continuing to watch the show for them inspite of the slight flop in the story lead!
3 Reema Moudgil wrote:
This story has been cut and posted on India forums..this is against copyright laws and unethical..please share the link and do not copy and paste the text on other forums..thanks.
4 Pallavi wrote:
Reema, thanks for suggestion. It has been edited there.
5 Hope wrote:
A beautiful article. Yes, we are still drawn like moths to the NBTNMKK flame, especially for Mohan-Kunal. A talent so surprising and unexpected at the same time. Almost a rarity in Indian television these days. Also Sonal Ganatra and Vinita Coelho the original story and screenplay writers that depicted character and story nuances that made you hold your breath in excitement wanting more. This is the first Indian soap that entertained with an infectious excitement as opposed to the formulastic frustration. Then the PH decided to molest the goose that laid the golden egg and brought in Jayesh Patel – the Riddhima creator. That is why the Riddhima fiasco script and the rest of NBT does not align. Sonal is still with the team but unfortunately for her and us creativity is being held hostage under the economic dictates of employment. You still see glimpses of the old Megha and Mohan that Sonal had so lovingly crafted every now and then but till the production house realizes that they do not need to particpate in this TRP rat race because they have a product that stands apart notably so and respectfully allow Sonal to do her job, who knows how much longer the brilliance will shine through for the stars of this show to revel in.
Thank you once again for this article. Your insight on the unique nature of Megha and Mohan’s characters and the deeply nuanced script/story was a very pleasurable read.
Megha is like many middle class women in Indian Metros these days. She speaks her mind depending on her audience – openly with kids and Mohan and in deference with the Vyas elders. She represents the numerous women out there who balance their conservative realities with their independent opinionated personalities. This is the independent modern woman of India today and I think any more of an unleashing will unbalance the equation.
Mohan is bas Mohan and all I can say to your insightful comments is WORD!!! Thank you and keep writing and watching
Just as we will be 
6 Reema Moudgil wrote:
thanks pallavi
7 Khawar Haider wrote:
Read the article and the comments. We the viewers are putting up with the Riddima fiasco as called by Nililofur Farrukh with a heavy heart and it has even brought about a split between our leads of NBTNMKK and Riddima has turned nasty and does not want to leave Mohan. So in this case, what will Mohan do because he cannot keep two wives. We are wondering what Mohan can do now to get Megha back with him who is unforgiving and is very unhappy. Mohan has been surprised by Riddima who so generously offered for divorce but does not want to do that. Are there any suggestions I wonder for Mohan to find a way to divorce Riddima if she refuses to? thanks. K. Haider
8 Khawar Haider wrote:
Nilofar read your beautiful article long ago ……filled me with pride to know that you have appreciated the same thing on Indian TV as I do being a Pakistani. I wonder if you are still following NBT and have given any fresh comments since your last ones and what do you expect next of it as it had gone off the track but the new
developments are bringing it back and we will be seeing how Mohan’s choice is made welcome by Mohan’s
father and mother who have now opened their house to MM and the children. I am pretty excited to see how it goes and your thoughts on how the so called widow and her children fare. At last the Riddima track
has subsided and MM are free to belong to each other officially. I suppose then Megha’s in laws will mend all fences and everything will be normal and we will see some normaltiy in relations and will be happy with their son in law and Megha and return the children to MM.