This week, I read this beautiful article in TOI, ‘The Anger of the Strong’ by Santosh Desai. There is no denying that there is a different kind of anger on the ground, and the anger reflected on the screen is a reflection of it. Maybe an earthquake of a different type is simmering under layers of social construct. While reflecting on this overt and covert anger, I watched the state election throw a few surprises. Some of these surprises have the political investment in women’s power, empowerment, schemes, and support behind them. It reminded me of the movie Animal, where the lead speaks about the woman selecting Alpha males and the males investing in women with broader pelvic – a sign that they can bear children better. Such talk is against current social discourse. But, at the same time, Salman Khan in BiggBoss17 questioned Vikki’s statement – who said he has invested in his wife. Salman Khan (in turn, the producers and the channel) objected to the word Invested used by a businessman.
Insenstitive BiggBoss17.
Salman Khan made it sound suspiciously crude, and most likely, it was not how the businessman spoke or intended.
Salman is the host/anchor/curator of BiggBoss, which has a huge following. He is a voice that is heard and followed. Should he not think twice before saying this on National TV. It will most likely adversely affect the couple (Vikki and Ankita Lokhande). Or that is purely collateral damage in the run-up to TRP. But all the participants knowingly joined the show. The relationships must be strong to survive such onslaughts of observation and doubts.
Questioning people on moral and ethical grounds has been the reality show’s way of instigating fights and debates and creating rifts. It is a necessary part of the BiggBoss tool kit. However, they had to pull one of the participants for doing it when things went out of hand. Talk of double standards and hypocrisy. That is the relationship between the participants and the improvished changed Biggboss17 shares.
In the current season, BiggBoss is too involved in the game; in fact, he is playing the game. With the added advantage of omnipresent mics and cameras, BiggBoss17 transparently expose people and their possible strategies. This is hurting the show. Today, it is a show on speed breakers rather than on steroids.
The fun is lost because it does not require much thinking on the part of the participants and a need to be agile and completely flexible. No participant has to play catchup.
Investing In Relationship Misunderstood
I wonder if INVESTING in a woman, love, or spouse is so wrong! And should one not see this in the context of the person who has spoken thus. Vikki is a businessman, and it may be natural for him to use terms like interest, investment, return, results, budget, profit, and loss in regular conversation. There is a possibility that an ordinary man may take a different meaning and then reflect on it in an unwarranted way. But investing in relationships and spouses is not something new. It has always been there. We all do it all the time. Tell me if I am wrong in presuming this is the reality.
RELATIONSHIP MATRIX IN BIGGBOSS17.
In BIGGBOSS17, one can watch a few relationship start-ups and a few look for the cash flow of emotions and reassurance of funding of feelings every day. There are some with hic-up and no clear direction. And a few are just busy burning. Before you start reacting, let me correct it. There are more relationships than in any other season, and every relationship is not romantic, but they are definitely complicated.
Relationships Demand Investment.
One must understand that the most valuable investments are not in monetary assets but in relationships. Be it any relationship. Father-son, Sister-brother, Husband -wife or friends. And in the relationship with a spouse, it is an idea of wholeheartedly remaining invested, proving that love, support, and personal growth are some of the most rewarding returns on investments.
Emotional investments are the foundation of a fulfilling, happy life. Nurtured emotional bonds strengthen the connection between spouses.
In BiggBoss17, Salman has questioned this very basic between two good human beings. When the couple are professionals, they have their own space, aspirations, desires, and ambitions, which demand individual attention and an assurance of appreciation from the partner. A surety of an unwavering pillar of support, offering encouragement, understanding, and sometimes even making personal sacrifices to ensure partners’ success. And this works both ways.
The partners invest in each other’s development by encouraging each other to pursue their passions and evolve as individuals, creating an environment where both partners can thrive individually and as a couple. This is the prime truth behind successful unions.
Investment in a relationship must be understood.
Every human needs a portfolio of relationships within Family, close society, community and professional workspace. Each of them demands different types of investment of time, effort, emotions and feelings, including growing expectations. These resources are never in abundance. Hence, the trade-off and skews lead to inevitable stress and strain.
Biggboss17 Relationships And Investment.
People watching BiggBoss17 would know it best, but here is a rough map for those not in the loop.
It is the mid-season; a fresh set of investments are being made in new and existing relationships. The expectations are more precise and less transparent. The stage is set for the state where the relationships will matter a hell of a lot more, or the investment will turn sour.
These investments are being made with short- and long-term expectations. Participants have thrown the caution out of the way and yet forget that past performance is no guarantee of future results- and that is true for all our relationships.
The invested relationships.
Vikki – who invested! in Ankita Lohkhande and feels low sometimes for being referred to as Anita Lohkhande’s Husband. Samarth- the current boyfriend of I Love You Now- I Don’t Love You Now – Isha and her ex Abhishek, who still has a flame for her, create an acute angled love triangle. The relationship to watch is of Samarth and Abhishek- the ex and the current.
Arun and now ejected Tahelkha was one solid Jai-Veeru relationship. However, surprisingly, Arun is pally and thick with Abhishek- who masterminded Tehelka’s ouster in many ways.
Manara, I think I am a Chopra and Munawar, the most level-headed poet. Aishwariya and her husband, Neel- have different dynamics of dominance and excuses with coupled individuality.
Kamzadi- the fire band and my favourite from Assam- is in a no-nonsense, controlled, non-romantic relationship with Abhishek and a love-hate with Manara. She is a wild card and unpredictable, but she is sensible and individually strong like women from Assam. In fact, she needs a minor realignment to get back in the game.
Sana, the lawyer, is searching for a relationship every nomination day. Then there is Rinku – who may say what is a relationship but just a transaction!
NETNET.
Investing in relationships is needed and an integral part of its nurturing. These are the emotions, feelings, time and effort, care, passion, and sometimes money. None of these are abundant, so one must choose the right relationship to Invest in and look forward to significant ROI.
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