I was recently watching one of these cliche kannada serials with my grandfather and i came across an interesting one called ‘Bhargavi LLB’

As the name suggests it’s about a young lawwyer ‘Bhargavi’ fighting for justice and all that. Meanwhile to keep the target demographic still interested, they add in the premise of in-laws and their house - the usual atte-sose (saas-bahu) type angle as well.

While the premise in itself is an interesting one - a feminist, (swabhimani) protagonist fighting for justice within a system that always seems to work against her - what interested me more was the premise of the ‘villian’ and her motivations.

I have always been more drawn to the ‘vamps’ - as they are called in these types of serials - ever since I was younger. While I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why that was, i thought i could maybe do a deep dive into this particular one now that I am kind of able to make more sense of my thoughts (??)

While what initially caught my eye was her eccentric dressing (crop tops and ribbed tanks paired with georgette-esque and nylon sarees, black silk sarees and sleeveless blouses), I gradually noticed that she was a very misunderstood character, in comparison with say, the protagonist or the her primary antagonist (the defence lawyer in this case) or whatever.

I’m just going to bullet point this, because why not.

parents / tavaramane / maa ki ghar

• prioritises justice swabhimaana etc., they usually have the moral high ground because ‘principles’ and shit

• she’s kinda(?) abandoned by her them - they like her sister more than they like her

• constantly hears ‘she’s dead to me’ , ‘better to have no daughter than to have a daughter like you’

• but why do they hate her so?? what actions has she taken to warrant this behaviour??

• when her dad comes to her house, she’s initially very glad to see him there, but starts acting bitter as soon as she finds out he is only there for her sister and not for her.

• so she is clearly dealing with rejection and lack of validation when it comes to her parents

in-laws / atte mane / saas ki ghar

• prioritises career, money, success etc., therefore making them morally inferior compared to their in-laws (??), because how dare you be ambitious for money or whatever

• she seeks validation from them by being selfish but doesnt really get it either- because they only care about money and fame i guess, and she’s got neither to offer.

• puts in efforts and ‘makes plans’ to get into their good terms and be an important part of the household - yet they get thwarted or something because plot, so kinda gets disrespected that she can’t be of use.

• her husband also does not support/ validate her, but is in fact, in love with her sister (the protagonist). he’s not even trying to get over it?? what a weirdo idk.

While she craves love and approval, she has learnt not to expect it and therefore presents herself as someone who does not need it.” you hate me for no reason? let me give you a reason then”, type shit.

Why do my grandparents also agree with the narrative that the serial builds? what makes them conclusively agree that she is inherently a bad person? and that it sucks to have a daughter/child like her?

Does she not deserve love or validation from anyone ? Why is she hated for actively doing something about it? The protagonist is praised and lauded for taking things into control, meanwhile Brinda is a bad guy for doing the same thing!

To be honest I am not a script writer and i don’t know if she should or should not be the ‘villian’, but I for sure found myself empathising with her.