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Old 16-04-2015, 20:09
NoughtiesMusic
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i1vgSc9ywg

Tonight and Tuesday's episodes reminded me (again) of Shabs from 2007/08. Check out the above clip and the way she confronted Zainab. She questioned Zainab being so judgmental and it was such a great scene.

Even Zainab has a sense of humour and fun side as time went along. This new Shabs, even after opening up to Stacey is going back to her prickly self. When Masood said that she reminded him of her mum, I sort of disagree. Zainab could bring the laughter and hilarity in the right situation.

I bet this new Shabnam would've even found ways to have a go at Amira and Afia (if she was around at those times) because they weren't so strict and conservative as how she is.

That clip showed how good the old Shabs could've been. She shouldn't have quit the show.

While I look forward to the big Roya reveal, I feel like she deserves it to expose her hypocrisy.
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Old 16-04-2015, 20:27
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I hate Shabnam, I think she's an awful character and a truly disgusting portrayal of a British muslim woman.

She went to search for her roots and has returned a racist small minded bigot. Is that the message EastEnders want to send out? That if you try to get more in touch with your inner Islam you become a d**k. Well, that's terrible and extremely destructive especially in these times and with what we're hearing in the news. I don't know what writers they have in those offices, but to make a distinction with being white and being muslim is a disgrace of their intelligence, tbh.

Kush is one of the few likeable characters in the show atm and Shabnam is draining his potential.
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Old 16-04-2015, 20:33
sorcha_healy27
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I hate Shabnam, I think she's an awful character and a truly disgusting portrayal of a British muslim woman.

She went to search for her roots and has returned a racist small minded bigot. Is that the message EastEnders want to send out? That if you try to get more in touch with your inner Islam you become a d**k. Well, that's terrible and extremely destructive especially in these times and with what we're hearing in the news. I don't know what writers they have in those offices, but to make a distinction with being white and being muslim is a disgrace of their intelligence, tbh.

Kush is one of the few likeable characters in the show atm and Shabnam is draining his potential.
To be fair at least they have the guts to depict a Muslim character as a flawed unpleasant human being.
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Old 16-04-2015, 20:43
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To be fair at least they have the guts to depict a Muslim character as a flawed unpleasant human being.
Masood has flaws, Tamwar has flaws, but not only is Shabnam a thoroughly unpleasant character, but all her flaws seem to be tied to the way she practices her religion and personally I don't think EastEnders should get a pat on the back for having the guts to depict Islam in a bad light when they aren't doing much to present Islam in a positive light.
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Old 16-04-2015, 20:46
sorcha_healy27
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Masood has flaws, Tamwar has flaws, but not only is Shabnam a thoroughly unpleasant character, but all her flaws seem to be tied to the way she practices her religion and personally I don't think EastEnders should get a pat on the back for having the guts to depict Islam in a bad light when they aren't doing much to present Islam in a positive light.
The portrayal is a realistic one though. Shabnam is conflicted between her religious beliefs and her normal youthful desires. I think its been done well.
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Old 16-04-2015, 20:50
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I see your point Geeky but I like Shabbers. Yes she can be prickly, unpleasant and hypocritical but name me one character in EE who isn't. And I like that EE show her with light and shade. It feels like the Massods are proper3D characters. What I don't like is that they did a 'fallen woman' story with her which has been done to death with Asian girls in dramas over the years.

Have to say also I wish the original actress had come back for the effect of showing a religious conversion. This Shabs still feels like someone else to me. That's not to denigrate the current actress as I think she's ok.
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Old 16-04-2015, 21:03
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The portrayal is a realistic one though. Shabnam is conflicted between her religious beliefs and her normal youthful desires. I think its been done well.
I understand the conflict the character is facing, but I don't see how it is realistic for her to become racist as a part of her religious beliefs. I think that Shabnam having a problem with dating white people is utterly fallacious. Doesn't she know her boyfriend's mother is white? Does she have a problem with that?
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Old 16-04-2015, 21:04
sorcha_healy27
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I understand the conflict the character is facing, but I don't see how it is realistic for her to become racist as a part of her religious beliefs. I think that Shabnam having a problem with dating white people is utterly fallacious. Doesn't she know her boyfriend's mother is white? Does she have a problem with that?
Yes that's a good point. I don't like how she's pressurised Kush about marriage as well.
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Old 16-04-2015, 21:13
trevor tiger
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I love Shabnam and revel in her flaws and prickliness.
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Old 16-04-2015, 21:17
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If she has a problem with dating white people (Tamwar-Nancy and previously Masood with Jane and Carol), I dread to think how her relationship with her gay brother is.

She deserves a slap one of these days. As I said above, I bet she would've bitched about Amira and Afia if they were on EE at the same time as her. They're Muslim girls as well, but fairly modern and knew how to have a laugh. She claimed on Monday that Nancy is no Afia, but she couldn't even have known since she was long gone from Walford.

I'd say Bushra, despite her overt and vile homophobia, was less prickly than the new Shabnam.

Zainab's judgmental attitude was balanced out by her warmth, her own less than perfect past and the fact that she embraced Syed back into her life.
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Old 16-04-2015, 21:25
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I actually like Shabnam and her flaws and I also think if Kush ain't getting married again then it makes sense for her to try and find a husband rather than waste time. I mean I'm sure this'll take a very negative turn but why bother wasting time on a guy who doesn't have the same life plan as you do.
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Old 16-04-2015, 21:40
joe gillott
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The portrayal is a realistic one though. Shabnam is conflicted between her religious beliefs and her normal youthful desires. I think its been done well.
I agree with you. Gi is clearly stubborn when it comes to how characters should be. Shabnam needs the wake up call that she's turning into the one person she never wanted to be but tied with her reasons for leaving this change fits well imo.
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Old 16-04-2015, 21:58
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I agree with you. Gi is clearly stubborn when it comes to how characters should be. Shabnam needs the wake up call that she's turning into the one person she never wanted to be but tied with her reasons for leaving this change fits well imo.
How rude. Why do fms always have to be so personal. This is what I mean. So we have differing opinions. Why don't you just agree/disagree then move on.
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Old 16-04-2015, 22:02
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If she has a problem with dating white people (Tamwar-Nancy and previously Masood with Jane and Carol), I dread to think how her relationship with her gay brother is.

She deserves a slap one of these days. As I said above, I bet she would've bitched about Amira and Afia if they were on EE at the same time as her. They're Muslim girls as well, but fairly modern and knew how to have a laugh. She claimed on Monday that Nancy is no Afia, but she couldn't even have known since she was long gone from Walford.

I'd say Bushra, despite her overt and vile homophobia, was less prickly than the new Shabnam.

Zainab's judgmental attitude was balanced out by her warmth, her own less than perfect past and the fact that she embraced Syed back into her life.
I agree with NM. I think Easties should seriously reassess the direction they are taking this character in.
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Old 16-04-2015, 22:04
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Lol. It's not hypocrisy, it's irony in this situation, or contrast. She's going against all the things she used to believe in her last stint. It's good drama and a nice storyline.
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Old 16-04-2015, 22:55
lou_123
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I haven't really liked Shabnam since she returned. I miss the fun Shabnam! I have muslim women friends and I don't really know any of them like Shabnam (Judgemental, rude, racist, constantly moody, etc...).

The girl needs to lighten up seriously. She has the odd one liner, but most of the time she is dull, dull, dull, and her relationship with Kush isn't exactly a joy to watch IMO. I wish Zainab would return (Don't we all). They've kind of tried to make Shabnam like Zainab and it's backfired, as Shabnam has become vile and unlikeable, which Zainab never really was.
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Old 16-04-2015, 23:02
NoughtiesMusic
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I haven't really liked Shabnam since she returned. I miss the fun Shabnam! I have muslim women friends and I don't really know any of them like Shabnam (Judgemental, rude, racist, constantly moody, etc...).

The girl needs to lighten up seriously. She has the odd one liner, but most of the time she is dull, dull, dull, and her relationship with Kush isn't exactly a joy to watch IMO. I wish Zainab would return (Don't we all). They've kind of tried to make Shabnam like Zainab and it's backfired, as Shabnam has become vile and unlikeable, which Zainab never really was.
Even when Zainab was bossy/moody, she always did it in a really funny way. The actress herself has been in comedy for a long time so has impeccable delivery of that.
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Old 16-04-2015, 23:06
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Even when Zainab was bossy/moody, she always did it in a really funny way. The actress herself has been in comedy for a long time so has impeccable delivery of that.
Yes, Nina Wadia's delivery was always spot on. I do like Shabnam, but I can't properly warm to her, and she has changed so much. I didn't exactly warm to her the first time either, as I hadn't been watching the show for that long (regularly), when she did join, and she never really did much in her first stint, so I don't think she has ever been memorable. I just wish they'd lighten her up a bit. I find her a very unrealistic character. She moans about everything! Wether it's her birthday, wether it's about Kush, Masood, Tamwar, or even going out for a veggie burger at Beale's, the girl is constantly moaning and it just really paints the character in a negative way!
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Old 16-04-2015, 23:07
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Having now actually watched the clip you posted NM and tonight's episode, I wonder if the extreme nature of Roya's conception is what has turned Shab to religion, particularly based on that exchange Z and S had about shame.

I agree Zainab's humour tempered the dubious things she used to come out with.
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Old 16-04-2015, 23:18
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Having now actually watched the clip you posted NM and tonight's episode, I wonder if the extreme nature of Roya's conception is what has turned Shab to religion, particularly based on that exchange Z and S had about shame.

I agree Zainab's humour tempered the dubious things she used to come out with.
That's what I wonder to be honest - I still think Dean raped Shabnham, she gave birth to Roya and abanonded her in shame.

I do admit, they are treading thin ground with her, especially with the likes of UKIP sniffing around trying to get votes off people, but I do admit shes an interesting one, but NEEDS to lighten up. Zaynep knew how to have a laugh and came out with crazy comments.
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Old 16-04-2015, 23:25
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That's what I wonder to be honest - I still think Dean raped Shabnham, she gave birth to Roya and abanonded her in shame.

I do admit, they are treading thin ground with her, especially with the likes of UKIP sniffing around trying to get votes off people, but I do admit shes an interesting one, but NEEDS to lighten up. Zaynep knew how to have a laugh and came out with crazy comments.
That's a very good point Neil. If that was her first time perhaps she didn't realise it was rape? It makes sense linking her in a friend ship with Stacey too.

Agree with the treading on thin ice but it is realistic. Mas, Tam and Kush balance all that out though IMO.
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Old 16-04-2015, 23:56
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Love Shabnam and the direction they have been taking her character since returning. She lived in Pakistan for years obviously amongst traditionalists who are very unlikely to be exposed to more western society. It's not implausible for her to be this way.
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Old 17-04-2015, 00:19
Shappy
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I like the way she is conflicted. It is a natural portrayal. She and Kush are very different and lifestyle compatibility is important. Like Catholic guilt, it's always there because you've had it drummed into you that something is wrong and sinful with bad consequences.

It would have been really unrealistic if she'd suddenly abandoned all her beliefs for Kush and started downing pints at the Vic every night.
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Old 17-04-2015, 09:58
NoughtiesMusic
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I see your point Geeky but I like Shabbers. Yes she can be prickly, unpleasant and hypocritical but name me one character in EE who isn't. And I like that EE show her with light and shade. It feels like the Massods are proper3D characters. What I don't like is that they did a 'fallen woman' story with her which has been done to death with Asian girls in dramas over the years.

Have to say also I wish the original actress had come back for the effect of showing a religious conversion. This Shabs still feels like someone else to me. That's not to denigrate the current actress as I think she's ok.
BIB - I read online that some EE viewers were initially disappointed that they didn't bring Zahra Ahmadi back for the role. A number of fans felt the original Shabnam was more attractive than the new one and liked her character for being more rebellious and not fixated on her religion. Zahra has since appeared on others shows, including a Doctor Who appearance. Most recently the underrated sitcom Count Arthur Strong.

The first user comment on YouTube for the video clip I linked in my original post is indicative of this attitude.

I just hope with Rakhee Thakrar they emphasise her good qualities. Look at how well she gets on with Stacey and Denise. I was really impressed with how she bonded with Cindy a few weeks ago and her advice about Beth.
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