The Door: What is kept in and What is Locked Out

The door is a constant image in BBAT. Doors normally mean a barrier to an entrance. People come into our lives, or go out by a door. We can guard our privacy, ourselves, our feelings using doors, or leave a door ajar so that someone can come in, or we can slip out.

The first door between Guddu and Runjhun is during the Touch Issue. Who can forget how she ran for the door and how Guddu leaps in front of her and locks it. She was quick and petite but Guddu was like a lion, as he races to lock her in. I will not forget those leaps he makes to that door. Later, when he lets her go, Runjhun is desperate to get out of that locked door as she falls into Amma's arms. Again that image of her feverish and shaking hands trying to unlock the door is unforgettable.

Guddu had wanted to keep her with him behind that locked door to humiliate her, and also we can argue because he had always wanted to possess her on some level. Even back then the way his eyes devoured her was a thrilling sight. By him keeping her behind the locked door, he marked her as "the woman that Guddu had touched." His compulsion to have them together and alone signified his desire to dominate her and mark her as his. That was hatred and desire in his eyes when he "touches" her. Did he want her on some level in that locked room in the dark with their bodies pressed together? Sure he did


In PN house, the door to the bedroom is used often to demonstrate the evolving relationship between these characters. Now obviously in India, in joint families, doors are not locked. This symbolizes the easy access that family members have to each other and each other's lives. The door to Runjhun and Guddu's bedroom was usually partially open and had a curtain. Through the doorway we can see the way their relationship burgeoned

1. It was in this doorway that many times Guddu stops and admires Runjhun; we can say he falls in love and desires her at the door

2. When he tells her that she is beautiful and his mother will like her, it feels like a genuine compliment and he is at the door.

3. The door is used playfully when she locks him out and she is working on the surprise handkerchief. Guddu jokes he will break it down and is playfully frustrated at the barrier between them

4. She stands in that doorway all night and waits for Guddu when he leaves her and he sits in his IM center all night. The door here represents her longing for him.

5. Amma pushing her through the door on Suhaag Raat; here of course the door signifies what should be initiation from virginity into womanhood.


Now in their new place they have real doors again and I was thinking of that scene when Guddu closes and locks blue double doors yesterday. For some reason, it made me feel uncomfortable. They show him locking the locks on the top of the door and I felt a little strange. Maybe because now they are again behind closed doors again, and Guddu in a different way want to make Runjhun all his. Before there was desire and hot hate, now there is love but also a palpable and fiery lust. Sexuality is written into the fiber of Guddu's character and his physical desire for Runjhun has not changed with his personality makeover. That raw need for her informs his love for her, just as it bated his hate.


This time again, he will not be able to lock her in. Though he is in love, again these doors are going to be forced open. Maybe not by Runjhun running out, but by whoever is going to come in and get her. The Mammis broke the lock and trouble is surely coming in.

During the Touch moment, a crazed and frightened Runjhun ran to the door to get away from Guddu. This time she is again feeling that he is locking her in, and one can argue she is looking for a way out on a subliminal level. Enter Creepy Saddu, Mammis, Amma, Neighbors etc

She will have to lock the doors of her life with Guddu by herself. Next time it has to be her closing them in and keeping the world out.

Beautiful post JP. That is the beauty of this show, the numerous metaphors and symbolism that are used in the story are simply mind boggling and every viewer can interpret it in their own way. It just makes for delightful viewing and reading on the forum. 👍🏼

Did I tell you I like your new siggie? 😃

Wow, a very well written and insightful piece Jpal!

Never thought about the doors being a metaphor like that in this show, reminds me of how in Roman mythology, the god Janus (January comes from this) is the god of doors, gates and is also the god of "beginnings and transitions (see wiki) (much like the month of Jan is)." I guess we'll be seeing the beginning of a new Runjhun hopefully, and a transition into a proper married life for Guddu-Runjhun soon.

@JP , you are just amazing girl, very well written. Great Post !

We see it all the time, but never saw THE DOOR. Maybe I was locked behind doors :(

JP, " CLAP CLAP " for you :)

Best lines for me were " She will have to lock the doors of her life with Guddu by herself. Next time it has to be her closing them in and keeping the world out "

Is is so very true. Hope it happens soon :)

Oh Jpal...I just love your writing...this is another wonderful post from you...and the topic you have chosen simply mind-blowing...never thought of the doors this way...every time they show a gate or door before a new scene..but after you explained the significance of the closed door , these scenes are giving an all new meaning to the show for me...thanks for your deep observation..I liked the last line most...this time Runjhun has to close the door herself to the selfish outside world to weave her own sweet nest with the man who is showering unconditional love on her way...👏

Jp,

Thanks for such a beautifully written post.
I picked up the door metaphor only after hearing MD's screams, of what goes behind the closed door.
I thought it's just a practical thing to lock doors in the night, what with recent break-in attempt and all.
Thanks for shedding light on other subtleties.

I was thinking of the last shot y'day (when I wasn't raving about other things) of RJ standing on the threshold, facing Amma outside the door & turning to G inside the house. It was nice.

Jpalagrawal, beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Reading your posts is like reading a book, you can express with words the character's feelings in such a beautiful and rich interpretation.
I never thought about doors in such a way, but now that you mention it I will pay more attention. I really want to see that scene where Runhjun will close the door just to be alone with Guddu. I think she did that once: when she came crying in their room after she spoke with Mahadevi about Jabbo. I think she needs to be alone with him only when she is pain, because she knows that he will help her, but we want to see her doing that when she is also happy.

Great post JP.

The things which I go around to say in a round about way you say so simply. Lovely.

Yes Runjhun is still standing on the threshold of the marrieage door and has not decided to enter or leave.

Remmeber the Pinjra thing that was also about doors locked. That is PN if she enters PN then their is no door there for her to come out of PN.

azuria

really, really good post jp. one of the things that i like about your posts is that you pay attention to the visual details about the show. bhagonwali, being a visual medium, tells its story not only through the dialogues, not only through the actions, but also through the set design, the music and the way the cameras are used. in fact, there are so many things that can be discussed about the manner in which many of the scenes are composed.

your "door" analysis is really very good.