12/20 Episode

Today's episode was both confusing and interesting. The confusion that I felt was because of the way each of them behaved.

I feel the writers themselves are pretty confused with the characterization of Jodhaa.They have forgotten that the character in question here is not some normal mom of the 21st century but a Rajput princess and the Empress of India herself.I mentioned this because Jodhaa rarely behaves like a Rajputani or like Akbar's wife.Infact her entire world revolves around Salim and only him.


Okay I get that they wish to show Ruqaiyya-Salima as negative characters and Jodhaa as a positive character.Apparently in this show the only way to become a positive character is to support Salim and Anar's love.They need to understand that history as such was not that simple like fiction where one side was good and the other was evil by default.


Everyone was flawed and committed questionable acts for the reasons best known to them.


Coming back to Jodhaa,first of all I don't understand the entire Jodhaa-Anar bond coz it all seems forced.Jodhaa is an empress and Anar is a maid.There are a million maids in the palace.Why would the Empress personally get involved with this one particular maid?Even if she saved Salim as a kid there needs to be a line drawn.

Rather Jodhaa should be more concerned about Mann Bai coz Mann is her own flesh and blood.

I can understand her questioning Akbar's decision and symapthising with Anar being a woman herself.But showing her rebelling against Akbar for Anar was a tad overboard.

I agree that had she been more pro active prior to this and behaved like an Empress rather than a helpless mother then she might have been able to prevent this misfortune on Anar from befalling.She should have been strict towards both Salim and Anar after discovering about their affair and warned them of the repercussions.However she is more of an emotional fool rather than a pragmatic woman.


About Akbar,I understand that the whole track about Akbar turning Anar into a Rakasa meant to cement his position as the primary obstacle in front of the love story.But I do understand where he is coming from though I don't support his actions.

He intended to crush Anar's delusion and give Salim a reality check.He was consistent to his character of a practical emperor with shades of ruthlessness.


Then there is Mann Bai.Somehow I am unable to bring myself to hate her or consider her as a villainess for now.Though she might be on her way to be one under Ruqaiyya Begum's guidance.

But for now I see her as a hot headed and stubborn girl who is used to getting her way.Wasn't Salim like this as well? He practically forced the relationship on Anar and is insanely possessive about her.Then why is Salim right and Mann wrong?She too is fighting for her rights and honour as the Princess of Amer.


Now lemme come to Anarkali.I feel this is a golden opportunity for the CVs to turn her into a layered and fascinating and show her as the one in charge of her own life who knows how to give it back to those who wronged in kind.

I wish to see her turning her misfortune into an opportunity to fight for her love and dignity.Khannum would be the perfect mentor for her.

Till now her world revolved around her Sahib E Alam and Salim was the one who had the upper hand in their relationship.
This time it's actually her who will have it coz she won't be within Salim's reach and he will push all his boundaries to be with her.Then Anar can actually turn the tables on Akbar coz his plan will backfire heavily and Salim will get closer to Anar instead of drifting away from her.She will become Salim's Achilles heel.
More than anything else the new Anar shouldn't be meek and easily suppressed like the old one.

Lastly about Salim.We all know for sure that his reaction to Anar becoming a rakasa will not be a kind one.They have a chance to explore Salim's character here as well and add more layers to him instead of showing him as an overly emotional and volatile person.For a change he should think with his head rather than his heart.Let him become more politically active and plant the seeds of bagawat within the court itself.He can also mobilize his army to rebel against Akbar.They can show his frustration at being able to do nothing when the love of his life was snatched away from him due to which he will become more focussed on snatching the reigns of power from his father.
Also the flaws and weaknesses in his character need to be depicted properly and yes I am talking about his wine addiction.

Salim and Anar will still have the love and passion for each other but this time it shouldn't be sugar coated,excessive idealistic or far from reality.