There's a significant scene in the movie where Simba looks at his reflection and sees Mufasa. It's the subtle yet powerful realisation that he is the Lion, he is the King, and his Pride needs him.
Who makes him realise this?
Nala, Rafiki, Mufasa.
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Read your analysis again and these lines struck a different chord.
I agree with you that Sai is unidimensional character... So her growth has been easy to track and understand. She is straightforward, honest, very clear headed and with a strong moral and ethical compass.
V on the other hand is grey character... very real...
The lines above detailed for me how V has changed over the years he met Sai and how that has contributed to his growth.
V is the lion and he needs to lead his pride. And the three characters who make him realise it are Nala, Rafiki and Mufasa.
For obvious reasons, Sai is Nala.
His love interest and his muse, his motive to change for better. And just like Nala pushes Simba, Sai pushes V towards a more honest, truthful approach to tackle the problem.
Just like Nala, Sai too is a character who is unafraid to take risks. And she stands by V when needed... Holding the fort in his absence. ❤️
Rafiki is KJ... V ka moral compass. It's a bit strange that V looks up to KJ more than he does Ninad.... Also maybe because he recognises the behavioural attributes of Ninad and when compared to KJ, finds KJ better. This too has come from Sai and that anniversary party is the proof that V changed forever.
He had recognised how crudely Ninad treats Ash but never had the guts until Sai came along. That's her direct contribution to this... But this indirectly also stemmed from KJ and how he never remarried for the sake of Sai. So if he can remain alone for his whole life for his daughter, Ninad should be better behaved to Ash na...
KJ also is his guru and mentor, exactly like Rafiki. He answers the queries indirectly forcing Simba to look for answers within himself. Exactly what a guru should do... A guru can only guide, introspection has to come from you. That's why V too speaks to KJ on and off like Sai does. He has never done that with anyone, certainly not Ninad... And even though KJ cannot reply back .. unburdening himself with all that he feels, a clear head appears.
The third and obvious character is BK as Mufasa.
Not because she is related but she is the trigger for Simbas growth. Simba looks up to Mufasa... Wants to be like him. V does that too. Has immense respect for BK.
But the similarity in the movie ends here for this character.
In ghum, BK has an extended role, so obviously her idiosyncracies and her mindset is the reason for all that happens in the show and in their lives.
How have all three contributed to V's growth???
KJ as I said gave him the moral compass. There is an initial dialogue (cannot quote exactly) about what's the difference between an officer and a criminal when both pick up arms. And KJ explains that the officer picks it up for saving lives while the criminal does it for harming.
That gives V the guts to take charge... Protect his tribe with harsher means when need be.
Pushing Scar off the cliff.
BK and her policies and Sai's presence and opposition to them is the another reason for his growth.
I firmly believe that had V not met Sai, BK would have got a Pakhi version of wife for V. Who would be happy to stay at home and shower her husband with love.
Everyone would have been happy and V would have never even thought or realised the importance of what a career means to an independent woman.
All the ensuing drama of denying food, following the strict rule book of the house... Even Ninad ka behaviour to Ash ... Would have remained as it is... Status quo and no one would lift a finger.
Devi Shivani would have remained single and alone.
All this changed because he met Sai... And Sai met BK... A worthy opponent. Two ends of same stick.
Right from her admission to her actions to patchup DevKit, to her opposition to those regressive mindsets, to patching NiNi... All this has contributed to V's growth. All this has opened his eyes to how wrong his family and BKs policies are.
Simba idolised Mufasa. V does too... But because of Nala/Sai he also recognises that not everything is white or black... Mufasa should not have trusted Scar so much.. our idols fail too... So while BK may be right in her intentions, her approach is wrong and that is what V is trying to change. A step at a time...
Sai coming into his life has made him more open to ideas, has a new outlook and he now subconsciously notices the difference between the obvious and the hidden.
Those are his layers that Sai is either peeling off or patching up... But yes... Building him up to be a great individual.
In the end, it is Simba who will lead but not without Nala by his side, Rafiki standing in the shadows ready to emerge when need be and with the blessings of Mufasa....
Oh... Typing all this made me realise how much I love Lion King 😊😊😊
P.S. all this is fine but the current writers are doing a bad job of V... I hope they get their groove back soon.
Hey 🤗
I had an entirely different concept for Virat's character. The lion conversation and the lion King were nowhere in the picture. This came up in the second or third draft.
Thanks a ton for elaborating so much. I wanted to, but the post had become too long.
For me, Virat's alter-ego wins the match. The only thing that came to mind was Simba looking at his reflection. That's my favorite scene from Lion King.
Alter-ego happens only with a lion ( and by lion I mean metaphorically)
In fact there's a philosophy. Three stages of evolution of human consciousness. I'll get back in detail on this.
But Virat is stuck between stage 1 and stage 2. That's why alter-ego.
And other things - in other post 😉
Kumkum Bhagya
Anupamaa
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