Posted:
MB is the head of this loony house for a reason - and today he has shown that mettle.
As for my title, it stems from the way the entire episode revolved around the importance of 'right to be happy' - something that Gulaal for a long, long time has deemed a forbidden fruit in her life.
And without talking anymore vaguely, here goes today.
** Gullu & Champa
Before my serious take on his scene - can I say we've found another reason to add to the endless list of why GK are made for each other? They both have exceptional choice in making bizarre lifelong friends and confidantes. Kesar - with his sikka and tuntuna; Gulaal - with Champa and chottiyan. Choice ki to daat deni padegi ๐
Anyway - So Gulaal gets thrilled at her discovery of Champa - her childhood bestie - (without feeling bad about how the poor thing has been hung on the clothesline with her hair. Chivalry Kesar, where is your chivalry?!) I really liked the GK scene that ensued. Gulaal sans her wall, because as always her subconscious antenna detects this is the harmless Kesar version, for now. Plus, of course, return of the Champa has stumped and overwhelmed her! [Kaisi hai tu, tujhe to main Baa ke paas chod aayi thi ๐คฃ Where is Gulaal? What has this voodoo talking look alike done to the Gulaal we know? ๐ฒ ๐] When she asks him if he got the doll, I especially like the assertion of his haan, like its the most obvious thing for him to do, and her to expect. It makes me think how Kesar is still exerting his 'haq' to do things that will make her happy - like its his most natural prerogative and responsibility! He words it for her too - when he says she's her best childhood friend, of course he had to reunite them! It is this comfort of coexisting with a purpose of each other's happiness, that lies beneath whatever bond they share now, and whatever they might in the future. As guardian and ward, as friends, as lovers, or as life partners - they both indulge in and accept all these gestures from each other which purely aim at the others happiness. The scene proceeds Gulaal reminiscing and telling him how much Champa meant to her, she begins to go into story telling of old days, and then, Gulaal being Gulaal just shakes her head and snaps out. She's still very happy at seeing her old companion - but it's been so long that Gulaal was actually freely happy, that she's not accustomed to feeling, much less expressing. She's lived so long subduing herself and disciplining her life to become an unadulterated duty-oriented version, that when she stops midway and just smiles contented and nostalgically at her doll - it's like the usual rule book of apt conduct kicks in, and she just suffices with being happy. I give a 20/10 to Kesar to not press her to continue and tell him - like yesterday's food scene, he's giving her space. He's appreciative of the fact that for her its like reuniting with an old lost friend, and while he's happy to listen to her all night long if she would want to tell him tales, he is just as satisfied in letting her catch up with Champa - just Champa and her - awww! ๐ No seriously. That's what he does. Her smile touches her eyes, and that's 'mission accomplished' for him. But then he throws in the key liner of this scene - and Gulaal's first food for thought in the episode - to phir isse dur kyun kiya? - There is so much meaning in those words, all the pun in the world intended, coming from Kesar. He's making his point, whenever Gulaal wants to sit and mull over it. For now, she has made up her mind not to repeat the abandoning of her mate, and that is at least half the purpose served for Kesar's deed. When she walks away, then turns back and smiles at him again - it's evident, she has no words to say what this means to her - but she doesn't need to bother. Kesar knows it, doesn't he? I especially like this understanding he has of her attachment to the doll - like he's been there done that. He's not teasing her, far from mocking her - it's almost like he can feel what she's feeling. Because while Gulaal is reuniting with her old friend, Kesar has gotten one step closer to reuniting with his old Gulaal. I love how that symbolism works in this scene! ๐
** Talli on the roll!
I hate to admit, but she might be the only stiff competition Kesar has - in how fast she has matured in a matter of days! Basically - just like MB showed surprise at Kesar's maturity yesterday - I want to go into the screen and tell Talli ... kabhi kabhi tu iti samjhdaari ki baat karti hai... aur kabhi kabhi...?! - ๐ [Btw, even Chunni badnam makes appearance, but PB is still mysteriously absconding... ๐ณ ] Without dragging through this part, Talli's realization too, like Kesar, is credible and not just out of the blue. When she finally understands what we've all been ranting about - I'm glad she follows Kesar's cue than anyone else, and gets straight to action! [Gulaal?! kuch seekho!]
** Latent Meanings - More Signs
Thumbs up to Gulaal-Sudha-Tali scene. How well written was that! ๐ I like how every single dialog had double meaning, pertaining to both Gulaal and Talli - and in inevitable ways, even Kesar. For that matter, even Sudha ends the scene with a line that can easily apply as much to Gulaal as it does to Talli - bina ye soche ke log kya kahenge. unhein na to teri jaruraton ki fikr hai, na tere dard ki, aur na hi teri khushi ki. The entire scene for that matter was an echo of everything Gulaal needs to be told. It was yet another instance of showing Gulaal the mirror. From main shaadi kyu nahi kar sakti - to - ab tak meri zindagi ruki nhui si thi ab main aage badna chahti hu - to - mujhe bhi to haq haina khush rehne ka? - the scene holds every argument that Gulaal shall have to deal with one of these coming days. Brownie points to Talli, to overstep Gulaal's usual attempt to patronize. She's not shunning her like Sudha for a grudge - but its all about what she told Gulaal yesterday, of having grow up, and knowing how to deal with her problems.
To be fair to Gulaal - I sort of understand her predicament. She truly is concerned that Talli has alter motives to put herself into this spot. Because if she was even stand in Talli's shoes and make this decision, the only way Gulaal being Gulaal would make a decision to move on, is with some out of the world selfless motive. [Well, I know we're watching the show to come to a day when that will change - but this is what she is, now]. Gulaal is very convinced that Talli is only taking this big jump in some kind of sacrifice mode... because that's the only way she can understand or justify to herself, Talli moving on from Kesar - the one she has loved all her life. In part, she is not wrong, because Talli's realization while talking to Chunni has in fact prompted this decision - but in part, as later scenes go on to show - Talli weakly, but truly is daring to dream of some future ahead of the past mess. And in evident ways, she will become a paradigm for Gulaal of moving on in life. It will take Gulaal a while to actually believe Talli isn't doing this purely in sacrifice, but I suppose we can expect a happy new chapter for Talli which will stand counter testimony to Gulaal's mind set.
All in all - another great symbolic scene. And more food for Gulaal's thought.
** Gulaal Seeks a Confidante
Can I say I was thrilled that the first person she thought of was Kesar? Not to suggest it could ever be anyone else - but hey, she didn't turn to Vasant's picture/ God/ Champa/ MB himself. Phew! I'm glad Kesar has finally broken through that list and emerged a winner - because at this point what Gulaal is seeking is someone who will understand her dilemma with Talli's sudden decision - and she think Kesar will understand best! Of course, she also comes to Kesar because most others on her alter list cannot really 'talk' Talli out of her decision. (Except MB, but good luck with that option!) So anyway, getting past my delight at G turning to K for help - finally - I like how Kesar is surprised for a second, Gulaal easily misunderstands the surprise and furthers her argument grateful about finding a like mind, but then Kesar just stumps her too. Sigh. yes Gulaal, he has nearly accepted the fact that you're some kind of masochist - and has put himself to the best he can do to undo the damage you hence cause. But hello?! Now you want Kesar to go convince Talli to follow your cue and become a masochist too? Okay, I'm being mean. No I wasn't angry at Gulaal - and like I said, I totally understand where stems her worry from. But thumbs up to Kesar to disagree with her, without arguing! His raised points add up to the list of pointers Gulaal has accumulated over the span of today's episode. When Gulaal said ume usse hosh mein lana hoga - I swear I laughed! How ironic was that?! Then Kesar counters with Talli's right to marry. And yes Gulaal is not denying that. She says, exactly as I said above - what she would be thinking/doing s she was Talli (which she is, in her own way). Of how Talli needs time to overcome what she has undergone - yes Gulaal, let's see, maybe a decade? - that Sudha Bhabhi is supporting Talli only to spite Gulaal - oh geez! so much for objectivity! of the thousand things Gulaal can accuse Sudha of, this should never feature n the list. Putting Talli on the line just to spite Gulaal - and Gulaal of all the people should know better! - and finally, she expresses her fear that Talli's life could get ruined - sigh. I feel for Gulaal at this point, very very deeply. That's what she has reduced herself to, a person who will convince herself every living minute that living in misery is better, and actually even honorable, than fear of the unknown which can risk the taking of chance. A decade ago, she closed all windows of taking a chance for herself. Good for her, that Kesar actually wants to bear the responsibility of his position - because if it was otherwise, the way Gulaal deems righteous and proper, what would she do with her life? Has she left any options for a future? This is not even about seeking a future partner. This is plainly about leading a life, and/or living it. What a mockery she would make of her own person - of the girl she used to be. And how sad is the wasting away of a person like her only because she denies herself the right to take a chance? Anyway - so Kesar reminds her, that Talli's current life is pretty much what the word ruined implies, and so stepping beyond it is a very good call that she has the right to, and that taking this chance is the best shot she has at improving anything about her life. Again - Gulaal's fear purely stems from a combination of her own approach to 'moving on' coupled with her apprehension that Talli is making a selfless blunder (And although she is partly right about this latter reason - she's one to fear Talli heading the selfless way!)
Despite all her heavily biased thinking process - I give Gulaal this. She truly is worried about Talli (and has rightly sensed Talli's motivation), because she holds herself to significant blame and messing her matters earlier (although, she blames herself for a wrong reason) but it is about time she learns to distinguish between concern/well wishing and patronizing.
Of course the big bang of this scene is Kesar's near confession. Phew - how relieved was I with that bit! I'm glad, because it has settled many of my doubts. A) Kesar is not hiding away his love consciously - he's only quit rubbing it in. B) Gulaal knows that. C) and the biggest point - they are both co-existing with this knowledge of Kesar's love in between. I jumped a mile in the air (inside my head) when Gulaal looked away, but didn't beckon her blank wall. Kesar stopped, for obvious reasons - but Gulaal didn't just exit the scene or pull off a complete ostrich. They both looked past that exchange (in a mega evolution of circumstance IMO, despite the awkward moment, they weren't behaving like teens who didn't know what to do with this UST that exists between them) and the conversation did run its proper course, with both Kesar and Gulaal further putting their respective POVs. When Kesar said it's better for her to stop living in false hope and outstep it ASAP, he was speakin for himself, and Talli. When Gulaal said she knows Talli and fears for a hasty compelled decision - she too was talking for herself, and Talli. It's very well woven - the plot and the way it binds and inter relates these characters - kudos, yet again, to the CVs! Finally, Gulaal suggests he talk to Talli once - and I love that part of their conclusion. Despite the disagreement - she knows she can ask this of him, and he won't turn her down.
** MB the Rockstar!
So much wisdom passed to and fro in this scene. It's a delight to watch how this show can distinguish between the extent of wisdom and approach in proportion with age and experience. MB was giving lessons (much needed and long due) to everyone today. He praised Talli's decision - rightly. He gave Sudha the banshee her first and only reality check - irrespective of Gulaal's error, shouldn't she Sudha at least on her part bee more cautious and alert? He gives Gulaal her reality check too (although I think it bounces off for the most) - about how her real mistake was not breaking the promise, but making it! Finally, he tells first Sudha and Gulaal to put grudges past; and then tells the entire family to come together as a unit. At this point, I want to applaud Kesar for bringing in Laalji Bha! MB totally needed that change to get back into proactive head of the family groove. Also, I like how the CVs show Sudha's subdued rebuke of Gulaal, in MB's presence. It is true of that society - the etiquette in such presence, and is aptly portrayed (as always, the CVs give due importance to the most trivial details!) And finally - Raman - this man scares me. Like I said once before, he has no weak points. If he chose to be, and got the opportunity, he could evolve into a full fledged villain. JK, Dushyant, Sudha - everyone else has their vulnerabilities to sustain some good in them, whatever the extent of their bad. I like how Giga assures Talli - and Dushyant - sigh, are we sure we won't get Dulli?! *phangurl moment* ๐ Gulaal is obviously still not convinced, but she's wise enough to know her argument has been dismissed. Her expression is sort of preparing to find other ways out.
** Kesu & Dubloo
Awww! He called her that! Is this an old thing from when they were kids? I wish I knew - cause it seems like that! Anyway - what a beautiful, and much needed scene. A closure to many angles of the triangle (yes I know, geometrically there are only 3 angles, but this is less mathematically speaking, so to say). This one conversation alone ensures that whatever Talli's motive had been in proposing the decision of marriage - she will hereon truly believe in her new beginning. I wish for a moment that Gulaal had done this assuring, because she owes it to Talli - but I suppose that scene couldn't be half as cute, plus, Kesar probably owes it even more than Gulaal - or maybe, it matters much more to Talli coming from him. When he walks in on her, he has his guilt and responsibility to balance. Talli has her apprehension and pretense to balance. It becomes evident to him, that Talli has taken a step, but Like Gullu anticipated, there is more beneath the moving on premise she puts forth. However, he gives her the advice she has given him previously. To believe and take a chance. The chance taking here is different from the one he is taking, but that is on account of the inherent difference of their circumstance. He assures her of both - his need of her as a friend, and his faith that she will find her Mr. Right. And Talli needed both, for a closure on Kesar chapter. It gives her assurance of a place in Kesar's life - which is about the best amicable way to settle the gore they have gone through - and it gives her genuine hope to look for a new tomorrow. It's almost like Talli convincing the world and Gullu of her resolve, and Kesar breathing conviction into her words. This was, to me, a reciprocation of the kitchen scene - where Talli assures Kesar that he has taken the best decision in setting Gulaal free. It matters to him, coming from her, even though his mind is already made up anyway. This time round, Kesar assures her of making the right decision to move on - and it matters to her just as much, although everything has been finalized irrespective.
Phew. That's for today. Of course the PRECAP looks happy and exciting - a Monday to look forward to. I wanted to watch Champa, Bulbul and Dhani today - but I'm not going to complain, because this episode showed so much promise, resolve, and movement forward.
One of the best written episodes, so far - the dialogs were bang on, in every scene - such that I can't say which was the most important scene of the day!
Signing off - and looking forward to everyone's input as always!
xx
JZee
Cricket
Anupamaa
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
