Posted:
Link to yesterday's post: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/gulaal/1819566/the-contrite-vs-confronting
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I'm going to be a little busy with a conference call for the next few hours, and shall update the written post for today's scene(s) after; but here goes the thread.
There was the KT bit which I had to clip and clip and further clip so my video would not get blocked, because this too is having Star India (C) issues. But I think I still managed to include the crux. There was another bit of MB confronting Gulaal for her reason to not have gone with Kesar, and Gulaal trying to make an excuse but overcome by the sadness herself defends only in vain - I thought it was a beautiful scene, and so imma try and cap and 'spell' out the lines for you guys, although watching Mansi in that scene is another deal.
And that said - here goes the clip - not before I say that I really love today's selection. Its touching on another level in this initial phase of GK push and pull! And that window peek-a-boo in the end has been one of my favorite GK scenes for a long time!
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[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCxe2sSLOG4[/YOUTUBE]
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Scene 1
When we look back in retrospect, most of Gulaal's lone scenes/introspecting moments have been silent - no words inside her head or outside. And that's been one hell of an onus on Mansi - who, as the first of the scenes for today testify, does exceedingly well. How many times has the DOP used this technique of reflecting faces in a picture frame and gotten away with sheer excellence? Vasant - as omnipresent as God himself - is like this background, literally, to everything that's going on in the lives of the people of this house. It makes so much sense, that he serves the 'visual' background to our sighting of the characters in a scene too! The way Gulaal sits huddled together, has that nuance of a person who's feeling wronged and burdensome all at once. A part of her feels robbed of her little shot at happiness; another part of her just shrinks away from having allowed herself to hope, reminding herself the only purpose of her life now is to give and do, not get and expect! When she looks up at Vasant's picture, its a wordless evidence of that reminder - that her rights have gone with him, and what remains behind are only duties. Impossible not to feel your heart break at her plight - so lonely, partly self accusing of being an imposition she is not, partly so hurt at the blunt manner in which she has been cast aside, as if to remind her of her 'neglected' place in the house.
And that its all done by Kesar - probably hits her the most. But honestly, just in this scene, she's too full of the conflict between an expectation shattered and reprimand for having hoped! Its far more about her own plight, than who's to blame or not.
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Scene 2
One of the rare scenes where I could literally get inside of the screen and hug Talli - honestly, I'm this close from it! This scene, in some sense, to me, was a predecessor of the BIG revelation later that had been brought about for Kesar courtesy Talli too - the one of realizing how in the name of loving Gulaal, he was doing her the greatest injustice ever ... but that's for another time.
Just here, when the scene begins with Talli giving Kesar cold silent treatment *yes yes he deserved all of it even if coming from Talli was only half as much as he deserved* and Kesar cajoling her for an answer then mock threatening her to leave her midway if she didn't tell him. Virtual pat on the back to Talli to get off his bike and tell him she can get back herself - yes Kesar, in your face, because even at the hands of Talli, you really called for this! Not only has he grossly hurt Gulaal - but the way he has 'used' Talli to his defense here, is plain plain wrong, she has every reason to be offended, and how lucky are we (and Kesar not) that Talli actually realizes what's happening?! Not blinded by her rosy lowe š² Anyway, as she throws one question at him, after the other - why he did what he did? did he realize how excitedly her family awaited her? did he know they were expecting Gulaal? and finally, did Gulaal know she had to go? - the questions so sensible (shockingly from jhalli Talli) and so pinching. Kesar's expressions say it all. He tries to pull off a cold indifference bordering on defiance, but the way he doesn't answer her, can't answer her, averts his eyes, walks away, ignores her words like he's deaf - if he knew all along that he was wrong, if PooBaa's words were a mild reality check cum reproach - Talli really nails the case point blank and blunt. She leaves him no room to escape exactly what he's done, or the multi dimensional consequences of it! His target may have been Gulaal - but he's hurt and disappointed a whole lot of people he officially wasn't intending to - including Gulaal's family, Rewa, his own parents, and Talli ofc. Had he bargained for so many scapegoats? Not really - his singular focus on how to not take Gulaal because of his butthead need to hurt/offend/avoid/demean her - has led to far more than he foresaw. And just in case he was planning to wash over the guilt with some random Gulaal deserves this BS excuse remembering Duggu and co., Talli removes that chance by showing him the big picture - which includes many who did not officially deserve his crap. She names only Gulaal, but really, her arguments present everyone's case.
And Kesar the living paradox that he is, is still most guilty (or almost only solely guilty) about who? Gulaal, who else!
Brownie points to Talli, to stick so thick by Gulaal. On such rare occasions, she really lives up to having been Gulaal's protege for as long as a decade. I wish it happened more often, but alas, even marring of her better mind is Galool's doing š³
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Scene 3 (Gulaal MB little dialog, to be done in the post below with caps)
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Scene 4
And more brownie points to Talli, to start this scene on a cheerful note. She is (as seen by us) very disturbed herself, in having been the unassuming instrument to cause others so much hurt - mostly Gulaal - and she knows the consequences of breaking this news to Gulaal. Who knows Kesar left her behind, but still has to learn of the other half of the 'act' - that he took Talli instead - double sacrilege to custom, and double whammy to hurt Gulaal. But Talli, sensitive to how Gulaal may take that, starts off on her usually annoying, but much needed today, OTT enthusiasm.
And as expected, the news of Talli having accompanied Kesar does hit Gulaal like another ton of bricks. She's not jealous of Talli - god forgive her the emotion of jealousy š - but she's more hurt than before if that was possible, realizing the completeness of the point Kesar wanted to make. Anyone, but her.
It doesn't help to see all that food which was prepared for her, she's further saddened - and so when Talli tells her she must eat what was cooked for her, she morosely tries to put it off. But Talli, more brownie points still, pursues it! She genuinely wins respect when at the sight of those lowered eyes and two tears ready to spill, she tells Gulaal that she felt horrible because tere hisse ka khaaya - and it touches Gulaal. Enough to distract her however briefly to rise beyond her own grief - and she assures Talli its not like that! And then as Talli makes her eat the bite, and the way she clasps onto her hand, squeezes it - is so much going between two thick friends. Yes, Talli never really got around to understand half the chaos in the hearts of both Kesar and Gulaal. She was never quite there at their level to be their confidante - and this is obvious in the way Gulaal can only shed those tears and hold onto her hand like a support she needs at that point, but not pour out her heart. But that doesn't mean Talli doesn't try with all her heart to be a good friend, and so if nothing else, she does succeed in cheering up these two time and again.
For now, Gulaal is so moved by Talli's gesture, having been so desperately in need of this unadulterated affection and she holds onto it like she's drawing her strength to revive herself from the low hit. In front of PB and MB, her onus to defend Kesar was too great to seek solace, with Talli, that equation changes. Even if she can't lament in words, she can at least soak in the concern without being bound by duty. She cannot express the entirety of her pain, but the gratitude shines in her eyes. She's only ever so grateful, that Talli understands even as much as she does without being told! It helps so much, to have that friend in her at this point, who's just pumping up her deflated spirit. And so she holds on to the pampering, tries to use it as a means to calm the agony, and eats even through the tears - and her heart briefly and if only just a tad, begins to lighten ... which is exactly the point for Kesar to walk in on the scene.
And the final blow in his gut. If Talli's tirade hadn't been enough, here's a sight Kesar has never dealt well with - seeing his Gulaal so forlorn, so lovelorn - and knowing its all his doing, a result of his intentional ministrations - does nothing to redeem him, whatever his reasons or excuse. The guilt surmounts like it should, still there is that little part of him, a tiny little part, which is almost relieved at seeing her receive affections. It may not lesson his guilt, but its like after hurting her all he could, he can't help but find his crazy anxiety somewhat eased in the fact that her pain is being attended to. Like he must give her the wound, and then find that inexplicable relief in knowing its being tended to.
The DOP excels in this scene - I love how the reflection of Kesar looking on to their endearing scene is almost reflective of how he has rendered himself an outsider here! Cast himself out of his friends' world - because apart from all else, these three are like a trio of thick mates - and he looks on, as one heals the other, and the latter finds her consolation - and interestingly in an act of teaming up with Talli to leave Gulaal alone - he's brought his own self to that point. Not the kind of realization he may have at this point - but I really like how the scene depicts that in its visual...
And CVs be blessed, Gulaal doesn't 'sense' his presence like most leads with supernatural powers do - but catches sight of him looking on, as she raises her head. Her own brief alleviation retreats, gravity back to take over. And Kesar - oh he can't stand there and give away his vulnerability or guilt, and he can't really pull off a cold facade when he feels so over weighed by his own doing - and so, he walks away. Perhaps she gets a chance to see the flickering of emotions in his eyes before he leaves; perhaps not. I think Gulaal for a moment is just blank - her hand remains briefly suspended, and then perhaps on the verge of trying ti gauge, but Kesar gives her no chance. And yet I can't help but wonder what she makes of him looking at her through that glass. I wonder if she wonders whether he's looking on feeling sorry, or feeling great about what's accomplished. I wonder if her head and heart debate - heart wanting to believe he looked sorry, and head wanting to warn her to not hope after the repeated assaults from him...
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