Jodha Akbar 35: Shahi Shaadi :Opening Gambits - Page 5

Thank you, Sonila, and about the episode, I agree 111%.

Shyamala Aunty

Originally posted by: sonilausarun

sipmly amzing written up aunty👏 !! i really enjoyed every bit of the episode !! brilliant acting by RT n paridhi👍🏼 !! for the first time i liked mainabati too 😳

Sangeeta my dear,

I have to save my wrist for tonight, so I will be brief.

The two levels approach is there, of course, but in a sense the two converge in the drive to teach Jodha where she gets off, I do hope she is not going to do a Scarlett on us, for that woman mucked up every single relationship she ever was in, including that with the unfortunate Ashley Wilkes. No, Jalal might be in parts like Rhett, but history will stop even Ekta from going the GWTW way!

I do not think Jodha would have had any say in the meeting being alone or as it is shown here, so perhaps it was Jalal's idea to make her feel awkward, but in any case it was a stupid idea. You fanfic sounds better!

I never thought of the Pillsbury mannikin; yes of course that is it!

I too think this the liveliest, most rational and best informed IF forum I have been in - I have been, for varying periods, in 4, including this one - and unlike the case with the 3 others, I look forward to being here till the end!

Shyamala Aunty

Originally posted by: smiletherapy

Fantastic post for what I would agree was a fantastic episode! Thanks Aunty!

The chess motif of your post was definitely most apt. Watching the ways in which Jalal continues to control the proceedings on two levels is what always impresses me most about his character these days. That is to say to MA, the royals of Amer, etc. he seems to be controlling the proceedings with the adesh/order (as Bharmal recognizes it to be and not vimti/request) for the mukhdhikhayi as well as the lavish gifts he gives as per their tradition for the bride. In both cases his status and power are displayed. But as we the viewers at least recognize, his personal game with Jodha is also being played during these moves. He wants her to be cognizant throughout the proceedings that she's marrying him, the man she detests! He explains it to all around him as though it's out of fairness to her that she knows. And even if he believes that, the greater reason is that he wants her to knowingly participate in her dreaded nightmare of marrying him. Moreover, sending the wedding dress for her to wear--masking it again as a gesture in which he wants to ensure that Jodha agrees to the wedding--is another move by him to force her to do his bidding. No wonder he is having so much fun! Loved by the way the end of the list that Sharifuddin reads saying sthg to the effect of "sweets for the start of a sweet relationship." I loved that. Jalal must have been laughing it up assuming he composed it himself.

I couldn't agree with you more about Jodha's look at the end of the epi, where she's finally mustered up some resolve. (I mean, hey, if Mainavati has finally gotten it together, then Jodha should surely be able to! Hat's off to Mainavati for finally behaving like a queen at the tilak and with her heart to heart with Jodha. Looks like Dadi finally made an impact on Mainavati, and who knows perhaps she felt better after meeting Jalal too) But back to Jodha--I'm extremely hopeful and excited by what I see of her in the precap. Like you I really hope she spends her energies keeping herself--her personality, dignity, integrity, etc.--in tact and behaving like a royal queen and not turn into a petulant princess. Channeling a little more Gone with the Wind, I hope she keeps that steely "With God as my Witness" earth in fist determination to preserve her Tara (which in this case is her Amer and her independence) like a fiesty Scarlett O'Hara. Certainly her Jalal/Rhett will demand just that of her!

And finally (though I wish I could comment on every aspect of your post--but it's perfection anyways so no need except to applaud it) I too am disappointed it was a big public scene between both parties when she makes her requests to Jalal!! I'm surprised either of them would agree to that--surely Jodha must realize it would be easier for Jalal to agree to her requests alone vs/ publicly and on the spot. But then maybe she wants to see him squirm a bit? Likewise, Jalal seems to think her requests are more personal, or nothing of such magnitude. Perhaps, he also wants to see her squirm publicly.

If I had the time to write some fanfic, I'd finish out that scene such that after he stands in apparent surprise and anger (?), he immediately asks all to leave the two of them alone. Then they hash it out a bit more. Jodha--who lets say finally puts all her chess games with Sujamal (though he's not showing himself to be such a great chess player with his lost bid for Amer) to use as well as all her long talks about realpolitik with Dadi (this I'm wishing happened)--finally uses her brains and surmises that Jalal wants this marriage to happen for important political reasons and makes it clear to him that she knows she has some slight advantage on him in that way. He of course would admire her for recognizing that and they'd negotiate to some extent--insert witty dialogue here to that effect--and finally, he agrees to her terms menacingly--though as he walks out of the room he's smiling to himself at having seen her show some real intelligence and chutzpah, as they say. What do you think?

In any case, I'm really thrilled with how well they've been writing these past episodes. As you said so very astutely: "The developments today were all predictable in the broad sense, but it was the detailing that made them fascinating." The details are just making these episodes so fun to watch. Things like bringing back the chubby mithaiwala and having Jalal push his belly as though he were the pillsbury doughboy--just adorable and showing the humorous side of Jalal.

Thank goodness for your commentaries and this forum; and thank goodness I've got plenty on my hands to keep me busy until tonight--or else I'm not sure how else I could be patient for the next episode.

Thanks again Shyamala Aunty for an amazing read and starting another great thread. I thoroughly enjoy the responses you provoke from others on this thread as well. Really such diverse and interesting view points, proving once again that sweets are best enjoyed with others...

Sangeeta

ps--Apologies to all for typos and incoherence--no time to edit today!!!

lovely analysis for a brilliant episode

Ameilia my dear,

Your post needs a detailed response, but my wrist is hurting, so I will do the best I can.

The first para - it is the kanya paksh syndrome of subservience by the bride's family to the groom's. that I have pointed out in my post.

Second, you have to see it from Bharmal the Raja's point of view. Jodha agree to whatever sacrifice was called for to save Amer, and it was she who stops him from revealing the name of her husband to be, I agree that he should have persisted and broken the news to her later. But he does not, and now things are at the DDay-1. At this stage, he cannot afford any breakdown, which will inevitably lead to Jalal waging mukammal jung and destroying Amer. Seen against this, to him, Jodha, however much he loves her, is dispensable. And I would agree with the otherwise stupid man on this,

Jodha, after all those grand statements of being ready to do anything for Amer, should now have tried to get over the shock and also tried to understand what was at stake and acted accordingly. Why is she now welshing on her commitment and blaming all and sundry? In fact, the way she behaves at first, till her mother reads her the riot act, justifies the deception her family practices.

Plus, for a Rajput princess, Jodha seems to have very little understanding of the ground realities of political and military power. Or of the real strength of the Mughals. If she did, she would not be dreaming of getting a husband who could defeat Jalal Does she even wonder how this supposed veer could get her brothers freed by the Mughals? No, she does not,

In Rajput royal families like Jodha's the sons and daughters are expected to put their duty to their people first, and this is what Jodha pledges to do. Now it is delivery time, and she finds it tough. Bharmal has his faults, but in this one , he is in such a tight situation that he cannot indulge Jodha in her hesitations and her revulsion. But he still looks shamefaced. Some other kings would not have done even that.

I agree with you about both Mahaam Anga and Mansingh.

No, Jalal and Jodha would have separate suites. This was in fact the case in most Western families till the early 2oth century.

Shyamala Aunty

Originally posted by: ameilia

Shyamala Aunty i was expecting a long and detailed post from you today as this episode was well paced and executed to the T.

I really didnt like Bharmal's expressions when he met MA.He was behaving like some beggar and not like a King at all.I mean he is a King but he acted so weak in front of MA.He is stepping out of his bounds of gratitude and humiliating himself.Stop lowering yourself in front of others acting like a fool.Jalal is going to be his relative not his ruler.That was totally indigestible for me🤢

Also i really didnt like the way he behaved when Jodha found out the truth.He was only thinking about how the Emperor must have felt.Oh come on your daughter nearly committed suicide and he is wondering if he offended Jalal.I mean he has to take Jalal's reactions seriously but he should show a little ounce of concern about his daughter who is seething with anger and hatred.

LOL at the way Bharmal was eyeing the gifts that Jalal sent.He looked like he would galloped down all the edibles on the table and give that Motu man a run for his money.

I really liked Maan Singh and Jalal's interaction today.I am always laughing at how all the warriors are taller that the Emperor oh well size doesnt matter.I thought when Jalal mentioned that Maan Singh reminded him of someone he was talking about himself there🤔.A young yet courageous warrior who would do anything to protect his family.The bravery and the instincts of a warrior inside a young man's body.I know i am going to really like their upcoming scenes.Jodha is going to fume even more when Jalal starts teaching Maan Singh to fight and live like him.

Uff *Jalal's style* that smirk of Jalal when he saw how scared and shocked with disbelief at how Jodha was looking at him.Jalal is attracted to Jodha's beauty but somewhere i feel unknowing to him he is attracted to her indifference and her daring attitude.

As for MA I pray when Jodha and Jalal finally have their Suhaag Raat she is nowhere around.

After the marriage i am expecting MA to shift to Jalal's room with Jodha(he should have one with her right?).That woman is the number one spy.I bet if she was younger she would have given a try on Jalal.She never leaves his side,gives those murderous looks at the Muh Dikhya ceremony and leaves no opportunity to turn Jalal's mind against everyone around him.

My apologies for typos and any grammatical mistake.I gotta meet my bed before 12 a.m

Thank you, Rimi my dear. It was quite the best episode I can remember seeing on TV in 15 years.

Shyamala Aunty

Originally posted by: rimi10

As you have rightly pointed out that it was the detailing that made yesterday's developement fascinating, and I can easily say that same goes for your analysis. It is indeed a delightful & a gripping one😳.

Muhdikhayi ceremony had all the drama that we were expecting but the sudden gust of wind out of nowhere was way too much.

Jalal-Mansingh encounter was another high point and I am certainly looking forward to more such scenes between the two. I was just hoping they could have found a better and a more agressive Mansingh, someone like the younger Maharana Pratap.

Originally posted by: sashashyam

Sangeeta my dear,

I have to save my wrist for tonight, so I will be brief.

The two levels approach is there, of course, but in a sense the two converge in the drive to teach Jodha where she gets off, I do hope she is not going to do a Scarlett on us, for that woman mucked up every single relationship she ever was in, including that with the unfortunate Ashley Wilkes. No, Jalal might be in parts like Rhett, but history will stop even Ekta from going the GWTW way!


Shyamala Aunty

Originally posted by: sashashyam

I think, Ela, it was because this is a kid, and then Jalal is not in a life-threatening situation which is acutely humiliating for him. He has lowered his guard here, and been caught out by the kind, and he acknowledges that, but it is a light matter.

Plus, little Mansingh has not been reciting a litany of Jalal's real and assumed misdeeds and calling for his head on a platter. That should make some difference, wouldn't you agree😉?

Shyamala

Dearest Shyamala Aunty jee,

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏


and iam essentially standing while clapping in awe of you... you are my JANE AUSTEN... and a queen mother of JA Forum on IF...

I think this JA forum is incomplete without your posts ... they are simple yet illustrative to capture every essence of this brilliant historical ... and your knowledge helps us understand the complexity of each and every character and situation.

I truly believe that you have so sound hold and grip over this subject that you should either be one of the Cv's or possibly the director of this show...

EK should bow to you for putting up all your valuable time in summing up one of the most essayed posts on her show...

Thank you from all of us ...

There were so many shades to jalal and jodha displayed yesterday that the title of a game of chess really suited the saga...after reading some you here ... and the elaborate discussions done here iam so thrilled to watch the show .

Aunty jee your posts start off the most debatable discussions about the serial ... and inspire us to give our opinions about the same... Today i have read almost all the versions of jalal's aka Rajat's mindset and nothing is left for me to comment upon...am waiting like all of you to see how the Cv' ochesterate the shart scene.

AND LIKE YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF THE BEST EPISODES EVERE THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST POSTS AS WELL...

three cheers for shyamala aunty ... 👏👏👏

Originally posted by: Autumn_Rose

Jodha burning the dress reminded me of scarlett throwing vase at Ashley. I really hope she doesn't do that.

After watching today's promo, i was thinking about what will Jodha think when Jalal will agree to her terms?

will it be : " Welcome to hell , Jalal"...

Shyamala Aunty! Take a bow! ⭐️

As usual, your writing is superb! 👏👏👏

I agree with you 99% - except that Mansingh part. 😉 I have not seen the earlier episodes of Jodha Akbar, so don't know what Jodha has said about the rules of war that was echoed by Mansingh.

I felt Mansingh reminded Jalal of his young age - the same courage, valor, mental strength, and code of conduct which can be expected from a great warrior.

As you have perfectly said " It was plain and simple admiration tinged with indulgence, towards one so very young and yet so fearless"

Also felt for Jodha today. 😭 Her obsession for Jalal ka sarr might be OTT, but she had her reason to dislike the Mughal Emperor and yet, she has to get married to that man.


P.S.: Btw, don't you think Mansingh should be shown as a 12-13 year old kid because he was 8 years younger than Akbar and Akbar married Jodha at around age of 20.😕 But this guy looks around 15-16 years.
I have started reading books on Akbar and phew ! - I have ultimately realized that if I have to watch this serial I have to forget about history and enjoy the performance and handsome figure of Rajat Tokas 😳 😆 As you have mentioned, EK will show Jodha as some kind of Guardian Angel who will turn the bad boy into good guy. 🥱 But history has made it clear that Akbar had done his own share of "mischief" even after getting married to the Amer Princess. So this whole premise - Jodha banayega Akbar ko insaan - happened only in EK's dreamland.