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DISCLAIMER - Not a WU...only my take on Jalal and AKDHA scenes 😳
Jalal-Salima
'I have a right over you...over your love' Jalal reminds an otherwise uncomfortable Salima as he tries to get close to her.
Through the short course of their (odd rather than intimate) time together, Jalal puts forth many queries to her - questions that were awkward enough to make her cringe! Yet, he did them - he needed to know how far her royal ambitions extended to!
'I know Khan Baba loved you madly enough...did you reciprocate his feelings towards him'
'If so, then how did you agree to get married to me'
'Do you still love him?'
'Then why are you ready to oblige my wishes now?'
Her face blank as can be, the tone of all of Salima's replies read 'You are my husband now and it's my duty to obey you'
Lying on the bed next to her, he runs his hand on hers. She winces, trying to overcome her discomfort. Knowing all, Jalal eventually questions her 'What is more important to you...fulfilling the wishes of a husband that's alive or keeping the memories of your dead husband alive?'
She can't quite understand what he was trying to hint at!
Soon after, he offers her the 'arkh' - which the innocent lady is readily about to partake of.
'Stop'he interrupts her just on time 'The person I'm looking for is NOT you'
Salima is pretty startled when Jalal abruptly gets up and gets off the bed. It was nothing but a moment of chivalry that made up for the scene prior - when Jalal picks up her dupatta and puts it back on her with due respect.
'Forgive me for this impudence' he apologizes -his grim expressions reflecting that his mind had nothing beyond regard for her 'You were Khan baba's wife and will always remain so. This fact shall never change'
While Salima questions him further, Jalal proceeds to put on his coat 'Someone was trying to falsely implicate you of something nasty...that person has not succeeded...that's all! I didn't want to repeat the mistakes I'd committed with Jodha Begum...' wearing his turban, he confesses 'The person who'd tried trapping Jodha Begum has tried the same thing with you too but has not succeeded...I'll find that culprit soon!'
Personally, I felt the scene was not out of place - the CVs didn't make us squirm! One could see the constant shade of suspicion on Jalal's face as he was doing what he was - and he stopped before things went far. Needless to say, his apology and behaviour following the revelation of the truth made me go 'awww'. Its rare when one witnesses Jalal's graceful tenderness towards a woman and today this scene brought about just that.
AK-MA
The biggest shock for me today would have to come when Adham Khan actually tells his mother that his suspicions lay on her. In fact he was convinced!
'Tell me you did this for my sake and make me the happiest person on this planet' he tells her. I don't know whether to despise this man or feel sorry for him
Unmoved, he watches his mother break down on hearing of the accusations from her son. She sobs 'Do you know what is the difference between you and Jalal? You are my blood, yet you doubt me...but even if Jalal got hold of evidence against me, he wouldn't doubt me for an instance'
Her wails had no effect on him. Once the apathetic son leaves, we get to see the real face behind her motherly devotion - a motherly devotion that was reserved ONLY for ADHAM!
Many guesses did their rounds in the forum and a few had pointed fingers at MA. Now, I have no issue with MA being the culprit - if she wasn't a historical figure. She was not the most ideal lady no doubt - but this is a fictional murder being pinned on a real historical figure - CVs please take care when adding more masala in future. We have enough protests to deal with, as it is!
JODHA-RUQAIYYA
Obviously, our resident Nancy Drew cannot stay still - she needed to know the truth and runs off to Ruq. After having thanked Ruqaiyya thrice for saving her life, Jodha puts forth many (sensible) questions. However, Ruqaiyya has nothing decent to reply
'Stay away from politics'
'I don't have to answer you'
'Just because I saved your life doesn't mean your status has been elevated in the Harem'
'Jalal never WAS yours and never WILLbe yours!'
[Yo lady - she's asking about the culprit here...you're really not making much sense!
Had Jalal stated the same things to her, Jodha's would have been ready to slay him.
However, Jodha is not perturbed about Ruqaiyya's tone - she's more worried about the culprit that framed Amer! (All us ladies love our Maayka, but Jodha madam has a distinctive Ameri OCD me thinks!)
JALAL-MA
So, there was a purposeful reason behind MA not being present at the court the previous day - she remained unaware of what was transpiring between Ruq-Jalal-Jodha-and her own missing Dibbi! (Ta-dah!)
'I wonder why Jodha was let free' she fumes to herself 'I need to know!'
She approaches Jalal to find out. [By the way, what a sweet moment when Jalal asks her not to address him as 'Shehenshah' anywhere outside the courtroom. How could MA do this to one she professed to be her own?]
Anyway, MA gets an answer to her questions when Jalal admits with a frown 'Jodha is innocent, so I let her go'
He lifts his hand and shows her the dibbi. Needless to say, MA is shocked!
A beautiful episode today. Well paced - Jalal-Salima scene was handled very well and none of the scenes were dragged beyond necessity bar Ruqaiyya's 'I-am-holier-than-thou' tirade.
Jalal's regard for MA now makes me cringe...I don't know if MA's involvement in this will come out yet...however, her deeds are becoming increasingly cruel! I preferred a grey MA to this 'black' one! Still wish the culprit was someone else...but too late to wish now...
Indian Idol 15
