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MA-Adham
I'd decided against writing anything on MA-Adham...but when one is blessed with such punchlines, its difficult to abstain
She rebukes Adham when he comes by with the now 'old' news about the missing Jodha
'Adham, if a news is stale, there's no point in sharing it and if the news is bad...hearing it over and over again only makes it worse!' MA 😆
JALAL IN JODHA'S CHAMBER
The way Jalal roared at Jodha's maids - taking out his frustrations on them - was quite a watch!
'You had come along with her to take care of her...to tend to her...all of you stay with her all the time..then, how could she disappear despite all of you being present beside her?' 'IS THIS HOW YOU ALL FOLLOW YOUR DUTY?' he yells
Many were sceptic if Jalal was concerned about Jodha's disappearance or not - his expressions in this scene speak for themselves! 'Incensed' is an understatement indeed!😲
Mothi sobs that Jodha was a torn lady at that moment in time and begs the king to find her.
Gritting his teeth, Jalal walks away to move on to his next plan of action!
OUTSIDE THE FORT
I absolutely loved the scene when Jalal goes to the sentinel outside his fort - demanding (in a hushed voice thankfully) about the 'hows' and 'whys' of Jodha's departure. The humbled soldiers were duty-bound. After all, Jodha was a regent and they HAD to follow her orders when she'd compelled them to let her go! However, those men do accept their fault and seemed prepared to face the consequences!
AGRA
The montage of people in Agra gossiping about Jodha's disappearance was also well shot - some speculating, some gossiping, some empathizing, some back-biting!
Also, for the first time we got to see many aspects/shots/angles of the palace that we've not seen so far.
JALAL
Once discussing the various modes of escape from the palace, Jalal reasons that Jodha must have dashed off into the most plausible direction i.e. the forest. He wastes no time and mounts his horse to start riding off. With only a handful of soldiers behind him and no armour on his body, Jalal proceeds furiously - his face riddled with worry as he set off on this unpredictable mission!
MA-RUQ
Its difficult to fathom that MA hates Jodha to such an extent - so much so that she actually scolds Ruqiayya to her face - for having sent Jalal off on this mission!
'Why didn't you just let her die, you fail to see the power she holds here' MA screams
'Yes...the power to run' Ruqaiyya laughs
'And the power to make the Emperor follow her too!'
For a moment, Ruq is silenced! Again MA 👏
Why was MA so shaken in this scene? She fears Jodha? She hates Jodha? She fears her own safety (MC kaand)? She fears the increasing popularity of Hindu culture/festivals within the Agra palace?
She fears a rebellion? She fears Jalal falling completely head-over-heels in love with this princess?
Me thinks its all of the above!
And she even says so 'You might not see it Ruqaiyya...why, I think even the Shehenshah might not be aware of it...but, he IS gradually falling in love with her'
Ruqaiyya is ENRAGED! For the first time we witness her fight back tit-for-tat! Oh Ruqs! If only you could remove this blindfold of self-indulgence you'd realize what's going on around you!
[and yes 'Dimaag per huqumut' follows too ...Ufff]
THE LAKESIDE
Jodha furiously gallops into the forest trails that led off from the palace - reminiscing her darkest nightmares as she does so! She finally stops when she reaches a cliff point!
[The scene was very well shot - no doubt! Its surprising to see Jodha actually ride her horse so fiercely - not caring for how she looked or how her dress presented while doing so. Made the shot look very natural! For a moment it looked like Jalal was following her, but it wasn't so]
When Jalal continues riding - possibly along the same trail - he eventually spots the black horse standing by itself. Taking a moment to weigh the situation, he instantly jumps off and runs towards the lone steed.
'Stop Jodha Begum...that's my order' he shouts
However [as this forum has concluded] she is not one to care for his words!
Standing on the edge of the cliff, she mulls through the most harrowing aspects of her life offlate and that's enough to give her the final push!
LEAP! SPLASH! She jumps into the water.
Not surprisingly, Jalal is at the edge of the cliff in no time. Watching the queen struggle (to drown?) in water, he follows her in too!
Nudging her head above water to ensure she was safe, he pulls her ashore. Puffing and panting in exasperation, the couple grab on to a large rock and heave themselves onto it. Jodha involuntarily clings onto him for a moment, while her wet hair lay on his shoulders. Taking a short while to regroup themselves, Jodha then separates herself -
Her eyes as fiery as can be, she breaks the terrifying silence between them 'Why did you save me? What are you trying to prove?' She asks bitterly, still catching up on her breath 'That my life and death is purely dependant on your will? I cannot live my life as I please...I cannot die as per my will...I neither belong to Amer nor Agra...you've forced me into solitude...and now, you've snatched death from me too!'
While Jalal is growing increasingly enraged with every word of hers, she shouts aloud 'Why did you save me? Leave me alone!JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!'
Just as she's about to storm away, Jalal pulls her hand and spins her around angrily 'THAT'S ENOUGH! NOT A WORD MORE...NOT ONE MORE...' he points his finger threateningly 'You taunt and complain all the time - that I've done this to you, that to you...that I've stolen your rights...your life...however...till today you've only done EVERYTHING you wanted to do...said everything you've wanted to say..I accepted all of your conditions...allowed you to follow your wishes...why, I'd even permitted you to return to Amer...but, now I cannot allow you to commit this act of foolishness...'
While Jodha stares on agitatedly, he pauses - turning his volume up a notch 'WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF? I understand that living your life as you please is your right...however, protecting the Mughal Sultanat's traditions and honour is my duty...and I SHALL NOT ALLOW you to taint the Sultanat's pride by doing such a thing...I accept that I'd committed a mistake...however, as soon as I'd learnt of it, I apologized to you in front of the court...'
He stares at her 'Have you ever thought about the fact that ego and pride might not be trait that YOU ALONE possess...everyone else has a right to those emotions too...I agree that I'd wedded you only because I hated you...however you were the one who started it all in the first place... you were the one who went right up to a lion's den and challenged him...I'm only avenging the insult you subjected me to in front of all of Amer...I wanted to give you pain, because you dared to place your sword on the Mughal Sultanat's emperor! I wanted to make you suffer ...what wrong have I done? [Ermmm Mr. Jalal all your statements prior to this made sense, bar this honey...she was rebuking you inside the walls of her home..you were the one who went there chup chupke..she didn't even know it was you when she placed her sword on your neck.]
'If YOUR parents refused to take you back, what fault is it of mine...' he continues 'I am not prepared to suffer for this issue of yours...and nor shall I allow the Sultanat and its people to endure humiliation for this...I am irritated by you, by your fiery tongue, by the eternal questions in your eyes...I hate you...'
She finally speaks back with hostility 'If you hate me so much (yes yes yes she used the word ghrina) then why don't you just kill me?'
'Then YOU'D WIN THIS BATTLE OF HATRED that's ongoing between us!' he screams 'And nor will I let the Sultanat's pride become a victim of this game! Even if your parents have no place for you at Amer, there is plenty of place to accommodate your needs and luxuries in the Agra palace. Even if we share no relationship as a husband and wife, you shall still be granted all the necessities that a Begum requires...'
He ends his tirade with a warning that she shouldn't utter even a word about this dastardly deed of hers.
By the time Jalal's soldiers had reached the spot, he was happily (or rather unhappily) riding off with Jodha within his clasp. Only a close shot of the couple would reveal how annoyed Jodha appeared by the turn-of-events and how vexed Jalal seemed by his wife's misbehaviour! [That, or that how her long hair kept troubling him by flying over his face all through 😆! However, one can't help but note how handsome Rajat looked at this juncture😳]
Nevertheless, the seemingly romantic ride of the Emperor with his wife attracted the attention of many-a-passerby. Why, through the course of it they'd become the butt of a many-a-teasing-smile and jokes of commoners and villagers who witnessed the spectacle.
Fed up of the wayward attention they were grabbing, Jalal halts his horse and dismounts it - compelling her to do so too
'Follow me quietly now' he orders
'Why? Where are you taking me now?'
'Just follow me quietly'
'That's not the answer to my question'
He walks back to her angrily 'After risking the honour of the Sultanat so, you expect me to be answering your questions now?'
She stays still!
Watching her stubbornness, he decides to do it the only other way. Grabbing her hand, he pulls the uncooperative queen along and takes her through a secretive route that leads them to the palace. Obviously, he didn't want the entire city/palace knowing what had just transpired (I was very impressed with this scene!)
Once having dropped Jodha off he then presents himself to the worried entourage waiting at the palace gates - AND TELLS THEM A LIE!
'Jodha dared to step out without informing anyone, so I've punished her for it!' he even warns his Ammijaan not to do anything to help her bahu.
However, we know Jodha's safe and he did it only to ensure her name wasn't tarnished even more!
On his return to the palace, when he watches Mothi breaking down once again - he tells her - in a nearly hushed voice - 'Don't worry, your princess is fine!'
(What a sweet gesture dude!😛)
I just realized I'd not even watched the last segment..hence, today I've edited my post too many times..too much going on at home...Grrr..
PRECAP - I almost found the precap cheesy and was about to dismiss it, till the two of them started retorting at each other once again..and then I was 'Yayyy' again...😆
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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