Posted:
[My initial link didn't even have the last hug (saving grace of the boat trip) so you can imagine my initial disappointment...that bit was definitely the best...so rewrote the last bits of my analysis - sorry for this!š³]
AMER
Kartavya and Ghrina...we know how Jodha managed to get those words - a genetic trait of the Ameris, it seems!
Following the first five minutes of jet-speed courier service deliveries between various Rajvanshis and scroll reading , we got to witness what would have been the longest screen-time that MP has been blessed with.I must say he didn't disappoint with the dialogue deliveries for the first scene - but then, he was back to his usual 'hurried' self in the scenes following!
Nevertheless, the background music for MP was quite good [That or my headphones must have been exceptionally clear today!]
I'm still confused by the time-scales in JA. How soon is the Ameri wedding happening post the attack?š¤ On screen, the manner in which it all unfolds seems like it's happening within a few days. However, looking at the rate at which Jalal's scarred face is returning to its smooth original self, one must wonder if its much longer. Either that, or Jodha's wonder medicine is definitely nothing short of miraculous!
JO-HB
Jo really is one prejudiced girl. The expressions on her face when she even 'comes across' HB and the others, feels like she's just been granted a 'darshan' by all the Goddesses at once! When she meets Jalal - however - that becomes another story altogether!š
ARRIVAL AT AMER
I love the Ameri music...for some reason, its filled with a cultural, lively and festive beauty that none of the other music in the serial seems to have!š
MP arrives on horse and Jalal on an elephant? Poor Jalal must have left Agra weeks ago, then!
Anyway, I think the CVs meant to show something spectacular when MP arrived at his Ameri tent. I think they meant for him to cover the bright sun as he stepped down from his horse! However, lets just say that the creative idea behind it failed as miserably as it did when Begum Salima came traipsing into the harem with pigeons scurrying away from her feet - fearing for their lives!
Thankfully, even if they MP might not have a spectacular cinematography department backing him AND gets let down more often than not by his dialogue delivery skills - the crux of his character makes up for it. It was a honourable moment when he states that as a Rajvanshi, he shall NOT attack on Bharmal or Jalal secretively- especially when their families were also with them on this festive occasion!
JALAL-JODHA
What is this Jodha's obsession with guessing-the-tent-game? Quite similar to the scene en-route Ajmer, an agitated Jodha searches for Jalal's tent and immediately supposes that the tent with the maximum sentry surrounding it would be Jalal's. No sooner than the maid passes a remark on Jodha's Jalal-worries, she gets shushed up by the irked queen!
A moment later, Jalal emerges from the very tent Jo was referring to and gazes at his Begum, who was immersed in a conversation with the maid. He then casts a glance up at the full moon that adorned their skies.
'The arrangements have been made' his minister walks up to him to inform him - referring to the preparations for a boating trip that had been arranged for the king - a trip that the king was meant to proceed for, alone!
'Excellent...' Jalal appreciates the man 'Boating in the pond under the full moon has a charm by itself'
His glimpses fall upon Jodha as soon as he says this. His eyes were tender; almost like he longed for some form of cordial company from her end!
HB, our resident cupid-in-the-making arrives at the scene and finds out about the boating trip. Not surprisingly, she immediately suggests that Jodha should accompany the Emperor on his pleasure trip.
'Do you like boating Jodha?' the queen mother asks her favourite bahu
While Jodha hesitates - probably trying to think of a convenient excuse to worm herself out of the situation, her maid speaks up 'Oh yes...Ranisa used to love boating..she's done so many-a-time when she was still at Amer' [Thankfully, she left out the Suryaban incident!š]
Jalal looks up - the slightest hint of a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
'Fine then!' HB concludes 'You both can go ahead'
Jodha is definitely not happy. However, Jalal was anything but unhappy. One could gauge a hundred scenarios playing in his mind as he heard the statement.
Consequently, Jodha's ever-enthusiastic maid pounces forth innocently 'I shall make the arrangements so we can proceed'
'No' interrupts HB with a 'knowing' grin 'You shall stay with us' [Thank the Lord for small mercies]
Jalal couldn't help but break out into a soft smile as he saw how the events unfolded to his advantage without him having to do much at all 'I was going to say this too Ammijaan' he adds at the end of it all
Once HB and troupe leave the couple to their privacy, Jalal looks up at the now-fuming Jodha 'Shall we?'
At this point, it was evident that the King was trying hard to rein in his expressions from amplifying into anything further than just a smile!
BOATING
As expected, Jodha seethes aloud cursing him in shudh Hindi 'Strange hobbies...its well beyond bedtime and he wants to go boating at this late hour...'
'Did you say something?' he asks firmly
'Where do you listen to anyone, once you've resigned to your stubbornness?' she comes back
Once they reach the banks of the pond, Jodha is placed in a slightly awkward situation. She has to get into the boat, but her less-than-ideal-for-boating ghagra doesn't permit her to do so freely. Ever the gentleman when its the time to rescue a pretty damsel, Jalal extends his hand out to her. However, she hesitates to take it.
'Don't worry, I shall not let you fall' he assures her- his tone straightforward!
Letting out a deep sigh, she finally places her hand in his [FINALLY] and is about to step into the small boat, when she DOES slip on the marsh. However, he holds on to her palm tightly to stop the fall and by impulse, she clasps his arm for support.
As Jodha stands up - recovering from the embarrassment of it all - she notices that she was holding on to him. He, on the other hand had the most impish 'so-you-do-need-my-support-once-in-a-while-too' smile possible - A smile that Jodha chooses to ignore!
Soon after, the couple seat themselves in the boat and the vessel leaves for the Royals' seemingly pleasant (???) trek in the water.
Jalal observes Jodha and her apprehensions for a few moments, however she consciously tries to stay away from his (possibly magnetic?) gazes.
Eventually, the king decides to break the silence amidst them 'So, your maid was informing us that you like boating...'
'Boating can be a pleasure or a punishment - depending on the company!'
His smile disappears momentarily 'One can't argue with you!'
'YOU are the one who doesn't know how to talk...you only argue' she spews [and I only slap my forehead at Jodha's immaturity these days!]
Then, by chance; Jodha suddenly notices a deep gash on Jalal's palm [Eh? Where was this from]
Frowning at the now bleeding cut, Jodha looks around - searching for something to apply on it. While doing so, she rocks the balance of the boat and Jalal has to hold her elbow to ensure she didn't fall off [Was she hoping to dive down and get some mitti?]
'Careful Jodha Begum' Jalal warns her with a devilish smile 'If you fell in, people would think it was a deliberate ploy by me!'
In no mood for jests, Jodha assertively holds the King's arm and then opens his palm to survey the wound in it. Surprisingly, even Jalal hadn't realized his wound was now bleeding.
'Now just sit down quietly' she orders him
He watches on with puzzled frowns as she bends forth to pick up a palm full of water from the pond and then gingerly cleans the injury on it. [Our Begum loves hydrotherapy!] She follows it it up by picking up the end of her dupatta to wipe the water off.
Suddenly, Jalal winces for a brief moment 'A bit gently Jodha Begum...don't make the gash raw again' [The embroidery on her dupatta was possibly pricking himš]
Jodha grows enraged and throws a near-tantrum 'You don't like anything I do...then, why don't you do it yourself?' [he didn't actually ask you to do anything dear]
Having retorted angrily, the childish queen then stands up - as if she was going to storm off from the boat. No wonder that this time, she again loses her balance and nearly falls on the king. He can't help but chuckle at her antics 'Remember that I've saved your life once again' he tells her, his fiendish smile still plastered on his lips 'Now please sit down'
Sulking to herself, Jodha sits down - unaware that her veil was not on her head any longer.
Noticing this, Jalal stands up and replaces the veil 'Better put it back, if not people'd assume that I've been up to some form of mischief with you...'
She looks away - not comfortable by his grins, his statements or even his presence.
'I think its better for you to keep some of your 'miracle medicine' with yourself always' he concludes 'Seeing how there's always some form of injury I sustain when around you'
Just then, Jalal notices some tribal people - who aim 25 arrows just to take down one poor boatman! The next set of arrows comes for Jalal and Jodha.
Jodha immediately bends forth and Jalal grabs her in a protective embrace - keeping her down all the time as he did so. He tries shielding her from the barrage while she clings on to him in fear. Forgetting everything else, at that moment, both Jalal and Jodha couldn't think beyond protecting themselves and each other from the attack!
[This was definitely the best bit of the boat ride which was completely NOT even shown in the link that I watched - thence the initial disappointment]
My Take
Numerous trips and falls cheesy much?š
CVs stop portraying Jo like a 4 year old just cos she HAS to hate him for TRPs...she can hate him by being dignified too..
The saving grace has to be the protective hug at the end - loved it - their scenes are so much better when Jodha has NO time to ghrina...š
Anupamaa
Real Estate
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