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JODHA-SUKANYA
'My pledge has been fulfilled too' Jodha replies when Sukanya asks her how her visit to Kaali Ma mandir was. Unfortunately we don't get to hear Jo elaborate on this bit about her 'sankalp' any further since Sukanya's ever-friendly sisters-in-law interrupt the conversation.
Once they leave, Sukanya is in a fix - a common fix that many young soon-to-be married girls would have found themselves in
'You're married now...please tell me how should I present myself in front of him...how should I talk to him...how should I react when he comes close to me...I haven't even met him yet...' [How unfortunate that Sukanya asks all this of Jodha- who's possibly just as inexperienced in any of these realms as Sukanya herself😛!]
Jo - who's happy as always to allay her sister's worries - ends up advising her that since she was so beautiful and innocent, she'd face no worries at her sasural!
'Then you're even more beautiful than I am' Sukanya chips in happily 'More innocent than I look..wouldn't Jeejaji have taught you everything' [If only...if only Jo'd have let him...how is this innocent saali to know that her not-so-innocent jeejaji is being compelled not to teach Jo anything!😛]
Jodha's smiles vanish in a moment - the topic was Jalal, after all 'It's your wedding now...why discuss about my issues'
Unaware, Sukanya goes on and on with her questions to which finally Jodha has nothing to say. Thankfully, at the end of it all the younger sister realizes that there was nothing 'husband-wifey' between Jodha and Jalal. She is shocked!
The not-very-comfortable Jodha ends the discussion on a dismissive note 'Some relationships are strange and different...'
[One sentence of Jo's was unnecessary - What pained me was that Jodha blamed her cold relationship with Jalal on their differing religions. Religion-wise Jalal/HB have never done any such thing that should make her feel like she was unwelcome at Agra!Others might have, but not Jalal!]
Anyway, at the end of it all - Sukanya is confident that though Jodha might not have answers for how a husband and wife's relationship should be at this moment in time, she would surely do so in future [And we viewers hope for this too]
JALAL-ELEPHANT
Jalal's relationship with his pet - his elephant is more than just adorable. The manner in which he enquires after the animal and strokes its trunk. [Damn! They show flashbacks of Jalal with elephant...now, please show Jo/Jalal's flashbacks with Mohan too!]
Whatever MP (the character) is or not on screen, I must give it to the CVs for trying to bring out some form of parallel goodness in him. While here, Jalal is spending a few affectionate moments with his elephant, there MP is tending to his pet horse.
'Great men might have different religions, different places of birth and different aims - however, the crux of some of their innate principles stays the same!' says the voice-over👏
ADHAM-JAVEDA
I don't know why - but, I sorta enjoyed Adham & Javeda's scene. For some reason, because of her innocence (or whatever else) - he is a few shades less cruel to her than he is to anyone else me thinks!
JALAL-JODHA
Leaning on his bedstead in his characteristically sublime manner, Jalal massages his temple with the end of his dagger's handle - his eyes still closed! No sooner than an unveiled (and sweet-looking) Jodha sashayes into the chamber, he utters 'Yes ask me...what is it?'
'How do you know that I had something to ask?'
Still massaging his head with the dagger cover, Jalal explains - his eyes still closed 'I know you very well Jodha Begum...every time you approach me, its either to ask me something or to complain about something' [LOOOL how true😆!]
Putting his dagger down, Jalal opens his eyes and asks her grimly 'So, tell me...'
She appears worried 'Your people might be upset with what you've done today...at the temple...they might oppose it'
'Why? Has someone told you something?'
She ponders for a moment 'No'
'Then don't be worried...no one will question you about this!' he assures her.
Suddenly, Jodha hears some faint sounds behind her - sounds that seemed like anklets. She turns around and then looks back at Jalal. He didn't seem too bothered. Soon after, she rushes towards him, sits on the bed and picks up his dagger.
Still leaning on his bed, Jalal asks her - unconcerned 'What happened Jodha Begum?'
'Shhh!' she puts her finger on her lips
He lowers his tone to a whisper 'What happened Jodha Begum?'
'I think someone's there outside' she tells him. A moment later, she hands over the dagger to him and then orders him silently - with her eyes - asking him to go investigate.
Sighing to himself, he removes the sheets and gets off to have a look. [How husbandy!]
OUTSIDE
'I'm being attacked by an army' he tells her thereafter
Shocked, Jodha rushes to have a look - it was an army of little girls - her cousins.
The Jeejaji and Saalis then share a few sweet words amongst themselves - a scene that Jodha was unwittingly enjoying!
'So what do you want now?' he asks the littlest one of the lot with a wide smile
'Nothing..I just wanted to see you...you're so handsome!' says the 5 year old, who understandably seemed to have a crush on him!
Though only subconsciously, Jodha is abashed - she rolls her eyes and hurls a small glance in his direction. However, the Emperor soon leads his army of fans into his chamber and Jo follows suit - her trailing veil behind her looking nothing short of divine!😳
BACK IN THE CHAMBER
Jalal is busy narrating a story to his saalis - an all too familiar story that hits home! What sweeter way to get back at Jo than this!
'This story is one of an angry young princess...one day a dashing lively king entered her life!'
'This story doesn't make sense' the unhappy queen stops him abruptly -sitting a short distance away from the fun-loving group
'Oh so, you know this story too?' he asks her with a hint of mischief 'Then why don't you continue?'
'No I don't know' she sulks
The young ones grow impatient. Following their pleas to allow him to continue, Jodha breaks out into a rare 100 watt smile and lets them get on.
He resumes 'That princess' he pauses for a long while - briefly glimpsing at Jodha too 'That princess then went on to make that King's life hell! Constantly fighting...always complaining...jumping into water on one occasion...and fighting with a snake on another!'
At this point while I can't help but break out into the most adorable laughter along with the light-hearted Jalal, even our iron maiden starts showing the slightest hint of being amused. [I am not exaggerating when I say that] Jodha appears absolutely angelic as she loses against her grit - and starts giving in to the humour of the situation. The subtlest hint of a smile plays on her lips as she listens on in earnest.
'Why' Jalal goes on 'On one occasion, she even set free a tiger that attacked the king'
Just as Jalal finishes the sentence, Jodha breaks out into a bout of hearty laughter - an aspect that probably Jalal must have never witnessed till date!
Watching her laugh, Jalal can't help but be pleased with himself 'Listen girls...can you hear the princess' voice now?' he asks his audience
'Yes, she sounds like an angel' they reply
'Don't be fooled...' he corrects them 'Its the sounds of a witch!'
Obviously, Jodha's happiness disappears in a flash [Notty notty Jalal!]
Nevertheless, Jalal continues with his story-telling - till the girls are fast asleep - and till Mainawati comes to gauge what was happening.
Watching the Emperor of the Mughal Sultanat leaning against his bedstead with 6 girls sleeping on his shoulders and lap was not what she possibly expected!
Anyway, the queen mother wanted to take the children away - but, Jalal didn't want to disturb the children in their sleep. He was happy to adjust - and so was Jodha [So, no spare rooms in Amer palace for the Emperor, Ranisa?]
Once Ranisa leaves, Jodha adjusts the blanket and chides him softly 'Rest well Shehenshah...if your health is affected, Bapusa will be worried'
'So, you're still worried only for your Bapusa...not me?' he asks with a smile [AWWW😳]
Knowing not what to say, she stares at him for a few moments and then leaves [Did I catch a hidden smile there?]
JALAL-MAAN SINGH
Finally, we get to see Shehenshah tutoring Maan Singh. The archery session between the prince and King was a treat to see. It was short-lived however, seeing how the King becomes swamped with his bundle of fans once again. Complimenting his looks once again [This 6 year old reminds me of a 9 year old in our forum😆!] they demand that he teach them the art of archery. Jodha who was just walking past spots this. While Maan Singh tries shooing those annoying sisters away [Not really lol!] Jalal doesn't want them to leave - he really enjoys the company of children!
Despite the bow being larger than the girl, he kneels down and teaches the girl to fire an arrow - something that Jodha doesn't appreciate!
'How ignorant! Wouldn't this injure the young ones?' she fumes to herself
Walking up to the king, she takes him to task for what he was just doing. However, her not-really-justifiable anger is countered when both Maan Singh and Bhagwant Das bring to fore ALL the mischief that she'd committed at Amer as a child - be it horse-riding, swordsmanship or archery!
'Doesn't Buasa boss around a lot, Shehenshah?' Maan singh whispers to Jalal, who shares the joke with him 'I know it all too well!'
Watching them both laugh at her expense, Jo grows even more infuriated!
'I know that she's skilled with the sword' Jalal speaks up a few moments later 'I've seen it...but I didn't know about her flair for archery too!'
When Bhagwant Das reiterates the fact, Jalal wants to see it for himself.
Though not-too-happy about having been countered so from all directions, Jodha finally accepts the challenge. Once the children are requested to leave, Jodha accepts the bow from him - not giving up her arrogance while doing so!
He offers her an arrow, but she ignores his offer and walks forth to pick THREE of her own.
Drawing the bow-strings with all three arrows at once, Jodha fires them away and they make their mark! [Very convincing Jo looked here -not like a novice!]
Jodha is pleased. Jalal is impressed 'You are a treasure trove of talents indeed - be it chess, swordsmanship or archery...you have no dearth of talents!'
'You're very talented yourself' she retorts 'Be it taunting someone or meting orders...be it tormenting someone or acting stubborn...'
For a moment there, Jalal loses his smile. Observing her stomp off, Jalal adds to his previous list 'Looks like misunderstanding people is also another one of your talents'
He lets out a low laugh
PRECAP
So, looks like the CVs are really looking for closures here...Jodha is being shown how she was wrong for burning the shaadi joda by MA...though I know not what happens before or after, at first glance it looks like MA is making sense here...
My take
What's NOT to like today - Another spectacular episode all the way through - EVEN the Javeda-Adham scene [so you know how much I liked it😛!]
