Friends, all those who were expecting another faltoo episode of the harem politics with the kanha murthis ... please stand up, turn around and take a good beating on your bottoms (that includes me at the head of the line!). What a sensationally fantabulous episode we all got yesterday from the Creatives, we should all have not slept all night yesterday, and we should have been doing Rajat jaap all night!!
I really don't know where to begin and describe all that happened, where to add my comments, what to say ... except that it was a Jalal-show all the way from start to finish. It was he who showed us some seventeen sides of his character in 26 minutes (if my counting was right).
He was the intent and quick-thinking King at the DEK ... the trusting husband of Jodha ... the kanha bakht who took the aarti ... the initially steely questioner at the harem ... the suddenly unleashed tiger in the sabha ... the uncompromising shohar of a belligerent Ruq ... the sneering ignorer of the piping up Maham ... the wonderfully righteous son of a wonderfully tolerant mother ... the forthright husband of the upstanding Salima ... the ethically correct man who called Ruq separately to his rooms ... the ruthless interrogator who tore Ruq to shreds ... the angry friend who told his childhood mate to behave herself and preserve the very little respect he still had for her ... the Shahenshah who walked in the moonlight quietly in search of his beloved ... the playful man who toyed with words with his tentative lady-love ... the serious upholder of the right of all his people to their own religions ... the boy-King who told his wife that he not only prayed to Allah but also to Kanha to save her life ... the man who saw his hand touching the hand of his woman and tried to see if she was ready for him by covering his hand over hers ... and the understanding soul who saw that his deepest love was ready to lock her life and heart with his, but needed more time to lock hands with him!
Phew! How did you manage Rajat, to give us a solo show of such great acting skills that you just floated from one Jalal into another, into another, and into another ... before our eyes, lighting our TV screens with liquid magic as you dramatically paced your acting, your fabulous dialogue delivery and your extreme hardness with your sexy softness. Even we, sitting at such a distance from the TV screens, felt the tug and pull of your magnetism on us, how could the lady-love of your life not have felt it? If you were not such a study of contrasts and a "one-man screen devourer" yesterday, we would have noticed more of the incredulous look of growing love and respect in the eyes of Jodha. With every step you took, the expression in her eyes grew so gratified - she looked more and more supported, loved and satisfied - that by the time you almost held her hand, it was with very great reluctance that she pulled her hand away. Not from fear of you, but from fear of showing you too much of how she felt!
Anyway I am jumping the gun here, Rajat, and I think it would be better for me to tell my friends on the forum the whole story of your life yesterday, inch by inch, slowly, adding my comments as I go ... because, Rajat, I do not know how else to do justice to your performance except to recount every little nuance of yours from the episode yesterday ... for the sheer thrill of re-living every moment of the "spectacular you" that you showed us yesterday!
Hamida and gang can barely believe their ears ... if it wasn't Jodha, was it Ruq who did it?
In the private rooms of Hamida a whole ladies gang is assembled, consternation in every eye. They are all collectively shaken by the story of how Jodha may have planted the Kanha murthis in the rooms of all the Hindu baandhis of the harem just to get votes from this "vote bank" for the herm in-charge election.
Hamida says "I cannot believe that Jodha would sink to these depths to get what she wants!" Gulbadan (who is also the phuphi of Ruq) adds a word against Jodha perhaps in support of her niece. She says "Politics is such that even relations cannot stand in the way of one who is greedy for power. Jodha is the only Hindu Begum here, who but she could have done this?" A couple of Mughal haremites agree with Gulbadan. Maham who is dying to add a word in edgeways says "I agree with Gulbadan Begum. Chee, just to get the position of in-charge of the harem, such high-jinks? This not only breaks harem rules but also insults the Mughal Begums who live in the harem."
The strong and stead Salima then speaks "Ammijaan, I'll have a word with Jodha. But let's remember that Jodha even agreed to stand for these elections only after the Mughal Begums asked her to. So why would she do something stupid to earn the distrust of those who invited her to stand for the elections. This dirty deed is not that of Jodha. It is clearly the job of the one that wants to defame Jodha."
The penny drops for Hamida "Oh, God, does this mean ... oh, what is happening to Ruqaiya Begum? She is going to such lengths for a position!" "Why don't you try to speak to her Ammijaan" asks Salima. "That matter has gone too far" says Hamida "and Ruq is not at the young age when these things can be talked over and solved." She shrugs in utter despair. All the time this is being discussed, Maham is watching with eyes like saucers. She no doubt is enjoying this immensely. Both Begums in trouble? This was as good as it gets!
The scene was such a beautiful study of each woman who counted in this harem and her bias. Hamida was all for Jodha while Gulbadan was tentatively so for Ruq. Maham was in it for the thrills of seeing both her antagonists in a corner. Salima stood tall in the group, with the guts to speak her mind and clear Jodha and hint at Ruq by implication. I loved this scene as a starter to the affairs of the whole episode because I was thinking they would start with typical old-fashioned melodrama. I thought we would have the whole planting of Kanha murthis room to room shown to us to waste a precious ten minutes of air time. I thought Ruq would then rave and rant like a banshee at Jodha. I thought Jalal would slightly mistrust Jodha and give us some smell of a MU in the works. All this I thought would be the first scene. Instead we started off with the key ladies all believing Jodha and suspecting Ruq. The trend of the episode then became very clear. The whole episode looked like it would exonerate Jodha and implicate Ruq. But Jalal was still the unknown quantity so I waited with bated breath for his scene to come ...
The Hindu baandhis want to thank Jodha - but end up warning her of a deep shadyantra!
In her hojra Jodha was asking Moti how Babu (the little slave boy they had smuggled in) was doing. Moti said he was okay, they were distracting his mind, but he couldn't help pine for his missing mother. Jodha was sensitive to his sad feelings, but Moti was saying all would be well soon with Kanha's blessings, when suddenly they heard that the Hindu daasis of the harem wanted to meet Jodha. "Why are they here?" thought Jodha, as they all trooped in.
"We are all here to say thanks Jodha Begum" they said. "But for what?" asked Jodha. "You've done such a lovely thing for us and yet feign ignorance? That is your "badappan". We never thought as Hindus we would ever be allowed in this Mughal harem to worship our ishta devatas. You can imagine our happiness when you sent us all those Kanha murthis. Now we are able to worship according to our religions." "What are you all talking about? I never sent any murthis" said a flabbergasted Jodha. "But we all last night received murthis in our rooms. Who else could have cared for our needs so much but you?" the daasis said.
The astute Moti chipped in "But Jodha, if it was not you, then whose deed was this? Oh Ambe Ma, hope it's not someone else who's doing this to defame you? Maybe it is to be able to say you are using undue pressure to win the elections!" One of the daasis then said Moti is right. This does look like a deliberate act to defame you. It must be the work of one who wants the harem to remain under Ruq. Yes, indeed, this smells of a shadyantra and we don't ever want your name despoiled. We only want you in charge of the harem. We'll return these murthis right away."
Jodha's face goes from puzzlement to determination. She says "I promise you all that very soon you will all have the rights and dignity of being able to worship as you wish in this harem. But till then my hojra is open to all of you to come and worship the same Kanha here. Kanha after all is everywhere the same, isn't he?"
The scene ends with Jodha getting doubly determined that even though this episode has tried to defame her it has also exposed the fact that the Hindu daasis were living a life as second-class citizens in this harem without even the rights to worship as per their religion. The part that made me very affected was the way Jodha turns her own problems into opportunities to set right the basic rules that govern the Sultanate. She's done it many times before and she's doing it again here. It is a moment when a lesser woman will be only thinking of herself and her problems of how to extricate herself from this Kanha murthi distribution mess but Jodha was only momentarily nonplussed by that setback. She got the thread of what she needed to do going forward. She needed to restore the worshipping rights of the Hindu daasis. In the same way that she saw the slavery and took on the harem in-charge election, she now saw this Kahna murthi business and determined to fight for the rights of the Hindu daasis. History tells us of how Jalal became Akbar by thus converting his problems into opportunities to do greater good. Why doesn't history tell us how Jodha herself converted her problems into opportunities to serve the greater good? She was no less than Jalal when it came to growing from adversity!
Jalal hears two important things at the Diwan-e-Khas - one needs immediate attention!
At the Diwan-e-Khas, Jalal is listening to Atga recounting all that has been done in the matter of the suspected embezzlement of funds in the kingdom. (As we all know, Adham later becomes identified as the culprit behind the embezzlements, so this development from Atga is of great importance in the end-saga of Adham Khan.)
Atga says to Jalal "As per your orders I have taken charge of all the godown and factories and sources of inventory of goods, and I am now investigating thoroughly into this matter". Just then a baandhi appears requesting Jalal's attention. Jalal asks what great matter mandates an interruption of his meeting with Atga in the Diwan-e-Khas.
The baandhi replies "Huzur, there is a new development of concern in the harem. Some Hindu murthis have been found in the rooms of the Hindu baandhis." Jalal looks very concerned as does Atga. "Any news on how these murthis came to be there?" Jalal asks. The baandhi replies "no one has pucca proof. But there are whispers that it must be the work of Jodha Begum. After all just recently Jodha Begum has planned to bring the harem under her charge. So there are rumours that Jodha Begum must have done this to pull votes from the Hindu daasis. But this is all hearsay. God alone knows the truth."
Asking Atga to take care of the embezzlement issue, Jalal says he will go and look into the harem issue and leaves the sabha.
It's a very short scene folks, but I could not miss it out for two reasons. One, the scene showed us that Jalal was concerned ... but not perturbed. It looked like he was more concerned about the defamation aspect of Jodha (for his brow furrowed when the baandhi was recounting that part of the story). But otherwise through the rest of the story he looked like he was thinking hard but not unduly upset that murthis have been smuggled into the harem against law. The other reason why this scene stands out is that I was surprised at the freedom that Jalal gave this baandhi who came to give the news. The girl was not only telling him the facts of the issue but also about the rumours and whispers in the corridors - and I was a bit surprised that Jalal was giving her the licence to speculate in front of him and the whole sabha. But then it occurred to me later that this must also have been one of Jalal's strengths that he encouraged the lower order of his people to speak up in order to get at the "real truth" and not to just get the "varnished truth" that people of a higher pecking order normally give him. He has his ears and eyes to the ground. He didn't even consider the effect of these confidences from the girl on the people who were at the sabha with him. All he seemed concerned about was to know the exact contours of the whole problem frm the mouth of one who was low enough in the hierarchy to be truthful without a care for self-preservation. Another interesting part of the scene was that Jalal seems to be very hands-on in delving into this whole embezzlement affair. He is getting debriefed by Atga at every step of the process. Adham is in big trouble because Jalal is keeping his antennae sharp and ever on the alert in this case!
Jalal goes to Jodha to say he trusts her - and he bows to Kanha to underscore his faith!
Jalal is then seen entering Jodha's rooms, remembering to remove his footwear as he enters. His strides are very quick and purposeful as he goes up to Jodha and says in just one fast breath "You must be surprised to see why I am here. So tell me, who put those murthis of Kanha in the rooms of the Hindu daasis?" "What?" says Jodha, "do you really think I could have done such a thing?" Jalal replies very quickly annd very authoritatively "Of course not! But there is a rumour in the harem that you may have done it to get the votes of the Hindu daasis."
"Do you really think just to get the audha of in-charge of the harem, I would do such a thing?" asks Jodha again. "Firstly, I got ready to even take up this role only after the people of the harem pressurised me. And secondly, to win over people in the harem I had so many other ways, why would I try to use religion and play on people's feelings? And I also know the Mughal women here very well."
Jalal says with conviction "Let me tell you again, I do not suspect you at all. I know you would never do such a thing." The look of satisfaction on Jodha's face reflects back his faith in her! "That's why I never called you to the Diwan-e-Khas, I cam here to meet you privately". He adds.
And then he changes the direction of his enquiry very smartly. "But what is your hunch here? Who do you think did this act?" She is smarter than he and refuses to fall into his trap by naming an enemy. She simply says "I have no idea, Shahenshah." "What?" he says "do you not know or do you not want to tell me?" She chooses to answer very carefully "I only have the right to declare my side of things. Who else did it and why is not something I should be speculating about." He gets the point that she will never accuse anyone without being 100% certain and she would never defame anyone either. I thought I saw a look of warm admiration in his eyes for her tact! "Okay" he says "I will investigate this matter myself."
He is just about to leave when his eyes fall on the Kanha mandir in Jodha's room. He deliberately bends down, takes the aarti and touches the feet of the God - and then touches his own lips and heart and then leaves. Jodha is amazed at the teda methods of this man who is her husband. When he wants to show he trusts her, he even prays before her God in an act of ultimate faith in her.
Friends, I think this episode has many great scenes, but this was one of those really outstanding ones, just for that last act of Jalal in bowing to Kanha and taking the aarti. Jalal never ceases to amaze Jodha and today this gesture was not just an act of faith in God, but an act of faith in her. She knew that he wanted to show that! He had said upfront that he wanted to ask her about this whole issue in private as he knew full well that she was not to be suspected. In fact he said it twivce to her that he never suspected her - and his act of praying to Kanha in front of her sealed that faith he had in her a third time. But it was also remarkable that he tried to wheedle out of her an accusation of who she thought might have done the dirty deed. For a moment it looked like he was putting Jodha on test to see if she would rave and rant and accuse as Ruq would have (and later did also). But Jodha's class showed itself. She refused to be baited into an accusation, and remained diplomatic and tactful and dignified. His eyes were a picture when he realised that this woman he was talking to had grace and dignity and decency. At least two of his three wives had the courage to be outspoken when needed but also knew when not to talk! In this scene Jodha was almost a replica of Salima! What a grand scene folks! What a grand man he is to bow to Kanha before her, as an act of total faith in his wife!
The steely tiger at the harem begins with tight self-control - but suddenly bares its teeth!
The scene shifts to the sabha at the harem. Hamida and several ladies including Ruq and Maham are there when Hamida says angrily "It has not even been proved yet that Jodha is behind all this." Ruq brushes Hamida's words aside. "Then tell me who could have done this" she says screeching a bit too loudly, "in this harem Jodha is the lone Hindu Begum." Salima interjects "I cannot imagine Jodha doing this" and Hamida nods in accceptance, as Ruq looks away archly. Maham then adds her two bits "It's common for people who are greedy for power to try all these tricks. What has happened is a changing of the law itself - which only the Shahenshah can do if he wishes, and no Begum can appropriate that authoriity." Ruq looks angry but also a bit nervous.
Just then Jodha enters the sabha and takes her place with a half smile all around. Hamida, Salima and even Javeeds acknowldege her with their own half-smiles, while Ruq and Maham look like they are fuming. In a far corner Jodha spots two Mughal haremites gossipping about her in whispers but her attention is distracted by the arrival of Jalal. Without much fuss, Jalal gets straiight to the point. "On this disturbing issue I have come to have a word with all of you. This is such a shameful deed that I want to know all your views." One the gossipping Mughal haremites chips in "This is really a very shameful act Shahenshah. It seems to have been done just to buy the allegiance of the Hindu baandhis." The ultra sharp Jalal pounces on her "On what basis of proof do you say that this act was done to get the sympathy of the Hindu baandhis?" All is silent!
Ruq then finds her opportunity here to butt into the dialogue with a tirade aganst Jodha "Then you tell us Shahenshah, what else could be the motive?" she says with alarming rudeness to the Emperor. "These baandhis are kept in the harem for their service. To give them such gifts is like a death-knell to the power of the higher Begums. And if the law is once broken like now, this will become a regular habit!"
Jalal replies, still very measured in his speech, "No rules have been broken Ruqaiya Begum" he says "for I am the one that makes these rules. Only an attempt to break the rules has happened." The very use of the formal "Ruqaiya Begum" in addressing her has already started giving Ruq the jitters. Jalal continues "The real issue is who did this and why? Why did this person have the temerity to break Mughal laws like this? I don't want to hurt any feelings but I sure want to know who brought these murthis into the harem."
"I am sorry to have to say this Shahenshah " says Ruqaiya with hate in her eyes, "but this job could only have been done by one who can benefit from it. It has to be the work of Jodha Begum alone." All the women around are aghast at this direct accusation, but my hat goes off to Jalal for saying this next sentence "Try to take a breath now and then when you talk Ruqaiaya, and try to listen to me carefully. Jodha Begum was nominated by the Mughal Begums themselves."
The Mughal haremite in the corner of the room pipes up again "But if not Jodha who would have bought these murthis?" to which Jalal replies curtly "Do you have any proof of this? Show me the proof if you have it!"His voice gets louder and sharper and more uncompromising. He then calms down again seeing their dropped heads "if you have no proof, I hereby throw out this accusation!" Ruq looks disgusted while Hamida looks triumphant.
Jalal continues "As you all know the Mughal Begums are the ones that asked Jodha to stand for elections. Everyone knows the numbers of Hindu Begums is very small. So why would Jodha do as stupid a thing as to seek the votes of the minority and displease the majority of the Mughal Begums? You people may not know Jodha Begum as I personally know her. I can say with authority she would never do this kind of thing, or even think of doing such a thing ..."
Just then one of the Mughal Begums in the corner says "But Huzur ..." but, oh my God, a ton of bricks comes crashing on her head on her head as Jalal bellows like a tiger wounded "I AM TALKING HERE ... and no one interrupts me. I want to tell all of you that the person who did this can avail one chance to own up in private and I can even forgive that person, but if that person doesn't own up, it amounts to lalkaar-ing the emperor at your own cost!"
Ruq then tries to change his attention to a different angle. She says "This is not all Shahenshah. This matter also constitues a war on the Mughal laws." Again Jalal replies her with that formal "Ruqaiaya Begum". He says with narrowed eyes "I know exactly who did this and why and until you are asked to talk please keep your mouth shiut and refrain from offering unsolicited advice. And for the record, may you all note that if this kind of thing is repeated it will not be tolerated."
And again with another disgusted "Ruqaiaya Begum" Jalal adds as he leaves "I wish to have a private conversation with you in my rooms." Ruq's eyes are filled with dread and fear, aglaze with tears of extreme tension.
Oh my God, what was this tiger we saw, with his soft threats andhis huge roars filling the room with the sheer power of his unbridled authority? People who dared pipe up in the midst of his talking to them with menace and deliberate slowness came in for a tongue-lashing so violent that they had to shrivel before him. And as for his open support of Jodha, how could he have said it better than "I know her personally like you all don't and she could not even think of doing such a thing!" And for the first time in my life I heard the appellation of "Ruqaiya Begum" said with such asperity, such disdain and condescension that if I were Ruqaiya, the world would have dissolved before my eyes. "I am talking here" said the Emperor, "and no one interrupts me. Show me the proof or I'll throw out this accusation." And then he adds "Try to take a breath now and then when you talk Ruqaiya Begum. I know who's done it and why - and till you are asked keep your mouth shut and keep your unsolicited advice to yourself". Look at the pathetic creature that Ruqaiya has become in the space of one night. The childhood mate of the greatest Emperor of the great land of Hidustan has become someone who is asked to shut her mouth and speak only when spoken to! How the mighty are fallen! Oh my God, what a man this Jalal is. And what a lucky girl Jodha is to have the love of such a man!Epic!
Ruq is invited for a private tete a tete ... and gets torn to shreds , her friendship in tatters!
In his private rooms Jalal is turned away from Ruq as he asks with a voice that brooks no arguments "The question I asked Jodha, I ask you again. Who did this harkat, Ruqaiaya?" "Jalal, how will I know this" stutters Ruq. Jalal comes to stand beside her and says with deliberate slowness "I know you're quite clever, but don't forget that I am the Shahenshah. I get to know what I need to know. I know how the murthis came into the harem. I know who gave the orders to Madhav Santraj to make those murthis. But I want to hear it from you, who did this harkat, Ruqaiya?" Ruq is by now staring at the ground her shoulders trembling.
"Look straight at me and tell me who I am" says Jalal insistently and with anger. "What kind of question is this Jalal" says Ruq but he becomes violently loud again as she shouts at her face "JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION I'VE ASKED ... " and then he adds with controlled rage "Look into my eyes and tell me who I am, Ruqaiya!" Ruq in a shaky voice says "You are my friend, my husband and the Shahenshah."
"DON'T LIE TO ME RUQAIYA" he shouts again with his teeth clenched, "for if I am one of those you described, you wouldn't lie to me." "No Jalal ..." she tries to say but he continues shouting again "BECAUSE YOU HAVE WAGED WAR ON MY POSITION AND ZULM ... I thought you were strong and straight and would undertake this election with imandaari, but you have done something that erodes the position and exalted staus of the Begum-e-Khas. I COULD HAVE SAID ALL THIS IN PUBLIC ... but I called you in private to tell you this so that no one else has to see you fall so shamefully from grace. Before whenever you've made a mistake, you have admitted it before me, but today in spite of repeated asking you have hidden the truth. HOW DID YOU GET THIS HIMMAT TO BREAK ALL MUGHAL LAWS? You are not the Ruqaiya I knew, because if you were you wouldn't stoop to such low acts that play with the feelings of baandhis and lowly Begums. You have tried to bring down Jodha and fallen yourself to depths I cannot describe. Now for heaven's sake, don't do anything more that will erode even the little respect that I have left for you!" and he walks off. Ruq is broken in pieces and irreparable.
Friends, what can I say about this scene? We all so wanted Jalal to give Ruq the worst thrashing of her life after that tent sleeping scene, and we have been tolerating the tantrums she threw after the boatride scene. We wished and wished and wished that Jalal would one day speak up and show her her place. She was getting too big for her boots, too autocratic, too selfish and too jealous. Her jealousy was taking on the proportions of all-devouring violent monster. But still Jalal never spoke. So many of us got temporary solace by talking to Zee and asking "When will Jalal tell off Ruq? Will he ever do that or will he always love her in his own way and never chide her?" Well ... yestreday was that day we were all waiting for. It is commonly said that we should never disturb a sleeping tiger for when it wakes it knows no rules of engagement and political niceties. It eats up eveything it needs to satisfy its ravenousness. Jalal was just like that sleeping tiger that has gone hungry for too long. He just tore Ruq into ribbons, shredding every vestige of her personality by calling her a liar for calling him a friend, a husband and a King! He raised his voice with her so many times that I wonder if she has ever seen him like this in all their years together. The man is in love, and he hurts when his beloved hurts. And Ruq, despite being his oldest friend, has hurt Jalal where it hurts the most ... she has hurt Jodha! Look at this lov, folks, that canot withstand any pain whatsoever to the one he loves. Look at the vehemence with which he berates and trashes Ruq just because she caused pain to the love of his life. We all wondered when he will put Ruq in her place but we thought it would be a calmer kind of sidelining. I never thought the he would hurt so much when Jodha hurted so much, that he would just shred Ruq like a cabbage in a food processor! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! How does a woman like Ruq feel after hearing that he has lost all but a last feeble bit of respect for her? Like dirt?
The moon is young and the lovers meet ... their hearts embrace but their hands aren't ready!
Jodha is standing all by herself in the garden, leaning against a parapet walll, and thinking faraway thoughts, when Jalal walks up to her trying to look nonchalant. He seats himself next to her and asks his usual question "What are you thinking about Jodha Begum?" She is surprised to see him and says "Shahenshah, you are here?" He replies "Sorry if I've disturbed your reverie". "Oh nothing like that, I was just sitting here" she says. "I notice you like this Angoori Bagh a lot" he says "you're here almost every night!" "Yes" she says "I get a lot of shanti here. But what brings you too here every night? Looking for me?"
The shy boy with the big crush on this girl takes over. "No" he says blushing a lot "I was just passing by and saw you here and came to talk!" (Ha, ha and ha!) Jodha knows he is trying to be casual and grins to herself! "You know what Shahenshah, I was thinking about you" Jodha says. "Oh really," he is intrigued "what exactly are you thinking about me?". The little boy in him can't bear the suspense.
Jodha pretends to think and then says "Oh, whatever, never mind ..." He is a bit rattled because he's so eager to know what she's thinking about him! "Why do you always start saying something and then stop midway?" he asks like a small child denied the ending of a story. "And why do you always need to know what I am thinking about?" she asks back. He replies candidly "Because I like your thinking very much Jodha Begum, there is depth in your thoughts and some strong ideas." "Are you answering my question or taana maro-ing as usual" she asks and he just laughs and says "Take it as whatever you wish! But please tell me what were you thinking about me?" Again that very cute boyishness!
Jodha then says "I wanted to thank you for suppporting me in the murthis issue and for having faith in me. I liked that very much." His face is aglow with happiness. "You earnned that faith Jodha Begum, and don't need to thank me for it!"
"Can I ask you one thing?" she asks him. He says "Ask away ..." She then says to him "If I had really given those murthis to the daasis would you still have been so calm and not got angry that I had broken your laws?" He smiles to himself and seems very glad to answer her question.
He starts "Before I answer that, I have to tell you something. This Mughal Sultanate extends from the very farthest Western corners to the eastern corners, and from deep north to deep south ... and in this land people of all faiths, cultures, languages and beliefs exist. I do not ever see their differences, I see how alike they all are as my awaam. And its my duty as a King to see that they are all equally happy and at peace, without fear of their religion, culture and individualities being taken away from them. A King is as powerful as he is loved by his people. You know, when you drank that poison in the Benazir issue I had gone to the praja and asked them all to pray for you, knowing they were all of different faiths and would pray in their own special ways. I myself prayed to Allah and then found myself additionally going into your hojra and lightinng the diya for Kanha and praying to Him too for your recovery." Jodha didn't know how to look at him - she was stupefied to hear all this.
But he continued "Jodha Begum, I love my religion, but I don't understand people who hate other religions. Every body has the right to pray to his or her God as he or she wishes. And all this is not something I feel only after you have come into my life. Even before our nikaah there was always that Ambe Ma ka mandir in Agra, but its upkeep was not good. Even during our nikaah when you asked to follow your own religion I saw it as your right to do so with freedom. I think you must have got the answer to your question?" Both of them smiled the guileless smile of two hearts in deep love.
For good measure he also added "And I had faith in you because you are a good person with a good heart!" They smiled again ...
... but as he moved, his hand almost touched hers on the parapet, some of his fingers covering hers. It was delicious moment when both felt that frisson of feeling that the shock of touching each others hands brings to two lovers, whose hearts and full and yet they are too tentative to go too fast with each other!
Jalal looked down at their touching hands annd allthough he saw her fingers curl a bit he didn't see her hand pulling away. He looked at her with passion in his eyes, showing an intense awareness that he had seen that she did not draw away in that moment. Then with a sudden spurt of boldness he let his fingers cover hers and brush her hand palpably. This time she withdrew her hand almost as if her hand was on fire! He saw that but he read it with compassion as a sign of her not being quite so ready yet to be so bold.
But they had become so intensely aware of each other after this hand-play that they tried looking elsewhere ... before their gazes came drifting back to lock into each other. The scene froze at that point - and I was so wanting more of this! I just sat staring at the screen wonndering why the episode was over so fast!
Friends, what can I say again? That speech by Jalal about religious freedoms was so moving, notjust because it was so sincere but because of that special moment when he told her how he had prayed to both Allah and Kahna for her recovery after the snake bite. Jodha was ever so touched that she could not speak, her eyes were full and her lips were softly quivering. What love this man must have for her to be so prayerful for her recover, praying even to the God precious to her ... but more than that how honest he was and how without motives when he even shared that story with her? And as for the part where they hold hands, if hands could speak Jodha's hand would have asked for more when hes fingers started caressing hers. But her sanskaars I guess would not allow her to move so fast so easily, and I think since he feels real love for her, her tentativeness will only make him love her all the more! You know, I've always written things like "Creatives, get bold with your scenes!" but I am so glad they don't listen to me. Or we would have missed this tender, simply sensational romance that just two hands brushing each other could have given us! I am now so happy that this romance is creeping in on us ever so slowly. The cautious, genntle, slow swing of the love between Jodha and Jalal is to be savoured like sweet wine, sip by sip. We would miss it all if we took gulps of it and pushed the Creatives for another big peg! Let's enjoy the sedateness of a love that blooms slowly, petal by petal. As for Ruq, I think she is history as of yesterday. I feel her belligerence in the precap is her last ditch attempt to cover up her misdeeds. Let's leave her alone and not keep fearing her or Maham. This Jodha-Jalal love has treanscended the stage when enemies can sunder them - or even if they do the separation cannot last long as they will gravitate back to each other like two halves destined to become one whole.Life is beautiful, isn't it, when the story we love is unfolding perfectly! What bliss!
Book Talk
Anupamaa
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