The number of JA tracks and drag around the similar lines with no sight of J&J settling in love life, is baffling quite a few as I see. I however have a different take on this and sharing the same here.
You may want to call me Ekta's agent end of it, but let me still give it a try.
These are my humble views and would love to hear your views too.
In the post, the one in love with Jodha is refered by Jalal and the king of Hindustan as Akbar and the transformation on both these aspects discussed.
Scenario 1: Pre marriage:
Cruel Jalal. Compassionate Jodha. First heartbeat for Jalal.
All powerful, arrogant, no dhil Jalal infatuated by the bold and beauty, hurt ego (knowing Jodha's wish to have him beheaded and the sword on his neck incident), wanting revenge and excited about the challenge of taming a wild horse. Consumed by a desire to make her his own and willing to make any compromise for that, while carefully hiding his feelings for her. Jodha, the embodiment of spontaneous love, soaked in knowledge and intelligence, pride and honor, now burning in a rage of hatred and revenge for a man, who is none else than the all powerful king of Hindustan. Jalal, the one with no heart, hears his first heart beat,which he does not want to accept to himself though.
Akbar's arrogance and cruelty, even to his own soldiers (jooti incident) and attrocities by his general and soldiers to the public seen. Attitude that as a King he can do anything as he wishes and not bound by any law. A harem of 5000 women! mostly won in wars, his attitude towards his many wives and partiality to Ruqaiyya, his heart throb who rules his mind. Under the influence of Khan Baba and MA, who indirectly controls his regime and emotionally binds him. An orphan with a sad childhood and unwillingness to forgive his own mother, but loves his wet mother.
Akbar, who wanted to make the entire India his own and realising the challenge posed by Rajputana, considers the path of 'rishta' as a means to his end. Winning Rajputana at any cost has been a dream. The heartless, powerful and arrogant Akbar, falls for Amer and its gem, for that matter the gem of India (Jodha) and wanted to make these his own. He is impressed by the qualities such as guts, loyalty and value for vachan of Rajputana.
Post marriage, Akbar adds the gems, Maan Singh and Bhagavan Das, to his court.Foundation for a strong relationship with Amer is well laid now, which goes down a long way in the history.
Scenario 2: Jodha's Agra life begins
Jalal won over by Jodha. Jodha stable in her hatred.
Jodha with a heart full of love for even an ant and a heart full of hatred for the king of Hindustan arrives at Agra, the king's own palace. She readily accepts his parivaar, but shuns him while reconciling to the fact that she can no more kill be his wife. Jalal in turn cages her and devises means to defeat her.
Jodha does not miss an opportunity to express her disgust for Jalal, the all-powerful whose ego is hurt (Jodha's request to Ruks to keep him away). Jalal does not want to miss an opportunity to pin her down but instead gets pinned down. And with each defeat, he was losing himself away.
Jodha fights for her servant (Moti) which is mocked about.
Jodha still dares to request a drama in front of her parents despite their equation, Jalal complies (Complying starts now!). He could never say a 'no' to her.
Jala attracted by the multifarious talent of Jodha, her love for Rahim, her relationship with his parivaar and her pure heart (letter on Ruk's pregnancy), his revenge getting dissolved in the process. He is won over by Jodha and accepts defeat for the first time.
First lesson to Akbar on "giving" (Jodha's words that you only take things away, but can't give anything) and the dhil vs mind bit.
Track padded with mutual suspicion on the intent of the other, while the seed of love and some self- introspection also sown in Jalal's mind. The making of Akbar begins.
Scenario 3: Ruks miscarriage
Jalal mellowed down. Jodha still hurt.
Jalal, the injured lion strikes with might, revenge comes to fore in all wrath. Not just Jodha but her parivar is also avenged. Valued pride and honor of Jodha hurt leaving her more bitter and with unbearable pain. Injustice and cruel nature of Jalal leaves her with disgust. Repentent Jalal apologizing to her, who is unwilling to forgive. Jalal feels bad about the ill-treatment of her all along. He decides to free her of the marriage ties, if that would make her happy while he is sad at the prospect of losing her. He even gifts her a whitte dress indicating her purity and conveying a message of truce. Jodha is hurt by Jalal's divorce offer cursing her fate to lead a life of divorcee, but willing to leave Agra given an increased level of hatred now. But the dual rejection of parents and husband drives her to suicide, before which she also realises the things done by Jalal for her. Jalal saves her though in the name of protecting the esteem of the Saltanat. He asks her to see what he has done for her also, instead of only bickering.
So it ended up that the unforgiving bitter Jodha had no option but to continue at Agra, while Jalal takes up Jodha as his responsibility. He is able to relate to her pain and says that they both sail in the same boat of loneliness.
Arrogant Jalal repentent of his behaviour towards Jodha's family, offers good post and later also arranges Sukanya's wedding. He listens to the advice of Bharmal on the characteristic of a good king being just and promises to implement.Loyalty of Amer leaves a lasting impression. The dhil of Akbar started softening and woken up to being a just king.
Scenario 4: Ajmer Visit
Beginining of a normal relationship.
Jalal's effort to patch up. Repentent Jalal prays for her happiness (at Ajmer). Hurt Jodha wishes to teach him a lesson. Jodha's suspicion forever (obsession) regarding his touching her. Jodha's failure to change his views on hunting. Jodha's effort to save her dying husband as a duty of wife.
Healing of the wound, physical and mental for Jalal, desires her friendship. While, Jodha is surprised to see traces of good quality in him (his feelings for God and Sukanya's wedding). This is the starting point of a normal relationship.
Scenario 5: Amer Days
Friendship and trust develops.
Jalal gets to know more about Jodha and impressed, attracted, fondness develops.Takes the required steps to remove her pain and keep her happy (Kali temple, giving away fort to Sukanya). Though disappointed by her care and loyalty to her parents, soon was stumped by her loyalty towards him.
Jodha finds Jalal not unbearable anymore, burning hatred removed especially with her vachan to Kali fulfilled, and raises in front of her eyes post Sukanya incident, but negative impressions and shooting arrows of hurt continued.
Though hurt by her arrows of harsh words, Jalal is steadfast in building a friendship.
Jalal's support on the matter of religion and revelation of keeping up his other promise of not touching her wins credit points from Jodha. Seed of trust for Jalal sown in Jodha.
Friendship develops between the two. Jalal willing to compromise on his happiness for Jodha. Jalal starts yearning for her.
Jalal stands by her in her most testing times (conversion to Islam) and ready to forgo his thrown for her.Akbar, no more the arrogant, begins to feel the pain of others. He also gets to know the weakness in his administration - information does not flow upto him. Most importantly, Akbar the great is born - his religious tolerance seen (visit to Kali temple, even bowing down there).
Scenario 6: Jodha's Pregnancy
First test. Jodha's purity seen. Jalal's pain felt.
Though friends, plagued by suspicion when situation arises and all past negativism surfaces back.
Realise their mistakes and try to get back on track. Jodha's benevolence (Bakshi's case) which won the hearts of many. Jodha pained by Jalal's pain and extends support (even places her hand on his shoulder). Jodha overwhelmed by his protection and support.
The one who lost his innocence at the age of fourteen, and leads a lone life with none to really trust around, now sees purity of Jodha and trust in her develops. He protects her honor, even going to the extent of putting himself to shame in front of his own parivaar and the subjects also. His feelings for her maturing into a more deeper love, while he still discovers newer talent of hers. Journey of friendship commences.
Transformation in Akbar - sense of justice over relation and his openess with his subject and now looking at them as his children to be noted.
Scenario 7: Jalal's birthday
Longing for life long partnership.
Jalal realizes the true role of the king - the welfare of his people. He wins his subject's love and prayers. Touched by his subject's love.
Grateful to Jodha and prays for her life-long partnership. Jodha glad about his prayer and being with him life long. He openly admits that she is a good friend (to Ruqaiyya).
Akbar, who deemed it a primary role to win kingdoms and gain supremacy all over,realizes his true role as a king. He realizes that people should be ruled by heart and not by sword. He begins to relate to the Aam aadmi.
Scenario 8: Tasnim Track
Friendhsip deepens.
Jodha fights for righteousness. Jalal scraps child marriage and was even ready to divorce Rukaiya, a very dear friend and wife of his. Jodha pained for Ruqaiyya and Jalal. Jodha's kindess, intelligence and political astuteness seen (saving Ruks marriage).
Jodha very happy to see a changed Jalal who has started striving for the welfare of his people. Respect and trust in him manifolds for Jodha and treats him as a very good friend (not realising her feelings for him).
Effect of Jodha on Jalal seen. He is happy about the welfare scheme and credits Jodha for that.
Akbar takes the first big step for a transformed nation.He develops love for his people and starts thinking of their welfare. And he wants to be an example for his subjects and was willing to even part away with his dear wife. Jodha's bigger role in the nation's transformation has commenced.
Scenario 9: Benazir
Second Test. Realization of each other's love.
Jalal assumes that the love is mutual and confesses his feelings and only face rejection as a lover. Jodha maintains that it is only friendship still. Pride hurt, bitterness and back to vengeance mode. More importantly he wanted her to accept her feelings for him, by making her jealous and psuhed her to edge in this. With Benazir, Jodha is confused by her own changed behavior and feelings for Jalal. Jalal not missing an opportunity to study her. Love for Jodha continues as Jalal is not attracted by Benazir and is even disgusted by her touch. He sees only Jodha even in her place. Trust (did not believe in Shivani's case) and love remains, but hurt eats in as well. But not happy with the extent to which she is driven by jealousy (attempt to killing Benazir) and disgust sets in that he says he will not see her face even if dies. But support continues as he ensured her continued stay in her room.
Poison drinking incident result in a good revelation for each of them, their feelings for each other. Jalal's intense love for her. Jodha's love for Jalal, though it is still a puzzle to her.
This track also gave some beautiful lessons to Jalal through Mirza (attitude towards loved ones).
Akbar still under the influence of MA and blind trust in his own people. Atrocities by his generals and failure of his administration.
Scenario 10: Ajmer Visit
Growing intimacy.
Brought a big change in the relationship with growing intimacy. A big relief track for many I suppose!
Jalal confused about Jodha and declares that it is difficult to understand her. Jalal little open about his feelings, while Jodha is shy and does not open up. Jalal prays for her company forever, in all walks of his life. Jodha's prays that whatever he wishes come true (this much change since the previous visit).
Akbar's glorious rule in the company of Jodha predicted. Akbar gets to know the issues of his kingdom and administrative failure.
Scenario 11: Harem Role
Increased trust. Confession delayed.
Jalal's confidence and trust in Jodha, his encouragement and support for her. He casts his trust vote for Jodha at Hindu-muslim election pitch. Ruqaiyya falling down in the eyes of Jalal.
Slavery uprooted - new law passed. Jala's increased confidence in Jodha's capabilities.
Jodha gets attracted to Jalal. She starts noticing him (meeting before the game with Ruks). Jalal wants to confess, but fear another rejection. Jodha unwilling to accept her love for Jalal, even to herself (am unable to fathom Jodha's behavior - can someone enlighten please?).
Akbar marks history by yet another important law. He realizes the potential of Jodha and the intent to charge her up with key responsibilities is sown in.
Scenario 12: Current Track w.r.t. Sujamal
Third Test. (Broken trust and shattered hearts.)
Jodha accepts her love for Jalal and decides to confess. But wrong time. Jodha guilty of lying and causing him pain. Jalal outright refutes charges against her,unwilling to suspect her but succumbs. His possessiveness and her silence were killing him. But he pleads to her to tell the truth before he draws any conclusion, he was hoping so much. Major showdown, trust broken either side and both shattered in their own way. (It may also be noted that the implicit trust that Jodha had in Sujamal seem lacking in her case w.r.t. Jalal. Or is it only the vachan to Sujamal?)
Confession of each other's love in a classic way(can't imagine them in moonlit night, starry eyed, holding each other's arms and confessing!). It is more a relief that they confessed atlast!! (not sure when, if this opportunity was not there!)
Their love not yet firmly rooted - the root being trust due to the understanding of the other 'as is' and accepting the other 'as is'. This love based on such an unsullied trust is true undying love, in my humble view. Where, even MA cannot influence and their love life can never be put to risk! It stands all the tests of time.
Here, I am not sure if either can clearly assess how the other will behave or their thought process and why so. And thereby, clarity on how they will behave/think (or react) in a particular situation. (Ex: Jalal says to Jodha's portrait I am like this, my first experience with love etc. - given his background. And also maybe his lack of understanding of a Rajvanshi background and their thought process and likewise for Jodha - the way either of them approached love and the way it developed differs. So, today its advantage MA!). There is no room for misunderstanding if this is in place. So, in my view, though they love each other intensely, they still have some way to go to get into this pure love state, which made history.
Maybe this state will be achieved by the end of this track or if required, one more track before they hit the state. I am willing to wait, as patience pays . Looks like even Jalal and Jodha seem to be more patient than some of the JA fans!
I hope I have made my point clear in that the different tracks are meant to show the way in which their relationship / love develops and how each of these tracks with its incidents have provided opportunities for them to take their relationship to the next level. And also importantly, these tracks reveal the making of Akbar, the great!
So from me, its kudos Ekta!
Note: While I appreciate Ekta for a fantastic show put together, in my humble view, there are logical flaws, obvious ambiguities and dilution of character. I wonder in an effort to portray their love, the powerful personalities involved seem to have been compromised. Ex: Akbar's behavior and reaction in certain situations, Jodha as an sleuth etc. While there can be fiction added, if the character per say could have been maintained intact, I suppose, it would have been more appealing. Also, a portrayal of the depth of Jodha's character is lacking. And some insight into Jodha's character, especially her love life, would definitely help. It leaves me wondering whether Jodha is confused or Ekta is confused or I am confused!
Anyway, Kudos again to Ekta and team. And Kudos to Rajat on his phenomenal performance! He is impactful. And, in my humble view, if I may, a little more from Paridhi, though good, could have made Jodha more impactful.
Thank you for your patient reading and time on this.
I also recommend that you drop by at the posts by History-geek on the relationship between Akbar and Mariam uz Zamani (apologies but am unable to post link being a Newbie). He has done a fantastic job in researching and providing insights on this.
Anupamaa
