Posted:
Yes, this episode brought me back 😃
Here's to all my Akdha lovers🤗
JODHA'S HOJRA
Its the tiny things in life, the light-hearted moments - that morphs what can be called 'mere existence' into 'life' - these are the first memories one would recollect and miss when one fears the loss of a loved one - especially when the ONE in question is as special like 'Jodha Begum' is to Shehenshah!
Jalal is casually passing by her hojra, when he remembers her taanaa! How could he not? Its not the grandiose jashans and the lavish affairs with her that he wants to recall. Its these bitter-sweet moments from the short history that they've both shared together that comes to his mind first!
Unbeknown to him, he slips inside her hojra - his face swinging between shock and despair as he does so!
Subconsciously, he follows her 'orders' and removes his shoes too! Obviously, because he'd envisaged an event from their past where Jodha had chided him for not removing his shoes during her Pooja 'This habit of cross-questioning me...' he'd told her 'I get annoyed by it just as much as I enjoy being a victim of it!'
'Done your bit?' she'd retorted then 'Taunted me for the day?'
And then Voila! The vision disappears...what a stark contrast the bright yellow warm room becomes thereafter - turning into one of dark cold blue!
Jalal then stopping the diya from extinguishing and performing the aarti was a very touching scene - but, what moved me even more was the recollection of how he'd used Jodha's guidance to pray in front of the Lord! Yesterday, it was his Sajda visions at the Dargah and today the namaste visions in front of Kanha's mandir!
It just goes to show that as much as 'recognition of dil' and 'forgoing ghrina' is a part of Jodha and Jalal's love story 'unity/acceptance of two religions by two influential royals' plays an important part in this journey too! 😊
Hameeda Banu watching him and understanding his plight is just as touching. All these days, when Jalal used to be in despair, it was MA who used to follow him closely and be by his side. Now that he's at his lowest, MA is amiss - it's HB by his side.
Though they haven't really shown a realization of sorts, Jalal hasn't even sought the presence of his usual emotional crutch! Had Benazir's words influenced him so much? Could this be a turning point - an indication of slightly strained ties between Jalal-MA and the growing bond between HB-Jalal? Definitely hope so! 🤔
RUQAIYYA
Whenever she gets through these brief phases of sensibility - she uses Hoshiyaar as her punching bag - and I mean, literally!😆
JODHA'S TREATMENT
Jalal's watching of Jodha's painful-to-witness treatment is much like the tormented family peeping through the window of an ICU today - watching the frail body of their loved one being injected by needles - inserted with tubes and surrounded by medical equipment! Its agonizing!
Jalal's expressions reflected this anguish perfectly - after the first glimpses, he never looked up again as he spoke to the Hakim Sahiba! He just wasn't able to!
Needless to say, his speech to the awaam - though brief - was still heart-tugging!
JODHA- JALAL - THE MIGHTY CONFESSION
'She doesn't want to fight this battle any more...she seems to have no will to live' said the Hakim
'Takhliya' he says thereafter - followed by a sterner order to Ruqaiyya - his voice not letting go of his commanding tone despite the calamitous situation he was in.
'Open your eyes Jodha Begum...' he tearfully orders her lifeless body once everyone leaves 'I said open your eyes...don't leave me alone!'
He then envisions the scenario - like as though he was stopping her departing soul from entering death's door! He envisions her vanishing soul questioning him on those very statements he'd made earlier - about not wanting to see her ever again! Obviously, its his profound guilt coming into play here. Not only was he distraught that she'd risked her life to save him, that he'd not believed her, but that he'd said those belittling statements a few days ago!
Those ego-driven rebukes of his held no weight whatsoever, but they'd definitely come back to hit him very hardly!
He then imagines holding the hand of her departing profile - and her asking him why he was doing so
'You were the one who said you never wanted to see my face again...' Jodha's soul tells him calmly 'Not even if I shut my eyes forever...so let me go...I did what I had to do! I've fulfilled my duty...I am happy...I'm satisfied...content...that I have saved your life...'
'I wouldn't let you go...' he refutes emotionally - trying to put on as brave a face as he could 'You've always been stubborn and had your way...but this time you HAVE to listen to me...I know I said that I never wanted to see you again...but, the truth remains that whenever I close my eyes I see only you...I might profess to hate you, but in my heart-of-hearts what I have for you is love..Allah Kasam...the truth is that I have a heart and you've made me realize I have one...you have no right to break it thus and leave...if you leave, then I will' and he chokes on his words, unable to finish the line!
A heart touching confession indeed and couldn't have come in a better manner, in a better form, through better lines or at a better time!
Obviously, true to his status - despite knowing his limits - he 'ORDERS' her soul NOT TO LEAVE - alas, even HE has to resign to the will of the Lord!
His words beyond this stage were spoken like that of a mighty yet desperate...egoistic yet helpless mad-man - one who had everything in his power, BUT the power to change one's fate!
His 'I will die if you will die' His 'I will fight anyone, but not let you go' Savitri-like stance His 'I will NOT accept defeat even against God' was like a possessed tantrum his heart was throwing - a silent utterance that only her soul could hear. Not even his confession of love moved her as much as his aggrieved outburst - literally moving her 'soul' to tears!
It was then that she'd decided that life on Earth - with HIM - did hold something more positive for her.
How fitting that it was this very bitter sweet charge of the husband she always knew was what she could relate to - even more than the mohabbat revelation! How beautiful that this 'bare-all human' manner of Shehenshah brought back the first signs of 'life' in Jodha - the very Jodha who had been reduced to mere 'existence'...the very Jodha who had nearly lost her will to live! Optimism prevailed! Love conquered!
This episode was a complete circle and beautifully executed in every aspect.
What's not to love?
PRECAP
Ruqaiyya back to her old self - not even one episode CVs? NOT EVEN ONE? 😆
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