Posted:
Random weekend musings:
Guess what I watched today? The Ratanpur Qila sequence of episodes to research what our Teda Emperor looks like in Teda form. I always wanted an excuse to go watch them again and also write a post on the Ratanpur Qila track as I was not active on the forum then ... So today's my day! š
So, after watching the episodes...guess what, looks like he is truly back! All signs, say yes!
And I don't only mean in his physical form, which is definitely looking more like old times. (Sidenote: I hope everyone is noticing the evolution of Jalal in the red swordfighting practice dress) š
I also do not mean his anger and smirks ... Which are also awesome š
But through the amazing mind games he is playing. š
I think no one has a doubt that Rajat's Jalal's expressions is a dead giveaway he is acting ... But the lingering doubt is are the CVs brilliant enough to execute this track? And yes they are , going back to Sukanya's wedding and particularly the Ratanpur Qila track.
And remember, this sequence was shot after the exodus of the 90 unit members ... So the CVs should be still around ... maybe they had gone a rather "brief" hibernation. So, rest assured, CVs have the capability to execute a TE track. š
So, today is a special take 5, of going down memory lane of my favorite moments from the Ratanpur Qila and their parallels to the current track to see what a Teda Emperor truly looks like:
(1) A sudden change ... The biggest surprise in that track was how Jalal suddenly changed his tracks ... He was dead against giving the Qila and everyone had observed how he raised his sword in the sabha and declared to leave Amer ... And suddenly, as we thought he would be saying his farewells, he decided to give the fort citing his promise to complete Sukanya's wedding as a son-in-law.
Jodha and we the viewer could not believe how he had changed his mind . .. We wondered how he did a full 360 on his view in minutes, similar to how we are thinking how Jalal did a full 360 in his character in a week now
But, little did we know what was truly in his mind then and little do we know now ... And as much as we are trying to read his face now, we do not know what exactly is playing his mind ... Which is such a pleasure. š
(2) A mind that cannot be read: One of my favorite dialogues from the whole Ratanpur Qila track is when Jalal tells Jodha: "Aap kabhi nahin jaan payengi ki yahaa kya chal raha hein" ... You will never be able to know what is going on there ... pointing to his mind
Of late, that was exactly what was missing. His mind and moves are too easily read ... It was like he wore his heart on his sleeve ... Nigaar knew how easily she could trap him before the war. But not anymore, now no one knows what is in his mind including Jodha ...
And now, the stakes are so high ... The current and future of the Sultanate is at stale .. . And the enemies are more dangerous as they are no longer engaging in fair play ...
And, so the resolve must be even stronger to defeat them.
(3) A resolve that the Mughal Sultanate would destroy its enemies. Then, when Jalal tells Atgah of his plans to recapture the fort , he tells him "Mughal sultanate pe dabav aur Shehenshah se zabardasti se kuch lena naa mumkin hein." What a resolve, what a determination!
Compare this to the weepy emperor that was hesitant to meet the challenge from MahaC and his sister.
But, now that steely resolve is back as Jalal showed in his outburst with Shariffudin in the rain ... That his enemies need to know the Jallad is back to destroy them.š
And the way, the enemies are embedded within Agra reminds me of the moment when he looks at the ants crawling over the sweets and comments how the ants think that "mithai ko koyi haath nahi lagaa saktha" ... And you need a ploy to get it out.
(4) A ploy that would make the enemy think they are winning, only to win the overall battle ... One of the beauties of the Ratanpur Qila plan was Jalal made the opposition feel they had won by giving in to their demands for the fort ... But won the battle in the end by giving it back on his own terms.
And that is exactly what he is doing now, giving the enemies a strong sense they are winning ... Only to win the battle in the end.
I don't know if you remember ... Maharana Pratap was giving us a running commentary of Jalal's actions at that time ... He summed it up aptly when he said: "Paasa penkhar saamnewale ko ek chaal to jitaaya par baazi wohi jeetenge"
By rolling the dice, he made the opponents win one move, only to win the whole game later. He added "door ka sochtha hai" ... He thinks afar.
And for the days he did not think much, he is thinking overtime now.
(5) Securing the very lives we thought he was destroying: I remember before the final cards unfold, we all felt Jalal had risked and ruined the married life of Sukanya as well as hurt Jodha immensely.
There was that ominous dialogue that Jodha had made during the wedding ceremony that Shehenshah "sirf cheena jaanthe hain" ... Only knows how to grab things. And we were all worried it was true.
But. in the end, how beautiful was the way Jalal kept his head on Sukanya's heqd and gave her back the fort in her name and ensured that she would be "surakshit" along with her in-laws. And do you remember, the anger with which he warned her in-laws that he would destroy them if they hurt Sukanya.
And if he did so much for his saali, guess how far he will go for Jodha, his children, and the future of his entire Sultanate.
I love the Ratanpur Qila track as Jalal listened to the calling of his heart ... To help Jodha and her family ... But executed brilliantly with his mind, tedapan, and style that befitted a Shehenshah.
I see that Teda Emperor back! And Rajat is it living it up in full style! Now, I am just waiting for the "oohs" and "aahs"
So, question for you, is that Teda Emperor back or what?
Please share what are your thoughts on this take, our Teda Emperor, the Ratanpur Qila track, and the current track, or anything else that comes to mind.
If you are looking for ways to kill time this weekend, I would highly recommend re-watching the Ratanpur Qila track and of course, celebrating our Teda Emperor on this thread! šš
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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