Prati-usha- at the other end of the day- as counter sister of Usha, she was luminescent and bright in crimson youth. Just like a Sandhya, she extinguished her day in oblivion of past. But unlike a regular, appointed evening, she ended it most abruptly into melancholy notes of an unknown. What an emptiness she must have faced that she wouldn't avoid that void?!
Though not watching BV for years, sad news about Pratyusha evoked all the memories that BV was in its heydays...At the exit of Avika as child Anandi, Pratyusha neatly filled up the space left by her. Somehow she looked a natural adult image of child Anandi. She matched well with Shashank and she portrayed brilliantly. Two scenes still linger...
One was her sad retreat from a childhood tie...
As Dadi was lying on sick bad. She faced her cheating husband as a former childhood friend and not as a victim of his delinquency. She forgave him once again and let him go away to his own decision. Sadness was sure there, but no bitterness. A failed tradition of child marriage injured an innocent but somehow it can not break a resilient self esteem. for she knew she hasn't done anything wrong and she won't wallow in self pity...The purple ambience, an humble and diffident Jagya almost bagging for her forgiveness and a vacant stare at her drifting past, Pratyusha etched that scene that summed up the essence of serial Balika Vadhu.
Then there was Jhula scene with Dadi: (copy-pasting impressions that day)
" Vindication
Perhaps biggest compliment a fighter can have is the salute of another one- especially a stalwart, once a formidable opponent. Looking these two spunky women together in such harmony- a rigid, seemingly intractable orthodoxy- won over, mellowed and ultimately rested by a junior-is as much satisfying. For though it was a hapless mismatch- One a ruler of the fief, Dowager and power over other's fate, the other a daughter of impoverished parents- their convictions were well matched. And as the time subjected them the inescapable trials, the latter's mettle only surpassed the senior one's. In the process, demonstrating to her elder the error of her ways. By simply being herself- guileless, truthful, sincere- and not ceding her core serenity in face of the bitter. The senior one, though autocrat by nature or by results of her own survival struggles, can not help but see and recognise this 'battle' and fight back. That of an another 'survivor'. She has to bow. The Cvs are brilliant on these two. As well, the two actors. Their interpersonal chemistry, the dialogues, the screenplay - Zula scene was a satisfying one.
And then seeing her HAPPY. On the way to be fulfilled, valued and loved. A personally satisfying watch to see this careworn, fate worn, innocent but bright girl- who always tugged the string of a viewer's concern- 'what will writers make of her?'- finding her deserved destiny..."
Here Pratyusha had matched stalwart like Surekhaji scene for scene...
...would she also have observed the forbearance of her screen character! But then vagaries of Reality may no take from make believe idealism of the fiction. Such is the life and such is Tinseltown.
Remembering her trademark manoeuvre; Often, an evaluating pause, then, a twitch of one eyebrow, a smile spreads and Anandi dwells on the task on hand! She'd execute it so naturally...we'd miss that gentle lift of a brow...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
