Here's an excerpt from an *exclusive* interview with Shehenshah Jalal-ud-din Mohammad and Mariam-uz-Zamani Begum Sahiba in relation to the show.
On a nice winter night, at Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra, Agra.
This is meant to be a fun post and doesn't intend to ridicule historical personalities at all.
***
S - First of all, I'm really grateful to you, Your Majesty and Your Highness, for taking out some valuable time from your busy schedule for us. Thank you! 😊
Before the man himself could respond, SHE interrupted with a half-smile.
J - Oh it's alright, girl! We're not really busy nowadays... gone are the busy days!
And silence prevailed for a few seconds.
A - Oh cheer up Begum Sahiba! Isn't being not-so-busy and living without interruptions pretty pleasing too?
She just gave him a look I didn't quite comprehend.
S So what should I get you? Rose sherbet or maybe thandaai?
A - Very courteous of you to ask, though I guess we've had enough of those. I would like to see what this generation is growing up on now, for a change.
S - This generation? Umm...
J - Soft drinks, maybe?
I thought I saw her eyes lighting up a bit.
A - *chuckling* You seem to be quite updated with this age's terms, Begum Sahiba!
J - Maybe you should start keeping a tab on earthly affairs too. This era is a tad bit more interesting than ours, you know!
A - Interesting, really? I won't compare the two though... and anyway this is a discussion for another day. Can we hear what our host has to say?
Another set of incomprehensible looks.
S - Okay so I'll start with the most controversial aspect of the story the confusion surrounding your name, Begum Sahiba! Would you care to throw some light on this matter?
I thought I spotted something like a tiny smile on her face.
J - I have been half-expecting this question. And I would say what I have been saying to him every time we're discussing this topic. What's in a name, dear girl? You know me, and probably few others too, beyond my name and that is all that matters. This world has created its own controversies and confusions, and I would let it solve them on it's own.
A - Besides, even if we let you in on certain little secrets, what are you going to do with them? Trust me, it is rather frustrating knowing the truth and not being able to prove it to the world.
And he flashed a knowing smile at her.
S - *This is going to be one weird interview.* Okay then I'll come straight to the topic. Have you heard of shows or films being made on the two of you?
A - Aah yes, we've more than heard of such pieces actually. Am I right, Begum Sahiba?
J - Of course, didn't I tell you I do keep an eye on earthly affairs. And don't tell me you're another fan of that show, here to talk about it!
A - Umm, I guess you've forgotten... but we're to talk about just that!
*DeathGlares*
J - I should have known from all those smiles you've been flashing! Miss Reporter, let me talk about your show then. Who the hell did they think they were portraying? What did they reduce my Shehenshah to? What with those unimaginably long eyelocks? What with those kiddish encounters? And for God's sake, I DON'T speak so much!
A - *Almost laughing* Calm down, Begum Sahiba. This poor girl might get scared seeing your angry self, though I of course am used to it. As for the show, yes they did reduce me to some sort of roadside puppy, and I wasn't very happy about it back then. But now when I think of it, these people are not to blame! They're just good at business, like you, and know exactly what sort of stories are loved by the majority. And they have anyway got me a few more admirers, haters I already had a lot! Besides, they weren't completely wrong, were they? You are good at speaking, after all.. *sly smile*
*DeathGlares Part 2*
S - So you do know about the show. Begum Sahiba, looks like you seriously hate it though. But so many of us came to admire you through it, won't you credit it for this, at least? *:P*
J - Aah, you mean it popularized us as a couple? Well yes, that is true... though I believe all this love story business has somewhat overshadowed him as an emperor, and I'm not at all fond of the kind of smirking image they've created of him.
A - Really, Begum Sahiba? My, my... this is turning out to be more interesting that I thought it would. So would you care enough to let me know then, what kind of image of mine do you like?
*Me laughing away in a corner*
J - Why are you trying to be somewhat like that show's lead? Doesn't suit you, let me tell you!
A - But I would say I kinda enjoyed the initial portrayal by that guy! I regret not being able to smirk that much in my life, you know! And much more than this, I regret not being able to tease you as much as he did!
J - Enough of him! Can we be back to YOU?
A - Uff, looks like some of the show's leading lady has got to you! And by the way, what exactly do you mean by being ME?
J - *You're impossible* All this is another day's discussion, your highness. We shall see who's who when we're back home. *THOSE looks* Miss Repo, can we please move on?
A - And we're sorry for the trouble. *Grins at her*
S - Oh no it's absolutely alright. I guess a show on you people would be better than that one, seeing the kind of talks' you have. Anyway, so I have certain scenes from the show to talk about. Do you remember the first swordfight they showed? We went crazy over that! Here's a clip of that.
A - *laughing* This time, I'll get my dear Begum Sahiba speak first!
J - Wait, isn't that music a bit loud? Apart from the loud music, automatically flying curtains and hair, and the very slow speed of things, this one isn't all that bad. But we never had the time to throw so many dialogues around. I remember, we did practice sword fighting together once, but that one ended soon with him winning and telling me to be careful. Just this, and no unnecessary banters at all!
A - Yes, and this one reminded me of those old days. This guy seems to be having a lot of fun, I unfortunately didn't have the time to keep staring at her for so long, because well, I did have plenty of work back then.
J - Let us not talk of work here... many a times it would be days, weeks, or at times months before I could catch a glimpse of my busy husband! You were right, Shehenshah, it is pleasing to see you a bit free!
A - Yes, but we do get bored of being idle all day, so Miss Repo, it's our pleasure to be here and to be doing something!
S - And it's a dream come true for us! ** I'm absolutely glad to know you did have swordfights, even if without the extra' stuff! Okay the next scene would be the tiger-attack and it's aftermath.
J - What idiotic sort of girl this is? I mean who the hell marches to the jungles empty handed just to do some charity to animals? Ridiculous is a small word to describe this, actually!
A - You're being too harsh on the poor girl, Begum Sahiba. Okay that was a bit idiotic, but unintentional, I guess! But Thank God you never tried your hand at such charity! *😆*
S - *😆* Now, let me ask you, Begum Sahiba, how much truth lies in this hate-to-love business?
J - *laughing nicely* I was wondering where this question was, till yet! Miss Repo, to be honest, every time I come across these terms, hate and love, they just make me laugh. And I'm surprised you people take it as seriously as you do! As for your question's answer, I never hated him as fiercely as they show. But back then, the two communities hating each other was a universal truth, and I wasn't completely aloof from it. So it was a general sense of distaste and despair at having to live my life in a supposed enemy's house, that too as a blot on my people's honour! So initially, I used to remain indifferent and in my own shell. Slowly though, I got used to the people there, to their ways, and to him. And then came a time when I begun to seek his company more than anyone else there, I begun to like the few moments I got with him. And we realized that there were so many things in common between us, so many of our thoughts matched on things, and that whatever happens, happens for the best! And then that's about it... nothing beyond that!
A - Nothing beyond that? I thought you would say something more... *cough* *cough* You haven't yet asked me, Miss Repo, but my story is almost similar to hers. I hadn't actually paid any attention to her initially, but it later turned out this lady was to be my Begum Sahiba for so so so long! *😉*
J - And I didn't realise I would've have to handle somebody for so so so long! *-_-*
A - You're now getting back into the game, Begum Sahiba!
J - Of course, years of experience of playing with someone helps! 😉 ... Anyway, I guess we aren't alone here, so the game will be continued at our place!
S - I want to keep listening without interrupting you... 😆 Anyway, I would now like to know what things you like about our show? That is the minority so would be easier to answer, I guess! *:P*
J - It's about time I say something nice about it. Not that I hated every minute of it, I did find certain things likeable. Like I enjoyed watching the initial bit of hesitance the two of them had! I find public display of affection absolutely silly, but those occasional handholds were okay! Sometimes holding hands is the tiniest thing you can do to reassure someone. Also, though I didn't like the forever smirking guy that much, I loved how he was with everyone. That is very close to him in reality, he's a thorough gentleman! What little they showed him do, was nice too... he was pretty much the same with religious and social issues. And yes, I loved it whenever they showed them as commoners. We've been on such journeys once or twice, and those were really relaxing ones. Living away from royalty, for once, is a pleasure in its own right! We didn't really get to fool around that much, neither did we keep romancing all the time... but amongst all our serious discussions, we did manage to laugh, to smile and to live. The show, with all it's glaring faults, did remind me of those days in it's first year or so. Now when I look back at my life, I'll say even without many lovey-dovey moments and all, it was still a life well lived! That is probably the maximum I can talk about *certain someone*
A - Oh My, Begum Sahiba... you're making me miss something I left behind half a millennium ago. As usual, I have nothing else to add to what you've already said. There have been a lot of enemies, even more friends-turned-enemies, but with certain people like the lady beside me... I've lived a life worth-living! Though one thing that saddens me is, the world, in it's social aspect is still stuck in the 16th century. I've tried to do what I could, I hope someday I can see the world as I wanted to! Before this gets any more serious though, I hope you won't be bragging about how little you speak from now on, Begum Sahiba! *😉*
J - What do you mean? Yours was more a lecture than mine...
A - So you agree yours too was a bit of lecture? ;)
J - Okay I'll agree to this... your company has after all rubbed on me!
S - Excuse me for jumping in, but I guess you two can run a show on your own with such tidbits! I can guarantee a large audience like myself would be all ** You people are a different kind of romantic! <3
J - Don't you talk of us being romantic! We're anything but that. God knows what comic concepts you kids have introduced!
A - *laughing* Calm down, Begum Sahiba... you might scare Miss Repo off yet again!
S - Okay as you say, Begum Sahiba... your story isn't romantic at all, but it's just perfect! <3 No wonder you didn't like the show at all, who would, when you have lived through even better things?
A - Better or not, romantic or not, all this is for you to decide, Miss Repo. I guess we should be off to our place, now.
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