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Wow...apart form the confession the kanyadaan sequence where both Aru and Mukhi give acceptance to each other as pati patni , in front of Aru's parents, was a surprise and a very well laid out thread. It closed the chapter of the dhoke ki shaadi, the marriage full of doubts which Aru and Mukhi had earlier, which Mukhi ended when he was going to go back alone to Amboli. He frees Aru of the dhoke ki shaadi.
Makers have picked up the thread from there and closed that loop, with Aru's parents doing kanyadaan with complete knowledge and acceptance of Aru and Mukhi. I loved loved loved it when Mukhi asks Aru once again, before accepting the kanyadaan if she can deal with his village life and can fulfill her dreams with him. He does not jump up and accept her just like that..now that she is in love with him. He never, never forgets that she is not just another girl..that she has aspirations that mean a lot to her. Rightly so, he tells her parents that Aru's dreams make her one in a million..that part of the reason he fell for her and respected her was because of her dreams. And makes sure Aru is taking this step of marriage knowingly. And then he also declares his acceptance of Aru as his wife and takes the kanyadaan. I applaud the makers for trying to start this marriage freshly with this sweet emotional kanyadaan with equal respect and choice on both the sides, rather than cliche routines like maang bharna. The scene is also poignant because kanyaadan is done by her elders and now he is officially answerable for her safety. He was always answerable after the wedding but that was wedding full of dishonesty. Now the real marriage starts so real expectations will start.
Two of the big hints that makers are giving us:
1) Suraksha: Safety of Aru. Its an unusual word to use with the son-in-law that she will be safe with you. Unless you are living in a war zone, thats not the first thing parents say. They would rather say she will be happy with him. But they used her safety and safety of her dreams...both with him. Husband and wife both are responsible for each others safety in normal times. Yes, he a little more because he is the "man".
I feel this word Suraksha being brought up so many times, will indicate a track where Mukhi might want to leave Aru at AHMD because he fears for her safety in Amboli. He might realize the men were after Mukhiyani...and that Aru will be a target of attacks due to his being the Mukhi. Also, this can turn the plate and make Aru also step back later when she realizes she is being used as bait to extort money from Mukhi as in case of kidnapping. So makers indicated a open track there.
2) "Aru to ek min mein maan gayi aapse shaadi ke liye": These words from Aru's mother...really that woman..I cannot fathom. She herself promised Aru's hand in marriage to Mukhi while talking to Mishri after Dharmi runs away. She doesn't even ask Aru, she just promises. And she makes Aru feel honour bound to marry Mukhi to save both families prestige. Aru does not agree easlily...the reason she agrees is more so for Mishri's sake , and because she failed as being the gaurani match maker ..and not for her own family. Today how easlily Aru's mother states that Aru was ready in a jiffy to marry Mukhi.
This indicates that a jealous Dharmi will come back, alone and crying, and now since Aru has forgiven her, they will indulge dharmi and let her cause problems. Dharmi will for sure put all the blame of the way she ran away from her own wedding on Aru...she will make everyone think that Aru always wanted to marry Mukhi so she asked Dharmi to run away. And as it is, its Aru who stayed back till Mishri left, its Aru who decided to stay back for Mukhi's health, its Aru who didn't want to come to AHMD. So...this track is coming up . Hoping this mother who shed tears of happiness for Aru's marriage supports Aru and not Dharmi. And mainly, hoping makers show Mukhi fully trusting Aru and not doubting her .
So for future tracks I am seeing trust and issues of each others well being as primary cause of contention between AruMukhi.
But lets come back to episode today. And starting from the start- Mukhi in the tank...confesses as if he did something he should not have and therefore is not able to say. Its like mummy asks did you eat the candy , the guilty kid nods . This was one of the best executed confessions ever coming from a male lead. We have become used to flamboyant display of love..candles, flowers, baloons, wine, music, ring, proposal..and so on so forth. Men who declare their ILUs as if they are a hero in a movie. But this , this was so grounded, so played down on purpose , so innocent that one can only stare at Mukhi, the 43 yr old village chief, accepting his love for the 22 yr old chirpy city girl with a slight sense of guilt. Because he had not wanted for this to happen...he has been burdened with thoughts of not being suitable enough for her, of being too old and too different form her. And he was so so overwhelmed with this whirlwind of emotions that he could not say anything to her...only when she was leaving him , he realized that he cannot let her go. And that is enough for Aru to come back and give him the strength to express his feelings...
Do you care for me...the Mukhi nods. Yes...of course I care for you..and each of his actions already has proved that to her. Do you remember me when I am not around- yes ..of course..a thousand times a day...he hated leaving her. Do you love me , she finally asks. A big nod, a guilty nod..yes yes yes I love you..even though I did not want to and I thought I am not supposed to...but I am hopelessly in love with you. Aru understood all of it. His silence, his nods, his love and his guilt. And she erased it by showing her happiness.
Aur kuch kehna hai aapko...do you want to say anything else she asks him...as one might ask a fragile child. She understands how fragile his heart is right now in love...how difficult expressing this is for him..accepting his emotional dependence on her, accepting that he has got so entwined with her not he cannot set free... And his dam bursts..he wants to talk...he asks her how to say in english first, because he wants to hear and say in her way, her city way first. And then when she prompts, he says the sweet words to her in gujrati...her face lights up...the anguish in them for being apart so far surfaces, and they embrace, not as pati patni, but as two people in love. Wanting all of each other, accepting whole of each other.
I wish they had used some lighting in the tank though, it was very hard to see Mukhi's face and eyes and I was squinting to see his expressions.
So the reason Mukhi was holding back and not letting Aru confess came out with his acceptance.He was head over heels in love and there was no way he could deny that. So he was just pushing it.Of course, so lost they are in being connected and are found in the tank by the elders..( these uncle aunties don't have any work kya...it was night, sleeping time for all..chain so soo nahi sakte kya😆).
Anyway I guess the purpose was to have them find out the realities and do the kanyadaan.
Loved the mom-daughter kitchen talk and Aru describing the love journey. Aru for the first time has opened up to someone about her love and her journey. It was my pet peeve that while Mukhi got Saanvi to air his thoughts to, Aru was all alone. So today they showed Aru talking it out with her mom. I loved Aru's mom and her tears of happiness until she blurted out that piece about Aru being ready to marru Mukhi in a jiffy.
The cute few moments after the kanyadaan where AruMukhi are alone for the first time into the new marriage after the kanyadaan, that awkwardness, shy Mukhi..wanting to say something else , saying something else, the crazy grin on Mukhi's face and Aru teasing him...all very sweet and enjoyable..I was giggling the way Mukhi was grinning. And then he asks her to take honey and turmeric...kya banda hai. Mukhigiri nahi chodega..😆
Btw, did I mention I am loving this teasing Aru and shy Mukhi a lot , a lot!!! Aru throwing him a flying kiss..so of her age thing to do when he says thanks to her in traditional handfold way.
Good work by Niyati..in the confession scene, she was defeated and rejected, then comes back as a strong and patient girl who helps him express, elated to know his truth. And then the Aru in saree teasing Mukhi..all the shades were played brilliantly by Niyati..looking super dashing in the saree!!!😊
And Eijaz bowled me with his simple true confession performance in the tank, and as well when he was nervous to talk to her after kanyadaan scene...the way he was grinning. Superb nuances by Eijaz. He really plays his part well of mitti se juda aadmi.
Aru brings Saanvi and establishes her confidence in her husband and takes Saanvi to be his Sakhi as well as hers. I do think Saanvi will continue to add to their love story positively.
While I like Aru in saree and was appropriate for the occasion, I do not want Aru to become and Star bahu who is decked in sarees, makes tea and khana and deals with female conspiracies all the time. Want to see normal Aru..and her trying to make her dreams come true with Mukhi by her side. So hope all the loops CVs have about Dharmi, Rami etc are closed soon enough and we see the real story, of how a Village chief supports his city wife with her goals. How they deal with possible ego issues, sacrifices etc.
I will not be in town for about 10 days and cannot watch or do analysis..will catchup after I am back and post one, if the track doesn't put me out :)
But great episode today, and worth watching it a few times. And Mukhi did surprise the forum by accepting his love..isn't it. Aisa hi banda hai.
