Though the current track with introduction of the lady ARC fondly calls Azadi Express is not something I am happy about, I feel that if handled correctly, it may assist in shaping Bondita's future.
Note that the qualities of AE that are infatuating Aniruddh are her strong nature, fearless behaviour and the willingness to achieve her dreams of the country's independence. She is his "type" and also, in a way, the kind of woman he subconsciously wants Bondita to become.
Wheareas, all Bondita is doing these days is concentrating on her new so-called wifely duties after hitting puberty, something she hardly understands. Peer pressure from KSG and her former neighbours have ingrained some ideals in her mind which is making her lose focus from what Aniruddh has dreamt about her. Note how the gifted watch had two very different meanings for both of them, while Aniruddh gifted it as an appreciation of her results, she took it as a token of love on their anniversary.
Not everything has to be a cliche stupid love triangle. If the CVs have some good sense and don't negatively dramatize this, maybe jealousy from AE will make Bondita try to copy her good qualities like fearlessness and headstrong nature and get the push to be the kind of woman Aniruddh wants her to grow up into. I have a strong notion that AE may also end up dying in one of her missions and is gonna have an extended cameo, much like how Rasiya Bai died in HM track.
But instead of it emotionally scarring Aniruddh and negatively impacting Rudhita relationship, I want it to modify Bondita's personality constructively.
Please share if you have a different view on this....
PS I have wanted this period drama to have a more nuanced treatment with various historical events interacting with Rudhita's life like them meeting important people that advocate female emancipation, or grown up Rudhita participating in Quit India movement, struggling with partition issues, losing zamindari post-independence etc all of which involve women's issues or barrister-work . But the episodes we are getting post lockdown are all stupid cliches of dumbed-down storylines of kitchen politics. There is still hope for the show but God knows for how long!!! 🤔🤔