For change.....
For a new wave of meaningful Indian Television viewing....
Will Imlie be quite the answer that one is looking for??
Stumbled upon this series quite by accident....saw a promo several months back....in hindsight, seems like the Bidai promo....the leads immediately caught my attention....they 'spoke' through their silence....and then realisation dawned....this was the Hindi remake of Ishti Kutum....a series that I couldn't sit through the first few episodes....and, that was the end of my instinctive interest!
Until yet another snippet struck me once again...the leads looked familiar....this time, though, dancing to gay abandon...the chemistry clearly palpable....I just had to watch the byte from start to finish! :)
That's my little introduction to Imlie....and what a marathon few weekends it has been....to binge watch on 100+ episodes....of course I skipped a lot of the stuff in between....it sure has been a worthwhile watch....what a beautiful, layered love story!!
And to discover it in the most unnatural of circumstances.....
In the midst of social causes....the urban versus rural divide....the have and the have-nots....legitimate vis-à-vis illegal....wisdom and/or education....life partner versus better half....
Imlie and Aditya....you have me hooked, guys!
The reason I make this post is beyond just the immense appreciation....of some fantastic writing....some stellar direction (some of the cinematic feel to the sequences between the leads is just breath-taking).....and most importantly, the superlative leads....what gems Sumbul Touqeer and Gashmeer Mahajani are....what range these two have....simply outstanding!!
The reason is deeper....and that is why despite absolutely loving the Pagdandiya stint, it was today's episode that convinced me that my hopes are not misplaced....Imlie might just be the answer that I am looking for....
A little background now becomes necessary...
The past one year (read: lockdown) has expanded my understanding of the performing arts (read: television)...have always wondered when we can make such meaningful cinema...indigenous OTT content....why is our TV content so godforsaken stereotypical, not to mention regressive??!!
Yes, it is about the TRP game...no rocket science that....
A "Ranjha Ranjha Kardi" brought in the TRPs....what a fine, meaningful drama to emerge out of Pakistani television
"Imlie" is doing us proud, here.....is also topping the charts! :)
Now, circling back to today's episode...why was it special....to prompt this post....
'Cos Imlie did not return to Tripathi house! (Fingers and Toes crossed that she does not yield to a man, all consumed by her love) LOL
No mistake be made....the USP of this show (at least for me)....is the love story....and how it has evolved....what a beautiful 'conversational' journey Aditya and Imlie have had....darn, the first episode itself indicated how right these two are for each other....and they hadn't even met yet! :)
This beauty of the narrative also lies in the layers....the nuances....of the frailties....the failings, if you will....
Imlie and Aditya's basics are the same....very strong value system....aspirational....with a mind of their own....
The beauty of their differences....completes them.
But something happened in today's episode....gave Aditya and Imlie's realisation.....the gorgeous Pagdandiya stint, the closure that I was looking for....
Aditya for all his strengths, has inadequacies of the major kind...
Imlie is his guiding light....helps to keep his moral compass intact....has helped him evolve at every stage...
But there is no denying that the guy has messed up....and that too, big time!
He needs to make amends....he needs to be a man....he is lucky to have Imlie's safe haven....he needs to measure up, too!
Imlie took that step today....when she collected herself....and walked away....without as much a second glance!
Malini and Aditya are a mismatched couple.....Imlie or no Imlie!!
Aditya has realised this....the distance is evident....he needs to close this chapter with integrity....he needs to earn Imlie's companionship....and that is not because he was married to Imlie first....he has chosen to be married to her!
The uniqueness of this story is as much about the definition of an 'ideal' life partner/soulmate as much it is about the role that society plays in narrating it....and therein, the social fabric weaved in so beautifully! Kudos!
And, then will begin the well-deserved love story....
As Aditya evolves into a man with strength of character....
He will be the wind beneath Imlie's wings...
As she soars high to fulfill her dreams...
And he looks on, with pride...
What a journey that will be...
Baaki, Sita Maiya dekh lengi :)
Cheers!
DocD
PS: Looking forward to the Holi sequence tomorrow....GM and ST seem to have killed it! :)
Udne Ki Aasha
