.:: Contribution of Character ~ Jagtap Dada ::.

.:: Contributions of Character ::.

J A G T A P D A D A

A piece written in continuation and coordination with Hammie's Character of the Week, I will explore my thoughts on the contribution of Jagtap Dada to Laagi Tujhse Lagan, more specifically the impact and influence of this particular character on our very own Dutta and Nakusha.

It's surely no surprise that his character was pivotal in the development of a certain eternal love story in addition to some life lessons. As we all know, from the moment Jagtap Dada entered the show, there was a head on fire between Dutta and him.

One being the king of the Jungle curious with new intruders, while the other was used to being the king and ruler in general. Both were on the same wavelength when it came to their face-to-face meeting, neither backing down.

The first encounter between the three illustrated Dutta's on guard and stubborn nature where he does not trust easily and therefore bears in his mind that all may as well be his enemy, whereas Naku just like she saw right passed Dutta's exterior had done the same from someone whom was a stranger and addressed as Dada. Jagtap Dada walked into their lives, literally, as if sent from heaven. He saw Nakusha's innocence and place and recognized Dutta for who he is, learning as the segment progressed, that possibly this man was a mirror image of him. Dutta was less experienced in life whereas Jagtap had been there and known what he did about life. He had much words of wisdom to share. He was the person who helped nakusha understand her rights and place and broaden Dutta's perspective on life/love.

Jagtap's words throughout from when he tells Naku to come and her stubborn husband will follow, he had already gained a certain understanding of the people he was dealing with, harmless yet complicated/complex. He was able to show Dutta his place when he asked him, as the wise man and more intelligent and knowledgeable person in that jungle, that they follow his exact footsteps, but Dutta not being used to taking orders dismisses the idea only to land himself in a pit, requiring the help of this man to come out. Even then he stood his 'on guard 'position. Later, when he asks Nakusha to learn to say her full name, he almost hit a soft spot for both of them. It was like he was trying to close the gap that was clearly visible between this strange husband-wife so to speak. All of these were only paving the ground to build his understanding of them and then drop hints at them. But what really did the trick for both were the lectures he shared with each.

Jagtap, after clearly witnessing the acts of doubt and mistrust with these two, he goes to Naku and asks whether she too had lost trust and faith in the world and decided to doubt all like her husband has. He goes on to provide his expertise through words by saying the facts straight, that where Dutta gets his feelings of love betrayal was probably never even his love, and then the one that has all the love for him in her eyes he fails to see/recognize. Jagtap correctly points out that he knows Nakusha loves Dutta but Dutta doesn't understand how to understand that love and asks what she will get out of it all. Naku's answer in a way touches him deeply, when this innocent girl says she knows nothing more than to put faith in bappa and love unconditionally..and that she expects nothing in return from Dutta. That meant even if he had left her in the jungle she wouldn't feel bad, Jagtap recalls his own love, pakhi, whom loved him no differently than Naku did her saab. He had made a heartfelt connection to this love story and he felt more overwhelmed than anything. He saw the old him in Dutta and Naku resembled Pakhi in nature also. Upon learning they plan to go their own ways, he takes the opportunity to persuade her to think on her own terms, to do what she wants and not what her husband wants. He wants her to show her place, tell him her rights, what she feels for him. When she continues to refuse, he says that Pakhi and taught him one thing: to speak from the heart, to close her eyes, look and speak straight from inside..he wanted to encourage her to stand her ground on this and not go away for maybe he knew Dutta needed her love and she deserved what she wanted...

Now it came time for Jagtap to give Dutta a greater understanding on life, one which he learned through time and surely spoken from experience. Jagtap definitely always spoke straight from his heart, whatever he thought would be most appropriate in the situations. He had his showdown with Dutta challenging him what his facade will get him. Dutta is insistent on only getting what he needs, a way out of the jungle, but Jagtap stood insistent on making him understand a few things first. He challenges his understanding of relationship and love. He tells Dutta straight up that even death couldn't separate him from his love and yet before him stands a man who's very much alive yet fails to stand by his. He tells the tale, in few words, of how his blood filled hands were washed by his love pakhi that's what changed him. A story that I feel Dutta could very much relate to, if he just let himself. And i think almost every word Jagtap said was somewhere getting imprinted in him as his every word could go for him, especially when Jagtap says he too will relate to him one day and will see true love also and only then that he would learn to love life and will understand the meaning of beauty. Finally when Dutta still shows his distaste with life, love, betrayal Jagtap challenges him saying he feared betrayal and runs from life, but how far will he run, to which of course Dutta will not backdown, he says in equal fervor that this is his life, he will run as far as needed for as long as he wished, he had endured a lot in life and he wasn't willing to go there again, he won't forgive a single betrayal. Jagtap then finishes off with his final words, the betrayal he's endured was never his love to begin with, the day he will see that true love before him he won't be able to run. He tells Dutta to forget about the fight with the world and to pay attention to the fight within, telling him that at some point and some place to pause, close his eyes and find that love..

Jagtap's influence in both cases was to set them on a path to find each other completely. He was the needed kick to get the ball rolling, that too with a sense of direction. He truly and deeply touched the hearts and souls of these two not to mention a huge influence and encouragement in their love story. In the end he had even happily given his life for them and despite all that hard outer shell Dutta displayed he did hear Jagtap and maybe even had sensed that connection as even Dutta's eyes watered seeing the death of this great man, not to mention keeping the promise of hanging on to that hand of Naku's...his words of wisdom had essentially led them to find that inner tranquility and love which lied with each other...