Behind every man's fall or success There is a woman...But Mohan has many.
Mohan was so true when he said "kismet ka kel toh dehiye papaji..."
'Mohan Bhatnagar' is such an endearing person that even Madam 'Kismat' can't resist playing games with him. Never realized among so many women in his life, there is this Madam 'kismat' playing her vicious act in the background and spewing out venom every time Mohan finds a little reason to smile. 'She' just loves to play her favourite game, 'smitten and bitten' on Mohan again and again as far as women are concerned. There is no point talking about men in Mohan's life as the man who should be there for him, never was there to guide and support. The man whom Mohan does not even address as 'Dad' or 'papa' remained perpetually absent. I sometimes wonder how Mohan must have felt when he first started addressing Megha's Father in law as papaji. Calling somebody as 'Papa' does not come naturally to him. And then, the way he knelt down at papaji's feet, with his head down, eyes pleading and poured his heart out just like a son complaining, pleading and demanding at the same time. He emptied all the honour and respect that has been locked up in his heart for a father figure with that one gesture in that small moment. I can write volumes on Mohan's emotions but before I deviate too much from my main topic I should come back ...
It is not that Mohan's childhood was too lonely, there has been this one woman, his mother, who never seized to shower her love and care for her only child. Although she taught him to take those baby steps, but all through his adolescence till he managed to stride on to his own, she could never really walked along her son. She gave him all the peripheral support but could never become his inner strength. She gets hurt seeing his son suffering but could never feel his pain. It's hard to see his son moaning and lamenting for his love but could never understand his agony, neither in case of Reshmi nor in that of Megha.
Between falling and rising, Mohan met his first love Reshmi. What should I say about her? She was the woman who claimed that she loved him but could never accept him as he the way he is. She always tried to fit Mohan into her own Mr. Perfect image. To me she was a fool who stepped on a treasure but walked by, thinking that the grass would be greener on the other side. She was a woman whom Mohan gave his youthful first love but she could not treasure it.
Then a very cute, little girl entered his life. Nanhi, his 'Chavanni'. She was like a fresh breeze to him. In her sweet little talk his boyish nature surfaced again. They shared a relationship that was uniquely a blend of friendship and love. 'His chavanni' was young enough to be his daughter and old enough to be his friend. Mohan's love for her is cannot be defined in mere words. It is something to feel and cherish. She is his little young woman who not only understands him but improvises him also. She is the one who makes him feel loved and wanted as a friend and as a father. I remember what how contended and happy Mohan was when chavanni hinted that she would call him 'papa' next time. But before that 'next time' could come, 'Miss Kismat' again stuck out his neck and bit him.
Nanhi's prayers and demand to God, brought Megha in Mohan's life. Do I need to say what Mohan feels about her or what Megha feels about him? She is the perfect woman he never waited for. She is the desire he never asked for. She is the air that he never intended to breath. Yet she became his only desire, his life, his love...HIS PEFECT WOMAN. The woman he can live for ; a woman he can die for. And when at last after going through a long heart wrenching struggle Mohan was about to get his greatest reward, the sadistic 'Miss Kismat' whipped Megha out of his life to place some Riddhima there. What about Megha!!! Mohan was his entire word but she never accepted (for God-forsaken reasons). Well she is a woman who knew she owns the treasure but she could easily claim and embrace her world yet she could not do so. She was in his heart but could not come close to him. And for her delay, Mohan had to pay the price.
Now comes Miss Riddhima whom 'Miss Kismat' has very cunningly placed in Mohan's life. Out of the blue, Mohan had to marry Miss unknown Riddhima just to fulfil a dying man's wish.??..Hey Riddima was not even a friend , so why this sacrifice?..Anyway as far as I remember on his first meeting Riddi said she does not believe in love; it's too complicated. Moreover she knows Mohan just cannot marry anyone except Megha. Even if it marriage is a pretence, it is not convincing enough. Anyways I know that's "Miss Kismat" at her craftiness best. So finally a there is a woman in Mohan's life, real or fake I don't know, but surely she is at a place that is meant for Megha. She is a woman for whom Mohan has no feeling except that of pity. She is not 'The Woman" in Mohan's life and no matter how the things turn out to be she would never be a woman who will get even an iota of Mohan's love that he had bestowed upon other women in his life.
Jijibua has always received Mohan's appreciation and love. Saroj, though not very evidently, but also got his respect when Mohan felt that he could connect to her and make her understand regarding Amar's case. Even Renu has got her share of attentions. If Renu Bhabhi keeps her personified 'Miss Kismat' role aside for a moment and recalls all her tiffs with Mohan, I am sure she would be able to stop her bid smile.
We say a woman, be it a mother, sister or wife plays a vital role in a man's life. They complete a man and give meaning to his life. But in Mohan's life all the woman except his little chavanni have failed to do so. I agree no one is perfect but be his mother, Reshmi, Renu, and Riddhima and even Megha, have not been able to value him the way they should have. I am including Megha too because if doing is important, doing things at the right time is more important. There is a time for everything under the sky. Actions has no meaning after precious time is lost. Ironically, if other women in his life are the reason for his incompleteness and emptiness, Megha has only, knowingly, added fuel in the fire so far. Can't say if 'Miss Kismat' will give her a chance to rectify her mistake or not..but as for now mis(s)fortune is knowing at her door.
Wait...a ..minute, How can I forget this one person who is all for Mohan, ...understanding, caring, loving, encouraging, patient, willingly becomes the punching bag for Mohan's outrage. Faithfully cleans up the house every time Mohan crates a mess, lovingly corrects him whenever he is at wrong. Perfectly shifts between the role of a friend and that of his inner conscience; always praying for him and his happiness; always stands by his side and claims the right to be in Mohan's life with an authority. This one has all the traits to be the 'Perfect Woman' in our Mohan's life... We lovingly call this one Mohan's virtual 'Biwi'... But Alas!!! Guru is not a woman.
Anupamaa
