Akash: The Sky is the Limit

Overall, today's was an extremely well-executed episode. The new entry holds a lot of promise, and I like his lackadaisical, yet vigilant and no-nonsense persona. How this Akash met SP (or vice versa) will be an interesting tale when it is told.

There are a few things worth noting:

1. The so-called illicit son's entry into the father's mansion that is out of his reach was executed wonderfully, and portends the nature of Akash's role in the future. The camera measured Akash's nonchalant, yet purposeful strides across the long driveway, each step following the other with a total sense of belonging and entitlement. Of note also was that he entered the house placing his right foot first within the door, which is how a traditional "grihapravesh" (ceremonial entry/welcome of a rightful occupant) is done.

2. Pankaj's greeting of Akash was interesting, and almost un-Scindhia like. I would have expected more of a "kaun ho? Andar aane ki tumhari himmat kaise hui? Security! Ise abhi le jaa kar bahar phenko!" (Hey, who are you? How dare you enter this house? Security, throw him out!) from our Panku. Instead, he greets Akash with a firm, and almost friendly shoulder grab, with the resulting conversation being more of a friendly, almost sibling-ish banter, designed to establish rank, rather than the way one would deal with an intruder. Did the-usually-checked-out Panku sense something despite himself --a vague sense of familiarity, perhaps-- which did not make him see Akash as a big threat. Or did Panks make an error in judgement by underestimating Akash? Very intruiguing! Only time will tell.

3. The second person to meet Akash is Boa (the security guard was disposed off by Akash as a non-event, and therefore he is not being reckoned here). Hmmm. Interesting. What kind of alliances might be in store for us between the Akash with the Alligator Shoes and the Bossy Boa Constrictor?

4. With SP's entry in the episode today, the mystery gets turned up yet another notch. Of note is the fact that he does not address Akash directly, but indirectly via Pankaj. This is SP's condescending style with lowly mortals belonging to the domestic help category, but also something that he uses on people who he thinks have wronged him, as has lately been shown with him addressing Arati, as"Uss Aurat" and talking to her in her presence in the third person. Delivering his instructions for Akash, he tells Panku and Boa that Akash is exactly the kind of young man he, SP, is looking for --someone who is young, agile, and brimming with self-confidence. This I found to be an interesting statement. SP who has not one but 3 sons is disappointed in them, without being aware of the dynamics of his own personality and upbringing that might have contributed to their lack of self-esteem. Growing under his autocratic shadow, each one of them tended to suppress their potential, and grew to be subdued characters. Panku and Pratz are totally spineless, as a result of the fear of the patriarch's anger, while Yash, although not spineless, withdrew into his own world. In short, none of the sons are allowed to have a voice in the despotic world of the Senior Scindhia. It is very interesting that the confidence and challenge that SP craves from his own sons has to come from a son that was shunned at birth due to his father's obsession with prestige. Paradoxically, being deprived of the wealth and protection of the father's name, in stead of being a curse, is actually a blessing for Akash, who appears to share none of the subdued and hesitating characteristics of his half-brothers. Again, ironically, the son that was shunned will give SP that companionship that he craved, but could not get, from his own sons.

4. The visual with SP entering today's episode provides a powerful contrast. The viewers have the powerful visual of a stern standing SP, surrounded by the usual air of disdain, contrasted by the portrait of a sitting SP on the wall directly opposite, where he is reclining in his arm-chair, looking relaxed, and human. Between the real SP and the one in the portrait is the presence of Akash, whose job in the serial is to mitigate between these two personalities, and possibly heal the split in the hardened despotic heart. SP's heart is blocked by his need of power and control and consequently severed to experiences of love, connection and togetherness. Will Akash be a bridge between the hardened and despotic SP to the more human and relaxed one that perhaps something inside him wishes to be? Stay tuned.

5. Akash is SP's sarathi, driver. Today, he relinquished the keys unto him. I loved Jyo's symbolism of the keys depicting the secrets of the Scindhia closet. I think the keys also represent control --letting go of the tiring need to always be in charge. Like Bhagavan Krishna, who was also blue like the sky, will Akash drive SP back towards following the road of dharma and bring out the best in him? Or will the reins in his hands be usurped by SP's despotic tendencies and steer the chariot of life towards more wrong-doing? Tighten the seatbelts and let us wait for future episodes.

Thank you, Surish. I remember your wonderful posts from another past forum also.