Badi Haveli magic

" There is something about Badi Haveli" the Sherlock Holmes (or is it Hercule Poirot) said in my mind. What do you mean? I asked. "There is something in badi haveli (or may be in DS), Jo aae bas kho jae" he replied. I was confused, so he explained, you can see what happens when anyone enters badi haveli:

Sumitra: Well, you do not know how Sumitra was when she entered badi haveli, but she was always terrified of DS. Cooking food and lots of glycerine, that is what defined her. Even after becoming grandmother, she does not have much say in family matters.

Anandi: When she entered badi haveli, she was a chirpy school girl. She was fond of studies and loves her ma-bapu more than anyone else. She used to question anything that does not look right to her. She loved her ma-bapu so much that she went to that evil Mahavir Singh (with his balak var in tow) much against the wishes of DS. But magic of badi haveli cannot be resisted for long. She gave up her studies, became subdued like Sumitra and most amazingly, forgot all about her ma-bapu.

Gahna: Gahna was another rebellious bahu. She had the guts to openly rebel marital rape, and to question the authority of her husband and mother-in-law. She was even ready to give her son to badi haveli and go to her parents because she did not like the way DS treated her parents. But alas! how can badi haveli magic go wrong? Now a days she is just like Sumitra. Forgot all about her parents and younger sisters. The lady, who at one time declared that since it is about her life, she has the right to take decision on abortion, is now ready to undergo IVF procedure just to give another child to her husband, who is (age wise) suitable to be a grandfather (If children from his first wife would have survived, his own grandchildren must be in the age group of Nandu and Varun). Sometimes it looks like Gahna is there just to complete her quota of smiles and glycerine.

Gauri: Gauri was like a normal collge going girl, brilliant in studies, good natured and all. Then she entered badi haveli (before marriage to Jagat) and the magic worked immediately. She just forgot who she was at present, just remembered what happened in past, agreed to marry an already married Jagat (with some emotional blackmailing by him) and went on a mission to get approval of badi haveli for her new relationship. The magic of badi haveli made drastic changes in her charecter. But she should be thankful that badi haveli (and DS) did not accept her. If badi haveli had accepted her, then (even after completing her MS) - instead of being a doctor in a high profile hospital, she would have been a carbon copy of Sumitra.

Shiv: Shiv entered as a dashing braveheart hero. He was such a 'kadak' officer that just his phone call was enough to make his juniors shiver. His PA was his constant companion and he loved his family (remember how upset he was on his birthday until he received his mom's phone call), he was just the way a well brought up guy should be. But then he entered badi haveli, and the magic has changed him. He has immersed himself into badi haveli problems. The dashing officer became all emotional just because he could not rescue the (Ganga's) child. He is now a brooding husband who cannot tell his wife a thing as simple as his transfer - how will she feel, more importantly how will parivar (badi haveli) will feel? When DS told him about Jagya busy in just hospital, he should have said that Jagya is now on right path, he is redeeming himself. But badi haveli magic made him to say that they should get Jagya married again- that is the only remedy (perhaps for being workoholic). And he sent away his PA-that Bhim Singh, after all if DS no longer needs services of Bhim Singh why Bhim Singh should be with Shiv now?

Jagat: I protested here. Sherlock replied, yes Jagya is ladesar, but he went away and changed into Jagat. Look what happened when Jagat returned. To get into badi haveli, he had to steal a roti (he was being given proper food in hospital, but he has to go to badi haveli), changed his charecter from good to bad then good then... amnesia drama and all. Finally he is again in badi haveli, but why he is turning into another Anandi? Badi haveli magic!!

Ganga: Ganga was this spunky woman, loved her son, had the courage to take on her tyrant in-laws. But even she changed after entering badi haveli. She is slowly becoming another Anandi- understanding and supporting the ladesar, cooking food and giving lectures. She studied upto third standard but could not right the correct spelling of her son's name and could not even set bag of Nandu (her school perhaps was very low standard). Now badi haveli people encourage her to study (the books Jagya gave her were bulky like she is already studying in 11th or 12 standard), it is another matter that no one can see her studying. But mark my word, badi haveli magic will make her qualified for her nurse dream within a year, without going to school or nursing college.

Sanchi: Hmmm actually Sanchi has not so far entered badi haveli officially. But she went there with Anandi and badi haveli magic is visible. Remember how she was eagre to return to badi haveli from Udaipur on Sankrant day? And perhaps she has started liking the ladesar. But I will say she one smart girl. Last known she gave much needed rest to her i-pad/smartphone and was seen carrying drinks for DS inspite of her injured foot. I mean, the girl who never did anything remotely related to housework was doing so much for DS. The girl knows that DS is the key for badi haveli. May be Ganga will remain where she is by just understanding and supporting the ladesar and Sanchi will get the approval of DS.

Just then Sherlock went for some more urgent work. My head is spinning imagining Sanchi in heavy ghaghra, pallu and all, making halwa, fried stuffs, lots of ghee in all dishes..

Mahi should pair up with someone like qualities of zoya from qubool hai.