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In the end, they knew that time was of the essence. If time was the Thakur's secret weapon, then it was also Rudra's choice tactic. With every second counting in this grim battle for survival, it was hardly surprising that both sides rushed - one to catch, the other to escape.
The Thakur announced the advance of the wedding: thanks to the BSD, which wanted to create a ruckus at the wedding, he said, the ceremony would take place that very night. No matter the inconvenience to the guests, the hosts, or the bride and groom.
On his part, Rudra armed Aman with a fake Search Warrant to enter the haveli before the baraatis left, while the evidence was intact. The marriage-as-cover-for-gunrunning racket would be busted. All the criminals would be nailed. Collateral damage was not a key consideration.
Meanwhile, unaware of the ticking time-bomb, the innocent bride is being prepared for the moment of every girl's dreams. The Thakurain and Mamisa gently coax Paro's wrists into her wedding bangles. And as Mamisa leaves the room to fetch the kadas, Paro's distress breaches its dam.
If only she'd known, she cries, she would have completed the embroidery, oiled the hinges, bought the balm, bid farewell to her friends...Done all the little things she needed to do to close this chapter of her life. The Thakurain consoles her with words as old as the ceremony. Paro's memories of her girl-hood will sustain her in her new life, she says. Paro, Mamisa and the Thakurain share an emotional moment.
This entire opening scene was beautifully shot, the unhurried pace allowing Paro's no-less turbulent emotions the space and time to unfurl and be resolved. Similarly, later on, whenever Paro is in the frame: such as when she first looks for Bindi and whenever the Thakur mentions the BSD, the camera lingers and time is suspended.
Kudos to the actors and the director for giving us such warmth and genuine emotion.đ The slower pace comes in stark relief to the hectic gun-packing, money-stacking clips, and the testosterone-laden confrontations between both sides.
My memorable Scene of the Day was when Paro refuses to leave without saying goodbye to Binduri. The Thakur, realising the imminent danger, is forced to give her an explanation, and conveniently attributes Bindi's disappearance to being picked up by "that BSD officer who pretended to rescue you". At this Paro staggers, and loses control. In an edited wedding ceremony that scene was critical, and Sanaya played it with confidence. đđ
The rest of the episode was about the stand-off between the BSD and the Thakur's men.
Informed that the BSD is at his door, the Thakur urges the priest to speed up the pheras - the BSD must not be allowed to enter the haveli until after the bidaai.
Surprisingly, the BSD, despite its sheer numbers, is successfully held at bay until the ceremony is complete, when the Thakur eventually makes his way to the front door. And then it is only to crumple the fake search warrant and boot the uniforms out "within two minutes".
No doubt it's the smackdown in front of his men that stings Aman into doing a Kesari before the Thakur, by singing out all the information he's extracted from that canary.
Rudra is unperturbed by the failure of his men to gain access, and even triumphant. After all, now that the Thakur is enraged he will make mistakes.
The Thakur is also undisturbed. By the time the BSD has booby-trapped the ground, he declares, the birds will have flown! The baraat will leave from the haveli's back-door.
As a red dawn breaks over the Rann, Rudra is equally determined. The baraat will not cross the border!
And even as the brand-new bride takes her first steps towards her new life, fate is speeding towards her on a motorbike...
Indian Idol 15
