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Brutalized, bloody and barely breathing: that was Rudra at the start of today's episode. At the end of it, that description, with one minor difference, applied to all his enemies. The difference meant that the gun-runners were brutalized, bloody and not breathing! Thanks to Rudra.
Today's episode belonged to Rudra and Ashish. Yesterday, we saw Rudra distracted by Paro in the midst of the battle. That distraction almost costs him his life. So exclusively is Rudra's attention centred on Paro, that he never sees the attack coming.
The first he knows of it is when he feels his back pierced by a blade. Before he can register the blow from behind, leave alone recover his breath, they are upon him like animals. Rudra is savaged with any and every weapon at hand until he lies mingled with the dust, his life-force ebbing away. Still the attackers are not satisfied. They drag his unresisting body by the heels to pitch it on the earth a few feet away.
Kaka launches into a victory speech, taunting Rudra's futility in defending his motherland when it harbours traitors like Tejawat. Then, goaded by the sight of the Tricolour flying over their heads, he fires a parting shot: "...this land has soiled our shoes, as we leave it let us wipe them on it ...tear it down."
The echo of that last order carries on the breeze that flutters the Indian flag and caresses Rudra's bloodied face. Much like a battle cry it rings in Rudra's ears, rousing him from his rest.
Drawing strength from some deep source, Rudra goes on a rampage. Even his prone position is no hindrance, as the man on his way to get the Tricolour finds out to his cost. Then, as the attackers gape, Rudra goes to work. First the counter-challenge: "...forget crossing the border, just try and touch this flag..." Then, swift, barbaric punishment is dealt out left, right and centre. Until only Kaka is left.
Spotting him, Rudra sees red, and bellowing like an enraged bull, advances on him. Craven Kaka tries every trick in the book to escape the imminent onslaught - threats, bribes, pleas. But with no effect. Rudra shoots him anyway, and leaves him draped over the rifle, bowing respectfully in death to the flag he had reviled in life.
But before he can even blink away the red mist, Rudra must face-off with Varun who is pushing his unconscious bride in their doli towards the border. "Let us go, my wife and I..." Rudra is unmoved. If Varun thinks his bride is his passport to the other side, he is mistaken. At Varun's second plea, Rudra lines up his revolver and takes aim. Varun tries to call Rudra's bluff. Rudra cocks his gun.
Realising that the pleas aren't working, Varun resorts to threats. He draws a gun from under the mattress and points it at Paro; "let us go, or I'll kill her." An evil smile spreads on his face. The mask is shattered, the dastard revealed. "Did you think I was saving her? She is my shield until I get home." Rudra, who hasn't taken his eyes off his target, whips out a terse "as you wish", and shoots Varun between the eyes.
Paro opens her eyes to the sight of blood dripping down her husband's face. A moment later he slumps, lifeless, and a scream leaves Paro's throat as her nightmare becomes reality.
Action-packed episodes are rare in soaps, and I was looking forward to some this week. Kudos to Ashish and the cast and crew for more than holding our attention today. 👏👏👏 Never did the action jar or pall. In fact, some scenes retain their freshness even on repeated viewing.
My memorable scenes of the day were: when Rudra's inert body is dragged and thrown around with little regard. That scene managed to evoke much distress and rage in me, while still trapping the breath in my throat.
Another was the shot of the Tricolour fluttering, cut to the close-up of Rudra's blood-stained face, his hair rippling with the same breeze, while he lies prone listening to Kaka asking for the flag. And then the shot of Rudra's hand curling out to wrap itself around the ankle of the passing man.
The overt patriotism running through the episode was a surprise, although it shouldn't have been. But the situation called for it, and it wasn't OTT.
👏👏👏 to Ashish for his powerhouse portrayal of blunt force. Every stagger, stumble, slump was convincing. His challenge to Kaka while holding on to the flag was well-delivered, particularly at the end when he inserts the Rajasthani accent. And, finally, the way his expressions soften, his indifference melting like ice, whenever Paro is involved, is both intriguing and compelling. No doubt we'll see more of that in tomorrow's episode.
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