Thank you for your comments on my thread. I've read them all - all the different opinions. My internet connection has been erratic today and I can see that I have no hope of answering everyone before tonight's episode.
There seem to be quite a few common concerns so just a few general points which I hope will answer most of your doubts.
My reference was to Rudra using the rapists' classic line: (as below).
And then he grabbed her other hand. Quelling Paro's tug of war with the rapist's classic line: "The more you struggle, the more you try to free yourself, the more it'll hurt. Easy, peaceful...let it happen." So reasonable did he sound the even Mythili gave her support, and giving it broke Paro's frail hold on her tears. And with society on his side, Rudra, Mehendi replenished, easily breached the defence of Paro's protective fist, surging into her palm, up and onwards, until his palm and fingers were flush against hers - every inch touching, exceeding, overpowering, completely devastating.
I found it intriguing and very appropriate that he used this line just before the strangely graphic screenplay where he physically forced his hand inside hers. His column of a hand breached Paro's rounded, clenched fist. He forced his hand up hers all the way to the hilt. Which looked to me like an unwilling sexual act foisted on a crying girl. I also found it inflammatory. Even so I restricted myself to labelling the use of the lines, which are a classic rape cliche.
I did not label Rudra a rapist. I pointed out the strangely coincidental line and screenplay.
I speak for no one else. If I had seen less distress on Paro's face last night, if I had seen Rudra soften, if Kakisa had not been there enjoying Paro's distress, if there had been honest mutual arousal if only for a moment, I would have felt better. As it is I felt winded and what I expressed is not a tithe of what I felt.
Please when you question my labelling of that line, bear in mind that I don't belong to any 'side' and have always tried to be unbiased. I am saying it as I see it. To me, I have solid reasons for my reactions. I am not over-reacting. You may think differently. And you are welcome to your opinion.
@ Chai scene vs Mehendi: I don't know if you've read my take on the chai scene, but here it is:
To me the Chai scene was in a very different class from the Mehendi scene for these key reasons:
# Paro went to him of her own volition in the chai scene. She needn't have. She could have made an excuse to Mythili - who was just having fun, but she took the cuppa. There was eye-contact with Rudra. She knew he meant trouble. Yet she was drawn enough to go.
# There was a moment when Paro could have moved away - when he dropped one wrist. She didn't. She was affected by the seduction. And it was her choice.
# And Rudra was not unaffected either. He too was aroused to some extent.
# Finally, there were no other spectators, certainly not anyone who knew that Paro didn't want what was happening to her, and who was enjoying at her expense.
@ Necklace vs Mehendi: four key differences -
# He barely touched her while undoing the clasp.
# When he talked about knowing her bangle size, Paro showed him the marks on her wrist. There was still some fight left in her. Unlike in Mehendi she was not completely beaten down. And she disconcerted him, and made him feel guilty for a moment.
# There was no knowing audience enjoying her discomfort.
# And most importantly there were still elements of seduction as he eased the bangles on her wrist. Unlike in Mehendi where there was only triumph/gloating unmindful of her suffering. And in the very next episode's analysis after the bangles, I still wrote up a blistering critique of the bangles.
The two posts for reference.
@ Rudra was applying Mehendi as medicine: Did Paro know that? Did she believe him? Did she act like she believed him? So it will not make a difference to her what excuse he gives the world.
Bindi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jodha Akbar
