What an episode! All the tension building ever since Shantanu's entry, and especially since the last few episodes, came to a boil last night in red hot melodrama and edge-of-the-seat excitement. This is how it played out:
Suspicions confirmed: Tejawat's man? Guest at her first wedding? One of the baraatis? The image on her phone had confirmed her suspicions. Paro could only guess at Shantanu's real identity. But she knew for certain of his malafide intent. This man was dangerous. And Sunehri was mere moments from getting engaged to him. Paro had to do something.
Suspicions roused: She had to stop Shantanu, only she didn't know how. And Major Saab, the resident expert in all such matters, was nowhere to be found. Nor was there any other help at hand to guide her to a solution. Her turmoil couldn't have gone unnoticed for long. And especially not when the man observing it was as shrewd as Shantanu. Between Paro's ill-concealed fear, growing anxiety, patently fake smiles and thinly-veiled panic that had her running from pillar to post for help, and her distress over her dropped phone, Shantanu's suspicions that all was not well were roused. He needed to stop Paro before she did anything.
Face from the past: And Paro was determined to get evidence of Shantanu's involvement with her gun-runner baraatis - the photo of him with Varun would not convict him. So she decided to search his bedroom. The quilt, the cupboard, the urn...he'd said it contained his brother's ashes. Yet it didn't sound full. She wrenched off the cloth cover, closed her fist over a crumpled piece of paper, and dragged it out, just as Shantanu burst through the doors and caught her red-handed. The urn went tumbling past Shantanu's feet, but Paro managed to glance at the picture...and blanched as she came face to face with her dead husband.
Living the nightmare: Varun was Shantanu's brother?! A Shantanu who was far-removed from the innocent, smiling man she'd championed. A Shantanu who held her responsible for his brother's death and had come back to avenge it. A Shantanu who was brandishing his gun at her; turning raptor; confessing his evil plan for Sunehri, herself and Rudra; revelling in her fear and helplessness. Enveloping her in a nightmare from which there was no escape.
Turning the tables: It was Paro's screams that alerted Rudra to her location. And bursting into Shantanu's room, Rudra found his worst fear come to life - his Paro, teary-eyed, terrified, and held at gunpoint by a trained killer. And Shantanu was unravelling, high on PaRud's combined fear and helplessness, because he knew that Rudra wouldn't be able to bear it if anything happened to Paro.
And Rudra tried everything he could to make Shantanu let Paro go: threats, reason, pleas. He would even beg Shantanu's forgiveness if that helped. And shushing Paro, he bent to the task. Simultaneously picking up the brass urn by his feet and letting it fly at Shantanu's face - his plan B. From there it was the work of seconds to turn the tables on Shantanu. Before the killer knew it he was staring at the business end of his own gun, with his enemy's finger trembling on the trigger.
Down but dangerous: But Shantanu refused to be beaten. Much like a cornered Thakursa, he continued to wage psychological warfare against Rudra, trying to find a weak spot in his armour. He should fire the gun; shoot; kill him, Shantanu told the Major, because if he was allowed to live, he would return and take his revenge. He continued to rant while restrained, riling everyone within hearing distance, buying time and creating the chaos he needed as he distracted his captors. And when opportunity knocked, he seized Aman's gun with both hands, aimed and fired at Paro.
Where there is life...: And so in the space of a heartbeat power changed hands. Almost, fate froze for Paro, when, report still echoing, hands in the air, she slid to the floor. When, Rudra, assuming the worst, cried out her name and rushed to her side, wild-eyed, insensible. When the assembled family held their collective breath. Then Mala saw Paro revive and spread the joy. And life returned to the family - although excruciating beats later to Rudra who was still not ready to believe his eyes that Paro was unharmed.
...There is hope: Or the doctor frantically summoned by Kakusa, who smiled when she told him that all was well with Paro. Which is why he flew up the stairs to Paro's bedside to fire questions at her in an unending stream. Until she silenced him with a hand over his lips as she dispelled the dregs of darkness with her news: Rudra was going to be a father. Her radiance answer enough for his involuntary "whaat!" And much more convincing than any verbal announcements of the fact. Yet she repeated her joyous proclamation: their love had borne fruit. And they had better get ready for all the joy in their lives now that it was going to be enriched by their child.
Last night was a gripping example of what happens when everything goes right. When the intensity is back. When the scene is allowed to play out fully. When the acting lifts the episode beyond entertaining to memorable, tugs at our heartstrings, makes us sweat and strain for victory for the hero and heroine, and then celebrate their success and joy.
I watched last night with my mother and grandmother, who are not regular viewers of RR, and they were completely drawn into the drama, their faces tight with tension, asking me questions during the ad-breaks, and seeing it through to the final scene. I was, of course, proud of being an RR-fan.
Sanaya and Ashish were superb - effortlessly turning in compelling performances that made me clap and roused me out of my inertia to post. Cheers also for some great dialogue and screenplay that kept us on the edge. đđđđ to them and the entire cast and crew of RR for not just a fab episode but a great few months. I have no idea if I will be inspired to post again given the twists and turns that await, but this is one of the episodes that will stay with me.đ
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
