Posted:
"Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change."
Before I start anything I would say I never like "Mahaan" heroes or heroines on any show, because it never made sense to me that grown-up , supposedly intelligent , worldly characters would act so despicably .It was silly to think that even with experiencing all the life tribulations they made so many basic mistakes and acted quite frankly, cardboard-ish. So when I had an inkling very early, that Manik would go down the road of sacrifice - especially because he has been doing it all the years since his childhood, playing the bad guy, so that he can burn and his friends shine in all his goodness- I was appalled, "rolled my eyes", but then I remembered that he is what a 19 or 20 year old lad, who has been stuck in a rut for years and this way of self-destruction was his second skin. He had known nothing else. Given that he was in that very young age, where all of us are too comfortable and trying to hold on to our childhood habits because they give a sense of security and assurance, I saw the same in Manik and for that in all other characters too, particularly Nandini. I was elated when Nandu even worded it as - new experiences and how they all need to learn and adjust to them. So I knew it was going to be a struggle for Fab5, Nandini, Harshad and mainly Manik to embrace this new maturity.
Musicana is going to test the resistance of everyone towards this great and sudden change.
Both Nandini and Manik are two sides of the same coin. That is why they are fated or played by destiny. Because , they both are so caged by their own cocooned safety net that they don't even realize the need and necessity of change. Surprised at Nandu , read on?
They not only share the starry night but also a very strong moral compass , they both would rather burn for their family and loved ones.it's the approach towards circumstances where they differ and balance each other out.
Manik was probably 10 or 11 when he met Dhruv, who was much like Rishab suffering from a very destructive and crippling disease which sucked all his confidence. Manik probably connected to the pain and for the first time focused all his energies in protecting Dhruv because not only was it a symbol of love, he channeled all his affection in him , the ones which was deprived of him. He became his family, his everything including the other fab5 but Dhruv was Manik's Rishab- his brother, baby and child. When i see Rishab and the struggle he has everyday, i cannot help but think why Manik has been so protective of him, the need to guard is strong. He understands how the broken Dhruv has regrouped and started dreaming , gaining his confidence again. He is torn between feeling proud and worrying about Dhruv's fragility. This is the Dhruv that he has nurtured and prayed for years , years end. And to realize that the only thing blocking and hindering is himself would have been devastating for Manik. He has happily played the pied piper , the devil for his friends , let them rejoice and numb their pain and by letting Dhruv play the good guy- he build his confidence, made him realize his worth. The devil of fab5 became black , buried his light , so that he never can eclipse his friends.
And then came Nandini...
Nandini is a girl who like Manik was thrown into the role of Protecting guard by the fate. She unlike Manik fought and kept the simmering light burning inside her. She is no Mary Sue, but she was made to be rational and proper because she had a baby brother to look after, surviving with relatives - the pressure of being perfect was what she lived under. So she took to believing the fairy-tale of fireflies that her mother gave her as a child. Not only was it a happy memory of her parents but it gave her a hope of finally feeling the happiness and freedom from her own shackles. Fireflies symbolized her strength, trust and love- which is craved since her parents death. She has kept a very closed , poker face for her emotions, because she has to be mature and understanding and always do the right thing, her margin of error is zero- hence unlike Manik who has to be bad, she had to be good . To survive for others.
Two souls, connected by fate and completing a great puzzle.
When Manik met Nandini, he saw "good" resisting him. He was surprised by her will to fight even when the world was dark. He saw her wagging a battle that he has mastered but unlike him she sparkled and became hope. Intrigued and desperate for this new experience , he wanted more of her. When he saw her with Dhruv, he envied how she shined while evaluating Dhruv's goodness. He was frustrated at his own burning and the need to stay in the dark. Yet his big flame , followed her small spark. Together they discovered and understood their souls, there was companionship and together they build a safe home, a dream. She gave him the light he never could have and he brought the sense of security that she cherished. They were finally happy and at peace , let their masks slip and just be the real self with each other.
The love was trust for them and they gave it to each other without even realizing it. Selfishly , they went for something for themselves.
And just when he has finally realized his greatest happiness, it was torn by his sense of duty.
At one end is Dhruv- his friend, family, brother and everything, finally at the brink of regaining his old confidence- giving shape to Manik's labour of love but the only thing it needed for it's blossoming was Manik's destruction.
Manik's love for Nandu is everything for him , yet he after knowing about Dhruv felt like stranded in a dark forest where even the straight way was so lost. As morally and given his instinctive , impulsive defense mechanism - he knew he had to be the bad boy , to make dhruv be the angel/good boy. These dark times demanded moral neutrality, and which meant letting go of Nandu for Manik. He wrongly concluded that it was he who came and snatched the love which was meant for Dhruv, his selfishness and urge to try good , meant Nandu picking him. He thinks Nandu will be happy with Dhruv someday, as she will again , see the good and recognize her "meant-to-be" angel.
He felt , he was letting go of his love so that Nandu can have her true love, which he was never meant to be. He is wrong. The way his soul is constructed, he is meant to ruin himself.
He has given up on his stars, lived his life in the fleeting moments of their love and now he is prepared to burn so that Dhruv-Nandu can shine together.
He refuses to change and realize that perhaps Dhruv has already reached the level of understanding. He refuses to accept that perhaps it was always meant to be him. He doesn't want to hear that Nandu has given her heart and soul to him. And he definitely doesn't believe that he can ever be her happiness.
Today he was malicious because he was miserable. While Nandu can cry and be all broken, he doesn't even have the luxury to have his break-down.Because while Nandu might have hate to hold herself, his love for her will make him not only die every second of his living life but he would have to inflict pain on her to give her "his supposed version of happiness".
Nandu has let go of her faith in fireflies and their light. She has lost her soul in a way, only hate for him will keep her going. She needed this to realize that the light was always in her and she needs to know that it's ok to express anger and to be imperfect. She needs to reach out to her humane side and grieve which she seems to have numbed since her parents' death. Manik's refusal of their love is another funeral of sorts. She has to rise now and fight for her self.
Their love was perfect in their bubble now it has to undergo the pain of their reality, their flaws and their individuality. While the love is fated, they both need to do a lot of growing up before they can create an epic love which will survive everything. They need this fall , to rise again. They need to accept change before they can grow together.
Manik's fallen angel has now become a malignant devil. He is alone and he needs to realize that there is nothing left in him. His emotions have changed and he needs to accept them, his actions and grow up and then fight , fight with his all might.While Nandu needs to adapt to her new emotions, rebuild her trust using her self and not live in the fantasy of her fireflies. She needs to recognize that it's her who powers light.
The way to their love is paid from hell. Manik will have to bring Nandu's hope back. While Nandu's presence will remind him of his reality and misery. They have to be destroyed completely and the fireflies had to go. Because it's time for newer beginnings and them letting go of their past.
There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the happier times. This is angst and this is the beginning of their love. The bubble has busted now they will have to accept their real flaws, change and adapt to fight for their togetherness and love.
There is no right or wrong, there is just a clean slate. These young kids will make mistakes but if there was ever honesty in their love, they will fight. Fight they shall. Even when he was laughing his tears while she cried her heart out, the fireflies were shinning bright with the true love of these two crazy souls. The truth was sparkling even in the darkest lie.
They shall find their way, they just have to.
Cricket
