Wednesday 1st Jan 2014
Again wishing everyone a very happy new year!
Today's episode brought many memories of Ramleela ... the havelis, the big water pond ... I could swear its the same one Ram swam across in the movie! ... and the general movie feel of the episode again. Outdoor shoots are really fabulous to watch on the big screen ... I could see the detailed carving in the jharokas of the thakur's haveli ... a sight which always fascinated me on my Rajasthan trips, and which is especially typical of Jaisalmer.
First five minutes was a repeat again ... the temple scene and Naag devta's choice of bride for the annual wedding. Seemed more like choosing a 'bali ka bakra' ... or bakri. The village rejoices, so does Bindi ... but Paro's reaction is more restrained, her smile hesitant. Fear of the unknown, being married to a strange man, sent off to a strange land ... the tension appears in her eyes, and never leaves it through the entire episode. She should be happy, she knows, it is an honor to be the chosen bride, for the Thakur will pay for the entire wedding ... but the fear remains.
The Rajmata is happy at Paro's choice ... she can fulfill her promise to Paro's dead mother.
Rudra reaches the border ... after his long bike ride ... and sees the five dead bodies of the jawans.
The thakur makes the grand announcement ... his wife at one jharoka of the grand haveli, Paro and her maamisa at the other ... Rajmata smiling happily, warmly, Paro's smile still hesitant, nervous ... till the Thakur goes into a rant about the dreaded, hated BSD again. Both the Rajmata and Paro lose their smiles instantly.
Is it just the topic of the BSD that made them lose their smiles? Or is it more? For Paro, it's the fear, the terror that the mention of the word brings to her ... a terror she lives with every day, tries unsuccessfully to hide every day ... but why did the Rajmata also lose her smile?
The villagers hate the BSD ... how much of their hatred is because of constant fuelling by the Thakur?
By the big water tank ... Paro lost in thought, Bindi comes to tease her, and Paro regains her spirit to chase after Bindi ... the girls' play interrupted by the Rajmata, who is happy for Paro and describes her ideal husband ... a soft, gentle man who would not kill an ant ...
Scene flashes to Rudra fighting with the five foreign infiltrators, and killing them, all but one (of course, he's the hero) in rather brutal fashion ... The action scenes were done well, but I wish he would cut his hair! Liked the background music ... pumping, energetic Rangrasiya ...
Every time the Rajmata talks about Paro's husband, the scene flashes to Rudra fighting the infiltrators. The exact opposite of the ideal groom for the gentle Paro.
Rudra back at his command office, his CO is not happy with him ... you killed too many people, tone down, think with your heart, but act with your dimaag ... and breaks the news that Rudra is posted to Beerpur.
Rudra's face changes instantly, his eyes soften ...
Paro gets her maamisa an energised sewing machine to cut vegetables ... easy on the back, on her feet ... for who will do maalish when she, Paro is no longer around? Maami-bhaanji share a tender moment, Paro is more and more nervous about leaving the only home she has ever known, for the unknown. Bindi takes her off to see her new shaadi ka joda ... another tender moment between Bindi and Paro.
Bindi and Paro off in an open tempo with a group of women, to get her suhaag ka samaan, and Paro's imli ... Paro loses her dupatta for a moment to take in thefresh air of Beerpur, maybe for the last time ... for once she is married, she will breathe only through the net of the purdah ...
Rudra is told about his Beerpur posting ... and is lost in memories ... remembered pain? The flashbacks indicate so ... the pain of losing his mother, the taunts of his schoolmates, the harsh stricture of his father ... 'beautiful women are not to be trusted, they are true neither to their parent, nor to their spouse, nor to their children' ...
So will they meet tomorrow?
Although the pace seemed the same as yesterday, the episode was more gripping ... Rudra got into action, his ruthlessness, his brutality showcased ... and towards the end, his remembered pain ...
And in contrast was Paro's extreme gentleness and softness, her tender caring nature ...
Two opposite personalities ... hot sun and gentle shadow ... fire and calm water ...
Again wishing everyone a very happy new year!
Today's episode brought many memories of Ramleela ... the havelis, the big water pond ... I could swear its the same one Ram swam across in the movie! ... and the general movie feel of the episode again. Outdoor shoots are really fabulous to watch on the big screen ... I could see the detailed carving in the jharokas of the thakur's haveli ... a sight which always fascinated me on my Rajasthan trips, and which is especially typical of Jaisalmer.
First five minutes was a repeat again ... the temple scene and Naag devta's choice of bride for the annual wedding. Seemed more like choosing a 'bali ka bakra' ... or bakri. The village rejoices, so does Bindi ... but Paro's reaction is more restrained, her smile hesitant. Fear of the unknown, being married to a strange man, sent off to a strange land ... the tension appears in her eyes, and never leaves it through the entire episode. She should be happy, she knows, it is an honor to be the chosen bride, for the Thakur will pay for the entire wedding ... but the fear remains.
The Rajmata is happy at Paro's choice ... she can fulfill her promise to Paro's dead mother.
Rudra reaches the border ... after his long bike ride ... and sees the five dead bodies of the jawans.
The thakur makes the grand announcement ... his wife at one jharoka of the grand haveli, Paro and her maamisa at the other ... Rajmata smiling happily, warmly, Paro's smile still hesitant, nervous ... till the Thakur goes into a rant about the dreaded, hated BSD again. Both the Rajmata and Paro lose their smiles instantly.
Is it just the topic of the BSD that made them lose their smiles? Or is it more? For Paro, it's the fear, the terror that the mention of the word brings to her ... a terror she lives with every day, tries unsuccessfully to hide every day ... but why did the Rajmata also lose her smile?
The villagers hate the BSD ... how much of their hatred is because of constant fuelling by the Thakur?
By the big water tank ... Paro lost in thought, Bindi comes to tease her, and Paro regains her spirit to chase after Bindi ... the girls' play interrupted by the Rajmata, who is happy for Paro and describes her ideal husband ... a soft, gentle man who would not kill an ant ...
Scene flashes to Rudra fighting with the five foreign infiltrators, and killing them, all but one (of course, he's the hero) in rather brutal fashion ... The action scenes were done well, but I wish he would cut his hair! Liked the background music ... pumping, energetic Rangrasiya ...
Every time the Rajmata talks about Paro's husband, the scene flashes to Rudra fighting the infiltrators. The exact opposite of the ideal groom for the gentle Paro.
Rudra back at his command office, his CO is not happy with him ... you killed too many people, tone down, think with your heart, but act with your dimaag ... and breaks the news that Rudra is posted to Beerpur.
Rudra's face changes instantly, his eyes soften ...
Paro gets her maamisa an energised sewing machine to cut vegetables ... easy on the back, on her feet ... for who will do maalish when she, Paro is no longer around? Maami-bhaanji share a tender moment, Paro is more and more nervous about leaving the only home she has ever known, for the unknown. Bindi takes her off to see her new shaadi ka joda ... another tender moment between Bindi and Paro.
Bindi and Paro off in an open tempo with a group of women, to get her suhaag ka samaan, and Paro's imli ... Paro loses her dupatta for a moment to take in thefresh air of Beerpur, maybe for the last time ... for once she is married, she will breathe only through the net of the purdah ...
Rudra is told about his Beerpur posting ... and is lost in memories ... remembered pain? The flashbacks indicate so ... the pain of losing his mother, the taunts of his schoolmates, the harsh stricture of his father ... 'beautiful women are not to be trusted, they are true neither to their parent, nor to their spouse, nor to their children' ...
So will they meet tomorrow?
Although the pace seemed the same as yesterday, the episode was more gripping ... Rudra got into action, his ruthlessness, his brutality showcased ... and towards the end, his remembered pain ...
And in contrast was Paro's extreme gentleness and softness, her tender caring nature ...
Two opposite personalities ... hot sun and gentle shadow ... fire and calm water ...
Happy New Year everyone!
ReplyDeleteSo far the show has done really well in terms of cinematography, story telling and acting. Round of applause for all actors who are doing their parts well. Sanaya is looking beautiful and Ashish is showing lots of promise. We sort of know what will happen over the next few episodes, the real story starts after her marriage party is ambushed by BSD and her worst dream comes true.
I am happy and nervous about ST repeating in every interview that the real hero of the show is the writing and characterization. They have raised the bar with initial episodes, hope they can maintain the pace and script once the grandeur of outdoor locations is gone.
A special mention about the BG music which is very catchy and soulful.
Glad ST also realises that love stories cannot be stretched for eternity. Here's hoping for a successful show with a proper end and creative's get the leeveway to tell their story the way they want to with the TRP support *my New Year wish for them*
-Uma
Happy New Year RR ladies!
ReplyDeleteI did type lots more but lost it, darn, will write again later...
-Uma
Thank you Uma:) Wish you the same:)
ReplyDeleteDia I liked your title... Rudra- Paroleela:)
Yesterday's episode marked Rudra's entry. The action sequences were well shot. I felt so far all the episodes are visual treats. I'm impressed with The casting of this show. It makes a lot of difference when an actor emote subtle changes when they don't even utter a word.All the characters were able to deliver minute facial expression, liked Rajmata, Paro's expression when Thakur was speaking to his people. He too have good screen presence. Loved Sanaya's subtle expression of happiness and a unknown hesitation / fear when Rajmata spoke her wish . Today Rudra- Paro meet may happen it seems. I'm eagerly looking forward.:)
Casting is good, leads are excellent, supporting cast is good, and the story is slowly being put in place. The show is a visual feast with the color and grandeur of Rajasthani havelis, the desert landscape, that big water tank ... which I swear is the same one as in Ramleela ... or do all small towns in Rajasthan have these water tanks? I learned on my recent trip to Kolkata that many small towns in Bengal do have them, maybe the same for Rajasthan.
DeleteYep, the cast is really good ... they are not the usual melodramatic actors of most TV shows. Makes it a pleasure to watch them. I like Sadiya a lot from SGP - it was her track which made me tune into the show. The landlord is good, he has a regal presence and very strong dialogue delivery. Ashish has not had many dialogues till now, but he has an arresting screen presence, and he can emote with his eyes! As for Sanaya, her eyes and her speaking voice are two of her strongest assets, and she's using them both well ... her expressions are amazing!
Tonight is Rudra Paro's first meeting as adults ... ST tweeted. Looking forward to it!
Hi Dia, and everyone,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Here I am with my late review of RR.
First impression: WOW! I was transfixed with the first episode..the grandeur was so breathtaking and I felt happy for Sanaya that she is part of an epic on Television. This is definitely a first on many levels and Sanaya is part of that history.
Loved the narration and story...all the characters. Did not like the girl Paro actually...no intense dislike or anything...just fell short compared to the intense Rudr. The titliya scene and the doll throwing scene...personally felt it was too cliched. Loved Sanaya's entry...even better in the second epi knowing it was her nightmare...because it did not make any sense that a man would just walk up and try to burn a girl to death. The Nightmare also emphasised Paro's insecurity..I loved the back story of both the characters. I feel Rudr has been written better, or may be it was the boy...loved him absolutely. His father's advice on beautiful women...something that will haunt Rudr even as he tries to forget the wound inflicted by his mother, drowning himself in his sense of duty.
Yesterday's episode was more of a Salman Khan masala movie..not my type..I mean, I can sit through it for an idle half an hour or so...typically nautanki..tons better done than MB.
On the whole, this is how a dream venture should be....this is exactly what LM wanted as budget, I suppose...Siddharth Sen Gupta is mind blowing as a director. I feel the emphasis is more on Rudr...he seems to be the beautiful package they want to unravel bit by bit. Parvati- not yet impressed by the character. The scene where she stands up to feel the wind on her face and her friend teases that she, of all the people would do that gives me hope...may be it is a sign that Paro will surprise herself when she has to stand up for herself!
I like it that it is not just a love story, also the tale of a war that has gone on for long. BSD has done its share of evils in the past...and I guess the villagers are just retaliating. Liked the trigger- happy Rudr being chided by his Superior...the changing face of BSD that wants to reach out to the villagers probably. I sincerely hope ST has the good sense to show his peers the way by ending the story in 6 or 9 months, and not make it dragging like MB. (I guess a break is definitely guaranteed the time BB starts...so even that is good!) Will try to catch up with the show regularly if they maintain the pace...and make Paro more fiesty.