Made In Heaven S2

 

“Hamari society bimaar hai”. Our society is unwell. This sentence sums up the entire Made In Heaven S2. A very emotional scene where a mother is correcting her son instead of the girl he abused and exploited. Like someone said. In India, it is not the girl that needs to be saved. But it is our boys who need the saving. Every episode of season 2 uproots the patriarchy and misogyny deep within us and peels it open layer by layer. As if patriarchy and misogyny are skin diseases that are hidden behind the healthy glowing skin but as you peel the outer layer and the rot begins to show the sight is unbearable and the stench is fatal. And in those gorgeous frames that look like a vintage European painting, behind the royal rich pristine faces deep inside the heart and mind, are archaic ideas of morals and ethics that are so deeply rooted that we have only just begun noticing them. And already their hideousness is unbearable. Casteism, Polygamy, Homophobia, Ageism, Body shaming, Transphobia, and ultimately women abuse are deeply rooted inside us, capturing body mind, and soul. Every wedding uncovers them in the thoughts, ideas, words, and actions as Tara and Karan maneuver them trying their best to unite two souls balancing many moral compasses.

MIH S2 is very intimate. I felt close to the characters. I could feel their souls. I could see their wounds. The season is all about these wounds. Flesh wounds that are still fresh, raw, and gross to the naked eye. As the lead and supporting characters dress their wounds and drown the pain, their tears and screams can be heard. The pain is felt and it is raw. For it is not in the good times and laughter that the true person is seen but it is in pain, sorrow and defeat that the true character emerges. Dignity is not how well we jump in joy but it is how high we bounce back when down. Upholding the women power flag high the season and every episode in it sounds the gong for equality and freedom loud and clear. And it does this with pomp, style and class.

Tara is a vision in every frame. She is the priced trophy of MIH that shines like a diamond. Stands out in every gorgeous backdrop. She is the pride of the series, the Tara that glitters and sparkles. Behind that killing beauty is a lethal soul that will always get what it wants. No compromises. Period! 

Karan Karan Karan !! OMG! What have you done?! Arjun brings out every ounce of emotion hidden in him to display the pain and sorrow that Karan feels. The suffering, anxiety, and a mixed concoction of love, acceptance, denial, and rejection swirl in him like a cyclone that could have destroyed him. Alas, it didn’t. Oh, the perils of being a homosexual. I don’t know how many can even begin to fathom what it is like to have a mother who doesn’t accept you! Can you imagine that? Well, gay people have to live it. And yet love, respect and take care of their parents. Those parents who disapprove, hide their faces in shame and curse you only for being yourself. Is it really surprising why so many gay men marry women? Die partially in the process and get blamed for destroying an innocent life? Why? For acceptance! And that’s just one part of being gay. Let us digest at least this much. Arjun deserves an award. Hands down. Ethereal. Superlative. Delectable performance. He has outdone himself. With the poise and emotional control of a surgeon.

Trinetra Haldar does not seem to be in her debut performance. She looks like a pro depicting the first transgender character with great aplomb and confidence. A doctor in real life, Trinetra does justice to the state of transgenders in our society who despite being educated have to face hell and bigotry.

Phew. I am sure you know I am a huge fan of Made in Heaven. It is a truly international Indian series. This season has matched season 1 in every quarter, and it was a marvelous experience. WOW !

Who is bothered about rocky rani bunty babli and their toxic prem Kahani? I love the new age real Indian non-masala raw stories. No more tadka and masala thank you. Let's go with the wine and cheese vibe. The Five Noble Grapes, please.

The Kerala Story

After the dreadful saga from the extreme north of our country now, from the southern tip comes another extremist saga of excessive extremism in the excruciating exodus of our women. Kashmir files were very graphic and visually shocking. On the other hand, The Kerala story is mentally and psychologically painful and numbing. I have never seen a film have a numbing effect on its audience rendering it speechless. 

This true story of radicalization, and forced religious conversion of thousands of women shakes you to the core. The agenda, plots, and schemes to radicalize innocent young women influenced by barbaric philosophy is a rare experience in our modern evolved world. And hence it is hard to witness believe and digest. At some point during the film it creates an acute fear and anxiety towards a particular race and religion. And as we know the root cause of anger is always fear; it instigates a feeling of hate and anger too. But one has to come to senses and know that an entire people subscribing to a religion cannot be blamed for the terror created by a few. Terrorism has no religion. It is sad and cruel that only one religion has to take the blame and become almost a symbol for it. Terrorism exists universally irrespective of religion race or creed.  Women are raped murdered tortured and brutalized in regions dominated by other religions too. 

The biggest regret is that the law and order system is not doing its work. Silently blaming a religion instead of bringing the perpetrators to book exposes a hidden agenda and propaganda. Why isnt the police and judiciary coming down on radical elements operating under their noses strongly and arresting their growth? Why is the system not acting instead, investing so much in creating phobia against communities and religious groups? 

Although the story convincingly portrays radicalization, one wonders how anyone of a different faith is radicalized to the extent of abandoning emotional familial relations. But it is claimed that this is indeed happening. The effect that the narration has on the psyche is serious and profound. The heart-shattering story of innocent young women and their families makes the experience very emotional. The sadness and tragedy depicted are as grave as extreme joy and happiness. The savagery against women in the film is depressing and fatalistic. This film is an adult film and rightly so. It is definitely not meant for people below 18. And also not for sensitive adults