(From March but getting around to post only now so may seem dated)

Thanks to more and more quality work coming out of Bollywood, combined with my new necessity to keep up with the entertainment world from back home, recently I have started watching all editions of few Bollywood shows that I get in my limited TV channel subscription.  An invitation to heart burn, may I say! Now before I make my case, I need to make case for myself. I am not someone who says “Oh I can’t watch Bollywood movies and its silly dancing extravagance,” but then enjoys equally crappy Hollywood movies without objection. I have also not been away from the entertainment scene that I am surprised by the productions like “Rang De Basanti” or “3 Idiots.” Bollywood has been producing good movies, even if in small percentage, before it became Bollywood.  Now the percentage of good productions has simply has gone up due to various factors.

For me, the straw that broke camel’s back was, a 25 year old Brazilian beauty named Maria Gomes with her item number “Teri Neeyat Kharaab Hain” in Bollywood production Teen Patti. I have only watched the one and a half minutes of the song rather than full version but I am going let myself judge the book by its cover – front and back! Yes, the song starts with showing the backside, which is covered just about 10 percent, of this 6 feet tall sturdy beauty climbing up with gyrating hips on the steps. (No this is not a paid promotion for the movie, if I made some of you feel like running to theatre!) I will leave the rest to your imagination or to youtube.  Unfortunately, it does not even need imagination as we have been getting here inch by inch for past decade and it should not surprise us. We have seen and heard it all; the rain drenched chiffon saris, shirtless machos, jhatakas, kabutars and goes the list. But this still manages to disturb me enough to give attention to it. I don’t know exactly which part bothers me most. Was it the Brazilian’s golden underwear shining bright on the screen or the fact that the director of the movie is a female or the concurrent presence of the movie legend – one and only Mr. Amitabh Bachchan – on the screen?  As he adds years to his age, he gets to subtract the age years from the women with whom he shares the screen and even he seems to be confused by that. You should see his face – dazed, not sure where he is and what he is doing. If you look closer, you can see immense confusion on his face when he looks at the phone in anticipation. I think, he is hoping that the call is from Nirupa Roy asking him: “Beta Vijay, yeh tum kya kar rahe ho? Yeh jua or yeh naach-gaana, yeh tum nahin ho Beta! Tum mere bête ho, Vijay. Nikal ja wahan se, beta. Nahi to tumare pas na paisa rahega, na Ma rahegi!”

I do not know how fair it is to blame actors for doing what directors are telling them to do. Then how fair it is to blame directors for doing what producers pay them to do. So then how fair it is to blame producers to produce what sells. So is it this vulgarity junta janardan’s problem for wanting it and watching it? Everyone else is off the hook? I have hard time accepting that. We all recently enjoyed clean, entertaining and heartwarming love story in Jab We Met. We saw intense story telling in 3 Idiots and Rang De Basanti without vulgarity or unwarranted violence. These huge blockbusters of past few years present the case that junta janardan does not run only after cheap masala formula which must include an item number. To my surprise, the reoccurring adjectives used for the song are “sizzling”, “powerful”, “strong performance!” How about vulgar? How about raunchy?

Whatever may be the setting or scenario – whether be an Indian village or club in Europe, Bollywood has managed to tarnish every landscape. Whether be a wedding or a family gathering, the vulgar lyrics hasn’t spared any occasion. We all gasped with the arrival of Choli and still could not stop humming with it. But today’s lyrics and videos make the “Choli” look child’s play – mostly because no one pays attention to such item numbers anymore. Even in ancient but democratic country one has freedom of expression. But what are the ratings for? Why can’t you just rate movies accordingly?

This is not about having pristinely produced entertainment. We have always welcomed the movies that came ignoring all their innocent imperfection. We ignored it when, the movie industry from the land of billion, fell short to find stories from within and kept making copies of successful foreign movies. We were humming right along even when “garib dukhiyari vidhwa ma ka eklauta beta” was striking perfect chords on expensive Steinway. (May be the piano and lessons left her garib!) Bollywood would have a Gujarati family celebrating Karva Chauth which culturally accurate but technically inaccurate. We completely bought in and rejoiced when the “paak chaddar” saved the dying hero at the end. We accepted and enjoyed those as part of the movie magic. But I can’t find any benefit of doubt for mindless item number masala movies of the day. I have an ideological problem with watching PG rated movies laden with such vulgarity that I would rather not be watching when my kindergartener is around. Surprise is also that, most of the movie reviews I read or watch these days, fail to make any remarks about increase of such reckless raunchiness. We all have probably come to accept it as part of the “package.”

I still cherish innocent Juhi Jawala, in the iconic – QSQT, asking Amir Khan “Aa ja aye aap ke pas?” and Amir Khan chivalrously responding “No.” I must say that I am not stuck in the decade of my innocent teen years and want to see India frozen in 1996 when I left the country. It is the lack of originality, authenticity, thought and quality work that has become the hallmark of today’s Bollywood that I am upset about. I felt the forbidden affection between a married Hindu woman and a single Muslim man in “Mr. and Mrs. Iyer.” But the well toned wet gyrating bodies draped in chiffon saris and open button shirts fail to invoke such emotions. But you could argue, repulsion is an emotion and acceptance is a strategy! Even when you know that fast food is clogging your arteries, you can’t help but succumb to it for its convenience, omnipresence, and pleasure. But if the fast food goes super sizing day by day, you should know when to stop. As I accept my inability to keep up with this change, next time when I hit the play button on my DVR, I will sure be asking hubby to pass the Tums!

Today, Shahinbibi did not need to perform the usual long routine to get Raziya out of bed and to get ready for school. She was surprised to see that not only had Raziya remembered that today was a ‘free dress’ day at the school but she also had already selected and ironed a new dress the previous night. And then it suddenly occurred to her, “Oh, tomorrow is Rakhi so they will be celebrating Rakhi today at the school!” And Rakhi happened to be Raziya’s most favorite festival. As they didn’t celebrate at home, Raziya satisfied her wish to tie the Rakhi only at school. In past Raziya did request many times to celebrate Rakhi at home but only got cold response from her father Yusufsaab and grandfather Rajjubaba. Shahinbibi knew that the young girl had never given up the wish to tie the Rakhi to her own brother Salim, but had just stopped talking about it.

A usual routine was little different from today’s at the Khan household. It usually would take some time for Shahinbibi to get Raziya out of bed and get ready. Then there would be lunch preparation before ten for Yusufsaab, and in-between special chai for everyone – ‘no chini’ for Rajjubaba due to his diabetes, ‘khub shakkar-masalewali’ for Salim, and ‘kum chini, jyada adarakh’ for Raziya. When everyone would leave and Rajjubaba would succumb to siesta after early lunch, Shahinbibi would make that special cup of chai for herself and read newspapers cursorily with her thoughts still occupied by the people gone on their own ways. She hoped that no boy teased Raziya today or that Salim didn’t get involved in some heated political discussion at the college or that Yusufsaab didn’t get offered any bribe at the bank. Despite Raziya being a good girl, student, and daughter her frankness and boldness worried Shahinbibi the most. She didn’t want Raziya to be known as ‘aazad’ that few other girls in neighborhood were known for their bad characters! “She is just a ‘paak’ girl with a pure heart and does not hold back when she is right just because she is a girl!” Shahinbibi talked to herself.

‘Bas baki paanch-chheh saal aise nikal jaaye aur uske liye achha ghar mil jaye aur Salim ki biwi yeh ghar sambhal le, tab jindagi main ek hujj hi rah jayegi!’ Shahinbibi thought aloud.

‘Kya kaha?’ asked Rajjubaba.

‘Kucch to nahi!’

‘Are main behra thodi hu, kuchh to bol rahi thi Raziya ke baare main?’

‘Are wahi, ki kisne iska naam ‘Raziya’ rakh diya? Aur koi naam nahi mila thaa? Raziya naam rakha hai to bas tevar bhi Raziya Begum ke! Bas ghoda leke saantave aasman pe udti rahti hai’? Aise kaise achha bhala ladka milega?’

‘Dekho Shahinbibi maine bhi tin tin beto ki shaadi karvai hai. Raziya jaisi ladki aise nahi milti. Itni paak, itni sharif! Baaki dekho yeah aur ladakio ko. Abba-Ammi raah dekhte rahete hai ke kab aaye college se par unka koi pata nahin. Puchhte hain to kahati hai ‘Saheli ke ghar gayi thi’ aur bethi hoti hai ladko ke scooter pe kahi highway pe! Raziya abhi bachchi hai to bolti rehti hai par andar se to woh mombatti ki tarah hai! Aur usko aisa hi shauhar milega, dekhana!’

‘Allah aapki juban sach kar de, abba!’ said Shahinbibi and got up to make afternoon chai. And there came Raziya back from school with shining eyes, bright face, and a big smile.

‘Kyon itni khush kyun hai?’ asked Rajjubaba.

‘Kal chhootti haina? Isi liye!’ promptly she replied. As soon as she went inside the house, she went to her mother and opened up her school bag. In her school bag lay a big new transparent compass box with many things inside. Raziya opened and showed everything to her mom – a ball pen, an ink pen, three colorful pencils, a sharpener, and an eraser.

‘Kisne diya yeh?’ inquired Shahinbibi.

‘Arun’

‘Kaun?’

‘Arun – mera rakhiwala bhai!’ Raziya said with irritation.

‘Yeh to bahot mehnga hoga. Tumhare saheb ne kuchh kaha nahin. Aise mehnge taufe school me lana achhi baat nahin hain.’

‘Are ammi, aisa kuchh nahin hai. Usne bola ki uski chhoti chachi america se layi hai!’

‘Phir bhi…..’

‘Tumko kya, usne mujhe diya hain na! Aur to koi deta nahi.’

‘Phir wahi, Raziya? Dekho Salim ke internals chal rahe hain abhi to usko aaraamse padhane dena. Wahi baat ko leke batangad mat banana.’

‘Maine kya kuchh kaha kisise? Main to tumko dikha rahi thi. Nahi maanana hai to thik hai, main jaati hun.’

‘Aur meri chocolate?’ asked Shahinbibi with love that only a mother could show.

‘Yeah, dekho.. TOBLER! Maine tumhare liye aadhi rakhi hai!’

‘Are baap re, kya diler bhai mila hai tumko is baar, Raziya!’ She said. And thought ‘kaash sabako aise bhai milte.’ And before she could ponder upon her siblings and her personal life, the evening commotion started, and as usual, she let herself dissolve into others.

But Raziya heard her thought and started thinking about her mamujaans. After her nana died, all three mamujaan and mamijaan never cared for her mother as they did before. And every now and then, they heard stories from other relatives about how her mamujaans where fighting over the ‘purkhon ki daulat.’ Sometime one mamu would come and complain about others and so on it went. Who would fight for money, she thought. And that too with siblings? And that was the reason, she never liked her name – it reminded her of a woman who was killed by her own brothers. It would surprise anyone, if one knew that Raziya never liked her name. Everyone thought not only that she liked her name but also that she liked the persona of the person with whom she shared her name – Raziya Sultan – the only woman empress of Delhi. That’s why people thought Raziya had so much boldness and strong will! Only if they knew what she wanted!

If she were asked to be a queen for a day, she would choose to be Rani Padmavati – a Rajput queen who sent a request for help to the Mughal emperor Humayun by sending him Rakhi. And Humayun responded aptly by coming to rescue his ‘moohn boli’ sister! The little girl always dreamed herself in the costume of a Rani – Laal jari sari, haathon main mehndi, dher sari choodiyan and a big red bindi in her forehead. Just like Meena Kumari in ‘Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam’ when Bhootnath sees her for the first time. But as she grew, she dreamed instead of herself in a light salwar kurta with flowing duppata, seating on a backseat of a Hero Honda. She tried to catch glimpse of the man in the front but never succeeded. ‘Well someday, I will see you.’ she smiled sheepishly while thinking about those dreams and hoping they would come true soon.

But first it was Salim’s turn as he was five years older than she. Shabaana was her name. She was pretty and vocal like Raziya. She talked to elders with respect and didn’t argue when men where having discussion but sure she did speak of her opinion when everyone was gone. Salim liked that and so did everyone else, especially Raziya. They talked and shared secrets like girlfriends and the Khan household blossomed. Raziya was becoming very aware of her youth and the idea that she wasn’t going to live in her home and be treated like a little princess for long. And then came those dreadful days of communal riots. They went by but took a lot with them. Everyone just grew older by ten years as a result of those days. Khan’s lived in an upper middle class neighborhood of the city but still contemplated if they should move to someplace ‘safer’ or not.

While the family still debated the move, Shabaana quietly talked to Shahinbibi about her second cousin Zafar for Raziya’s “rishta”. The family agreed and soon focused on the upcoming optimistic, happy and celebratory event rather than talking about past wounds. The day arrived just in a blink of an eye.

“Nazar na lag jaaye!” murmured all the ladies and gave Raziya kisses on her cheek. Raziya kept looking in the mirror but felt that something was missing. First came Kaazee, then came the question and a shy nod, and celebratory ‘mubaarak ho!’ Raziya felt a pinch in her heart as if she was saying a good-bye to her dear friends forever. And finally came the moment, Shahinbibi and Shabaana cried their heart out, Salim and Rajjubaba hugged and kissed Raziya goodbye and Yusufsaab silently watched as the car took his little girl away!

The evening gave away to the night and Zafar and Raziya found themselves alone in the honeymoon suite in newly opened five star Hotel. To create lighter setting, Zafar presented Raziya with his Urdu shayari specially written for the occasion. Raziya felt like the universe was revolving around her but still something was missing. Everything was there, the man of her dreams, romantic shayari, a beautifully crafted wedding night but she could not help but feel the absence of – one red dot.

“kahan kho gayi begum?” came question from behind her ears.

Raziya closed her eyes, turned around and said “muje kuchh kehna hai par mujhe dar hai ke aap ko achhchha nahin lagega.”

Zafar was not ready for this, he swallowed and put up a brave face.

“Jaroor batao, aaj aur abhi nahin to phir kab hame ek dusre ko jaanane ka mauka milega? Bolo kya hai. Main sun raha hun.”

“Sunane nahin karne ki baat hai.” said Raziya cautiously.

Looking at Zafar’s puzzled face, she said “Close your eyes.” while fearing the unknown, Zafar obliged.

“Aankhe kholiye.” came in a shaky voice.

Zafar thought he has seen such scene many times earlier but still could not comprehend what he saw. There stood Raziya looking radiant as a moon, as anxious as himself, with extended right hand towards his face with little silver dabbi in her open palm. He looked closely and saw the red color and it downed on him – it was ‘sindur.’ He just stood not knowing what to do. Raziya stood there expecting him to take the next step. A moment passed, Zafar and Raziya starred at each other.

Then Raziya asked in a voice more velvety than velvet itself, “Aapne hindi filme nahin dekhi? Suni maang koi dulhan kabhi puri dulhan nahin lagati.”

Zafar opened his mouth “Par woh to….”, but Raziya’s anxious yet romantic eyes made him silent.

He hesitated first then extended his hand, took a pinch of ‘sindur’ and put it in Raziya’s maang and said laughingly “Hindi filme dekhne ke bajaay padhaii ki hoti to kab ki engineer ban gayi hoti.”

”Engineer nahin to engineer ki begum to ban gayi!” said Raziya slyly and Zafar moved closer. Now she felt the whole universe dancing around her!

The married life was a bliss for most part for Raziya and Zafar. Both loved each other’s company, personality and family. They shared childhood stories and talked for nights and nights. Raziya bloomed in Zafar’s open minded family. The bitter memories of passed riots were still hovering like ghost that no one talked about but knew it was present. Yusufsaab took his family from their old home to a new one where they thought it was ‘safer’ for them to live. Raziya was not happy to see his childhood home being occupied by some strangers and she cried silently on Zafar’s shoulder till her tears dried out. Months passed by and Raziya became the lady of the household. The days begun with Raziya making chai aur garam nasta for Zafar who left for his job early in the morning. Then came the morning rasoi, tiffins, cleanup, daily TV serials, supervision of naukar ka kaam, dopahar ki chai, rasoi and it went on…….

Everyone was happy today. Rakshabandhan came on Saturday so it was two days’ holiday. Zafar made plans for movie and dinner on the first day and trip to nearby sightseeing place on the next. “Oh, there should be more days like these!” he said to Raziya. She did not respond, just quietly sipped her tea. She kept looking outside the door in the flat compound. There goes Shilpa, seating on back seat of Raajesh’s Kawasaaki, dressed up like a new bride! Why won’t she? This was her first Rakhi after the marriage. Oh, she will be treated like princess at pihar, Raziya envied! Then came Priya with her husband in newly bought Maruti Suzuki to her pihar that was the next flat to Raziya’s. And the whole household ran outside to receive them as if they were newly-wed. Morning was filling up with celebratory activities surrounding her but she remained cheerless. She remembered those school days when she used to make handmade rakhi for her temporary bhaiya! Salim would never entertain such an idea, she sighed.

“Itna achha din hain, par hamari begum ka dil khush nahin hain?” joked Zafar.

“Nahin aisa kuch nahin hai.” came the reply.

“Kya abba-amma ki yaad aa rahi hai? Le jaaun?”

No reply.

Ring. Ring.

“Salaam alekum, Salimbhai” said Zafar.

“Walekum Salaam, Zafarmia. Kya baat hai. Chhuti ke din subah subah hum ko yaad kiya!”

“Chhuti hai isi liye to socha Raziya ko lekar aaun. Koi program to nahin hai aapka?”

“Are, aap aye to sab program ki chhuti, sahib.”

“Thik hai to phir, aa rahe hai thodi der main. Raakhi ka din hai, aur shaadishuda behan pahali bar ghar aa rahi hai. Taiyar rahena.”

Salim just starred at the phone. And then calmly hung up.

“Kya hua?” Shabaana asked.

“Kuchh nahi bas woh Zafarmiya Raziya ke saath abhi aa rahen hai.”

“To isme itna sochne ka kya. main jaldi jaldi kuch nashta banati hun.”

“Woh toh thik hai par Zafarmiya kuch rakhi ke baare main bool rahe the!”

“Kyaa matlab?.” came in question from Yusufsaab.

“Mujhe nahin malloom, usiko puchna, jab aaye tab.” said Salim and buried himself in the newspaper. No one said anything except Shahinbibi.

“Bachpan se bachchi pagal hai rakhi ke liye. School main to kisike bhai ko baandh ke aati thi. Abhi aaj shadi ke baad bichari ko apne bhai ki yaad aayi to isme kya gunha kiya?”

“Par woh to…..” said Yusufsaab.

“Kya woh to?” asked Shahinbibi. Yusufsaab had never heard such distinction in her voice so he just left it there.

Raziya again looked like a bride. Brand new zari saari that Zafar had brought from his business trip to Chennai, lots of bangles, a gold necklace, and an anxious smile. The conversation was limited to few formal sentences and the living room felt heavy to everyone.

“Are bhai, aaye hain to kaam to pataiye.” sang Shabaana brightly. She went in and came back with chandi ki thali. In it, ‘sindur’,’chokha’,’rakhi’, and ‘boondi ka laddoo.’ Salim wanted to ask Shabaana from where did she get these things but remained silent.

“Are, saale saab idhar paas to aayie apani behana ke paas. kaategi nahin” said Zafar jokingly. Salim sat next to Raziya and extended his forehead reluctantly. Raziya did the tikka, chokha and followed by tying the Rakhi on Salim’s wrist for the first time. Her hands trembled but she managed to say: “Aap hamesha khushhaal raho, yahin dua khuda se maangti hu.” Everyone shared the laddoo and laughed. Shabaana, Raziya and Shahinbibi tried to hide the red tinge in their eyes. And suddenly Salim walked off briskly, making everyone uneasy.

“Yeh hai tumhara Rakhi ka tohafa, Raziya.” said Salim handing over Raziya a gift wrapped box. “Oh, bhaiya” cried Raziya feeling happy and relieved.

“Kyun tumne kya socha? Tumhara bhai behan ko rakhi ke din khali haath bhejega? hnnnn, pagali”

“Bilkul nahin, mere bhaiya to sabse achchhe bhaiya hai! Bas kehne kaa mauka kabhi nahin mila.” added Raziya happily.

“Aur yeh bhai-behan ke pyar main Zafarmiya ki jagah toh hai na?” joked Zafar and everyone laughed. Raziya prayed in her heart that the laughter remained forever.

“Yeh toh bahut paak rishtaa hai Salim, hamesha neki se nibhana.” spoke Rajjubaba for the first time this morning. Shahinbibi ached.

Continued Rajjubaba, “Taarikh kehta hai ke, Rajaputani Rani Padmavati ne Humayun ko rakhi ke saath apni aan bachane ke liye paigam bheja tha. Aur Humayun ne apani saari fauj ko hukum diya ke……………………”

By Shachi Patel

Dedicated to my late father Ashwin Patel