In Solidarity with the Kashi bais of the world
Priyanka Chopra got best supporting actress while Deepika
Padukone got best actress award for the same movie , Baajirao Mastani. Fair?
Not fair! But Kashibais of the world always have this fate. They are pushed
to the background while Mastanis take centre stage. Mastani’s name gets synonymous with Bajirao. Culture,
history, folklore sing the glory of their love and like clauses in an insurance
form, they mention ‘ Kashibai also
existed’. Committed, devoted, givingS, Kasibais don’t lack anything. Still mastanis enter
their lives. Well, I don’t blame Mastanis. No, falling in love is not a crime.
Its Bajiraos who expect Kashibais to accommodate Mastanis in their lives that I
have an issue with. Kashibais love ,care,
comfort, support,control and confront, yet lose the battle because Bajiroas
want all this and a little more. What is a bigger loss for them? Losing the
love of their lives or their self respect? In the movie Kashibai very
appropriately says “Jaan mangte to khushi se de deti. Par apne to hamara gurur
hi chin liya.” That’s it . Kasibais value their dignity, they expect transparency,
truth and camaraderie. When they give space, they do it with confidence and
total trust. And what do Bajiraos do? They not only give in to temptation but
also don’t feel sorry for what they have done. They rip off the dignity Kasibais deserve and plead
themselves ‘not guilty’.
It’s so strange that it takes a woman’s tears to make a man
feel guilty. They want to see the woman they once loved broken and defeated to
awaken the man in them. I am lucky to be surrounded by many strong women. I don’t
wish anyone of them to go through the horrid Kashibai experience. But I know,
if ever faced with a similar situation, they will hold their own, just like Kashibai. I want my daughter to be a
kashibai too even if she never gets the best actress award.
I’ m in total solidarity with the Kashibais of the world.
