Vaidehi (Post No.10)

Yesterday went to watch a new Hindi movie, Badrinath ki Dulhania. I was expecting a usual full on commercial Hindi entertainer. No doubt it was. However, it brought back certain long forgotten situations from my life. Most of it concerns Vaidehi, the female lead in the movie.

Situation 1
Vaidehi: Vaidehi wants to start a salon. She wants to support her family. More than that she wants to become independent. Her only mistake was she wanted to partner with her boyfriend who cheats her big time. Vaidehi suffers on two grounds: the broken trust and her father’s lost savings.
Bharathi: I used to take tuitions from my ninth grade and I wanted to start either my own tuition center or a salon, which was rare to see those days. I didn’t have a boyfriend but I wanted to start something on my own. My idea was rejected at the very first instance. It didn’t even reach the discussion or argument stage. How can a girl think of becoming an entrepreneur in her late teens? Am I not supposed to get married on time?

Situation 2
Vaidehi: Vaidehi is against the dowry system. She doesn’t want to give into the norms of society. She runs away from her wedding to pursue her career.
Bharathi: I detested the idea of dowry. I have been to family weddings and overheard conversations about money and gifts being given or demanded. I hated the fact that one day my family too will have to give gifts to get me married. Being a child, I had made up my mind that I will marry a guy who will not demand dowry. Unfortunately, when the time came more than my achievements my market rate was more on demand. I had decided by then that I will marry for love. A guy who will marry me for me and not my market rate.

Situation 3
Vaidehi: After her initial debacle, Vaidehi again dreams big and wants to become an air-hostess. She chooses career over marriage.
Bharathi: After failed entrepreneur thoughts, I wanted to become an air-hostess too. As a teenager, I didn’t know if I could fit the requirements of a flying job. All I knew was I knew in my head that I am prepared for it. But again, how did I think that our Indian society would accept to see me as an air-hostess of all the career options? How could I wear short skirts and be away from home for a long duration? Am I not supposed to work (if at all/at the most) as just a teacher and have a full-filled life?  

Situation 4
Vaidehi: She is ready to get married to the guy only when she is sure that he respects her decision and accepts her the way she is.
Bharathi: At a time when I had decided that I won’t give into marriage until I am sure of the man, that’s when ‘Me’ came into my life. For the first time, I had met a man who had no expectations from me and most importantly respected me in spite of all that I wasn’t. Having been married to him past 4 years, I can vouch that it is still the same. I can see that he is proud of all that I am and have achieved (or not) till date.

Some movies remind you of moments as if they were ripped from your life. No wonder they say: Movies are a reflection of the society. 

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