Nimmi was a beautiful woman. She was well aware of the secret attraction that Maqbool nursed for her. Who knows what spurred her to stoke those flames? Maybe she was just relishing the control she wielded over the helpless man. Maybe she was tired of the power she derived from being Abbaji’s mistress and now craved for passion, in addition. So she taunted Maqbool, goaded him into dreaming forbidden dreams, nursed passions and ambitions within him that were hitherto hidden from everyone… She knew her allure and used it well. But she was not one to settle for mere passion, was she? She craved the feeling of being in control… and so she gradually got Maqbool to do what he would not have imagined even in his wildest dreams.
As for Miyan, he didn’t have much of a chance. Blood was on his hands and Nimmi was only the messenger. If not her, some one else would have guided him down the path of murder and guilt. If only his spirit was stronger, if only he had a clear vision of himself and others, if only he could rise above his common cravings and aversions… Maqbool would have been a different tale. Maybe a tad bland, a little dull, bereft of the color of blood and passion… but it would have been the story of a man who conquered his little self and merged with Infinity.
[J got a DVD of the film home. Although I don’t enjoy watching the film, I cannot deny its awesomeness. Excellent attention to detail, fabulous adaptation (Priyan, go drown yourself – you give remakes a bad name!), taut dialogues, fantastic performances, amazing characterisations… and a fitting soundtrack. Vishal Bharadwaj is truly talented.]
