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Shakti is easier to relate to, than Pratap. And Shakti is not entirely a dark character.
I do not even see his behaviour as greed.
He just wants what he feels he and his mother have been denied. He wants to prove himself. He wants his qualities to be noticed too.
Frankly at times Rana ji has been lenient on Pratap or excused his mistakes. If the same things were done by anyone else he wouldn't be spared.
Shakti is defiant and increasingly so because he gets bad treatment from his father and he has seen even his mother being publicly humiliated and shit scared by his father.
If Pratap was not coming to the competition then what was the need to shout at Sajja bai and say words like, "Hum uss Shakti ko uttaradhikari bana dein?" That too in front of everyone?😕
Udai Singh and praja wants Pratap, fine. But do not undermine Shakti or brush aside his capabilities so openly!😲
He got best score in gurukul entrance test and even later. That does show he has ability!
Pratap was more into taking things in his own hands and venturing out without permission (like they checked out that secret tunnel in palace). Whereas Shakti was initially not at all into breaking rules or taking things in his own hands. He was obedient despite his frustrations.
Shakti gets very little credit or praise for whatever positive things he does. Is it not frustrating to see that your father is curious at your success and more concerned about lack of success of his favoured son instead of joy and acceptance of your success?😕
Anyone would be disturbed if he got the treatment that Shakti gets from Udai Singh & co. - either he would be depressed or he would be filled with rage and resentment.😲
Shakti uses more brain than Pratap. I had to commend him when he did not accept Bhaatiyani's sugar coated BS at once at face value, rather he questioned her why she was so concerned about him if she too had favoured and loved Pratap all along. He did stump her for once!👍🏼
It is good to be kind hearted but it doesn't mean you do not use tact!
Pratap lacks tact. Forget being suspicious, he is not even curious if the matter is related to someone he is attached to - a friend, a teacher or a relative! This is dangerous for a king and an administrator. In fact dangerous for anyone.
Jaywanta bai is good, kind and generous but she does have sense to see what is real and what is fake. Pratap lacks that. Even if he gets curious, like he got curious about Basar Khan once, he drops that instead of discussing it with others or trying to resolve the doubts he has in his mind.
A king must be prepared to deal with anything. But Pratap is not! He was hiding his face when that traitor was beheaded (Rana ji had to force him to see it). He loses concentration when he thinks of friends or family or even a danger to guru.
That is not a good sign.
In a battle a lapse of a split second is enough to change political scenario!😲
Guru is harsh on Pratap. He should tone it down and he did show positive role in motivating him in ME. But he definitely needs to work on Pratap's over-sensitivity and getting blinded/distracted or readily believing people he loves/respects.
Guru praises Shakti because he earned that praise. At times Guru has also taunted him for blurting out learnt by rote speeches to him. Partly, guru also praises him to check Pratap and keep him on his toes and not take his abilities or path of success for granted. Guru knows that Udai Singh and praja values Pratap a lot already, so he is only trying to ensure that Pratap does not get either complacent, overconfident or assured of his success and abilities.
Shakti, recognition of his abilities and his open praise are Guru's way of doing a balancing act.
I think he also wants to test reactions of everybody. How Shakti behaves when praised and how Pratap behaves when praised or not.
Making things more difficult for Pratap are his way of pushing him to limits and preparing him for the worst (anything that is). If Pratap fails or retaliates, then it will be clear what the limit of his ability is. But if he keeps on following orders without a word and rather comes out with flying colours then it will be clear how exceptional he is.
Also, Shakti has broken less rules than Pratap (like entering late or getting admitted despite failing entrance test). So probably he gets bit of favour (apparently).
Shakti has faced difficulties and discrimination at home itself this is why his goal is restricted to defeating Pratap. While Pratap has got everything and all the favours so he can think about serving the people (who favour him anyway, especially after that battle - that too, which was more to Rajrana's credit or else Pratap would have faltered! Rajrana created the conditions for Pratap to function properly).
I do not favour Shakti. But I do understand him and empathise with him. 😊He at least wants to prove himself to Udai Singh and co. I'd have left such parent and even convinced my mom to leave home together if we got the treatment that Shakti and Sajja get! [SERIOUSLY!]
Udai Singh's excessive and blind favour to Bhaatiyani puts even adult and mature women like Jaywanta and Sajja ill at ease at times. Shakti and other brothers are still kids! Won't they be affected?
Udai Singh is just not willing to give Shakti a chance - forget heir, he does not even want to recognise his abilities as a student!
Shakti may not become a good king because his own feelings drive him more than people's concerns. As for fighting with professional assassins or fighting a battle, I do not think we can make conclusions about it because Shakti has not been put in such situations yet so to judge him how he deals with such situations.
It is commendable that Pratap fought valiantly in the battle and with Bashar Khan. But let us not forget that he was not alone. He had army and Rajrana with him in battle and he had plan laid out by guru, fellow disciples and father Udai Singh and his men later. On his own, he used tact around Shams Khan's camp earlier when they went to steal mangoes. But there also, it was luck that he and Shakti threw mangoes on Shams Khan's men and managed to run away. (That was the most foolish scene in the entire show! Such trained Afghan soldiers got attacked and debilitated by throwing mere mangoes at them? 😆)
Pratap is first to rise to a challenge. But alone - he either escaped by chance or got injured. He has had crucial help from people like Guru and Rajrana ji in grave dangers he faced. And if it is something that involves a friend or family then he is not even able to recognise that there's a challenge for him!😕
Both Pratap and Shakti are determined in their own way. (Though Shakti's determination is fired more by bitterness at Udai Singh and resulting envy and anger at Pratap)
But it depends on portrayal. Pratap is doing exceptional despite injuries in the competition. While Shakti is normal and healthy. I don't know if Shakti would have participated had he been as badly injured as Pratap was. So I cannot comment on his ability or inability.
Ideally I would like Pratap to WIN this competition so that it is proven that he can overcome all odds. 👍🏼I also want egg on that Bhaatiyani's 🤬 face who has been smiling too much at Pratap's misses!😡 This will also show how motivation from one's guru goes a long way in helping someone function according to their potential.😊
But frankly speaking I loved Shakti's OPEN defiance of that Udai Singh!😈 So I would not mind if he won!😉😆
Pratap would be a tad relieved of conspiracies if he weren't Yuvraj and backlash of praja would make Udai Singh also self-introspect if he should allow his decisions to be influenced by that Bhaatiyani or not. If she barks in case of Shakti also, then I hope he gets suspicious of her. Wishful thinking!🥱
But I feel the competition may not proceed to completion. I suspect Shams Khan will create trouble as Som discovers his plans or gets suspicious of him. There might be a blast, tragedy or commotion due to which competition gets cancelled midway.
Let's see.
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