Love, See Us Into A Hall Of Mirrors

Dear Camille:

I've been severely disappointed in my lady friends, who come across as intelligent women with common sense but end up making bad choices when it comes to men.

—Jolted Joe

Dear Joe:

You are puzzled by the irrational perversity of sexual attraction.... Love will never be tidy or safe. Jump in the boat and row for your life.

—Camille Paglia, Advice for the Lovelorn, Among Others

Muqaddar Ka Sikandar typifies what a big Hindi film, when done well, excels at. No matter what the main thrust of the storyline, the film itself gave us the possibility of identifying with numerous points of view to experience many aspects of love. We felt Amitabh's longing for an idealised, impossible love for Rakhee; we also felt the simple charm of Vinod Khanna and Rakhee embarking on an uncomplicated love; and most of all, we were electrified by Rekha when Amitabh interrupted her song and she, the beheld, suddenly experienced the frisson of being the beholder. Passing fluidly from one being to another, we came out of the film suffused by the possibilities of romance. There, we could inhabit each in turn—a voluptuous luxury of the spirit, if there ever was one.

"Sabse zyaada pasand mujhe yeh doori hai. Kyonki doori na ho to karib aane ka bahana na hota."

"Should love challenge us or put our questions to sleep?"