When I was growing up one of the television series I enjoyed was The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1968-1970). I always wanted the two characters to get married. It didn't matter that he was a ghost. He was tall and strong and handsome and had a great accent and loved Mrs. Muir - and I was certain she loved him back. Surely that was enough. Surely their love could transcend anything.
Cut to 2005 and Paheli which encourages us to believe that such transcendance is possible.
Early in the film, the item number "Dheere Jalna" - composed by M. M. Kreem with lyrics by Gulzar and tenderly sung by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghosal - focuses on ghost Kishenlal (Shah Rukh Khan) as he explores the love, life, and laughter in real Kishenlal's home with respect and reverence. He is a spirit that is experiencing real life in a way that he hasn't before.
As with most english translations of Hindi songs, there is some variety. But here is an example of the poetry of the hauntingly beautiful "Dheere Jalna":
Burn slowly, burn slowly, burn slowly
While burning on the flame of life
Slowly slowly, slowly slowly, burn slowly
While burning on the flame of life
It’s a fragile dream lest it may shatter
Be careful while you light the flame
Ghost Kishenlal's love and respect for Lachchi (Rani Mukherjee) prevent him from carrying the ruse into the bedroom. Almost immediately he confesses who he is to Lachchi. Through his honesty, Lachchi understands the true nature and motivation of ghost Kishenlal.
Lachchi is faced with the dilemma of choosing between the ghost's eternal love and her husband's insensitive monotone. Since Bollywood is all about love, that's what she chooses.
Being careful in this new life and relationship is a theme shared by both ghost Kishenlal and Lachchi. The following version of "Dheere Jalna" is performed by Sonu Nigam and is the first portion of the song which eventually unites Lachchi with Kishenlal.
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