Cast: Sanjeev Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Om Prakash, A. K. Hangal.
Release Year: 1975.
Director: Gulzar.
Another classic from the 70’s – Aandhi. I am always fascinated with the titles of Gulzar’s films. Be it Angoor, Ijaazat, Namkeen, or Aandhi, which literally means ‘a storm’. The film itself was in the eye of an Aandhi upon its release as it was supposedly based on Indira Gandhi’s life, who was the Prime Minister back then. As a result, it was not allowed full release and was even banned during the 1975 emergency.
Aandhi tells the story of J.K (Sanjeev Kumar) and Aarti Devi (Suchitra Sen), an estranged husband and wife, who meet after 9 years. Aarti is a well known politician while J.K is the Hotel’s Manager where she is staying. The story then unwinds in flashbacks, recounting how Aarti and J.K met, fell in love, got married. Aarti is a very strong and ambitious person, while J.K is somebody who prefers simplicity. Their ego clashes over Aarti joining politics and devoting more and more time to it, eventually leads to their separation. However, the affection is still very much evident when they meet 9 years later. Will the two reunite, or will they go separate paths again? The film handles the question in a very mature and sensitive way. And when actors like Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen (with a heavy Bengali intonation!) put in their best performances, the final product is sheer brilliance.
It would be unjust to talk about the soundtrack of this film in a single paragraph. I could do an extensive post on each song! As a kid, I was in love with the songs for their sheer melody. As I grew up, and understood the lyrics, all I could do was to hear it again and again and again (!) and go wah wah every single time! The songs are haunting - Tum aa gaye ho, Iss mod se jaate hai, Tere Bina Zindagi se Shikwa, all of them.
All in all, a must watch!
Scenes to watch out for:
#1: When Aarti and J.K meet after 9 years…the scene brings a smile to your face without you even realizing it J
#2: A scene in the song Tere Bina Zindagi Se Shikwa – the lines are to die for!
“Yeh jo chaand hai na..ise raat mein dekho..yeh din mein nahi nikalta.”
“Yeh to roj nikalta hai..”
“Haan…lekin beech mein amaavas aa jaati hai…waise toh amaavas pandrah din ki hoti hai…lekin iss baar, bohot lambii thi”
“Nau baras lambii thi na?”
Why not to miss this movie:
For its bold take on politics, and its mature take on relationships.
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