Aandhi

Andhi literally means storm. It is a Hindi feature film made in 1975.Sanjeev Kumar & Suchitra Sen in the lead.It is directed by Gulzar.It was alleged at that time that it is based on the life of Prime minister Indira Gandhi & her estranged husband but in reality only the look was inspired by Tarkeshwari Sinha & Indira Gandhi.

A hotel manager & a politician’s daughter fall in love & get married.Due to certain differences they get separated.Years later they meet again & decide to give their relationship another chance.They also have a daughter who is never shown.The decency is maintained at all times.A look ,a glance is all that we see.

Kamaleshwar’s story with Gulzar at the helm is a delight.He tried again in ‘Mausam’…which released at the end in the same year bagged Filmfare’s best film,best director.Only change was in the cast ..Sharmila Tagore.The robust writing,seamless dialogues makes it a must watch.

Music by RD Burman is splendid.If I have said jewels & gems before, the songs have no words.They are to be felt,experienced.Lets start with….Tum aa gaye ho nur aa gaya….is so different from bang on…Baharo phool barsao mera mehboob aaya hai ( Suraj with Rajendra Kumar & Vyjayanthimala among flowers along with a swing decorated by flowers,watch the colors even they are too tacky.I love the song but its better with your eyes closed)Nahi to chirago se lau ja rahi thi…jeene ki tumse wajah mil gayi…..badi bewajah zindagi ja rahi thi….as you walk in every thing changes for me,said in the most delicate way possible.How can love be expressed if not as here?

Kaha se chale,kaha ke liye ….ye khabar nahi thi magar koi bhi sira jaha ja mila wahi tum miloge…ke hum tak tumhari duva aa rahi thi….I believe this the ultimate trust that can be expressed by a loved one. Din dooba nahi,raat doobi nahi ….jane kaisa hai safar…khwabon ke diye aankho me liye wahi aa rahe the…jaha se tumhari sada aa rahi thi….Is so sweet,my eyes have the light of your dreams….even the translation loses its flavour ‘cas it’s so subtle.The feeling is sublime & only nurturing helps.

Beshak Mandir ,masjid todo…bhulo sham main kehta…par pyaar bhara dil kabhi na todo jis dil me dilbar rehta…Anchal’s voice in film Bobby puts the right words affront.It remains with you because of the feeling .It rises above the script & becomes timeless.

Is mod se jaate hain..kuchh sust kadam raste kuch tez kadam rahe…..pathar ki haveli ko sheeshe ke gharondo mein, tinke ke nasheman tak …is mod se…..Aandhi ki tarah ud kar ek rah guzarti hai….sharmati hui( kaun rah! what a thought!)…..koi kadamose utarti hai…in reshmi raho me ek rah to woh hogi tum tak jo pahuchti hai…is mod se …..simply beautiful!!!

Ek door se aati hai,paas aake palat ti hai…ek rah ekeli si ,rukti hai na chalti hai….yeh soch ke baithi hun, ek rah to woh hogi tum tak jo pahuchti hai…is mod pe….with these lines the buildup is complete.But in “Mausam”…in the song …Chadi re chadi kaisi gale me padi…bejod ruh hoto halkasa mod dedo, jod do toot na jaye saanson ki ladi…again has a different texture.A hero as bulky as Sanjeev Kumar will fit in today but his presence then was too homy,too known & admired.It’s never about the body but the” rooh” that dwells within.

And the masterpiece….Tere bina zindagi se koi….each word has a meaning of it’s own & holds a picture for each one separately…….shikwa to nahin…the word shikwa… is uttered in so many times & so differently giving a meaning of its own.I have only one complaint & ….it’s you.Tere bina zindagi bhi lekin zindagi toh nahi….an aged Sanjeev Kumar confessing what he feels …Kaash aisa ho tere kadmo se chun ke manzil chale…aur kahin door kahin…their paths are different & having one destination is only in dreams. Tum agar saath ho ,manzilon ki kami to nahi….tere bina….Jee mein aata hai tere daaman mein sar chhupa ke hum rote rahe….a place where all masks fall apart & she is free to cry her heart out.Leaving behind her beloved husband & a small girl for her is not easy.Her political career is demanding & she stays away. The song goes perfectly with the visuals,its a treat to the eyes & ears.Teri bhi aankhon me aansuon ki nami to nahin…it is a rare meeting & so the eyes are glistening…aren’t they tears? the tears don’t roll down.Then he replies…Tum jo keh do toh,aaj ki raat chand dubega nahi, raat ko rok lo….they are walking together & he is describing how it looks in daylight,where she says,’Kaha aa paungi mein din me?”He points out to the moon & says,”Yeh sirf raat ko nikalta hai!”……Raat ki baat hai aur zindagi baki to nahi…we have only this night ,literally & figuratively.Her work is done ,she has to move on.

Suchitra Sen ,noted Bengali actress worked in very few hindi films.Mother to actress Moon moon Sen, here her daughter’s name is moonmoon.An important film in her career as she retired in 1978.She was nominated foe the best actress award.Sanjeev Kumar won the Filmfare best actor award & the film won the Filmfare critics best film award.

It is a beautiful experience.Enjoy!