Nikaah

It was decided to name it as ‘Talaq,talaq,talaq’ but later it got its name as ‘Nikaah’.Another film with muslim characters.It is a 1982 film with Raj Babbar,Deepak Parashar,Asrani,introducing Salma Agha.She was the singing sensation of that time.Ashfaq,who is in love with Nilofer,is left heartbroken when she marries another man.Things take a turn when Nilofer gets divorced & he offers her a job at his company.

It had beautiful songs.Salma Agha has a soulful voice & that was much appreciated then.It starts with Raj Babbar & salma Agha in college.He sings ‘Beete hue lamho ki kasak saath to hogi…Khwabo me hi ho chahe mulakat to hogi…Mahendra kapoor as usual makes it memorable.It sets the tone of the movie.

Chehra chupa liya hai kisine Hijab me…the moments where Deepak & Salma meet,their families decide & Nikaah. Nikaah literally means marriage contract.According to the muslim laws a husband utters ‘Talaq’ thrice & the marriage is annulled,so the title was changed.It won Filmfare award for best dialogue & best female playback singer. She till date remains a one film wonder as rest of her films flopped.

They decide to go to Agra for their honeymoon but end up in mumbai due to time constraint.The moment they come back Salma is all alone with nothing to do.On their first wedding anniversary,he fails to come to the party to the disappointment of all guests.A heated argument ensues & in the heat of the moment Wasim utters the words.

A divorcee,Nilofer joins magazine office of Haider & realises he is still very much in love with her.Wasim wants to reconcile & marry her again. The Gulam Ali gazal…Chupke chupke raat din aansu bahana yaad hai,hum ko ab tak aashiqui ka woh zamana yaad hai…tera koti pe nange paon aana yaad hai…had Salma running without her slippers..( toh miya ab tak kya kar rahe the?….aansu na bahe iske liye kuch to karo…)Salma has …Dil ke armaan aansuon me bah gaye,hum wafa karke bhi tanha rah gaye….( ab iska miya office to jayega,har koi jata hai….ab kaam hai to der toh hoyegi….expectations then & now are not different.thoda akal se kaam lete.A perfect example of mistakes from both sides.)Remember yeh aansu bahata hai ,woh wahan aahe bharti hai…wah…Dil chahta hai..!

Dil ki ye arzoo thi koi dilruba mile….again Mahendra kapoor …Haider woos her now.They marry with the consent of his parents. They think of going to Agra & settle for mumbai like last time. She writes in her diary, ‘wohi bate, wohi manzile, mano bahe bhi wohi….’ ( who writes in the diary absurd things that will create confusion! ) They are happy together. Wasim sends her a letter to divorce Haider & marry him.Haider reads the letter & thinks both are still in love. He brings Wasim to her & offers his consent to divorce her through talaq.But Nilofer turns it down & questions both of them on their treating her like a property rather than as a woman.Same scene can be seen in many films repeated again & again.I remember ‘Sajaan’ where Madhuri questions both Sanjay Dutt & Salman Khan, sacrifice ? fine ,but did you consult me? my wishes? whom do I choose? isn’t my opinion important? who gave you the right to decide mt partner? then & now I still remember vividly the sparks flying off her eyes.Salma could only muster a tearful face & an anguished voice. But it is a disgrace! Handing over your wife with only three words and if she wishes to exercise her right of rejecting a husband,what then?

She says she wants to live with Haider.Wasim accepts her choice,blesses them & leaves.Fiza bhi jawan jawaan….suna raha hai yeh sama suni suni si dastan….BR Chopra was always known for his unique take on his films. A film of B.R. films had a message to convey.The story was solid & the message strong without being preachy.With Yash chopra the style changed & so did the financial equations.Larger than life picture was ushered in.New ideas,new directors…more later ….Happy viewing!