The Mistress

It is a 2012 Filipino romantic melodrama film. Directed by Olivia Lamasan. It stars John Lloyd Cruz & Bea Alonzo with Hilda Koronel & Ronaldo Valdez.

From the title one knows that the story is not going to end well. No happy endings here. A young woman is torn between the affections of her two lovers. One is a young bachelor & the other is an old married man who has kept her as his mistress for years.

This film celebrates the 10th anniversary of John Lloyd Cruz & Bea Alonzo’s partnership as a love team. It is their comeback film after their hit 2010 film entitled ‘Miss you like Crazy’.

‘The Mistress’ ranks first in highest grossing film of 2012 & 16th place in all time highest grossing local film. It won ‘Most Popular Screenwriter’ for Olivia Lamasan & Vanessa Valdez. With ‘Box Office King’ & Box office Queen” for the leads.

In 1970 a Hindi language film was made. ‘Darpan’ starring Sunil Dutt, Waheeda Rehman. A teacher from Siddharth college, Balraj Dutt, falls in love with a former prostitute, Madhavi. Despite the opposition from his family he marries her. His elder brother recognises her.

A sensitive subject dealt with great sensitivity. Remarkable how the films were ahead of the times & depicted subtly.

Director Deepa Mehta’s ‘Water’ explores life of widows at an ashram in Varanasi. The story of Kalyani (Lisa Ray) forced into prostitution as a teenager to support the ashram. She gets her hopes up, after getting involved with the son(John Abraham), dreaming of a good life away in Calcutta. She drowns herself.

‘Amar Prem’ 1972 the classic made with Rajesh Khanna & Sharmila Tagore. She plays a prostitute with a heart of gold & Rajesh Khanna, a lonely, rich businessman who frequents her place. Her sad story makes us forget her present status. Melodious songs made it a masterpiece.