Trans. Journey. It is a Hindi romantic drama. Produced by Mushir -Riaz duo. Directed by Asit Sen. It is based on a novel by Bengali writer Ashutosh Mukherjee. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore & Feroz Khan.
Even though Avinash is in love with Neela, he insists that she marry another man. Things take a turn when her husband starts suspecting her of having an affair with Avinash.
Released on 1 October 1970. Box office collection Rs 3 crores.( equivalent to Rs 148 crore or US $ 17 million in 2023)
Rated 7.2.
The film became the tenth top grosser of the year. It won one at Film Fare awards & four at Bengali Film Journalists ‘ Association Awards.
Asit Sen remade the 1956 Bengali Film ‘Chalachal’ which was directed by him, in Hindi as ‘Safar’ 1970. As per the reviews , Safar was carried more than ably by Khanna’s immense charm at the peak of his popularity.
He beautifully conveys his character’s desperation & his conviction that surviving by a slender thread is not really living.
This film counted among the 17 consecutive hit films of Rajesh Khanna between 1969 & 1971. By adding two hero films ‘Maryada & “Andaz’ to the 15 consecutive solo hits of his. A record which stands unbroken today!
Rajesh was a phenomenon. Nobody could emulate him. Later the trend set by ‘angry young man’ Amitabh’ personified, pushed the soft, romantic hero to the corner. The genre changed & so did the films.
With five songs that are evergreen & hummed today. ”Hun The Jinke Sahare’, which depicts loss & the bare road ahead. ‘Jeevan se bhari, teri aankhe..’ Sharmila has lovely, doey eyes. Avinash ( Rajesh Khanna) has tried so many on his drawing paper. Each unique & lively.
‘Jo Tumko Ho Pasand’ Feroz promises her. Forgets that after marriage & is fuming because she is having an affair with Rajesh ( Maybe ). You promise the moon & the stars & then suddenly… Make promises that can stand the test of time.
‘Nadiya Chale chale re’ is a slow number. We wish the time would freeze & we would just keep looking at the lovely couple for ever!!!
‘Zindagi Ka Safar’ is all philosophical. Rajesh Khanna could emote such songs with great sincerity. Look at the song from his ‘Anand’, ‘Zindagi, kaisi hai peheli hai..’ We wish to be the balloons in his hand & walk with him on the almost empty beaches in Mumbai.
With Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna & Feroz Khan gone, Sharmila must feel a loss for the good times gone forever. She was lucky to get great films with great actors. Poised, beautiful as always. Along with her other friends she has aged so nicely.
The journey continues…
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