Andaz

Andaz (1971) : Brief Review -

A brilliant 70s drama by Ramesh Sippy. Andaz has no similarities with Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Nargis' record-breaking blockbuster, "Andaz" (1949), except that a lady with two love interests. "Zindagi Ek Safar Suhana" may be one of your all-time favorite travel songs, but after watching this film, you will realize that the song is very inspiring to live this life. Whatever happens, happens; just don't care about the past and move ahead with the future. The song teaches you a lot of things like this. Andaz cannot be counted as Rajesh Khanna's movie because he hardly has a 15-minute role here. That's enough to be called an extended cameo, not the second lead. The film is about a single mother, Sheetal, and a single father, Ravi, who fall in love and decide to get married as their children also like each other. However, both have past traumas as they have lost their partners. Can they outcome it and live together when there are a few other problems too to make it difficult for them? Rajesh Khanna plays Raj, the first husband of Sheetal, a role that is very similar to "Aradhana." But instead of giving her son away, Sheetal keeps it with her and lives with him. The film is based on many such cliches that audiences have seen in many movies from the 60s and 50s. Be it the rape angle, enemy brother, or in-laws negative mindset. Shammi Kapoor plays a fine role, and Hema Malini looks very fresh and beautiful. Both child artists, Alankar and Gauri, are super cute. Shankar-Jaikishan's album has a variety, but nothing as iconic as Zindagi Ek Safar. Re Mama is a fun children's song, and Papa Ko Mummy Se is a love song from a children's point of view. Ramesh Sippy keeps the drama simple but very engaging. No hardcore moments or forced scenes. Andaz's real beauty is in following unintellectual footprints.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

I can remember watching this film about five times and never getting bored of it, this is due to the story line being different to other films. It wants to make you want to fall in love, watching it. Shammi Kapoor's and Hema Malini's chemistry through out the film is superb as they both fall in love with each other. The songs are nice, especially the theme music. I've been a Shammi Kapoor fan for a long time and to me this was one of his finest role in his film career, and he still looks handsome as ever! This film for me will always hold a special place in my heart, as it is the only old film I like.

In this Sippy super hit movie Rajesh Khanna makes a special appearance for 30 minutes but steals the thunder with his powerful portrayal of his character and sings the immortal song Zindagi ek safar hai suhana. The movie has powerful performances by Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Ajit apart from Rajesh Khanna. The kids have done their part well. The music by Shanker Jaikishan is very melodious and the song of Kishore Kumar was a rage and has become immortal. It is a must see. However, this is one of the last movies of Shammi Kapoor as a leading actor and he looks old in the movie. We wish that he continued as a leading actor for more years. Hema Malini was the No 1 heroine then and does justice to her role but the show belongs to Rajesh Khanna who shows his class as an actor in the movie.

Good film from the Rajesh Khanna Years. Although, the title role belongs to Shammi Kapoor but Khanna with a cameo role stole the show when this film was released in 1971. Rajesh Khanna's brief guest appearance was enough to turn the audience on their feet. However, it is the only film where Shammi Kapoor has given a very mature and decently sensible performance which has never been his trait because he would always overplay the role...his one plus point (the blue eyes).

If anybody considers me wrong then watch the movie JAANWAR that belongs to Sahmmi's prime era. The dynamically charged song "Zindagi Ik Safar Hey Suhana" was the talk of every town when this film was initially released soaring both Rajesh and Malini to new heights of there showbiz careers.

Last but not the least, both child stars have outperformed their meaningful roles that exude pristine innocence thereby making the movie even more captivating.

This has nothing in common with the 1949 classic black and white Andaz with Nargis and Dilip Kumar apart from the title and each stars one of the Kapoor's (Raj and Shammi). There Naushad supplied some beautiful music which was sung to by the young Lata, here Shankar-Jaikeshan provide some rather flat songs except for the much-reprised Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana by King Kishore Kumar. Here we have the chunky Shammi Kapoor gradually falling for the doll-like Hema Malini (and more unlikely, vice versa) to a different generation and set of morals.

They both have different yet similar histories as their respective partners have died – she's supposedly an unmarried mother to a boy while he's a lone parent to a girl. Fate brings them together more and more, mainly through the agency of their children who obviously have more sense than the adults. Everyone in here is cute, except for hip character Badal who looks a bit like the old UK TV character Jason King but who turns out to be a three-in-a-bed rapist. It's an expertly put together journey with excellent production values and some very nice scenery in a warm colour. The best of the hip songs is Mujhe Pyas Aisi Pyas Lagi Hai which is seductively sung by Asha – while the syrupy ditty sung by the children is maybe best forgotten!

One could perhaps have wished for a little more of Hemi's impulsive first lover played by Rajesh Khanna, but it's pleasant and absorbing enough with Shammi underplaying his more "weighty" role for a change. And anyway as the song goes Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, so let's make the most of what we've got.