Deedar (1951) :
Brief Review -
A classic romantic tragedy that wins you only when love loses. Dilip Kumar's eye-pleasing act will make you his "blind" fan forever. Okay, how iconic can the leading cast get? Deedar has one of the best from the golden era of Bollywood. Dilip Kumar, Nargis, Ashok Kumar, and Nimmi. Watching them together lead the show is a different experience altogether. Believe me, it's much more than a pleasure to see such legendary actors coming together than to watch them separately in different movies. Deedar is a classic romantic tragedy that believes in the defeat of love because the happy ending was too mainstream and wasn't adding any meaning to the real "cinema." It does look a bit aggressive and overdramatic, but I guess that was the need of the hour. The film is about two childhood sweethearts, Shaymu and Mala, who part ways due to financial inequalities. Shaymu loses his sight and is adopted by a poor family in the village. Now grown up, he is treated by a kind-hearted doctor, who happens to be Mala's future husband. Mala and Shyamu meet again when Shyamu's sight is restored, but will Mala be able to recognize him and accept his love? I remember watching Mehboob Khan's cult romance, "Anmol Ghadi" (1946), which showed a new path to Indian cinema with a tragic ending in a romantic drama genre. Deedar is on the same lines, but it is more aggressive, and only one party makes the sacrifice, but pain is equally divided, unknowingly. Dilip Kumar has delivered one of the greatest performances of his career. Salute the legend. Ashok Kumar is terrific, and Nimmi is excellent. Nargis is good, but somehow underwhelming compared to the other three. Naushad's music and Shakeel Badayuni's lyrics will hit your heart in the center. Nitin Bose, dear, what have you made? I can't imagine how people would have weeped in cinemas during the climax back in time. I love those sad faces and tears in eyes more than happy faces leaving the auditorium.
RATING - 8/10*
By - #samthebestest.
