Majhli Didi

Majhli Didi (1967) : Brief Review -

Emotionally effective but quite late Bengali Remake by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The original Bengali film on this story came in 1950 when these emotions of Mother-son used to work fine but Hrishikesh Mukherjee made Majhli Didi in late 60s when bollywood had gone past such stories a decade ago. That doesn't make it worthless, I just meant it was late which alternatively means outdated. The film is about Hema, a city girl married to a village boy living happily with the family. After one incident the family starts living separately and then a little boy comes in the picture. Hema and boy becomes beloved like a mother-son pair and she objects the ill treatment given by her sister and law. The plot is simple and emotionally well bounded which might have influenced many family dramas over the years. May be this is the reason why film doesn't offer anything new instead it shows the same family disputations with different flavour. Meena Kumari in lead role is impeccable and immovable. Her accent and traditional elegance makes the character look real poor woman of a family. Dharmendra has less scenes but does everything right with his character. Lalita Pawar is terrific in the film. She got terribly villainous character to Play and she fulfilled all the criteria. A special mention to child artist Sachin Pilgaonkar for his natural yet outstanding act. Majhli Didi has a perfect screenplay if the main script is acceptable to you. It is not boring at any point, dialogues are fantastic, cinematography is good and Hrishikesh Mukherjee keeps the heart at right place. This film might have got it wrong with the climax if it had gone too generous to please mainstream cinema lovers especially senior family audience but it went exceptionally well. Overall, a Nice Emotional Family ride.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest

A remarkable family & social drama based on Sharatchandra Chatterjee work 'Mej Didi'. The movie entirely revolves around Kishan, ably played by Sachin, and Hema enacted by Meena Kumari. Sachin has, without any doubt, been the best and the most successful child artist in the history of Hindi cinema. The kid steals the show despite presence of seasoned actors. Meena Kumari and Lalita Pawar are first rate. Dharmendra and Bipin Gupta supports well. The only disappointing factor is Hemant Kumar's music. The movie did not do well commercially but got Best Screenplay and Best Art Direction awards at 1969 Filmfare and was also the official entry to the 41st Oscars, from India. It's for you if you like drama.