Aradhana

This block buster movie discovered an Indian superstar. Thereafter, Rajesh Khanna instantaneously became a phenomenon. Movie after movie of his, hit on the box office and it seemed as if there is no stop to it. It was the first time that the screen idol - Dilip Kumar felt a real shock to his fame and his aura being eclipsed.

Aradhana was not only a milestone for Rajesh Khanna, but as a playback singer - Kishore Kumar became the most sought after singer with the legendary success of the peppy song "Mere Sapnoon ki Rani kab aye gi tu". The quixotic appeal of Rajesh Khanna reached its zenith in this superbly directed and choreographed film. Shakti Samantha extracted the best out of a young entrant (Rajesh Khanna) in film industry. Although, Rajesh did as many as four films before this flick but no momentous success came to his way. The same success befell on Sharmila Tagore, as well and she also won real acclaim, although she had acted as an old grey haired lady in the closing half hour of the movie.

A fairly conventional melodrama plot, but some nice parallel moments, almost shot for shot when scenes are repeated involving father and son (both played by Rajesh Khanna.) I liked him more as the father than as the son. A celebrated role for Sharmila Tagore as well. Her make-up goes through an evolution as her character ages. I got kind of obsessed with her eyeliner that resembles cat-eye glasses without the glasses. My real reason for watching this was the music. Again, the stagings don't seem that original (easy to say, 50 years later!) but the songs, the orchestrations and singing are quite nice. But of course, I don't understand Hindi...

Let me start by saying that this is a masterpiece and arguably Rajesh Kahnna's best film ever along with Anand. The music is legendary and this was also Kishore Kumars comeback movie after actor Om Prakash had cursed him because Kishore would not act in his m ovie. The story about a girl (Sharmila) who falls in love with an army afficer (Rajesh Khanna) who dies while leaving her pregnant was unique in Bollywood. Especially the entry of her son after approx 20 years (also Rajesh Khanna) and the moving climax. I love classic movies and watch black and white movies regularly. Big was my surprise when i saw the movie TO EACH HIS OWN - a black and white gem of a movie in which a girl gets pregnant by an army officer who dies, she has to give up the child and meets him approx 20 years later. But believe it or not the climax of this movie is even better than Aradhana and they don't even use a song like Chanda Hai Tu. You must watch this gem of a movie.

Aradhana introduces to Indian cinema a great talent Rajesh Khanna. Though this was not his first movie, but this movie brought him acclaim,recognition and Super Star status. The movie has him in a double role where he succeeds in showing different characters. Sharmila Tagore shines in the movie and acts well.The music of Sachin Dev Burman is immortal and all songs were super hit. Kishore Kumar's voice fits Rajesh Khanna's screen image as if either Rajesh Khanna is singing the songs or if Kishore Kumar has become Rajesh Khanna. One voice Two souls. The movie's story is very touchy and is a tear jerker. However, Rajesh Khanna steals the show with good performances by Ashok Kumar, Asit Sen, Sujit Kumar, Pahari Sanyal, Farida Jalal among others. This Shakti Samanta movie is a must see.

Aradhana is surely one of the best Hindi movies ever made with scintillating music by S.D Burman & RDB(uncredited).

The film belongs to sharmila tagore who has given one of her career finest performances. It has a strong storyline, lovely locales, great performances & out of the world music. It is ably directed by shakti shamantha.

However, the movie is remembered & will be remembered forever for 1 main reason - the advent of the superstar Rajesh Khanna. From the opening song "sapnon ke rani" till the climax, he stays in your heart. The charm, the style, the gait, the performance - simply superb.

The movies was a pioneering one in many ways :- 1. It resurrected the career of kishore kumar 2. "Roop tera mastana" happens to be the only song in Indian cinema which was shot in a single take.

3. The finest album by SDB But above all, it gave India its greatest's super star Rajesh Khanna