From the subtle nuisances to the gestures of communism. Dropping hints of a patriarchal society enveloped inside a romantic theme. We pride ourselves with a classic, none as apt in the current strata of society.
A relatable misgiving guided strongly by feelings of doubt,worry and suspicion.
A familiar nostalgia grips the viewer around what the millennial would quote as "love come arrange union". A well crafted unison of Basu Chaterjee's brilliance backed by Manu Bhandari's intellect. The marriage of middle cinema of the 70's to the bitter preemptive urban and industrial literary works of the 50's ignites a spark of self discovery and conflict. A facade that remains as relevant today after half a century as it did back then.
The central theme revolves around Deepa (Played by Vidya Sinha) Who appears charmingly eloquent in her character when weighed against her love interest Sanjay(Played by Amol Palekar) who appears irresolute and tentative in her comparison. Their mild on-again off-again fervour is often marred by the contrasting qualities of their characters. As the intensity of story builds up, Deepa who exhibits a certain degree of strength and determination towards her sense of achievement goes to Bombay for her interview as a lecturer. Irony persists further as her unfinished Phd. Is carefully balanced in sync with her former love interest-a still incomplete chapter of her life. She is re-aquatinted here with Navin(Played by Dinesh Thakur) , her former lover from college days. Embedded with a persona of rebellion deeply rooted within as a result of his union days , the meeting almost immediately ignites a nostalgic spark between the two. An attraction towards the former-rebel current film -maker is made evident as the story unfolds further.Gestures by her former sequentially tear Deepa in two halves of herself and she starts to question her life with Sanjay. The contrast between Sanjay and Naveen is impeccable and One for which Deepa progressively seeks resolve.
Towards the end we realise the true symbolic nature of the title "Rajnigandha".
An unequivocal ode to Deepa the Neo-Modern French Queen Marie-Antoinette herself, popular for her fragrance Sillage de la Reine containing tuberose(Rajnigandha). As we lastly inherit from Sanjay's routine gesture of carrying the ornamental and ever fragrant Rajnigandha- it's serene scent can sometimes become overwhelming for the wearer....a blatant truth for generations to come.
