Considering the era in hindi cinema this film is from, Chetna is a remarkable achievement. The plot is tight and does not slip into anything unnecessary. The acting is also contained and the dialogues are to the point and revelatory. There is a sensitivity and sensuality to the film that is otherwise lacking in Indian cinema. One starts feeling for the two central characters from the very start of the film. There is no unnecessary heroism neither is there any useless sentimentality. Anil Dhawan is okay. Perhaps the best film of his non-illustrious career. But Rehana Sultan is a sweetheart as Seema. She carries out her role with an elan in the first half and a pathos in the second which was quite a surprise for me to find in Bollywood films. Hardly ever such detailed and nuanced characters are written for women in Indian cinema. One can even say that it is a woman centric film. But it climaxes to a place that elevates the narrative to a higher point. Must watch for anyone who looks for more than just entertainment in cinema. I am going to check out other works of B.S. Ishara now.
