Aandhi

I knew next to nothing about Suchitra Sen. But I knew and loved her daughter, Raima. So that made me wonder about the recluse mother. I don't know how I found this movie, but somehow the name came to me and I rented it. What a find! Suchitra is irresistible as Aartidevi. Those luminous soulful eyes. That restrained but emotional performance. I was totally seduced. I don't often bond with old movies. I found Mughal-e-Azam beautiful because of Madhubala and the way she was presented. And I feel the same way about this movie. The startling thing is how close to the end of Suchitra's career this was. In one way, it makes sense, since she's bringing everything she's learned to this role. But on the other side, when do you get to see an Indian actress play this kind of role at that point in her life? All over the world, senior actresses are forced to retreat into the background while the juicy parts go to the younger women. But here Suchitra got an excellent part and did it full justice. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is irked by the discrimination against the senior actress. Suchitra shows what we are missing because of that.

Review By Kamal K

Absolutely , the movie is a piece of gem. Apart form songs , the theme of the film and its superb execution in all respect are unparallel . So far, actings are concerned, sanjeev kumar and suchitra sen are simply superb and at their best. Suchitra sen is known to be the Mahaniaka of Bengali cinema for all times but her performance in this Hindi film, showed her exceptional talent in all kinds of film even in Hindi .

What makes Aandhi a beautiful watch is the performances by the lead characters. It's a well made movie with beautiful songs, screenplay and direction. The movie revolves and rotates in the past and present giving equal focus of what happened and how things are the way they are.Beneath all the politics , ambition and career goals lies a part of us who crave for our relationship, loved ones. One aspect that I would have been happier with is the scenes with the political agendas. They can be cut down, at least some of them.

Aandhi is a classic. A movie based on human emotions - and the struggle of two individuals who meet, fall in love and then drift apart only to meet again after many years. If my memory serves me well, I even believe that the female lead has elements of Indira Gandhi in her. A must-watch in order to understand Indian traditions and politics. Suchitra Sen is a rich politician's daughter who falls in love with a hotel manager, and marries him, against her father's wishes. They start a new life until Suchitra decides to follow her father and join politics, much against her husband's better judgement. The toils and troubles of a hectic political lifestyle results in their daughter's death and their divorce - leading them to pursue different directions in life for many odd years. Finally, the two meet again, after many years. A very sensitive movie - with well crafted lyrics and beautiful performances. I give it a 9.5 due to Sanjay Kumar's performance, the music and the trouble the movie had as it was released during the emergency.

This movie might have a directional setting towards the political and private life of India's Prime Minister, Indra Gandhi, nonetheless, its powerful and sentimental theme carries the audience with the subtle forces of life which all and sundry experience, at least, one or the other times in their married lives.

Gulzar has excellently directed the movie while adorning it with passionately electrifying emotional focus during certain scenes. The musical score and songs are worthy of all praise. The hypnotically tranquil appeal of the song "Tere Bina Zindagi se Shikwa" speaks volumes about the meaningful and touching melody besides its filming against the gloomy backdrop of a ruined historical monument in a moonlit night. Much different from the rubbish artificiality of present day movies, the songs of this film exude a living originality to the flow of events.

Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen both have given their lifetime best performances and Gulzar earned a big name with its release. It is definitely a must-see film.