ANUPAMA

Mohan Sharma (Tarun Bose) a successful businessman in Bombay, marries late in life, and is leading a happy married life. Unfortunately, his wife dies during childbirth leaving behind a young daughter, Uma (Sharmila Tagore), who he cannot bear to see her, except when he is drunk! Naturally, the daughter grows up all by her self, traumatized and speaks to no one. As time passes, Mohan Sharma's health starts failing due to over work and alcoholism, doctors suggest change of weather, to hill-station, Mahabaleshwar.

Meanwhile, Arun (Deven Verma), son of Mohan Sharma's friend Hari Mehta and who is set to marry Uma, returns home after studying engineering abroad for five years, and joins them along with his friend, Ashok (Dharmendra), a writer and a teacher. Here things change when young Ashok enters Uma's life, but she cannot do anything to jeopardize already fragile relationship between her and her father. Thats the outline about the movie from the net, courtesy Wikipedia.

My take on the movie follows hereafter…

To start with I would like to state that there are so many sensitive aspects to the film that it becomes very difficult to believe that the movie was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee who has given us so many wonderful rib-tickling comedies like chupke chupke ,bawarchi etc.

With the kind of technical prowess and facilities available in 1960s it’s astounding to see how passion can deliver things beyond imagination even when the resources are scarce in the true sense of the term.

Sharmila Tagore as Uma is the most appropriate choice for the role to put it mildly. She has not more than 10 dialogues in the film. But that never seems to be a shortcoming for the lead role as she speaks with her Silence, her body language and last but not the least her big, beautiful and expressive eyes.

On the other hand Anita played by Shashikala is again so convincing and a perfect choice for the role. Her being full of life and bubbly beautifully balances the silence of Uma.

Dharmendra plays Ashok wonderfully…The story depicts that though Ashok is a man of limited means still he manages to be content and derives pride in being what he is. His mother (Durga Khote) and sister lead a simple but happy and content life. On the other hand Uma and her father are rich still their hearts are far from peace and happiness.

The movie also shows how love and friendship knows no bounds and the divide created by materialistic things cannot act as a wall for long between the hearts that connect.

A crisp screenplay and astonishing performances to back it make the movie truly timeless. Also the haunting music composed by reverent hemant kumar is absolutely unforgettable. Songs like Kuch dil ne kaha or Ya dil ki suno duniya waalon are not just songs, they take the story forward and their melodies leave a mark on one’s heart and souls forever…

Its not a movie…Its an experience!!! And you know this when you watch it…