During the 70’s and early part of 80’s, we had a genre of movie often called the middle of road cinema. While the movie makers of this genre, had all the necessary commercial ingredients like songs and emotions, the execution was totally different. The emotions were very subtle and sensitive, none of the over the top melodrama, which you would associate with the standard Bollywood movie. The stories were often simple, feel good stuff, nothing too complex. But most of these movies had excellent characterization. The characters were not the too good to be truetype you find in Sooraj Barjatya movies, or the perpetually dressed in designer clothes with confused minds you find in Karan Johar movies. Rather most of the characters were ordinary people like you and me. Primarily urban, middle class people like you and me. Yes these movies were family oriented, but the families were not living in huge mansions, with a stern Hitler like father. Rather those families were very much like ours, and we could see our own life in their movies. Most of those movies focused on human relationships, without tending to go into an overdrive. The late Hrishida, Gulzar, Basu Chatterjee, Anil Ganguly were some of the film makers who pioneered this trend. And this genre gave Indian cinema some of it’s finest classics- Anand, Abhimaan, Guddi, Aandhi, Kora Kaagaz, Mere Apne, Swami, Chitchor to name just a few. And most of these movies had an intelligent screenplay and a direction, which you would rarely find in the standard Bollywood fare.
Basu Chatterjee, though being one of the better movie makers in this genre, somehow never got the attention he deserved. He has been associated with light romantic comedies like **Choti Si Baat, Priyatma, Baaton Baaton Mein and Khatta Meetha. But even in the serious genre he gave some really top class movies like Kamla Ki Maut and Ek Ruka Hua Faisla. In fact Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, though a remake of Henry Fonda’s 12 Angry Men, remains one of the finest movies to be made in India. Another such excellent movie directed by Basu da is the 1974 Film Fare award winner Rajnigandha. Yes those were the times when Filmfare gave awards based on quality, unlike today, when a Dhoom 2 is considered worthy of nomination.
Rajnigandha is the story of Deepa( Vidya Sinha), a normal middle class girl, and a university research scholar, and her loveSanjay( Amol Palekar) working in a Private Company. Like any other couple, Deepa and Sanjay are poles apart. Sanjay is an extrovert, happy go lucky, preferring to take life as it is. He is direct to the point where it makes Deepa uncomfortable at times as she is more subtle in her approach. Deepa being introverted and sensitive, often finds it difficult at times, as she feels Sanjay really does not try to understand her feelings. Yet she never expresses this to him, hoping he can understand her feelings. And she is deeply in love with Sanjay, she cannot bear his absence.
Sanjay goes out on an official trip and that is where Deepa really misses him. She is unable to concentrate on her thesis, and hopes Sanjaycomes back soon. During this time, she finds that she has to attend an interview in Mumbai, and it would take time for Sanjayto come back. So she reluctantly goes along and lands at her friend **Ira’s home. This is where the story takes a turn. In Mumbai she runs into Naveen( Dinesh Thakur) her ex college mate and her past love. Though she tries to avoid him, he notices her, and assures her of all his assistance. Naveen was her college mate and a student union leader. Deepa was not comfortable with this revolutionary thoughts and his anger against the system. This leads to differences between them and after college they part ways.
Though she is upset about meeting Naveen again, and wants to forget him, she finds she is unable to do so. The time she spends with Naveen starts to rekindle her love to him much against her will and liking. AndDeepa is now torn between the two men Naveen and Sanjay? Whom does she choose? Is her love for Naveen just a passing infatuation or did she genuinely love him?
Though a triangle love story, the way this movie has been handled by Basu Da is very subtle and sensitive. It is one of the most mature depictions of love you would ever have seen on screen. This is not the standard Boy Meets Girl stuff. What is shown is a situation many of us might have faced sometime? Too often we find ourselves torn between choices. And the conflict in mind is what Basu Da has depicted excellently. One of the very few movies, which shows a woman’s perspective brilliantly.
Deepa wants Naveen to say sorry for whatever happened before, and accept her again. She imagines life with him again. But Naveen being an introvert never expresses his love for her. One of the best scenes where Basu da brings a wonderful touch of subtlety is when Deepa is leaving in the train and she wants Naveen to say something. All he does is simply hold her hand in a very subtle manner, and that says a lot. Basu Da conveys so much in that one single scene, without resorting to any melodrama or dialog.
But the best scene has to be this, Deepa and Naveen are traveling in a taxi in Mumbai. Both the lovers want to express their feelings, but each waits for other . And one of the best songs you hear plays in the background “Kahin Baar Yun Hee Dekha Hai” by Mukesh. Brilliantly shot here, with shots of Mumbai in background and the expressions on their faces.
And also helped by the fact that all the 3 give standout performances. Vidya Sinha looks every inch the normal girl next door, and she wonderfully portrays the torment within her.
Amol Palekar as the carefree extroverted Sanjay breezes through a role which is second nature for him.
Dinesh Thakur an often underrated actor, gives a brilliant performance as the introverted Naveen, and I wonder why this talented actor, never got his due.
Salil Chaudhurithe music director gives two wonderful songs. Yes just 2 songs but what wonderful gems they are.
One of Lata’s best numbers“Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare”*, wonderfully depicts the feelings of Deepa missing her love. This is one of the best romantic numbers sung by Lata in her career.
The other is Mukesh’s “Kahin Baar Yun Hi Dekha Hain”, epitomizing the confusion in Deepa’s mind. Brilliant one here by Mukesh and excellent lyrics by Yogesh too.
So if you are looking to see a love story with a mature treatment, just go for this movie. You will love it for sure.
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