Released in 1994, 1942-A Love Story is the story of Nandu(Anil Kapoor) and Rajeshwari(Manisha Koirala) set in turbulent time of Quit India movement.
Story
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The movie, set in British colonial era, opens with the scene in which Nandu is being hanged publicly on a parapets of the Town Hall. The focus then shifts to the trail of events in past which led to this death penalty. The movie is all about love which blossoms between a boy with aristocratic background and the daughter of a freedom fighter. Due to some unfortunate twist of events, they get separated. Nandu wants to give up everything for his lady love,Rajjo , even if that means rebelling against his aristocratic father who is a patron of the British. Nandu is declared a rebel by the British and is sentenced to death. Shubhankar(Jackie Shroff), makes an entry just before the intermission and plays a major role in shaping up the next half of the movie.
(I will not reveal much of the story here. People who have seen it already know, and I don't want to spoil it for who haven't seen it.)
Highlights
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~:o:~ The movie was shot in idyllic Dalhousie and Khajjiaar. The whole backdrop was very easy on eyes. The choice of setting of the movie makes a colossal impact on the end product. People watch movies to sooth their nerves, to relax, to enjoy and the canvas on which the characters are painted really matters. 1942- A love story does a full justice this idea.
~:o:~ The movie, unlike other movies based on patriotism and Independence struggle, does not lose the basic theme as it proceeds. No gory and provocative incidents were shown. The movie was a fine blend of human emotions - love, hatred, patriotism and obsession.
~:o:~ Vidhu Vinod Chopra sought Govind Nihalani and Shekhar Kapur's help to shoot the climax of the movie which required the Herculean effort of managing thousands of extras and junior artists. The sequence had to be shot from various angles to do full justice to the essence of the portrayal of a common man’s feelings towards his country. And the end result leaves the viewers spellbound.
~:o:~ Munna(Raghuvir Yadav) gives an amazing performance in his small yet very important role. He is Nandu's friend, guide and driver.
~:o:~ The scene in which Shubhankar(Jackie Shroff) was introduced, was very powerful and the song following it is one of the best inspirational song I have ever heard.
~:o:~ I loved the background theme - ''Dholo na Dholo na, dholo na''
~:o:~ The movie had the capacity of evoking feeling of patriotism in a very subtle manner. The director was careful enough not to handle such a delicate subject in an aggressive manner. By the end of it, every true Indian is compelled to stand in respect of his/her motherland when National Anthem is played when credits roll down. I did, and so did many other people in the cinema hall.
Music
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The music of 1942-A love story was composed by maestro R.D. Burman, who did not live to see the success of his last creation.
Each and every song is a masterpiece in itself. My favorite is ”Ye safar bahut hai kathin magar, na udaas ho mere humsafar”. R.D. roped in Shivaji Chattopadhyaya to give his voice to this beautiful piece of his creation. The song blends so well with the whole setting, where sad and broken heroine cries for all that she has lost.
“Ek ladki ko Dekha” is an ode to beauty of a woman by none other than Javed Akhtar. Never has been a woman described with so much sensitivity and imagination in history of Indian music. Javed Akhtar had unleashed his creativity by defining a woman’s beauty by wonderful use of so many similes.
“RimJhim RimJhim” is a brilliantly picturised song. The beautifully framed words ”Aayee hai dekhne, jheelon ke aaine, baalon ko khole ghataayen…Raahein dhuan dhuan, jaayenge hum kahan, aao yahi kho jaaye…” can stir anybody’s romantic feelings.
Remaining songs are also good, but the above three are my all time favorites.
Awards
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1942-A love story was not a blockbuster, but it swept many awards in various categories.
Following awards brought laurels to this period saga-
~::~ Best Music - R.D. Burman
~::~ Best Lyricist - Javed Akhtar
~::~ Best Playback singer - Kavita Krishnamurthy and Kumar Sanu
~::~ Best Supporting Actor - Jackie Shroff
~::~ Best Cinematography - Binod Pradhan
~::~ Best Sound Recording - Jitendra Chaudhary and Namita Nayak
~::~ Best Art Direction - Nitin Desai
Facts
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Year of release : 1994
Director : Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Music Director : Late R.D. Burman
Lyrics : Javed Akhtar
Star Cast : Anupam Kher, Danny, Pran, Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Raghuvir Yadav and many more
Comments
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The message conveyed by the movie was hidden in the song - “Dil na-umeed to nahi…nakaam hi to hai…lambi hai gam ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai…”
You need the eyes to see the beauty of the movie, heart to feel the emotions generated, and taste to appreciate such a masterpiece.
”Meri aankhon se dekho zara”
