By the word Aarti, we mean the Hindu way of prayer meant for some deity in the morning and in the evening. However the name of this movie is as such because it's the name of the heroine in this movie and this female-centric movie revolves around her only.
Dr. Aarti (Meena Kumari) is supposed to marry Dr. Prakash (Ashok Kumar) who is a money-minded person whereas Aarti believes in using own professional knowledge and ability for serving the mankind sans any greed for wealth. One day she happens to come across an unemployed youth - Deepak (Pradeep Kumar) when he saves her from drowning and falls in love with him. Against the wish of her father, she gets married to Deepak and moves to the poverty-struck home of her in-laws which consists of her kind-hearted widower father-in-law (Gajaanan Jaageerdaar), elder brother of her husband - Niranjan (Ramesh Dev), his termagant, dodgy and sadist wife - Jaswanti (Shashikala), her husband's married sister – Rama (Surekha) who is an abandoned wife and three children of Niranjan and Jaswanti out of whom one is handicapped. She, with her kindness, benevolence and good nature keeps on serving her Sasuraal (in-laws' family) despite the continuous taunts and bitter talks of her (elder) sister-in-law in the home. She keeps on rendering medical services also outside the home as and when required. Deepak also gets a job. Gradually, Aarti is able to spread happiness in every nook and corner of her marital home but now arrives the twist in the tale.
Prakash who has never been able to get Aarti out of his mind and has been feeling hurt and humiliated (because of Aarti's refusal to marry him and preferring to marry Deepak) over the years despite the fact that he has married Ramola (Peace Kanwal), comes back into her life. To teach Aarti a lesson and drag her back towards himself, he starts making his moves in order to distance Aarti from Deepak. Misunderstandings start propping up between Aarti and Deepak and Aarti leaves her husband's home. One day, Deepak meets with a lethal accident. Now the occasion has come for Prakash to seek his revenge from Aarti. He is the only surgeon available at that place and at that time who can execute the operation of Deepak which is mandatory to save his life. When Aarti requests him to do it, he demands his 'fees'. Dumbfound Aarti agrees to pay the 'fees' desired by Prakash even when Prakash makes it pretty clear that he will only perform the operation and there is no guarantee from his side that Deepak will live after that. Deepak survives after the operation performed by Prakash and now it's time for Aarti to pay Prakash his 'fees'. The story concludes on a very emotional note.
Right from the beginning, going through the middle and reaching the very finish, this movie is a heart-winner all the way. It's a brilliant family and social drama alongwith a love story. How the jealousy of a loser in love can bring havoc in the lives of the concerned people, has been shown quite emphatically in the later half of the movie whereas the first half demonstrates that how can a cool-headed and good-natured lady handle everything in her home and her married life in the best possible way. The movie also demonstrates that the relationship of a husband and a wife is founded on mutual trust only and there should not be any place for suspicion of any kind in the relationship of a loving couple.
The movie also underscores the significance of the noble profession of medicine which should not be considered by the people in this line as a means to amass wealth. The money-mindedness of doctors and their collusion with the chemists that Aamir Khan has brought to fore through Satyamev Jayate this year was highlighted half a century back through this movie.
With this movie, the prestigious Rajshri banner of Bollywood stepped into the field of filmmaking and this very first presentation of this banner is just marvellous. With this movie, the founder of this banner - Tarachand Barjaatya started the great tradition of making simple, down-to-earth and idealistic movies with a completely Indian setting and a story embedding Indian family and social values in it.
Both the art director and the cinematographer have done their best to maintain the simplistic feel of the story. Still the scenes of sea, river, rocks, forest etc. provide a highly aesthetic feel to this black and white movie.
Meena Kumari who is undoubtedly one of the best actresses of the Indian cinema, has carried the story on her stout shoulders. The heroes - Pradeep Kumar, the protagonist and Ashok Kumar, the antagonist have ably supported her. Especially Ashok Kumar has done a brilliant job in perhaps the first role of his career which contained grey shades. A very special praise is deserved by Shashikala as the termagant elder daughter-in-law of the family. Her natural performance in this movie is unforgettable.
Roshan's melodious music with Majrooh's beautiful lyrics is another highlight of this movie. The best song, in my opinion, is Kabhi To Milegi, Kahin to Milegi Bahaaron Ki Manzil, Raahi ... which always inspires the listeners to maintain hope and optimism against all the odds prevalent. The other songs are also very good among which Baar Baar Tohe Kya Samjhaaye Paayal Ki Jhankaar (Lata-Rafi), Ab Kya Misaal Doon Main Tumhaare Shabaab Ki (Rafi), Aapne Yaad Dilaaya To Mujhe Yaad Aaya (Rafi-Lata) and Bane Ho Ek Khaaq Se To Door Kya Kareeb Kya (Lata) are real gems from the treasure of Indian cine music.
Aarti is a timeless classic which can be seen and enjoyed in any era and in addition to entertainment, lessons can also be taken from it for life. It can be watched any number of times.
