Bandini

This is a Hindi language film starring the the legendary actress Nutan.

Nutan was one actress who led title roles in films. Where the male characters, even if played by talented actors, felt as supporting cast. Seema, Sujata, and the crowning glory of a film, Bandini are all such.

Apparently, director Bimal Roy brought her back from self-imposed retirement and marital bliss to play this role. And wow what impeccable a performance!

The film is well directed and the music has songs memorable to this day, more than half a century after!

The script is well developed to have the main story parts in the middle. The story likewise has its twists. Due to the above two reasons you don't feel time going past. But the climax though well directed is predictable.

I rated it 8/10 in IMDB.

If you are a woman in India, it is a punishment. Your own life as such does not exist. You are bound by society and customs even after your death. But Bimalda focuses on that small bright light at the end of the this dark tunnel. He tests the extents of the words ‘redemption' and ‘freedom'. Because if they are truly what they mean, then they have no limit. The choice should be completely of the individual.

A perfect commercial film made in the 'art film' genre. One of Bimal Roy's best films. Cinematography by Kamal Bose is superb. And performance by Nutan in the role of Kalyani is one of the best ever performances by any heroine on the Indian screen. Musical score by S. D. Burman is unforgettable and shall always remain so. Two songs by Asha Bhosle viz., "Ab ke baras bhej, Bhaiya ko Babul" and "O' panchhi pyare, sanjh sakale" are among her best. Again both the songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar, viz., 'Mera gora ang laile, mohe shaam rang daide' and 'Jogi jab se too aya mere dware" are again superb. And a song each by Mukesh (O' jaane wale ho sake to laut ke aana), and Burman dada himself (O' re maanjhi) are again among their best ever. Manna Dey's (Mat ro Maata), a patriotic song, is also a soul stirring number.

In short, a classic of Indian Cinema.

Bandini is a masterpiece for its cinematography and shrewd plot. While most of us YOLO generation teens would have thought of a rather cheeky climax, Bimal Roy brings us the genuine ending based on 40s' & 50s' India.

It talks about the life of a woman which enters bedlam after she meets a freedom fighter. It talks about how she braves all those hard things life puts in front of her. As the second half starts, the plot increases in pace and the story reaches crescendo revealing shocking points. The last fifteen-minute-part is pure classic which also manages a song.

Performance given out by Nutan & Ashok Kumar is exceptional. Supporting cast and the characters involved are truly magnetic. They will stay with you years.

BOTTOM LINE: A classic not to be missed. 8.1/10.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

I finally got the DVD of Bimal Roy's classic masterpiece 'Bandini'. 'Bandini' revolves around Kalyani, played beautifully by the one and only Nutan. We see most of the movie through Kalyani's point of view. During a time when women's rights were much more limited (compared to today), Roy tells us a woman-oriented story, part of which is set during the British Raj.

Kalyani is a strong-willed, vivacious, educated, caring and happy-going young lady who lives with her father and cousin in a small village. She then meets a much older Bikash, who's a freedom fighter and is intrigued by his ideals. They gradually fall in love but as fate would have it, Bikash has to leave and he promises to return and marry Kalyani. Time rushes through as Kalyani and her father wait to hear from Bikash. Soon Kalyani hears that Bikash has already married and settled down with someone else. Kalyani is devastated but she has to be strong and prevent her father from finding out. The villagers raise questions and harass Kalyani's father. Kalyani, not being able to bear her father's humiliation, leaves for the city and manages to find a job. Yet, she commits the most unexpected deed and ends up in prison.

The movie is at it's simplest form of film-making. It could have been high on melodrama but hardly anything about it is exaggerated. Even the background sound especially in the scene where we hear the banging iron (when Kalyani is about to commit the crime) is used very effectively. Songs are beautiful and flow with the narration instead of hindering it.

Dharmendra gives a charming performance in a brief role while Ashok Kumar brilliantly plays Bikash but Bandini clearly belongs to Nutan. Her facial expressions (especially her eyes) reminds us what true acting really is (such expressions are hardly seen in movies of today) especially in the climax where she has to make a choice, her expressions are unforgettable. She portrays her character's inner conflict (the guilt and rejection of her second chance in life, the belief that she deserves the worst of punishment, the temptation she feels to live a life with Deven) and complex emotions with near perfection (if not perfection) and is flawless in terms of acting.

Thanks to Bimal Roy for telling us a beautiful story about a strong minded brave young lady, in a time when hardly much attention was given to women.