Abhimaan

This is a rather ordinary film UNTIL Jaya Bachchan makes her appearance. From that moment on the film gathers life and breath.

Touching tale of the marriage between a very popular singer (played by Amitabh Bachchan) and a simple, devout country girl. (Jaya Bachchan)

All goes well until the public begins to prefer the wife's singing over that of her husband. Arrogance, jealousy and envy possess him.....and.......a lot happens.

I won't say more.

See it for yourself.

Jaya is completely amazing.....especially in the last 30 minutes.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Abhimaan is a beautiful story involving many aspects of marriage, success and competition between close and related. When it happens between a husband and his wife, it's evident that it's gonna be a troubled relationship. In short, Amitabh Bachchan is a popular singer who falls for and marries a young and talented girl who can also sing. Post marriage, she finds her own success as a singer and soon surpasses his own. And that's when the problems begin. These problems are called envy, pride, ego (or hurt thereof), anger, and the destructive results of such feelings.

This is quite reflective of the real state of these artists at that point of time. While Amitabh was still struggling to pave his way to the top, Jaya was already a leading lady. Amitabh is excellent in his performance and brings forth the character's feelings effectively. He is quite tailor made for such roles, which are not overblown and are far more demanding and impressive than the AYM (angry young man) roles he would later play. But the real winner is Jaya, who is wonderfully understated. She is first a bubbly young girl, then a shy newly-married bride, then a successful yet humble artist, then a woman who intelligently understands her husband's feelings and despair and takes a firm decision, then a suffering wife who bears the brunt of her husband's envy and anger. She goes through it all, and blows it out of the park every time out by just living her character's struggle. An unusually different performance it must be noted comes from the part of Bindu, whose character is surprisingly warmhearted and lovely.

Abhimaan is a fine movie of 1973, and the way it was made, treated by the filmmaker and acted, makes it a must-watch for every cine-goer. It is only two hours long, an exception in Hindi cinema and as expected by a great director like Mukherjee, whose films are always realistic and balanced, never goes overboard.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee made his best movies with Amitabh and this is one of the best of the best. Though many would think that this is a remake of the movie A STAR ID BORN (and is does look like it), it is actually based on the life of the genius Kishore Kumar and his first wife, the mother of singer Amit Kumar. Kishore was offered the leading role first but things didn't work out so it eventually went to AB. The very last scene of the movie where Amitabh and Jaya walk out of the auditorium was actually filmed the day both of them got married anbd went out of the hall. The song TERE MERE MILAN KI JEH RAINA has an extra version a capella in the movie which is not available on the soundtrack. A gem

This is one of my all time favorite films. Amitabh plays the young heartthrob Subir Kumar - a famous pop singer - and he pulls it off with great panache and style. I saw the film as a young teenager and fell in love with the "Meet Naa Mila Re Man Ka" persona immediately! On a trip to a village he meets a young girl Uma (Jaya Bhaduri) and is mesmerized by her innocence and her singing. There is a quick romance and marriage and the happy couple are back in the glamor life of Bombay. Subir wants him and Uma to sing together and make a successful career. But a storm is brewing and we hear the veteran David remarking to someone that Uma is way more talented and this would be a mistake leading to a rift in the marriage. The predicted rift occurs when Subir's ego cannot swallow the fact that Uma is considered better, offered more assignments. Uma is heartbroken, pregnant and goes back to the village.. The ending is predictable but very very sweet.

Amitabh gives a dynamite performance, first as the heartthrob, then as the lover and finally as the egotistical husband. I rate this as one of his finest performances, way better and nuanced than those endless angry young man roles he bored us with. But the film belongs to Jaya - she does the whole gamut from innocent young girl, to lover, to rejected wife in one of the most realistic performances ever seen. Jaya had true talent that did not rely on mere looks - she shone in almost every film, but this is a tour de force. The supporting cast of Mr. David, AK Hangal, Bindu, Asrani all shine, making this a well acted excellent film. The story, dialogs are superb, the direction is fantastic. The music is by Sachin Dve Burman - and the maestro concocts divine music. ALL songs are true gems but particular standouts are "Meet Na Mila Re", "Nadiya Kinare", "Tere Mere Milan Ki Ye Raina". Hrishikesh Mukherjee proves yet again that he is a master director - even within the trappings of a celebrity life style and glamor he gives us a most realistic film. Abhimaan is worth many a repeat watch.. and touches me every time.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Abhimaan' takes a look on gender role complexities and stereotypical thinking in a 70's modern day Indian marriage. Another equally excellent film that revolves around a similar theme is Basu Chatterji's 'Anubhav'. But both Mukherjee and Chatterjee tell their own stories and give their films different treatments.

We initially see Subir as this almost burnt out popstar who's fed up with partying, paparazzi, fame etc but Aarti's entrance into his life gives him a new focus and continues to inspire him to sing. Soon after their marriage, Uma's talent for singing is discovered and Subir encourages her to sing with him. As Uma's singing is more exposed (and she is the more talented artiste) she begins to gain more fame than her husband. Subir's envy becomes stronger and eventually his ego takes over and results in the collapse of their marriage.

Mukherjee's presentation of the themes and dilemma that arise within a marriage are very well depicted. I liked how he made the theme part of the story without having them stick out like a soar thumb. The strength of his films were always the down to earth touch and the characters and stories being easy to relate to. 'Abhimaan' is no different. Even though it's about a popstar, the problems that arise with the characters do occur with the common man. I especially liked how the movie ended with the couple despite walking through a crowd, they silently walk away holding each other as if they have just found each other and never want to let go. The writing is superb with some great dialogues. Even though the lines are of a few words, they speak volumes. Sachin Dev Burman's soundtrack is phenomenal. I love all the songs. Each and every one of them are beautiful. The lyrics are priceless. It's hard to pick a favourite but the first one that pops up in mind is the wonderful 'Tere Mere Milan Ki'.

Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri are at their best. I loved them both in 'Mili' and 'Chupke Chupke' (both also happen to be Hrishikesh Mukherjee films) and in 'Abhimaan' their roles are somewhat more complex than in the other two films. Bachchan's Subir could have easily been a one-dimensional caricature jealous husband but he brilliantly brings out the human side portraying him as a devoted husband who did try to accept this wife's more successful singing career until his ego got the better of him. At the same time he also feels guilt and is ashamed of his growing resentment towards Uma. Jaya Bhaduri is sublime. Her Uma is the devoted wife who shares her husband's passion but only Subir has always been her first priority. The supporting cast do a fine job but Asrani and Bindu deserve special mention. Asrani performs naturally as Subir's friend/manager and Bindu, who is cast against type, delivers a memorable performance as Subir's silent lover.

There are some glitches. For instance the scene where Subir, who clearly loves his wife, asks his doctor whether to perform electroshock therapy looks out of place. Perhaps it was Mukherjee's intention to state that such measures are not required to treat depression.

Overall, 'Abhimaan' is a timeless classic. The songs still feel fresh and stay in the head. The performances are outstanding. The story's very creative and one that still applies to today's society and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's magic touch makes this one a gem.