Mera Saaya

Mera Saaya (1966) : Brief Review -

Another gripping thriller that has all the Raj Khosla and Sadhna duo's trademarks. Raja Paranjape made a Marathi thriller called "Pathalaag" with the legendary Kashinath Ghanekar and Bhavna that left Marathi audiences stunned. Raj Khosla and Sadhana's duo delivered the super hit thriller "Woh Kaun Thi?" (inspired by old Hollywood flicks/novels) in the same year as Pathlaag and then chose to remake Pathlaag as Mera Saaya as a new addition to their mystery thriller independent trilogy. In both films, Sadhana plays a double role, and that part is what unfolds the main suspense in the end. Both films have great music and gripping narratives. To add more, films have a terrific shock value for Hindi cinema audiences (from the 1960s). These are the reasons why I called Mera Saaya Raj Khosla and Sadhana's trademark thriller. Khosla mastered the genre and the art of copying with great sense. Woh Kaun Thi added some extra elements that weren't there in those old Hollywood flicks, and there is "death" involved in both films. Mera Saaya takes things to court and even confuses the judge and the lawyers. Interestingly, the lawyer is himself an eyewitness, and he is sure about his opinion. Will it be changed? How can one prove it when the actual criminal activity happened without anyone's knowledge? Mera Saaya finds an easy getaway from these difficult loops (actually the original Marathi film) and cooks an instant hit thriller. To add commercial value, we have two super hit songs : Jhumka Gira Re and Mera Saaya Saath Hoga. The emotional entanglement of the husband and wife adds more to the drama that attracts viewers sentimentally. As a whole, Khosla made another winner, be it critical acclaim, box office, or popularity over the years. It has to be one of the best of the decade.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Mera Saaya" is a classic Bollywood film released in 1966, directed by Raj Khosla and starring Sunil Dutt and Sadhana in the lead roles. It falls under the genre of suspense thriller and has gained popularity over the years for its intriguing storyline and memorable songs.

The movie revolves around a lawyer named Rakesh (played by Sunil Dutt) who is happily married to Geeta (played by Sadhana). However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Geeta dies under mysterious circumstances. Rakesh is devastated by his wife's death but is shocked to discover that a woman who looks exactly like Geeta appears in his life who's name is Raina. He is not convinced that his wife is alive. Rakesh embarks on a quest to uncover the truth and unravel the mystery surrounding the woman claiming to be Geeta. But there is an element of mystery.

"Mera Saaya" is known for its suspenseful plot and effective storytelling. The film keeps the audience engaged throughout with its well-crafted mystery and unexpected twists. The performances by Sunil Dutt and Sadhana are commendable, with both actors delivering powerful and convincing portrayals of their respective characters. Sadhana, in particular, shines in a dual role, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

Composed by the legendary Madan Mohan, the songs like "Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye" and "Jhumka Gira Re" have become iconic and continue to be loved by audiences even today. The soulful melodies add depth and emotion to the narrative, enhancing the overall impact of the film.

One aspect that sets "Mera Saaya" apart is its atmospheric cinematography and skillful use of lighting. The film creates a dark and mysterious ambiance, effectively capturing the tension and suspense of the story. The black-and-white visuals add to the film's aesthetic appeal and contribute to its timeless quality.

Overall, "Mera Saaya" is a classic Bollywood thriller that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. With its engaging storyline, strong performances, memorable music, and atmospheric presentation, the film has rightfully earned its status as a cult classic. It is a must-watch for fans of suspenseful cinema and those interested in exploring the golden era of Hindi cinema.

According to today's standards,the direction and acting wss terrible in this movie, but I guess 53 years ago(when it was released)it might have been considered stupendous. It's the same with the quality of the film.At best I find it to be an average movie today,but at that time it was considered a masterpiece.

This movie is one of the best movies of its time starring Sunil Dutt and Sadhna.It has thrill,it has mystery,it has good songs,good dances and strong performances.Sadhna gives a strong performance as a woman caught up by police and accused of being a bandit,whereas according to her she is wife of a big Thakur.Sunil Dutt gives a bravo performance in the role of a well read lawyer and a Thakur who loves his wife more than anyone but is depressed because of her death and because a young girl who resembles is wife is claiming to be his wife.The songs like "Mera Saaya",Nainon main Kajra" and all others have a strong appeal and Sadhna's dance in the songs "Nainon Wale ne" and "Jhumka Girra re" has been critically praised.On the whole I would say that the movie is a gr88 one and deserves to be seen.

Second film of Raj Khosla's trilogy of thrillers. The first one was 'Woh Kaun Thi? '. In many aspects the proceeding film is better than Mera Saaya. This one is slower in pace, not so captivating ,acting was substandard. But one thing that is done better in Mera Saaya is the ending, the suspense breaker. While the ending of Woh Kaun Thi kind of ruined the film, that in Mera Saaya was really satisfactory. And music of Mera Saaya was way better and less distracting. You see similar themes in many Hindi films but I still was not expecting it.

Talking of flaws, the court scenes are pathetic, the setup is childish, many unnecessary comedy scenes were there. No need to mention the technical aspects and camera work.

Among positives ,music by Madan Mohan was great, Mera Saaya and Naino me badra chaaye were pleasing to the ears but also have a haunting feeling. What makes this film watchable is it's story. This film should be remembered for it's writers and not the director .