Silsila

Silsila is a sensitively-made & family-oriented film based on a bold theme of extra-marital relationship - but with twists and surprises (which I've no interest in revealing)!

Even though it did not do well at the Box-office in 1981 we must thank Yash Chopra for a thoughtfully presented film on a sensitive matter. He is a master in making visually-appealing romantic films with lovely locations like the colourful, awe-inspiring Tulip garden in Netherlands for the song Dekha Ek Khwab. Wow! How can we forget that?

We must also thank the Music Directors, Hariprasad Chaurasia and Shivkumar Sharma, & Lyricts, Javed Akhtar, Rajendra Krishnan & Harivansh Rai Bachchan for such soulful, memorable music and songs - which still gives goosebumps while listening. And how can we forget Raang Barsae - the Holi anthem so popular all over Bharat!

NOTE: There was a special appearance by the Music Directors for a few seconds, in an Airport Terminal, nearly 21 minutes into the film. They were in the background talking to each other wearing their traditional dress with Amit ji and Jaya ji in the foreground. Wonder how many have noticed that. I must say I've very, very sharp Eyes since I've not seen their photos anywhere for years! LOL!

But I've a few complaints:

1 - The film is unnecessarily long! 3 hours is too much! It should have been complete in 2 hrs 30 minutes or so. Indian film-makers have the habit of making such unnecessarily lengthy films.

2 - The relationship between Amit-Chandi is not properly portrayed. It's shown in a superficial, "bits and pieces" manner.

Finally, many people are criticising the Climax! They think it's too dramatic and makes things very easy for the Characters! That's true.

But I've a different perception: Sometimes unforeseen "shocks" in life changes our minds for the better. We become more thoughtful, practical and understanding. It liberates us from the slavery of our deep-rooted emotions, fixations & expectations (which are the causes of many miseries/tension in relationships)!

Yes, sometimes we Humans do need some "shocks" in our lives to force us to see things from a better perspective and for the good of others as well.

Please do watch Silsila for its sensitivity, artistry, melodious music and the Climax (which I am sure you will appreciate after reading what I said above).

"Silsila" is a Bollywood film directed by Yash Chopra and released in 1981. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Jaya Bachchan, and Rekha in lead roles, the movie explores themes of love, relationships, and societal expectations.

"Silsila" revolves around the complex love triangle between Amit (Amitabh Bachchan), his wife Shobha (Jaya Bachchan), and his former lover Chandni (Rekha). The story unfolds as Amit and Chandni meet again after a long separation and find their feelings for each other rekindling. However, they are bound by their commitments to their respective spouses, leading to a tumultuous emotional journey as they struggle with their desires and societal norms.

One of the most notable aspects of "Silsila" is its stellar cast. Amitabh Bachchan delivers a remarkable performance as a man torn between his loyalty to his wife and his passionate love for another woman. Jaya Bachchan brings depth and vulnerability to her portrayal of Shobha, showcasing the pain and turmoil she experiences as she tries to hold her crumbling marriage together. Rekha, on the other hand, shines as Chandni, depicting a strong-willed and independent woman who is unable to let go of her love for Amit.

The film is known for its soulful and melodious soundtrack composed by Shiv-Hari, with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar. Songs like "Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum," "Dekha Ek Khwaab," and "Rang Barse" have become iconic and continue to be popular even today.

Yash Chopra's direction in "Silsila" is noteworthy, as he skillfully handles the delicate subject matter and captures the emotional nuances of the characters. The film's cinematography and picturesque locations add to its visual appeal.

However, "Silsila" received mixed reactions upon its release, as it delved into a controversial topic that was rumored to mirror the real-life love triangle between Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Rekha. The film's unconventional ending also divided audiences, with some appreciating its boldness, while others found it unsatisfying.

Overall, "Silsila" is a poignant and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and societal expectations. It stands as a significant contribution to Indian cinema, showcasing the talents of its stellar cast and the directorial finesse of Yash Chopra. If you enjoy romantic dramas with emotional depth and captivating performances, "Silsila" is definitely worth a watch.

This movie was billed as a true story when it came out. Even though it is still a masala Bollywood movie, it has some striking resemblences to the life story of the leading ladies and the hero, Amitabh Bachan. In real life Amitabh had an affair with Rekha while married to Jaya Bhaduri. The movie version follows the same script, except adds many secondary characters, such as Sanjeev Kumar as Rekha's husband. Jaya Bhaduri gives a passable performance, while rekha and Amitabh both overact. There are a lot of unnecessary fantasy sequences shot in the Tulip farms in Holland which have no relevance to the rest of the movie. Camera work leaves a lot to be desired. In spite of all this, this movie remains interesting because it dared to treat the theme of extramarital romance when such topics were taboo in Bollywood.

I've been dreaming of watching Silsila since 1981 and recently it has come true. I read an annotation in CineBlitz and Yash Chopra's interview in one of the Russian newspapers and thus expected to see something outstanding. Unfortunately I was disappointed at the plot. Shobha turned out to be a 100% selfish person. Amit was striving for his happiness and love but did not have enough strength and courage to win. Chandni was tearing apart yet she made her choice however Amit betrayed her again... Yash Chopra challenged moral principles speaking about adultery but even here those principles (or maybe stereotypes??) were not broken. How happy Amit and Chandni were when dancing at the festival! Do they not deserve to be together? I think they do. And remember the last words of Amit that he has burned his love and that Shobha is his wife and he is her husband. Looks like there is no parallel between love and marriage. And that is sad. However I got a pleasure from watching the movie. Nice actors and tears-provoking acting but not good to watch second time due to the above said.

This film is amazing in so many ways. Acting, chemistry of Rekha and Amitabh, songs and the beautiful scenery. I discovered this film from the song Dekha Ek Khwab, which was also originally mentioned in the Netflix documentary The Romantics. I wonder why the film didn't do well in the box office. The only thing I'm doing to say is that the ending could have been better. Shobhas character is shown to be dependent on Shekhar and marries her younger brother as she is becoming a mother. I feel like this part makes no sense because you should be able to show a woman that she can be independent. And the ending could have been better. Instead of showing Amits character going back to Shobha because she is expecting again, they should have shown that they parted ways and that Amit goes back to Chandni.