For the most of first half this movie there was Dharmendra and Padmini in the spotlight and that was all fun and romance and light moments. But the second half totally belongs to Meena Kumari who is just terrific in every scene.
Kaajal is based on Gulshan Nanda's novel 'Maadhvi' and the story is somewhat complex. Madhavi(Meena Kumari) and his brother Kaushal(Sailesh Kumar) lives with Ranimaa(Dugra Khote) and Rajesh(Dharmendra) is her only son. Rajesh is fond of Kaushal and Madhavi. He meets Bhanu(Padmini) and falls in love with her. Both gets married. Kaushal then dies in an accident and Rajesh thinks he is guilty. However Bhanu is not comfortable with Madhavi and is jealous of her. Madhavi runs off from home and tries to end her life but is saved by Moti(Raj Kumar). He marries her. But the drama gets twisty.
There is layers in every character. And the second half of the movie is not an easy watch. There is lots of emotions involved and relationships being tested.
Director Ram Maheshwari has done a terrific job. This was his first film and he manages to pull it off with command. The execution and adaptation of novel to movie is good. Though there are some weak points. He manages to show characters with conviction.
The movie is completely based on Madhavi's life and the drawback I find in the movie was the in the first hour of the movie there was not much of her character being shown. The first half was filled with all fun and romance and light moments and its actually the second half when the story develops and it's disturbing to some extent.
You feel for Madhavi while watching the movie and Meena Kumari has done complete justice to her character. The pain and the sufferings is completely visible and it's hard to see Meena Kumari in this movie, you will only notice Madhavi. She is completely in the character and gives a memorable performance.
Dharmendra's is also terrific as Rajesh. He is also suffereing because all of the drama going on and his jealous wife and he is aware of the suffereing of Madhavi.
Raj Kumar is superb as a drunk husband with negative character. He manages to pull off his character with such ease.
The whole movie is just about relationship and the misunderstandings and sufferings.
Music of the movie is another strong point and every song of the movie is a classic.
All in all this is story telling at its best and more than story telling, its the performance that will impress you, especially the character of Madhavai played by Meena Kumari.
