Nikaah

Nikaah review :

With Nikaah, veteran producer director BR Chopra made a strong comment on the triple talaq issue. Never shying away from exploring socially relevant themes, Nikaah was yet another feather in BR Chopra's cap.

The beautiful Salma Agha debuted as the central character Nilofer whose workaholic husband Waseem (Deepak Parashar) picks up petty fights with her and one day in a fit of rage, divorces Nilofer by uttering the 'Talaq' word three times.

The divorcee Nilofer is offered a job by her collegemate Haider (Raj Babbar) who later proposes marriage and they marry. Meanwhile, Waseem attempts to reconcile with Nilofer and marry her again. The practice of Nikah Halala forms part of the film's climax.

Of the cast, Salma Agha was outstanding as Nilofer. In my opinion, this is her career best performance though I liked her a lot in Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984) as well as Salma (1985). She has not only lived the character here but also sang the "Dil ke armaan aansuo mein bah gaye" so soulfully; it rightly won her the Filmfare award that year.

Raj Babbar, a BR protegè, was first rate and overshadowed Deepak Parashar who actually had the meatier role. Asrani, normally a comedian, played the aiyyash villain here.

Ghulam Ali's "Chupke Chupke raat din" is another immortal number from the film. Full marks to music director Ravi Saahab for such a melodious score.

Nikaah was a runaway hit completing a jubilee at Mumbai's Novelty cinema. I saw it in late 80s on VHS and the film wowed me then. It still does!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni

Review By Kamal K

This was such a meaningful movie that opened up the issue of triple talaq decades ago. The powerful dialogues, mesmerizing songs and beautiful costumes are unforgettable.

I have watch many nikaah movies. But this one given me a good hart feeling.

Salma was very good in her rol en she steals the show. She sings at her best in this movie I like the song 'Dil Ke Armaan Aansuo Me Bah Gaye'.

A must watch movie and dont missed.

This movie can be watched over all.

DISCLAIMER Even though the movie is based on a work or literature (Dr. Achla Nagar - daughter or famous hindi novelist and story-writer Amrit Lal Nagar) the story is an old fashioned love triangle. The backdrop is different but for the story is rehash of many old classics. The urdu poet in this movie is also rehash of many reknowned Urdu poets who for obvious reasons are not credited.

PLOT

Haider (Raj Babbar) and Nilofar (Salma Agha) are students in same college. Haider is a poet, who falls in love with Nilofar. (Lifts a couplet of Jan-Nisar Akhtar - father of Writer Javed Akhtar "Ab ke hum bichhre to shayad kabhi khwabon main mile, Jis tarah sukhe hue phool kitabon main mile"). This part reminded me of college scenes from "Mere Mehboob" (1962 - Rajendra Kumar - Sadhana).

Nilofar is engaged to Wasim (Deepak Prashar), who is a businessman and is married to him soon. Wasim is more into his work and when Nilofar wants his attention - she instead gets Triple Talaq - divorce.

Nilofar is now looking for a job and gets it in press of News paper run by Haider, who is still looking for her. They get married. But, when Haider reads that "first love can not be easily forgotten". He also finds that Wasim is still in love with Nilofar he offers to sacrifice. (The scene that follows reminds me the famous scene from Sangam when Vaijayanti Mala tells Raj Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar - the man they think about themselves, had any of the thought about her?")

DIRECTION AND ACTING The direction is good. BR Chopra weaves the songs too well into the story that they become integral part of the story. The language is very polished (thanks to Dr. Achla Nagar). Everyone stands out in this story!

MUSIC It could not have been any better. Every song is a treat by itself. Salma Agha ("Fiza bhi hai Jawan Jawan...", "Dil ke Arman Aansuon mai bah gaye...", "Dil Ki yeh Arzoo thi koi dilruba mile...") is at her best and Mahendra Kapoor is meets his vintage glory ("Dil Ki yeh Arzoo thi koi dilruba mile...", "Beete Huye lamhon ki kasak yaad to hogi...")! Mehadi Hasan's Gazal "Chupke Chupke Raat Din Ansu Bahana Yaad hai..." is controversially in this movie. Wisely Mr. Chopra did not make Deepak Parashar to sing on the Gazal and the impact is great. Not to forget mandatory qawali ("Chehra Chhupa liya hai kisi ne hizab main..") picturised on Asrani and Hina Kausar (I guess so).

TRIVIA Mehadi Hasan's Gazal "Chupke Chupke Raat Din Ansu Bahana Yaad hai..." was lifted without his permission.

OVERALL Despite oft-repeated story 8.5/10, thanks to music, direction, screen-play and acting.

Neelofur (Salma Agha) is a student who studies at osmania university Haider (Raj Babbar) is also a student and a young poet who loves neelofur but neelofur does not, she gets engaged to Wasim (Deepak parashar) who neelofur loves, they get married but he doesn't spend time with her, he doesn't even spend time with her on there honeymoon because he got a buisness contract, he also fights with her on stupid things and he fails to show up at there wedding anniversary, neelofur doesn't face the guests and the guests leave, Wasim out of anger says triple talaq, neelofur meets Haider now a accomplished poet and a editor, she tells him her story and they fall in love again and marry, however Wasim wants to remarry her.

The acting and songs were great, the story was good it shows the problems women faced and why triple talaq is wrong the message was nice I'd recommend you to watch it definitely it also is entertaining even though something's the heroine does is questionable.