Mili

I just watched this movie today & realized the similarity in plot of this movie and of "a walk to remember" is uncanny....weird thing is that "a walk to remember" was released in 2002, while this movie was released in 1975.

One of the more sober and mature performances of the superstar Amitabh Bachchan. He is a director's actor and can therefore give a Mili or even an Ajooba. Jaya Bachchan's generally disenchanted demeanour fits the role like a glove. The tension is built well and stays with you as the film doesn't promote escapism. Majorly in contrast with Anand by the same director on similar theme.

Watching 'Mili' is like watching someone you know or watching you yourself on screen. The movie is that real and immensely ordinary that it is like rewinding a slice of life that is so familiar to us. Rajeesh Pillai does not try to make this familiar piece of life into something unfamiliar or thrilling. The reality captured is very refreshing indeed.

I have never seen a perfect and so real end to a movie. This is one movie that always gives me courage and optimism in life, whenever I think about it. It has a very simple story stated without any unnecessary sentimentalisations or overemotionalisations but still leaves an impact on oneself. I think its a must see for everybody as it is one movie which shows how important it is to be HOPEFUL in life.

This extraordinary, heart-warming/breaking film is about a young vibrant girl named Mili. Mili is a very bubbly, vivacious, outgoing girl and a very big prankster as well. She spreads happiness with her positive attitude and is popular with everyone, from her own family to the entire neighbourhood, but the one whose life she particularly manages to light is a new neighbour named Shekhar. Shekhar is an alcoholic and lonely young man who's been a victim of society, and gradually he develops a great friendship with Mili. She makes him look at life differently, and the two fall in love. But he does not know that Mili is terminally ill and her days are counted.

A poignant and brilliantly told story, Mili can be easily ranked among the greatest realistic tearjerkers of its times. Mukherjee's direction is splendid. He manages to make this picture totally convincing and memorable in his own inimitable way. The film is not a tragedy, it is a very melancholic, yet very bright, pleasant and thoroughly optimistic piece. No filmmaker would have been able to make this film as beautifully as Mukherjee did. The narrative style is very identified with his craft and unique storytelling - like in most of his films, the script, involving common and ordinary people and following their lives during certain periods, is amazingly simple and realistic, yet the emotional impact is powerful and very effective.

Mili belongs to Jaya Bhaduri. A naturally gifted actress, she is compelling, funny and moving throughout the entire film and makes her character Mili hauntingly admirable, lovable and memorable. Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant as Shekhar. He is restrained, natural and good-looking. Ashok Kumar is unsurprisingly outstanding as Mili's loving, helpless and suffering father. Aruna Irani makes an impact in a smaller role. The film is not too long, it does not go over the top and the emotions are never overblown. It is simple, interesting, engaging and very moving. It is filled with gentle comedy, superb music and many great moments, and was evidently made with a lot of graciousness and sincerity. That's what makes a classic.