arnoldlevin

This film possess all the qualities of the classic Bollywood film as it has developed since the 1950s. It has romantic love triumphing over social convention and the caste system; the stifling oppressive family with a dominant matriarch: the scheming, grasping enemy, seeking to thwart the lovers;the battle of good versus evil at the end, with good triumphant (of course).

In addition, the film has splendid musical scenes with lavish settings and dance routines at various points. Settings are suitably escapist, ranging from the lavish house of the rich family, to Kashmiri summer countryside, snow-covered slopes, and an isolated wooden hut in a raging storm. Certainly, there is no danger of urban or rural social reality entering this story.

The acting also shows some of the special qualities of Bollywood, with wildly exaggerated, stylised performances especially from the male and female leads. The editing and production values are clear, (jump cutting, rapid blurred pans, unrealistic acrobatic fights, etc) I highly recommend this film, quite an early example of a colour feature from Bollywood It is entertaining. and once the viewer becomes accustomed to the genre it is highly enjoyable.