Khamoshi

"Khamoshi" tells the story of a nurse Waheeda Rehman who is used by her Doctor, Nasir Hussein to test his theory on the treatment of male mental patients by showering love on them by female nurses. He conveniently ignores the fact that the nurse herself might fall in love with the patient. After successfully treating Dharmendra, Nasir wants Waheeda to treat Rajesh Khanna . She refuses as she had fallen in love with Dharmendra - who considered Waheeda only as a good nurse and wed his girlfriend, shattering Waheeda. But Nasir pressurizes her to take up the case of Rajesh Khanna. She tries to remain aloof from Rajesh but finds herself being drawn towards him. She cannot express her feelings to him as she is forced to accept that she is performing just a job. The "khamosh" feelings play havoc and she herself turns mad. She shrieks at the Doctor and tells him that she had not acted but had really loved Rajesh Khanna. Tragically, only by becoming mad was Waheeda able to remove the veil of "Khamoshi" on her feelings. The climax deeply pains & touches the viewer's heart.

Khamoshi, one of the great classics of Hindi cinema, revolves around Waheeda and its her best performance ever. With Dharmendra she is gay & chirpy, but with Rajesh she is sad & aloof, her eyes betraying the pain of unrequited love and foreseeing the impending doom. Gulzar's exquisite lyrics were beautifully composed by Hemant. The haunting music & beautifully etched performances linger on. It is a remake of a Bengali film "Deep Jale Jaaye" starring Suchitra Sen, directed by Asit Sen.

I will rate it 9 out of 10

This is an outstanding movie about the life of a nurse at a mental rehab centre. Extremely good performances from all concerned with the movie. The movie really evokes emotions that you though didn't exist. Add to that the excellent soundtrack and you have a masterpiece on your hands.

Waheeda Rehman has acted supernaturally in this movie. She sure knows how to hold an audience and make them use their lachrymal glands again and again. I would rate her as one of her kind, and this movie is an excellent example other than Kagaz Ke Phool.

********** Stars

Dedicated to her profession, Nurse Radha experiences heartbreak when her patient, Dev, is discharged from the psychiatric ward and moves on with his life. Radha had developed a one-sided love for him. As she struggles to let go of the past, a new patient, Arun, enters her life-reigniting memories and emotional turmoil, leaving Radha grappling with the pain she thought she had overcome.

Khamoshi is a haunting film, but one rich in brilliant performances, direction, music, and cinematography.

Waheeda Rehman delivers one of the finest performances of her career-on par with her work in Guide and Teesri Kasam. When it comes to portraying emotionally desperate women, Waheeda never misses. She completely inhabits the character of Radha-her eyes, voice, facial expressions-every detail conveys the depth of Radha's pain. She also shares unexpectedly tender chemistry with Rajesh Khanna. Rajesh shines in the first half, portraying a mental patient with impressive nuance. However, once Waheeda appears on screen, she commands the entire narrative. Still, Rajesh supports her character beautifully throughout. Dharmendra makes a brief but impactful appearance. It's a significant role, though it would've been nice to see more of him. Supporting actors like Nazir Hussain, Iftekhar, and Lalita Pawar also deliver commendable performances in their respective roles.

The film is paced deliberately-slow, yet never dull. Asit Sen crafts the story with emotional subtlety, delivering what might be an even more successful remake of his own Bengali film Deep Jwele Jaai. Khamoshi has a unique and gripping narrative, bringing a raw realism to each scene. Gulzar's dialogues are the cherry on top. Radha's character development is especially compelling. Initially portrayed as a calm, loving nurse, she gradually unravels under the weight of her emotional burden, eventually becoming a broken woman when her emotional endurance reaches its limit. The ending is heartbreaking-such climaxes often linger longer in the viewer's memory than happy ones. Still, I found myself hoping for a union between Radha and Arun, which sadly never materializes.

The production design deserves special mention for its realistic depiction of a hospital ward, which adds great authenticity to the film. Waheeda's minimal makeup also contributes to her character's natural, lived-in feel. The choreography is subtle but effective-I particularly appreciated the picturization of "Humne Dekhi Hai Un Aankhon Ki Mehekti Khushboo". Snehalata's presence in the song enhances its beauty. The film's use of black-and-white cinematography and thoughtful framing-through mirrors, doorways, and contrasts-beautifully reflects the characters' psychological states. It switches between intimate close-ups and distant wide shots, underscoring their emotional isolation and depth. The editing, too, is solid and purposeful.

Hemant Kumar's music is one of the film's standout elements. Possibly one of his best works, the soundtrack and background score elevate the film's emotional weight. Every song is beautifully woven into the narrative. "Tum Pukaar Lo" has a haunting quality, while "Humne Dekhi Hai Un Aankhon Ki" remains my personal favorite-Lata Ji pours her soul into every note. The sound design throughout is exceptional.

Khamoshi is not just an emotional tale-it reminds us that beneath the professional mask of a nurse lies a woman, yearning for love and connection.

In conclusion, Khamoshi is a tragic, unforgettable film that will stay with you long after viewing. A must-watch for fans of Waheeda Rehman.

If ever there was an haunting voice that had depth, resonance, it was Hemant Kumar. The song "Tum Pukar Lo," played on Waheeda Rehman and Dharmendra (a brief stint) is reflective of the melody that was the mainstay of Indian music composers the likes of Hemant Kumar, who preferred to sing his own compositions. Then there is Waheeda Rehman-God bless this woman for her eternal beauty and acting talent. She was incredibly convincing as the "mental patient." The scene where her face comes down on a barbed wire mesh-incredible piece of acting. Then we had the thespian of acting in a true sense of the word-Rajesh Khanna. Khanna and Rehman, were born actors and the duo were probably the best screen pair next to Guru Dutt and Madhubala. The movie is a bygone classic that very few appreciate. When you need some nostalgia and good cinema, this movie and "Anand" will take you back to the decade of the Indian cinema to be cherished since there will never be another Khanna, Rehman or maestro like Hemant Kumar.