Anupama

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's socio-realist romance Anupama is a brilliant film about a young girl who is lost within her own world, and about relationships between people from different social strata. Sharmila Tagore plays Uma, a young woman whose mother died at her birth. As a result, Uma has lived all her life with guilt, more so in view of her father's continuous reproach; the man has never really stopped blaming his daughter for the loss of his beloved wife. Uma grows to be a shy and greatly introverted girl, who remains silient most of the time. The story follows Uma's coming of age as a person mostly due to her relationship with a struggling poet named Ashok (Dharmendra), who falls instantly in love with her inner beauty. Their interactions happen while several other characters from their lives carry the narrative forward.

A poignant film portrayed beautifully and realistically, it is a subtle yet powerful episode made with heart and sincerity. Mukherjee's excellent direction is aided by fantastic cinematography, very pleasant music, and above all, brilliant dialogue which enhances the otherwise serene narrative and helps define the characters. Although some may find the film a tad slow, I found the pacing perfectly balanced. I was engaged by its exquisite authenticity, and its humanistic warmth filled me with positivity. Its graceful simplicity just draws you in. Wavering between slice-of-life social drama and delicate romance, Anupama offers a profound exploration of the human experience and an affecting glimpse into the fragility of relationships. Equally significant is its incisive commentary on the societal norms, gaps, and circumstances of its time.

The film has a great collaborative effort by the ensemble cast. Sharmila Tagore delivers a beautifully restrained performance, and Dharmendra is fantastic as the sensitive poet Ashok. Shashikala is extremely likable and funny and makes her presence felt as the vivacious Anita. Ditto for Deven Verma who plays Arun. David provides great comic relief as Uma's father's kind and humourous friend and his stories throughout the film are hilarious. Tarun Bose is excellent as Uma's father Mohan, and the ever great Durga Khote as Ashok's mother, as well as Naina as his lovely sister, provide great support. The story ends on a staggeringly revelatory and moving note. All in all, I highly recommend this classic to people who like artistic quality films. It might require patience, but it's highly rewarding.

Anupama ( Rupa Ganguly is superb for her acting ) but Director and story writer are forgetting one basic thing that they are portraying Anupama as a weak docile, self respect less woman who is bent upon accepting any degree of humiliation in marriage and after divorce too.

Leela is Gandhari of president times who ignored her sons grave crimes of ditching his wife in marriage and even after divorce, credits all crime of son to Anupama. Leela could accept Kavya , a flower pot, in her family but not Anupama in spite of using her full time 24x7 unpaid maid who can't even ask for self respect.

It's a story highly decorating negative characters like Vanraj , Kavya, Leela and Toshu. All of these are selfish of the highest order. I don't understand what this serial wants to give to the society, a healthy entertainment or a wrong message ?

Hasmukh is another Dhritraashtra or Bhishma of Mahabharat who never took any decision, and rather believed in auto decisions . He could never control his son or wife who continued torturing Anupama for 26 years in marriage and even after divorce. Such persons are more injurious to society.

I personally do not like Glorification of negativity in life .

The serial as far as acting of actor / actresses is doing well but story is Hopeless and unrealistic.

No woman in 2020/21 would like to live with sautan in the same house.

Any disease if not treated in time , like arrogance of Vanraj or Leela or Kavya, is going to become Cancer .

Anuj Kapadia, is doing well and knows how to give check mate to Vanraj and Kavya and lesson to Anupama in a single move.

I had really fond memories of this film but on revisiting it I was actually taken aback at how many problems it had.

The bad: 1. Shashikala played a most exaggerated character and got annoying after a while, plus she acted 18-20 years old and was clearly an older woman.

2. The story was melodramatic and exaggerated.

The good: 1. It is a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film - loaded with pluses.

2.Sharmila was awesome as Uma - the traumatized silent girl; she was beautiful and extremely competent at showing emotions without words.

3.Dharam was best in the idealist roles. Here he is just so good - often seen in a singlet with holes, and never stylish but always full of his own inimitable style.

4. Tarun Bise, David, Deven Varma all did a good job.

5. The music was fantastic - Bheegi Bheegi fiza, Yaa dil ki suno duniya waalon, Aisi bhi baatein.

On balance a good film, watchable for the lead pair, the songs, but surprisingly not one of the best from the maestro.

I believe that calling this movie a tear-jerker does not do justice to it -- this is world class cinema at its finest that sensitively portrays a range of human emotions. Certainly the interaction between father and daughter towards the end comprise the most poignant scenes in this movie, and they have been both written and picturized in a manner that is deeply touching.

Although the movie takes its own time to develop the characters thoroughly and although you wouldn't expect anything less from Hrishikesh Mukherjee in that regard, I did feel that the movie could have been shortened a little bit. Also, Shashikala's role seemed a little exaggerated.

In general, the movie is a gem and I wish viewers all over the world could be introduced to such Hindi classics for a true appreciation of the range of "Bollywood" movies over the years.

Anupama always do overacting. I didn't like the series.