संगम

When I first saw Sangam back in 1965 on its initial release in Malaysia, I was a young boy whose deep impressions of the film was the lady in a white sari. I saw it again in 1974 on its re release. For the second viewing, it was the music and the songs. Unfortunately I had seen "Bobby" by then and thought all the three leads looked far too matured for the "teenage" and "young" characters they were playing on screen. But that was the trend of those bygone days when older actors played younger roles. It is rare for any musical that every single tune is as enduring to the ears as in Sangam. Only "My Fair Lady' "The Sound Of Music" and "Bobby" (1973) comes to mind. Since then with the convenience of television and now the DVD I had seen watched it once every few years and I revisited the film again last night. The male bonding and the sacrifice of Rajendra Kumar is very Asian and may well be on its way to be extinct. This sense of Asian obligation and moral value was and to some extend still is prevalent is a sense of maintaining a status quo and not rock the boat in a bad situation for want of not turning it worse. It is not a wrong or right decision. Everything that needs to be said about the acting, about the cinematography and its importance in Hindi cinema by taking the musical numbers out of the studios to exotic locations has been elaborated in these pages. What strikes me is the way in which Raj Kapoor with the use of music and only three principal characters hold our attention for more than three hours. All other characters appear briefly solely for narrative development. Although it is not a masterpiece, it is an enduring example of a simple love story (which has been done a million times over); with its chemistry between the characters and its music does not seem dated and still shine above others more than 40 years after its premier.

Goodness knows I am no expert on Bollywood movies but I loved this when it popped up on Netflix.

Endlessly attractive, entertaining and wryly humourous, its near four hours didn't seem too long at all. Even the song-and-dance routines (which I normally find cheesy and irritating in Bollywood movies) were impressive with excellent music.

I thoroughly understand why this movie is considered a classic and am very pleased to have expended (a lot!) of my time on it!

A very stretched film, still makes compulsive watching. Beautiful songs, beautiful cinematography and very beautiful colours. And of course, the beautiful Vyjayantimala. With only three principal characters moving on screen, the director in Raj Kapoor still manages to avoid boredom with amazing skill. Hats off to him.

The story is a little contrived and the acting melodramatic, but the songs make the movie. The songs are really very well situated amidst the beautiful and breathtaking scenery. Vyjantimala's spontaneous dance in the European hotel has never really been successfully duplicated in Indian cinema. It is a classic that was shot in one take I believe. The songs are really and truly memorable and are still heard today in the collections of Mukesh. Also, Raj Kapoor's acting was so effortless and natural in the boat scene where he captures Vyjanitmala and pulls her into his boat. The song is Mehbooba and is terrific. Another excellent song is Mere Prem Patra and the location shot is absolutely stunning and very colorful.

Still very popular movie. Good story with excellent photography by Radhu Karmakar and good direction by Raj Kapoor supported by good acting by Rajkapoor, Vaijyanti Mala and Rajendra Kumar.

All the songs composed by the magical duo, Shankar Jaikishan were super hit.. still very popular.

Dost Dost Na raha, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, O Mehbooba., Yeh Mera Prem Patra, Bol Radha Bol, O Mere Sanam and Is Liebe dis..

All were quite hit, written by Shailendra and Hasrat.