Bhairavi

Bhairavi is a musical romantic film directed by Aruna Raje and stars Ashwini Bhave, Sridhar, late Manohar Singh, Late Sulbha Deshpande and Anjana Mumtaz.

A visually impaired but a talented woman with a golden voice. Lives with her parents, after the death of her parents, she is left to fend for herself, until a stranger enters and changes her life.

The film could've been classified as a relief of cold breeze amidst the hot wave of masala Hindi films specially prevailing throughout the 90s but somehow despite of some stellar performance in the acting department the film fails to impresses primarily due to it's half cooked and unconvincing plot and climax.

The plot of this film looked half cooked and the execution also doesn't looks convincing. The only saving grace of the film is it's strong acting specially from Ashwini Bhave who were very clinical in her acting and is nicely supported by Sridhar.

The screenplay of the film is uneven and gets very slow in between and might loose the grip from the viewers, being a musical film the songs of the film are forgettable and none of the song leaves any long lasting impression. The climax of the film could've been little more convincing. Can be watched but only once.

Very well told story and a must watch 1 time at least. Great acting by Ashvini Brave one of the leading actresses of the time.

I am surprised to see no reviews for this movie and poor rating awarded by movie buffs.

To me movie was excellent in between usual bollywood masala trash....

Characterization and Acting from All including standout by Ashwini Bhave was superb. Pacing was optimum, Movie was always walking on thin line with danger of falling into "Jai santoshi maa" kind of melodrama for woman adversities, but to our rescue it didn't happen, It was obviously got predictable as it progressed but much more importance was on Bhairavi's emotional ride of Love, Self-Belief, and her performance in climax does move you and for moment you reflect on our Indian society which simply looks at woman in such situation as burden rather that creating support system for them...

In all good mature movie one time watch for sure ...will give 8 / 10

Bhairavi review :

Aruna Raje's directorial effort for Plus Films (spearheaded by Amit Khanna and Mahesh Bhatt) explored the melancholic story of blind classical singer Raagini (Ashwini Bhave) who gets duped by her husband (Sridhar). Bhairavi was an offbeat production by Plus Films which came along with their Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin (1996), Daayra (1996) and Saaz (1997) - all of which had a limited release in theatres and were targeted more at a niche audience and not the masses.

Laxmikant- Pyarelal's music was great specially the 'O balam kesariya' number; so was Ashwini Bhave's performance. Aruna Raje's execution was so intense and heart tugging that you really rooted for the titular character and felt sorrowful for her plight..this is a pure director's movie and she deserves full marks for it.

Lacking the regular 'masala' elements of a '90s potboiler, Bhairavi came and went so fast that I missed it in theatres. It later came on Zee TV when I watched and loved the sweet and touching film. Its highly underrated till date!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.