Sangam

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.

Indeed, a love triangle with two friends falling for one beautiful lady is one of the most tedious plotlines and not just in India, but this one is different thanks mainly to the script and Kapoor's excellent direction. In Kapoor's able hands, what could have been a bland love story becomes a poignant story of love and sacrifice, a true portrait of friendship and marital conflict, and altogether pure classic entertainment. It's not perfect - some of the parts, particularly in the first half, including the entire track of Kapoor's character disappearing, being mistaken for dead and then reappearing in the most predictably convoluted of film twists - just don't ring true. Then the usual naiveté of his character and him not ever realising that she doesn't love him got on the nerves. One also wishes the film was just a little bit shorter, although it's a petty complaint, particularly for a Hindi film. The film's runtime is more or less decent for the story it tells but then the show is so engaging and entertaining that not much patience is required for the most part even if some parts drag a bit.

The reason that some of the flaws are easily forgiven is that Sangam is greater than the sum of its parts. It might be great in the eyes of many viewers for reasons related to its nostalgic value, but I dare any uninvolved party to dismiss its technical brilliance. Some of the shots are just breathtaking and too good to be true (for the time when it was filmed). The sound is as great and the high production values, coupled with the beautiful sets, costumes, and the overall quality feel of the film, make for a true visual treat. But it's not just all gloss, the film is meaningful and substantial in its emotional effect, some of the dialogues are phenomenal, particularly when the drama grows. And it indeed grows in the second half, much to the point of looking like a different film in each of its virtual episodes. Even the songs, pure classics of Indian cinema including "Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega", "Bol Radha Bol", "Ye Mera Prem Patra", "O Mehbooba", "Buddha Mil Gaya", and "Dost Dost Na Raha" - all fantastic and beautifully shot, but they contribute to the narrative and are always situationally relevant.

As a mainstream Hindi film made at a time when films started gradually losing their sense of realism, often relying more on the melo- than the -drama, the film still manages to tread that fine line to create a film that is as credible as it is sentimental. The actors, as part of this deliberate choice of style, work well opposite one another. Raj Kapoor is better as a director here but acts well although something in his lack of awareness of the girl's feelings towards him (or lack thereof) was annoying. His initial demeanor explained in a way why she didn't want him, but similarly his change explained her change of heart. Rajendra Kumar is the more interesting, reserved character, and he is excellent in a heartbreaking performance. Obviously though, it is Vyjayanthimala who steals the show as the centre of attention - the love interest, the lover, the conflicted wife. Her transformation throughout the story is the most interesting, and she shines all through. By the end, despite all the melodrama, I was surprised by how moved I was and how deep and affecting the story turned out to be. A Raj Kapoor classic.

Sangam (1964) : Brief Review -

A certified Blockbuster in confluce of True Friendship and Love Triangle. Sangam was the 2nd biggest Hit of the 60s decade after Legendary 'Mughal E Azam' and reasons could be so many. It came exactly on time when audience was ready to see sacrifices done in a Love Story/triangle post Eternal Love Saga in Magnus Opus Mughale E Azam. Also, the cast of Sangam looks terrific with Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar and Vaijayantimala coming together. Sangam is story of 2 close friends falling in love with the same girl. One friend has to sacrifice his love and then shadow of doubt post Marriage follows subsequently to make one of them to sacrifice again. Raj Kapoor as Sunder looks damn too handsome and performs well. Rajendra Kumar gets to play more emotional part and his role surely works close to heart. Vaijayantimala sizzles hot in the Red Bikini scene and then in white saree throughout the film. Her fairy looks and black eyes does trick therefore making her expressions talk more than words. Music of Sangam is nothing less than a Chartbuster Album with timeless magic. 'Bol Radha Bol', 'Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega', 'Dost Dost Na Raha' and 'Yeh Mera Prempatra' these 4 songs were Super Hits and are evergreen. The length of Sangam sound like a problem. The film is produced, edired and directed by Raj Kapoor so he could be blamed for that. I am not saying it's damn too lengthy or boring but in long runtime of 229 Minutes almost 30 minutes shot in Foreign Countries doesn't really seem necessary. May be Raj Kapoor wanted to show exotic and expresive Locations to Bollywood audience but if not that then it was useless i say. Raj Kapoor as Director can never fail even if he has typical storyline he will surely find a way to make it look different and more attractive with his directing skills. It was actually very close to 'Andaz' (1949) starring Raj Kapoor again but the conflicts and relationship between characters were far different. Andaz had a noir touch in the climax whereas Sangam has emotional ending. Overall, Sangam is a certified blockbuster product and if length is not an issue for you then you will have so many things to enjoy such as Friendship, Love Triangle, Importance of Marriage, Sacrifice and evergreen Music.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest

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!