Milan

Milan (1967) : Brief Review -

One of the greatest music albums ever for one of the most beautiful love stories ever made in Bollywood. I have so many beautiful memories of watching this film on Doordarshan during childhood, but nothing can ever beat the songs. Not one or two, but there are six songs that I can call evergreen. "Tohe Sanwariya," "Sawan Ka Mahina," "Bol Gori Bol Tera Kaun Piya," "Main To Diwana," "Hum Tum Yug Yug Se," and "Ram Kare Aisa Ho Jaye"-just amazing. Hands down to the greatest musical duo in Bollywood, Laxmikant sir and Pyarelal sir. I don't really mind if there is any formulaic love story coming with a reincarnation touch, if the execution is something to watch out for. I don't know who called it one of the earliest films to use this term "reincarnation," since I remember a few black-and-white era films with the same term. For instance, take Bharat Bhushan and Madhubala's "Phagun" (1958). The opening scene of Milan is so similar to that of Phagun. However, like I said, it's the execution, the storytelling, that makes Milan one of the sweetest love stories to have graced the silver screen in Hindi cinema. The cuteness of those three leading characters, Gopi, Radha, and Gauri, wins you completely. Gopi speaks so like a gentleman and behaves like a gentleman that you just can't hate him. And what a performance Sunil Dutt sir has given here. The same goes for Nutan Ji. Every single line she says is like a honey sip. Jamuna has played the most memorable role of her career and probably the greatest second heroine role ever in Hindi cinema. Gauri is what adds glamour, fun, childishness, and innocence to the film's storyline. I haven't seen the original, but the way Adurthi Subba Rao has directed this remake, I can imagine how great the original must be. Milan is like that sweet dish that no person with heart can ever dislike.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Milan is overall a very nice film. It is a sort of a fairy tale in mood and execution and it definitely works as such. The story is simple and quite easy to follow, and overall it is a watchable film which does have its moments but it's never particularly great. The proceedings follow the strong friendship between an illiterate ferryman named Gopi and a beautiful girl named Radha, who comes from a wealthy family. They spend a lot of time together, treat each other with respect, and what could have been a story of romance never looks like one as it never really comes across on the surface. It is basically a story of love that was not materialised. Anyway, the interaction between the two is pretty much what this film is all about, and it is quite heartwarming, and at times even magic. The scene in which he teaches her to sing is perhaps the film's best. The film also deals with reincarnation, which is a minor part of it, but it's well-handled and it is clearly there to complete the uncompleted. Unfortunately, while there is some honesty in director Adurthi Subba Rao's approach, the film is not entirely captivating, it's often melodramatic and at times quite tedious.

That said, it has many good points. First, Milan is set on the banks of the Ganges, and it is very well shot. The acting is definitely very good. Sunil Dutt is very likable and sincere in the role of the kind, loving and innocent Gopi, and I liked a lot his other and very different appearance once reincarnated. Nutan is splendid as Radha. She is beautiful, natural, and throughout the film she exudes a certain warmth that really elevates the film. Jamuna is wonderful as the sassy Gauri, although she does not have a very good role. Pran is excellent as usual, and Deven Verma is very good as well. Laxmikant-Pyarelal really give a new life to a film in which music plays an important part. Their soundtrack is melodious and memorable. Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar are the voices, and one can always expect some wonderful performances. My favourite numbers are "Hum Tum Yug Yug Se", which is hauntingly beautiful and romantic, and "Sawan Ka Mahina", an ear-pleasing, melodious track which presents this very scene which I discussed above and which according to me is the film's best. Overall then, a nice movie which is not flawless but fairly enjoyable.

I first saw this film in 1968 and was totally enchanted by its music.Seeing it again here in 2008 i am still mesmerized by the haunting tune of " hum tum yug yug se..."! The story is nothing new and very entrenched in Hinduism.The Surender and Pran characters are slap stick and far removed from reality owning to the flimsy plot of the whole film.Nutan is her usual self; simple,noble and endearing.Sunil Dutt is at home with the boatman and there aren't many who would have played Gopi better.Nutan's age is a negative factor but her overall performance nullify this.The script gets bogged down in Hindu dogma but the music is a revelation! One of those moods of greatness that once in a lifetime put the poet and musician in total harmony with each other.Even if the film will be forgotten the music will never cease to amaze and delight.Jumna acted well but her acting is a take off of Vyjantimala of "Gunga Jumna".

Amazing acting from all, Nutanji is my favorite... And the songs are all divine... I am so blessed to see her movies after all these years...They don't make movies like this anymore... Simply too good.

The story line is as exquisite as the acting. Only if you have lived in India and known the nuances of the social life of the country, can you follow the true essence of the story. The star-crossed lovers belonging to different strata of society, unable to unite because of all the social pressures, keeping their feelings closed in their hearts... The continuation of their love over to their next life, it can only happen in India...

The scenery is awesome, set on the banks of a river and all the scenes in the boats and on the shore are simply breathtaking. Every time I watch a song or the movie itself, it fills me with absolute wonder.