Mili

Watching 'Mili' is like watching someone you know or watching you yourself on screen. The movie is that real and immensely ordinary that it is like rewinding a slice of life that is so familiar to us. Rajeesh Pillai does not try to make this familiar piece of life into something unfamiliar or thrilling. The reality captured is very refreshing indeed.

I just watched this movie today & realized the similarity in plot of this movie and of "a walk to remember" is uncanny....weird thing is that "a walk to remember" was released in 2002, while this movie was released in 1975.

This is a superb performance by Amitabh and Jaya, no doubt extracted by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Throughout the film, you actually go thru the helplessness, the passim that the protagonist, Shekhar feels. First when he is a hapless morose who finds it difficult to even communicate with the outside world. And then just when he sees rays of hope, when he falls in love with Mili, he is shattered knowing that the one person who has bought love and a cause for him to live, will be leaving him forever. The ending sequence and how Shekhar(Amitabh) then reacts to the fact that Mili would leave him has been portrayed very well.

See this film to appreciate the genius of Mukherjee's story telling ability (the film starts with a flashback). Amitabh's, Jaya's and Ashok Kumars performances are classy. You don't get to see many such movies made today. Mili is already a classic.

One of the more sober and mature performances of the superstar Amitabh Bachchan. He is a director's actor and can therefore give a Mili or even an Ajooba. Jaya Bachchan's generally disenchanted demeanour fits the role like a glove. The tension is built well and stays with you as the film doesn't promote escapism. Majorly in contrast with Anand by the same director on similar theme.

I have never seen a perfect and so real end to a movie. This is one movie that always gives me courage and optimism in life, whenever I think about it. It has a very simple story stated without any unnecessary sentimentalisations or overemotionalisations but still leaves an impact on oneself. I think its a must see for everybody as it is one movie which shows how important it is to be HOPEFUL in life.