Mausam

Review By Kamal K

Gulzar has always tried to explore different and complex human relationships in his films. Mausam, too explores a complex relation between two people. Masterly crafted, this movie is a milestone in the careers of Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore.

A very well directed film...and Sharmila and Sanjeev Kumar...it is impossible to call one as overtaking the other in talent...both do an INCREDIBLE job and one forgets and has to remind the self that Sharmila really isn't Kajli---of the two characters she played---Chanda/Kajli--- Kajli is definitely the harder of the two characters to play and no one could have done it better. She has lived that character...one feels her every emotion. The supporting cast of Omshiv Puri, Dina Pathak, Agha did their job well.

The other highlight were the dialogues of the film. Even the small nok-jhok between Amarnath and Chanda are interesting. For instance Chanda keeps asking the meaning of difficult english words which Amarnath uses during his normal conversation. Then there is the scene when Sanjeev is scratching his ears and Chanda stops him saying 'kaan mat khujao, zeharband ho jayenga'. This same dialogue is repeated by Kajli again while she is travelling with Amarnath. These light scenes also remain with you long after the film is over. The scene when Amarnath arrives to the meet Kajli at her brothel and she perceives him as a customer is also well-enacted by both actors and well directed.

It is touching and it lingers in your heart. Films like Mausam, however, comes only once in many seasons.

Enough said. A successful surgeon visiting his past and never realizing the havoc that was caused in the multiple lives (that he genuinely cared for) due to something that he neglected to do. There was a reason of course, but a superficial one which he recognizes too late. The plot revolves around the life and heartbreaking fate of Chanda and her daughter Kajali due to his self-absorption. In the first half Sanjeev presents a master-class of immense acting...you cry when he cries ( he cries only once) but you also cry when he is hit with a proverbial emotional brick. He totally reveals the complex emotional whiplash that he suffers as the details on Chanda and later Kajali' lives are revealed. The last quarter belongs to Sharmeela in the daugher's role. What she does when she finds out the real identity of Sanjeev ....is extremely impactful and masterfully emoted. That scene makes the movie come together in ways that otherwise would not be possible.

There are some minor flaws that do not impact the plot....not much is revealed about Sanjeev's current life. Also the peripheral characters in Sanjeev's life are given only a weak presentation although the women in Sharmeela's life are given the needed depth. But they do not distract from the powerful emotionality of the movie....

This movie was made more than 40 years ago. It is interesting to think if Bollywood is capable of making this movie again?? possible but perhaps unlikely--and it is not because talents like Sanjeev Kumar may not be available (which may indeed be true)-but primarily that Bollywood "mores" on handling the love stories have changed...watch the movie closely ---and watch what Kajali's only love Kundan does when he loses her. It is a powerful scene in its own right. Would you blame Kundan? How will Gulzar rewrite Chanda's character if he were to write this story today??? same or different?

See it and be amazed.

Sanjeev Kumar has been my favorite actor. His Characters in Andhi and Sholay were impressive or, in other words, he made them unique. But, in my opinion, Mousam is his best movie in respect of characterization. Mousam is a story of a medical student who comes across his memories after spending much part of his life. These memories contain pain and pang of lost love and emotion of repentance. When Gill realizes that he has committed a mistake by not caring for a girl who builds a sweet home of love in her dreams, he tries to compensate for her by finding her daughter but a lot of water has gone under the bridge now. The film has simple plot but the real charm is the sad environment of the movie and also its music. It is the film which bases on emotions and passions. If you are not a man with sensitivity of emotion, it is not for you. Such emotional environment can be felt in Masoom also. Masoom is also a fine movie worthy of watching and remembering.

Mausam (1975) : Brief Review -

Gulzar's Poetic mind gives birth to one of Vulgarly sensitive film and path-breaking Classic of Bollywood. I deliberately used the word path-breaking because Mausam has leading actress playing a role of a Prostitute, and the second thing is it has Love Beyond Generation Gap flavour which didn't happen mostly in Bollywood by 1975. It cannot be called a love story because the only real love story in the film lasts for 15 minutes and then there are several other love stories in incomplete mode but are not that real or two sided. Mausam is a story of a Doctor Amarnath who falls in love with a village girl Chanda, he promises to come back soon and leaves for his exams. When he returns after 25 years he finds Chanda dead and her Daughter at brothel. In atonement he tries to recover her life by taking her with him but sensitive scenario takes solid turn when she falls in love with him. Mausam tries to discover many issues of society such as Mindset of a Prostutite, cruelty of evil minded people who force a girl to live at Brothel, redemption of a Man and his respect towards a prostitute. Sharmila Tagore is brutally beautiful and delivers a hard-hitting performance. Sanjeev Kumar doesn't disappoint at all even while playing an oldy. Music is decent and dialogues are Excellent. Gulzar deserves an applaud for making such a brutal film so sensitively and soberly and that too in 70s. Woman's mindset is expressed in tough manners by him which was needed but was too early for a time. One can easily notice his trademark writing when he clearly points towards cruel society for the Woman's misery and at the same time he showcases a gentleman who tries to change things. Overall, Mausam is adversely crafted film with path-breaking thoughts and also breaks the love beyond generation gap formula for Bollywood. Apparently, it isn't love, it is Respect of a Man towards a Woman and a Woman's Respect towards a Man and you just need to understand it.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest

The resounding and penetrating direction and story by Gulzar makes this film a toast to watch. Although, the story is not very extra ordinary, but the resonating acting of Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila bring poignant waves of past events laden with turbulent sequence in the movie.

Simply put, they don't make it like this anymore ........... Gone are the days, when lesson oriented, soul stirring and reflective films were made. These films which carried their imprint on the audience memories for a long time,not like the hullalalabulo absurdity of present day movies. The classic era of cinema, may it be from Hollywood, Bollywood or Lollywood was a subject of intellectual thoughts and yearnings. The crazy, temporal and mediocre standard of present day movies hold nothing for the mature and serious viewer. There is nothing worthwhile to watch, which could penetrate beyond the cinema screen.