Arzoo

As Bollywood love stories go this is certainly one of finest from the '60's - pleasant, colourful, thoughtful, and although mainly studio-bound has some splendid location shots. It has everything expected - a solid melodrama with a well constructed plot some beautiful music. And all without the hype, pomp and panache that is so necessary today.

After some initial friction on a holiday flight to Kashmir newly qualified doctor Gopal played by the chunky Rajendra Kumar falls in love with Usha played by the photogenic Sadhana. They have a romantic and languid courtship before a disaster kicks in and Gopal has to leg it, or as he later puts it, "run away". Meanwhile the otherwise extremely understanding father of Usha is planning on marrying her to Gopal's best friend the wishful Ramesh… It gradually gets more emotionally fraught unravelling to a tumultuous climax of self-sacrifices from all parties: lovers, brother, sister, friend, parents. Of course, this has been covered almost endlessly by Bollywood over the decades but seldom bettered, and with such fabulous scenery too. The music by Shankar-Jaikishan with the poetry by Jaipuri is the icing on the cake, especially beautiful were Aji Rooth Kar Ab Kahan Jaiyega and the wistful Bedardi Balma Tujhko both sung by Lata and Jab Ishq Kahin by Asha – although the then "modern" sequences have dated the most as usual; Rafi was especially caressing with Ae Phoolon Ki Rani. Although I personally would have been satisfied with less of the hip saxophone blasts throughout the movie!

Is love or prejudice triumphant? In the film there is an emphatic, even ridiculous answer to that - but I recommend a watch because you wouldn't believe me if I told you: it's an excellent old-fashioned time filler, a melodramatic roller-coaster ride through some lovely countryside and lovely tunes.

Arzoo (1965) : Brief Review -

A near-classic adaptation of the iconic "Love Affair" (1939) by Ramanand Sagar that also adds a friendship angle to defeat Raj Kapoor's Sangam (1964). I think I have given enough spoilers in the headline of my review. Leo McCarey's iconic romantic flick, Love Affair (1939), set the formula of physical disabilities coming as a big restriction in the love story, but as expected, the love triumphs in the end. Ramanand Sagar adopted Love Affair in Indian style and gave it a touch of a love triangle where one friend sacrifices his love for the other and the girl is left disheartened, just like Deedar and Sangam or any other old Hollywood or Bollywood movie you can remember by the same formula. Sagar's Arzoo comes out much better than Raj Kapoor's blockbuster "Sangam," minus chartbuster music and hatred/suspicion amongst two friends. A doctor falls in love with a girl, and when he loses his leg in an accident, he decides to let the girl go because he is not worthy of her anymore. The girl is arranged to be married to the boy's best friend, and except for him, the other two are unaware of it. The film is written very smartly, as you can see how scenes are written with a visionary look at the overall narrative. The girl once mentions handicapped life in the beginning, which leads the boy to hide himself from her forever. The friend isn't aware of their relationship, the girl doesn't know the name of the boy or his family, the sister's emotional breakdown in the same room with two best friends, and almost every single conflict-it's all so PERFECT! Arzoo has a terrific emotional quotient that makes you cry, literally. A better music album-like Sangam-and this would have been an evergreen classic romance. It's a great film nonetheless, and it has aged really well since others haven't found a better love triangle formula meeting the iconic "Love Affair" formula than this.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Arzoo is a poignant classic from the 1960s. This film shows how beautiful those times were and how strong and real love and friendship could be at that point of time. We don't see much of that nowadays in cinema. The film tells the love story of Gopal and Usha, from their first meeting in Kashmir through their subsequent relationship, and finally, to their unofficial separation when Gopal gets involved in a car accident, loses his foot, and firmly decides to not meet her again, thinking he does not deserve to be with her anymore. While Usha is suffering from his sudden disappearance, her father tries to help her find him, but at the same time tries to pair her with his friend's son Ramesh, who happens to be Gopal's best friend.

Arzoo starts as a romance and later turns into an intensely dramatic tale of sacrifice and pain. Yet, the film never loses its beauty and its optimism. The romantic sequences in the first portions of the film are beautifully shot across the breathtaking locations of Kashmir with some superb and peaceful songs. The story is effectively told and developed and the film grows on you with its unexpected proceedings and turns. The film stars Rajendra Kumar and Sadhana as Gopal and Usha. Both actors do a brilliant job. This is Kumar's film, though, and the actor performs very well in this complex central character. You really feel for him as you witness his tragedy, his silence, his decisiveness and his anguish. Sadhana is astonishing as Usha. She is beautiful, moving and totally convincing.

Other than that, the film has much more to offer. As said, the film is beautifully shot and excellently directed by Ramanand Sagar. The music, composed by Shakar-Jaikishen, is simply outstanding. All the songs--from the initial romantic ones to the sad ones later on--are melodious, and along with the stunning landscapes of Kashmir, create an enchanting view. Apart from Kumar and Sadhana, the rest of the cast perform very well. Feroz Khan is very good as Ramesh, Nasir Hussain is outstanding as Usha's father, Mehmood provides great comic relief in the role of Gopal's friend. However, the one supporting actor who really impressed me the most was actress Nazima. She was simply marvelous in her very brief and tiny role. I think she was a good actress and it's sad that no one really knows her today.

Arzoo is a wonderful film. It not only entertains but also makes you realise how unexpected life can be and how important it is to cherish every moment of it. The film's ending is great and relieving. Do watch this classic.

When we see love in the movies (especially bollywood movies), several times we feel by watching the on-screen love that this is not real and just filmy. However bollywood boasts of hundreds of good love stories also in which the love shown on the screen looks real and reliable. While watching them, we feel as if the lovers are before our eyes only and unknowingly we start sympathising with them. We are joyous by seeing their love-filled delights and we feel deeply moved by seeing their sorrows and separation. Such an outstanding love story is Aarzoo (1965) made by Ramanand Sagar and starring Rajender Kumar, Saadhana and Feroz Khan. This is the love story of a lifetime which can be watched any number of times and every time it gives a fresh, soothing feeling. The songs of this movie are just great and they tremendously increase the emotional aura of the film.

The story, in the real sense, starts in Kashmir with the encounter of Dr. Gopal (Rajender Kumar) and Usha (Saadhana). Initial teasings lead to blossoming of a genuine, deep, adorable love between them. However, Dr. Gopal had kept his genuine identity hidden from Usha and before he could reveal it on her upon returning to Delhi, he meets a mishap and loses his leg. Then starts the painful story of separation of the two sincere lovers who struggle with the pain and sense of loss within them individually, all alone. None of the two is aware of the painful status of the other. How the story reaches its emotional climax, is an unforgettable experience to watch.

The story takes off soon and the romance between the romantic Rajender Kumar and the eternal beauty, Saadhana is both emotional and sensational at the same time. The scenes seem to drown the audience in the ocean of love. Feeling completely drenched and sodden, the viewer is never willing to come out of that. His Aarzoo (desire) becomes to just remain lost in the on-screen romance only. The pair looks simply great and the on-screen chemistry between the two is mesmerising. Their gestures and activities make their love look both lovable as well as reliable.

After the tragic twist in the tale, the emotional part related to the separation of the lovers has been handled by the director even more admirably. The tears of Saadhana look real as her face presents a true picture of her inner pain. On the other hand, the pain, the loneliness and the stuffiness within Rajender Kumar come in a lively form before the viewers through his superb underplay. The way the story moves from Kashmir to Delhi and ultimately reaches the memorable climax, is something for watching, not description. The role of Rajender Kumar's sister, Nazima is also very impressive and it has been made quite meaningful (contrary to the sisterly roles in those times which used to be more or less sideline, routine roles).

The director, the script-writer and the cinematographer have done a remarkable job by keeping Kashmir as the backdrop of the story and it is nothing short of a treat to see the scenic beauty of Kashmir. The smooth flow of the story alongwith both the heart-tickling encounters of the duo and the hilarious comedy of Mehmood, makes the viewer forget the fact that the romance is prolonged. The story picks up speed thereafter and twists keep on coming in the emotion-filled narrative. The production value and the entertainment value, both are quite high in this movie.

The performances are par excellence. Among the supporting cast, Nazir Hussain has delivered a very good sentimental performance as Saadhana's father. Nazima has always been a low profile actress in the Hindi movies of the sixties, always given sideline roles only. However in this movie, her sisterly act coupled with the friendly act (she is a saheli of Saadhana) makes a great impact and she proves that she is a good actress. Stylish hero Feroz Khan has also delivered a praiseworthy performance in the role of Rajender Kumar's friend. Mehmood's comedy is a class of its own. Rajender Kumar has been a great romantic hero of the sixties and in this emotion-packed role, he has performed brilliantly. The twist in the tale belongs to him. However the movie, as a whole, belongs to Saadhana, the stylish diva of the Indian screen whose hair-style, chudidaar pyjaamas and mojadis (footwear) had become fashion trends in India. Saadhana has always been a good actress and Aarzoo is one of her memorable movies. In the role of firstly the lovelorn and then the pain-stricken Usha, Saadhana simply outsmarts all other actors in the movie. Her display of emotions in the song - Bedardi Baalma, is able to move even the stones.

The music is the biggest asset of the movie. The lyrics of Hasrat Jaipuri and the music compositions of Shanker-Jaikishan have created an everlasting musical aura in the voices of Lata and Rafi. The songs - Aye Nargis-e-Mastana, Aye Phoolon Ki Raani, Chhalke Teri Aankhon Se, Aji Rooth Kar Ab, Bedardi Baalma etc. are all timeless classic songs. However I also like the Quawwali in the voices of Mubarak Begum and Asha Bhonsle - Jab Ishq Kahin Ho Jaata Hai very much.

Aarzoo is one of the finest contemporary love stories ever told in Hindi cinema. It is a very big treat for the people fond of love stories full of romance and emotion. It has only plus points. I recommend it wholeheartedly to all the movie buffs.

Kashmir is very beautiful.

So is Saadhana.

Aarzoo is directed by Ramanand Sagar which is a classic Bollywood film. The movie features a star-studded cast including Rajendra Kumar, Sadhana Shivdasani, and Feroz Khan in the lead roles. It is a romantic drama that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and family.

The story revolves around Gopal (Rajendra Kumar), a wealthy businessman who falls in love with Usha (Sadhana). One day Usha while seeing a disabled says that it's better to die rather than marry a disabled. After some days she realizes that her loved one got disabled, she feels regret and shame for saying such words.

After spending his holidays in Kashmir and promising Usha that he will marry her, he heads back to Delhi, where his parents and a sister, Sarla, live. However, Usha's father, played by Nazir Hussain, opposes their relationship due to the difference in their social status. Gopal's mother, played by Nirupa Roy, is also against their union and wants.

The movie explores the lengths one is willing to go for love and the obstacles they face along the way.

The performances in "Aarzoo" are commendable, with Rajendra Kumar and Sadhana delivering powerful and emotionally charged performances. Their chemistry on-screen is palpable, and they bring depth and sincerity to their respective characters. Feroz Khan also shines in his supporting role, adding an interesting dynamic to the story.

The music of "Aarzoo" is another highlight, with memorable songs composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. Songs like "Aji Rooth Kar Ab Kahan Jaiyega" and "Chhalke Teri Ankhon Se" have become timeless classics and are still popular among music enthusiasts.

The film's direction by Ramanand Sagar is notable, as he creates a captivating narrative that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The screenplay strikes a balance between romance, drama, and emotional moments, making it an entertaining watch.

Overall, "Aarzoo" is a well-crafted film that offers a compelling story, strong performances, and memorable music. It captures the essence of love and sacrifice, and despite being released several decades ago, it remains a beloved classic in Bollywood cinema. If you enjoy romantic dramas with emotional depth, "Aarzoo" is definitely worth watching.