Kati Patang

Kati Patang (1971) : Brief Review -

Shakti Samanta adopts Mitchell Leisen's influential Hollywood melodrama "No Man Of Her Own" (1950) and makes it even better at places. For the unversed, Mitchell Leisen is known for making many melodramas in Hollywood that became influential over the years, and No Man Of Her Own happens to be one of his popular works. The tragic story of a woman who is betrayed in love, and then when she finds a true and loyal love, the old love is back to spoil her life again. No Man Of Her Own is a very thrilling affair, whereas Samanta's adaptation is typical but much better at places. The first half an hour goes into setting the plot, including the introduction of the hero, with the super hit song "Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai." The idea is to make it Indian, and Samanta has done a fantastic job here. In the original film, the villain is shot dead, while this one has the villain as a murderer. There are a few more changes in the screenplay that make it very colourful, especially all the songs and their situations. For instance, "Yeh Shaam Mastani" feels so romantic, and that Holi song, "Aaj Na Chodenge," is so apt for the situation and two different mindsets (the hero is happy, so the mukhada of the song is happy, and the heroine is sad, so the antara is filled with a sad tune). We don't make situational and meaningful songs like this anymore. "Na Koi Umang Hai" has become a "widow song" over the years, and "Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai" is forever melodious. With enough drama in his hands and such a great music album, Samanta easily manages to turn a woman-centric Hollywood melodrama into an audience-friendly Indian drama. Rajesh Khanna's charm hits well, and Asha Parekh proves why she was the best choice to replace someone like Barbara Stanwyck. In short, this is how you remake a Hollywood film with Indian flavour.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Kati Patang is one of the best unconventional romantic films to come out of Indian Cinema. It is one of those films which showcases women's subjugation in society, societal expectations and deep meaning of love and social relationships. The story follows a young woman Madhavi (Asha Parekh) whose life takes a 360 degree turn when she gets rejected by her lover Kailash (Prem Chopra) on her wedding night. How this incident changes her life is what the story is about. It is wonderfully written by Gulshan Nanda, the direction (by Shakti Samanta) is upto the mark and the screenplay is tight, it never loses its pace (especially the first half is amazing). The climax and the ending is made, keeping in mind the expectations of the audiences of its time. Asha Parekh gives a memorable performance as Madhavi. Rajesh Khanna as Kamal is absolutely rave, I don't understand how Kakaji used outperform the heroines in a women-centric film and grab the limelight. He is truly amazing. Prem Chopra and Bindu as villians :- what can be more dangerous and interesting than that. They are perfect in their roles and do justice to their characters. Supporting cast does commendable job. Now let's talk about the main part :- MUSIC- THE HEART AND SOUL OF KATI PATANG. One of the finest and greatest Hindi film soundtracks you may have probably heard of. Excellent work by Pancham Da , great lyrics by Anand Bakshi sahab and voices of Kishore Da, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh ji are the base of this high pitched melodrama which provide life and joy to the story.

Two plus points I would like to highlight are :- the wonderful locations of Manali being excellently shot and another one is the costumes worn by the actors. It truly created a fashion movement back in those days when the film was released.

In conclusion, it's a soothing film and if you are a fan of classic, melodrama love stories, this one is surely for you but with a twist.

Kati Patang a movie from Shakti Samanta's stable was released when Super Star Rajesh Khanna was at his peak and was churning hits after hits and it appeared that there is going to be no end to his giving hits. This movie written by Gulshan Nanda had excellent music by R D Burman and had top of the charts songs sung by Kishore Kumar - ' Ye jo Mohabbat hai"," Yeh Shaam Mastani" etc. The holi song " Aaj na chodenge" has become a part of the culture of India. These songs are remembered even today. The movie revolved around Super Star Rajesh Khanna's character who is in love with a forced widow Asha Parekh, whom he was supposed to marry but she had run away due to the fact that she was misguided by the playboy and bad man Prem Chopra. The movie revolves around these character until the hero and heroine unite. It is a classic hit and is a must see for viewers as a movie as this movie is evergreen and easily available.

Although the romantic, suave and serene Rajesh Khanna has other big hits to his credits like AMAR PREM, ANAND, SAFAR and ARADHANA but in KATI PATANG, his inherent and innate acting prowess shot to that vintage point from where, the exact reflection of his acting skills that were imbued in mystic, elegant and romantic gestures emerged supreme.

Coupled with great hit songs and excellent direction of Shakti Samantha, KATI PATANG is a memorable landmark in the filmography of Rajesh Khanna. Being her last lead acting performance on the silver screen, Asha Parekh has also consummately portrayed the pensive image of a forced widow lover.

The real to life turbulent story of an innocent girl who was betrayed by her clever boyfriend, had to bear the brunt of a lifetime stigma. Shakti Samantha's direction, R.D. Burman's choreography of songs and majestically soothing cinematography by Gopi Krishna made "Kati Patang" a toast for the eyes and a sublime stimulant for the spirit of audience. The songs and the wording transcends the true beauty of pure love along with the flow of tumultuous events, thereby captivating the audience to stick to their seats till the end.

Folks ! they don't make it like Kati Patang, any more ........

This film is just the excuse for a lazy sunday afternoon. The story though a little old fashioned has been beautifuly presented with the centeral character played by Asha Parekh taking centre stage alongside Rajesh Khanna. The story centres around Asha Parekh who on the day of her wedding betrays her fathers wishes and runs away to her boyfriend only to find out that he has betrayed her and has found another woman. hurt and disillusioned the girl returns home to find her father dead due the shock of his daughters dissapearance. There is only one place left to go... her friends who is widdowed single mother on her way to meet her inlaws. sadly the there is an accident and Asha parek is left to play the role of the little childs mum and takes on the role of her friend. Enter in Rajesh khanna the man whom she would have been married to if she had not run away. This then becomes the beginnig of a beautiful love story between the two. the film features a lovely evergreen classic soundrack, a must watch film...