1942: A Love Story

As an ABCD (An American Born Confused Desi) I wanted to make my first Bollywood hit a memorable one...and that this movie was!

While keeping to a simple plot and common theme of love in a war-torn country, the struggles are just and portrayed more seriously than other "love during war" films...

I won't give away the terrific ending, but I will tell you that it is a happy one, and though it is common for Hindi films to have a happy ending, a love story with a happy ending never gets old, does it not?

The only thing non ABCD'ers will find odd/curious is the fact that the movie frequently took a "break" for the characters to lip-sync a song about how they felt. I liked it, but for the first five seconds I was like, "Why are we having a music video in the middle of the movie??"

Overall I give this movie 5 stars out of 4. Is it because I love any Bollywood film? Is it because I'm an ABCD? Is it because I'm a hopeless romantic? I don't know, but I highly recommend you see 1942: A Love Story!

Blending musical poetry with epic spectacle, "1942: A Love Story" stands as a definitive work of Indian filmmaking. As the film follows a pair of lovers through the Indian uprising against imperialist Britain, traditional Indian song is used to juxtapose the harsh realities of an oppressed people. Though the film is grand in size, the fact that a small core of characters inhabits the plot makes for an easily understood picture, even while reading subtitles as I did.

"1942" celebrates the people of India and their struggle for independence. When compared to traditional American films dealing with political revolt, this film wins over in heart. When compared to traditional American musicals of the 1950s and 60s, "1942" displays a deeper social conscience and a more solid grasp on narrative storytelling. Above all, "1942" provides entertainment with a rich cultural tapestry.

I watched the movie for the songs - ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga, kuch na kaho, pyar hua chupke se. I have listened to them 100s of times before - great lyrics and so melodious.

The scenery of a small mountain town is idyllic. The first half of the movie is romance and the songs :) A 90s gem, I miss those dancing around the house and trees!

The second half advances the serious krantikari plot. The story line is average, patriotic and over dramatic. There are several likeable characters and a few outright villains - the age of simple black and white world! Characters were developed, such as that of the driver, the mother and others, making it an enjoyable watch too.

This movie reminds me that what indians were suffering yesterday, is paid Innocent Kashmiris, i hope one day Bollywood would make a neutral movie on Maqbooza Kashmir

This is a good Indian film. The movie still holds up well even today, in 2025. There is a convincing and credible rendition of pre-independence India, with the clothing, architecture, and overall vibe. There's good acting by the leads and supporting cast. There's suspense, action, and romance. The songs in this movie are elite-tier. "Pyar Hua Chupke Se" is beautiful: the scene where Manisha encounters the group of men carrying torches is majestic. Some filming locations look so scenic too

A couple issues though: the film's first half is basically a romance; the second half focuses on patriotic freedom-fighting action. Therefore, Manisha Koirala is front and center in the first half, but she fades into the background and becomes forgettable in the second half. Likewise, Jackie Shroff is front and center in the second half, but he is barely there in the first half. The overall effect is that the film feels a little disjointed. Looking at what Jackie Shroff does at the end, I kinda feel that his character, not Anil Kapoor's, should have been the star

Typical to a lot of Bollywood movies of this era- the film overdoes it with sentimentality. The romance scenes between Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala are syrupy to the point where many viewers may get sick. Anil Kapoor's character gets annoying a few times with his excessively love-stricken lines.

Lastly - Jackie Shroff and Danny Denzongpa kinda looked alike to the point where I mistook them for one another at first.

8.0/10.