Lekin...

In Lekin, Sameer, a museum curator working for the government, is sent to Rajasthan to evaluate artifacts in an ancient mansion which ages ago belonged to Raja Param Singh and is now government property. His arrival in the region is marked by an eerie encounter with Rewa, a beautiful woman who he gradually realises is actually a ghost. Sameer is fascinated by her sporadic apparitions and is greatly absorbed by this phenomenon. When their encounters grow, and their interactions deepen, she presents him with a live flashback which reenacts the mansion's history, which includes her tragic story of captivity in the hands of the ruthless king. Sameer is quick to understand that Rewa is stranded between worlds and needs to complete her journey across the desert to find liberation. He becomes determined to help her through this journey and liberate her.

Lekin is a work of transcendent art. One can hardly ever expect less than pure artistry from Gulzar, and this film, like most of his previous ventures, is poetic, poignant, profound, and deeply affecting. The film is beautifully photographed, with extraordinary setting, costume design, background score and overall high production values masterfully used to depict its magical realism. Written with fantastic creativity and directed with fervour by Gulzar, Lekin is an experimental piece, which wavers between supernatural suspense, platonic romance, thrilling adventure, or even coming of age drama. And it threads between all those genres by embracing its rich folkloristic fantasy. The use of symbolism enhances the narrative, the way the ghostly apparitions and past imagery are presented is most enchanting, while the story in flashbacks really tugs at the heartstrings.

The film's use of magical realism is a very rare occasion in Hindi cinema. Particularly interesting is its approach to supernatural phenomena, which are seen through an intellectual lens. The film is not simply a fantasy, it's a riveting mystery which poses questions without fully knowing the answers to them. Sameer himself is presented as a rationalist; a worldly man who doesn't believe in superstitions, cameos, let alone ghosts, but this incident throws him off balance and makes him question the very core of his convictions. Still, he goes to consult not some conning psychic but a professor of parapsychology. Above all, he is totally intrigued by this woman and aims to understand her motives. I believe the character of Sameer reflects in a way Gulzar, also the film's writer, who was perhaps as curious about the subject as Sameer appears to be.

In this sense, Lekin is an exploratory film as much as it is a delightful mystery romance. Despite its undeniable beauty, some viewers might find the film even a little disturbing both because of the analytical handling but also the harrowing story in the flashbacks. Since science can explain much of what is often rendered occult, thinking viewers observing Sameer's interactions with the ghost, are likely to feel there's some problem with him just like his friends in the film do, and that it is his sub-conscious that fills his sense of reality. You really feel for him and wish for his return into his own previous self. Lekin after all works more than anything as a great mystery offering rich cultural insight of the feudalistic system in India and the destructive nature of class hierarchy. As a character, Rewa, the unblinking ghost, is a sight to behold, and she is heart-touching just as she is enigmatic.

The acting is roundly excellent. Vinod Khanna is on top of his game, giving a wonderfully compassionate performance which isn't easy to etch out. Amjad Khan and Beena Banerjee are wonderful as his worried friends. A graceful Hema Malini gives a knock-out dance number and a nice conclusion in the last scene. Needless to say, it is Dimple Kapadia who gives the film its dramatic poignancy and ethereal tone in what emerges as a fascinating portrait of expectancy. Her presence alone conveys such a powerful sense of otherworldliness, but then those expressive eyes - they are haunting, and through that eager glimmer of melancholy they register such yearning and longing. That this film achieves its desired aura of magical mystery is mostly to her credit. Even in the musical numbers, there's incredible ardor in her convictions. She is unforgettable.

Hridaynath Mangeshkar's music gives life to the film, through its extraordinary melodies, brilliant lyrics and phenomenal visualisation on screen. The phenomenal musical numbers are topped by Lata Mangeshkar's otherworldly rendition of "Yaara Silli Silli", a piece of unmatched melodic, lyrical and instrumental harmony and, how not, one of the greatest vocal performances one can imagine. Indeed, without taking anything away from Gulzar's script, the acting, and the overall brilliance of Lekin, it is Lata Mangeshkar who is its ultimate winner. Lekin is one of the prime artistic achievements of her illustrious career, as far-reaching as it may sound considering she was the voice of a nation, whose lasting impact on Indian culture and the overall Indian experience remains unparalleled, and that she also happens to be one of the most prolific recording artists in history.

A few words then about Mangeshkar, who had decided to produce the film in order to have an opportunity to sing what her heart longed for. It's hardly surprising that the outcome is so good, as one can never expect less than sheer perfection from a paragon whose divine voice is a force of nature and one of the great wonders in the history of music. It is thus so fitting if not instantly obvious that she, a supernatural being in her life, is the one responsible for this supernatural film. Likewise, while she is no longer with us, her music lives on forever, making her immortal just like the film's premise suggests; her eternal presence in the hearts of millions totally matches the eternal essence that 'Lekin' encapsulates. The film is one gem of a movie, it is among the best works of Gulzar and Kapadia's careers, and today, more than ever, a tribute to Mangeshkar's enduring legacy.

For me, the film is a novel interpretation of the life in the desert of Rajasthan. Without going into the details of the story line, which I hope someone else would do more precisely, I only want to concentrate on the central character of the film Rewa performed by Dimple. She is the unfortunate younger sister of a singer. The older sister comes to sing at maharaja's palace one night when the maharaja eyes her malevolently and orders his men not to let her go out of the palace that night. The music teacher gets the clue that the maharaja is going to rape the older sister if he does not help her run away that evening. So he does that, and the cruel maharaja orders to put him and Rewa behind the bars. He would wait until the she would grow into a young woman. After spending years behind the bars she was to be 'presented' to the maharaja as she succeeds to escape… Nothing changes in the desert… She also gets frozen in a moment of time… Though not a spellbinding story, it really touches one right at heart… And Dimple played the role well… The Haridaynath's music combined with the Gulzar's lyrics unfolds the magic of the desert in Latta's and Asha's voices

I think what makes this film great is its timeless music.Hridaynath Mangeshkar came up with a masterpiece with Lekin. The story provided the backdrop for a classical Hindustani-based music score and the result is a combination of hummable folk songs and classical numbers which are pure magic. The songs definitely add on to the story, but have such strong character themselves that they have their own identity even outside the film.

Asha Bhonsle's 'Jhoothe Naina Bole' is my personal favorite.The sting she manages to put in the song is unparalleled.The beautiful rendition by Asha does justice to the music and to the words.

So even if you do or do not manage to see this movie,do NOT miss the music, since that is bound to stay with you longer.

Greatly enjoyed the development of the story line, the music and, not least, the acting. Lekin is very good work by done by experienced professionals. Dimple K. completely inhabited the character of Reva, while Vinod Khanna created an image of benevolent intelligence. The use of the first-class rail compartment, a most impressive Rajput

Palace and the stark sandy desert provided an appropriate background, supporting the story without overwhelming the mystery. The music was well integrated with the story line, something of a departure (in my limited experience with Bollywood movies). My wife and I have been baffled trying to identify the instrumental- only musical theme which plays whenever Dimple's character Reva appears.

Got to know about this film via a youtube channel, but i was lucky it happened.

My main point of attraction was dimple and vinod sir scenes. Dimple as mysterious character and vinod as intriguied researcher made a very nice combo.

I watched in youtube where the songs were not there, i guess i missed the songs which were a big hit , but for me, even without songs, the story and acting and settings were enough to enchant me.

Also i remembered Kareena Amir from Talash movie during the scenes of dimple vinod sir, that mysterious aura was here also. There, anurag kashyap helmed the dialogues ans they were cherry on cake, but here vinod and dimples expressions were enough.