Mausam

Gulzar's Mausam tells the story of Dr. Amarnath Gill, who returns to Darjeeling after many years and after a while decides to look for his past love there. Just like Aandhi, Mausam is about a missed opportunity, only that here the separation is inevitable as in Aandhi the pair separated for good and only later realised what they had missed out on, and here, it was unintentional. Mausam is excellent in writing, direction, cinematography and acting. It's authentic to the core, it's beautifully shot, it's emotional and melancholic, and it just presents a moving episode of mainly three characters, while it is mainly seen through the eyes of Amarnath. Wavering between the present and the past through flashbacks, memories and confessions, the story is narrated exceedingly well. Gulzar gives the script a touch of tension and suspense, and several proceedings are completely unexpected and surprising.

Gulzar shows his characters going through many trials and tribulations, and yet he never tries to victimise them or dramatise their stories when he presents the motives behind their current state. The movie in large portions works as a character drama, and is a very poetic, intense and atmospheric piece. Moreover, while the casting of one actor in two different roles has often not been justified in Hindi films, in Mausam it is very symbolic actually, showing what a cruel and ironic game destiny has played with Amarnath by taking away his love and making him meet her lookalike daughter who is a completely different person, namely a prostitute. I was very impressed by this part of the film, particularly by the portrayal of the brothel which looks most lifelike and real. You will see none of the mess or the caricature girls one is used to seeing in Hindi movies dealing with prostitution.

There can be no doubt about Sanjeev Kumar's extraordinary acting talent and following Aandhi, in which he played a similar part, here too he plays his character's regret and pain with depth and ease. Sharmila Tagore got her best roles in Satyajit Ray films, and Mausam may be one of the best parts she received in Hindi cinema. She is astonishing in both roles although it's the role of Kajri, the daughter which lets her do a full emotional cycle. Not for a single moment in the film did she overdo her part, not the cute young girl, not the foul-mouthed prostitute, not the woman who lost her mental sanity. The transformation of Kajli looks very natural and due credit goes to her. She exudes a warmth and her emotional scenes towards the end, particularly the final scene of her realisation, are amazingly forceful. Among the supporting actors, Dina Pathak and Om Sivpuri play their parts excellently.

The film was released after the death of its music director Madan Mohan. I liked his compositions very much and "Dil Dhoonta Hai" is my favourite. The film's ending is very touching, and it provides a great moment of relief and optimism. Mausam is another example of Gulzar's craftsmanship and of his unique storytelling. Just go and watch it.

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.

Caught this movie totally by chance and could not turn away from it.

The story at its fundamental explores a father and daughter relationship, missed opportunities and the act of repentance.

Firstly, let congratulate Gulzar for making such a thoughtful and emotional movie. Lets not forget that this movie was made in 1975 in India, the sub-continent is very reserved and back in 1975 it was even more so. This movie tackles a subject that even today Indian movies wont go near so just imagine how ahead of its time this movie was. The movie has been handled with the utmost delicate manner.

The two main actors in the movie were amazing. Sanjeev Kumar is amazing, he was one of those actors that did not have to say much as his expressions lied within his eyes. In this movie Sanjeev Kumar plays a man with so much guilt in him, you can actually feel it and his wanting to repent. Sharmila Tagore was amazing, you would have to be a brave woman and actress to take a movie like this back in 1975 and boy does she nail it.

Conclusion, a great movie, a great story and great acting.

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

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.