Aasha (1980) :
Brief Review -
An emotional soap with chartbuster music. J. Om Prakash's Aasha has nothing to do with Kishore Kumar and Vyjayanthimala's super hit "Aasha" (1958), except the title, which eventually defines the same context with a different story line. This is an emotional film because there are a lot of sacrifices and heartbreaks in it, but the film is very soapy about the plot. I can understand the film turned out to be a blockbuster success because the songs were highly popular and they have an evergreen touch. "Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho" has come across generations, and what a lovely use of the song here! The first time it plays, it is a simple touchy song; next time, it comes at an emotional situation, and then again when it eventually defines the heartbreak (tut jaata hai), making lyrics meaningful. The other one is "Tune Mujhe Bulaya." It's an evergreen mata ka song yaar. I get devotional goosebumps every time I hear it anywhere (mostly played at temples, hotels, and trucks). The film is about Deepak, who gets married to Mala, leaving Aasha heartbroken, who was secretly in love with him. After the marriage, Deepak is kidnapped but is declared dead, and then Mala commits suicide. Asha and Deepak begin a relationship, but there, Mala is saved but loses her eyesight. She gives birth to a baby, and years later things bring the lost ones face-to-face in difficult situations. Jitendra looks very handsome for a truck driver, and I also wonder how a truck driver is so fluent in English. Rameshwari looks beautiful as a non-glamorous and simple girl/wife, and Reena Roy looks gorgeous in her glamorous avatar. Girish Karnad plays a very different and important role. His hatred for God and then falling at God's feet in the end-this circle adds another layer to this soapy narrative. Overall, a one-time-watch drama with two memorable songs.
RATING - 6/10*
By - #samthebestest.
