Angaaray

The late Smita Patil is known as one of the greatest actresses of Indian cinema. She was, without doubt, an actor who was totally versed in the most profound nuances of the human experience. She could understand her characters, grasp their reality, but she also understood the Indian moviegoers. It is no surprise then that even the mainstream Hindi films she appeared in (Patil was mostly prolific in art cinema) were a cut above the rest. She did accept the constraints of commercial films, but in a way resisted them, and that's what worked to the benefit of her mainstream films and her performances in them.

And Angaaray is the perfect example to that. It allows her to do pretty much what Shabana Azmi did in Bhavna, fit into the ultra-typical mainstream mould. The film presents the quintessential, suffering Indian film heroine, who goes through a lot over the course of a short story, including rape, abandonment, problems with her only troublemaking brother (they're orphaned), prostitution. But Patil never lets the corny chain of events affect her firm decision to not succumb to overdone sentimentality. Her forceful presence makes the emotional impact on the viewer so much more effective by virtue of her natural, understated acting.

Is this the reason I like the film itself? I'm not sure. The film is actually a very watchable melodrama. The story is very typical of Hindi potboilers but the script is actually better than one would expect, and there's depth in it which makes it very entertaining. Again, it might be Patil herself - she is just so convincing, even her dance numbers were exceedingly good, but the film has a lot going for it. The music by Anu Malik is beautiful ("Tauba Tauba Karoge", "Mubarak Ho"), Rajesh Khanna makes a nice appearance, and Raj Babbar is great support to Patil. This is an enjoyable and moving film. I recommend.

RK was in his 40s but looks bloated for his smitten lover role . Smita Patil , a middle class girl works for Shakti Kapoor who eyes every girl he works with . His friend Raj works in the police and has a soft corner for Smita but does not reveal this . Raj's friend RK sees Smita in some program and falls for her . He also sends his rich parents to ask her mother Nirupa Roy her hand in marriage . The wedding is fixed and he goes abroad for some work .

When Shakti rapes Smita in one office party , her mother Nirupa Roy dies of this shock .

Smita sends her brother Master Alankar for training in the Navy . Smita is left alone and find help in the form of Madam Bindu who trains her to be a courtesan . Raj comes to know about this and tries to help her . Also tells her that he loves her a lot but she refuses to marry him as she feels he is merely pitying her . Paralelly RK's family back out of their marriage proposal when they come to know of her story . . Raj , Smita nad RK keep crossing paths . Slowly Smita relents and accepts Rajs proposal. RK comes to India but returns back dejected as he has lost her to Raj. Finally Smita kills Shakti in a fit of rage and has her revenge . The main actors are on top of their game . Smita shows a lot of fine emotions like innocence initially , shame when her brohter sees her dance , shocked when the future in laws back out or her mother dies , finally anger and revenge .

The side actors like Dina Pathak , Iftekar ( who is wastee in a smallr ole as the watchman ) , Bindu as the courtesan madam, Pradeep as Raj's boss ... are more than adequate. A fine family fare of the 80s .