Starcast: Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Feroz Khan, Mahesh Kothare, I.S. Johar Direction: Asit Sen Music: Kalyanj...
Starcast: Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila
Tagore, Feroz Khan, Mahesh Kothare, I.S. Johar
Direction: Asit Sen
Music: Kalyanji Anandji
Released on October 1, 1970, Safar is a Bollywood
drama that has stood the test of time. Directed by Asit Sen, the film boasts an
impressive cast, including Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, and Feroz Khan. With
its poignant storyline, memorable performances, and iconic music, Safar is a
must-watch for fans of classic Bollywood cinema.
Storyline:
The film's narrative revolves around Avinash
(Rajesh Khanna), a terminally ill young man who embarks on a journey to fulfill
his dreams and find redemption. Along the way, he meets Neela (Sharmila
Tagore), a beautiful and vibrant young woman who becomes his companion on his
journey. As they travel together, Avinash and Neela develop a deep bond, and
their relationship blossoms into love. However, their happiness is short-lived,
as Avinash's illness catches up with him, leading to a heart-wrenching climax.
Direction and Other Technical Departments:
Asit Sen's direction is masterful, weaving a
complex web of emotions and relationships that keeps the viewer engaged. The
cinematography by the great Kamal Bose is impressive, capturing the beauty of
the film's locations and the emotions of the characters. The editing by Tarun
Dutta is crisp, with a narrative that flows smoothly.
Music:
The music in Safar, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji,
is iconic and memorable. And definitely deserves a place in the top 10 all time
great albums by them. All the songs, including "Jeevan Se Bhari Teri
Aankhen" , Jo tumko ho Pasand, Tujhko chalna Hoga , Hum the Jinke Sahare
and especially "Zindagi ka safar" , are hummable and add to the
film's emotional impact.
Performances:
The performances in Safar are outstanding, with
Rajesh Khanna delivering a memorable portrayal of the tragic Avinash. Sharmila
Tagore shines as the beautiful and vibrant Neela, bringing a sense of
compassion to her character. Feroz Khan, in a supporting role, is impressive,
he deserves plaudits for portraying a character which was quite contrary to his
mainstream gung ho macho image . Ashok Kumar and I S Johar were fantastic but
the real find of the film was a young Mahesh Kothare who later became a noted director
of Marathi films. His portrayal of Montu was ahead of its times and had various
shades to it which makes the role even more memorable.
Adaptation from Chalachal:
Safar is an adaptation of Asit Sen's own Bengali
film Chalachal, released in 1956. While the core storyline remains the same,
the Hindi version is more polished and refined, with a stronger focus on the
emotional relationships between the characters.
Safar is a timeless tale of love, loss, and redemption that continues to captivate audiences today. With its poignant storyline, memorable performances, and iconic music, the film is a must-watch for fans of classic Bollywood cinema. As a testament to the power of Indian cinema to transcend languages and cultures, Safar remains a beloved classic that continues to touch many hearts and minds.
By Ayushmaan Mitra
|
|
|
No comments