Starcast: Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, Vinod Mehra, Bharti Achrekar, Aruna Irani, Yunus Parvez and Asrani Direction: K Vishwanath Music: Laxmikan...
Starcast: Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, Vinod Mehra, Bharti Achrekar, Aruna Irani, Yunus Parvez and Asrani
Direction: K Vishwanath
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Sanjog, released on November 22,1985 is a Bollywood drama directed by the
legendary K. Vishwanath, is a film that's bound to tug at your heartstrings.
With a cast packed with stars like Jeetendra, Jaya Prada (in a dual role), and
Vinod Mehra, and music from the legendary Laxmikant–Pyarelal, the film is a
full-on emotional rollercoaster that still holds up, especially for lovers of
old-school Hindi melodrama.
Plot & Storytelling:
The story kicks off at a hill station where Narain
(Jeetendra) is looking after his wife Yashoda (Jaya Prada), who now lives in an
asylum—a shell of her former self, lost in a world of lullabies and dolls.
Right from the opening, you know this is not your run-of-the-mill love story
but something with a lot more emotional complexity.
We find out through a series of flashbacks that
Narain, back in his college days, had fallen in love with Yashoda, a sweet and
innocent village girl. Their marriage introduces her to city life and the
Indian joint family setup. Yashoda’s world now revolves around her new family:
Narain’s parents, his elder brother Sonu (Vinod Mehra), Sonu’s wife Lalitha,
and their young son Raju. Lalitha is, to put it mildly, a bit of a snob—she
doesn’t have much patience for tradition or her own kid. Meanwhile, Yashoda, unable
to have children herself, pours her maternal instincts into Raju, forming a
bond so strong that Raju calls her 'mother.'
But happiness in Sanjog is short-lived. The death
of Raju in a tragic accident leaves Yashoda shattered, her mental health
spiraling. The pathos reaches new heights as she loses her grip on reality,
only to become pregnant soon after. By the end, Narain, trying to rebuild
what's left, hands over their baby to Sonu and Lalitha, whose characters have
finally undergone some transformation, and walks away from the family with
Yashoda, the two battered but changed forever by their experiences.
Performances That Stay With You
While the film is a total tear-jerker, it’s the
acting that really makes it stand out. Jeetendra puts in a controlled,
restrained performance, especially for someone known for his more expressive
work. Watching him juggle love, disappointment, and helplessness all at once is
one of the reasons the film feels so grounded.
But honestly, the heart and soul of Sanjog has to
be Jaya Prada. Playing both Yashoda and her daughter Asha, she brings a kind of
vulnerability and strength that isn’t easy to pull off. When she’s
Yashoda—especially after Raju’s death and in the asylum scenes—she just owns
every frame. It’s emotional without getting melodramatic, and her chemistry
with Jeetendra makes their struggles and heartbreak feel real.
Direction & Music:
K. Vishwanath is famous for turning simple domestic
stories into grand emotional sagas. With Sanjog, he does it yet again. He never
sensationalizes mental health, nor does he allow the narrative to wallow in
misery. Instead, he gently unpacks the ways trauma and loss can upend even the
happiest of families in a way that’s deeply humane. There’s a reason his films
(including the Telugu original, Jeevana Jyothi) are considered benchmarks in
family drama.
Of course, you can’t talk about a 80s Bollywood
film without bringing up the music. Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s soundtrack hits all
the right notes: soulful, melodious, and perfectly in sync with the film’s
emotional beats. Whether it’s a lullaby or a heartbreak anthem, each song feels
like it springs naturally from the story rather than stopping it in its tracks.
Especially for folks who love the 80s soundscape, these tunes will be right up
your alley.
What Works, What Doesn’t:
Let’s be real: Sanjog is a slow burn. If you’re
coming in expecting bang-bang action or comic relief at every turn, you’re
going to be disappointed. But if you love movies that take their time to get
under your skin—slowly immersing you in the characters’ struggles and
growth—then this one's a treat. There are moments where the melodrama feels a
bit much, but honestly, what’s an 80s family saga without a few dramatic
flourishes?
The supporting cast does a fine job too. Vinod
Mehra, Aruna Irani, and especially Bharati Achrekar (as the snobbish but
ultimately redeemable Lalitha) serve up strong performances, helping to flesh
out the family drama beyond just the leads.
Final Thoughts:
Sanjog is a quintessential emotional drama that
represents the very best of 1980s Hindi cinema—the kind where family, love, and
loss are at the center of everything. Watch it for the performances, the music,
and the emotional honesty that marks every frame. Sure, it has its melodramatic
moments, and the pacing isn’t for everyone, but if you’re down for a good cry
and a reminder of just how heart-wrenching—and beautiful—Bollywood can be, then
Sanjog is worth your time.
By Ayushman Mitra
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