Sensitive and moving musical saga. Review on Abhimaan -Bollywood

If there is one movie that I can watch over and over again and still shed a tear every time I watch it, it’s Abhimaan. Released in 1973, the basic plot was a direct lift off from an earlier movie, Abhinetri, released in 1970 starring Hema Malini and Shashi Kapoor. But the treatment was much more dramatic and sensitive.

The story….

Subeer Kumar (Amitabh Bachchan) is a typical Bollywood singer who has compromised on many ethics and principles for the sake of commercial success in the tough world of playback singing. He has two friends in the city, one is his friend-cum-secretary-cum-agent-cum advisor (Asrani) and the other is his admirer and close confidant (Bindu).

His grandmother (Durga Khote) lives in the village and waits eagerly for a visit from her grandson. After a long time, Subeer returns to the village but has planned only one-night’s stay. The next day, after pacifying his protesting grandma, he makes his way back home. On the way, he hears a beautiful voice singing a shloka, followed by a nice song. He follows the voice and meets Uma (Jaya Bhaduri), the daughter of the village schoolmaster (A K Hangal). Uma is a great admirer of Subeer and is thrilled to meet him. Subeer falls for her voice and simplicity and decides to marry her. Back in Mumbai, he throws a party for all his friends on the occasion of his wedding reception. At the party, Subeer persuades Uma to sing a song with him. Everyone is impressed with Uma’s talent. A renowned musician (David) even remarks that Uma’s talent is far superior to Subeer’s and that this could lead to problems in their relationship.

Uma starts getting offers to sing professionally. Initially she is reluctant, but is egged on by Subeer and his secretary, whom Uma has adopted as her brother. To start with, Subeer and Uma sing duets, but very soon, Uma starts getting offers to sing solo. Her popularity surpasses that of Subeer, whose career slowly starts going downhill. The contrast between the popularity charts of the two is nicely shown. A show organizer whom Subeer has been avoiding so far by quoting higher rates is now willing to pay a much higher rate to Uma for her appearance. Uma’s collection of trophies and awards exceeds Subeer’s and a new shelf has to be made for her. Fans who are collecting Subeer’s autograph snatch away their autograph books and rush towards Uma as soon as she makes her appearance.

Subeer’s male ego cannot digest all this and a strong feeling of jealousy starts creeping in. Uma, sensing this, decides to stop singing. But Subeer does not allow her to do that. He behaves badly with Uma, talks rudely and neglects her. A lonely Uma carries on for some days with her career but can take it no longer and goes into depression. She is already pregnant and Subeer sends her to her father’s home. But Uma has now totally become lifeless, does not speak at all and in this condition, has a miscarriage. Even after the miscarriage, she shows no sign of emotion. Subeer’s grandmother is indignant and comes all the way to Bombay to give Subeer a piece of her mind.

A repentant Subeer comes to the village to take back Uma. But Uma is still under trauma and is lifeless. Doctors and well-wishers advise that she should be made to sing, that is the only way for her to recover. However, Uma cowers away from music, since she feels that music is the main cause of her alienation from her husband.

Finally, in a memorable and touching finale, a special show is organized for Subeer and Uma. Subeer sings their song of togetherness “Tere mere Milan ki yeh raina” and persuades Uma to join. A trembling Uma looks for support and encouragement in Subeer’s eyes and slowly opens up. The music flows from her throat and relief is reflected in the eyes of all around.

The performances:

Amitabh Bachchan as Subeer gives a restrained and subtle performance giving the right touch of arrogance, jealousy and repentance in the various stages of the film.

Jaya Bhaduri as Uma conveys innocence and the trauma at the gradual loss of her husband’s love with characteristic sensitivity

Bindu, Asrani, David, Durga Khote and A K Hangal provide able support in cameo roles.

The direction:

Hrishikesh Mukherjeeat his best with a smooth and well paced narrative and with efficient use of background music and character roles to embellish the main plot.

The music:

SD Burman gave his best music in this film, which was towards the fag end of his career. Each and every song is the film is a classic and fits in beautifully in the narrative. “Meet na mila re man ka” sung by Kishore Kumaris the first song sung by the bachelor Subeer. “Nadiya kinare” sung by Lata Mangeshkaris a raga based song picturised on Jaya Bhaduri, hearing which Subeer falls for her voice. “Teri bindiya re” (Rafi-Lata) is the wedding reception song which is the beginning of the love between the couple. “Tere mere Milan ki ye raina” (Lata-Kishore) in a happy version further takes up this relationship. “Lute koi man ka nagar” (Lata-Manhar) is the beginning of Uma’s singing career which she sings with Subeer. “Ab to hai tumse” (a beautiful song by Lata) is the first sign of Uma’s restlessness at her own success vis-à-vis Subeer’s behaviour. “Piya bina”, another gem by Lata, represents Uma’s loneliness and her last song before sinking into depression. The finale, “Tere mere Milan ki ye raina” the sad version, is once again sung and picturised with lot of feeling.

Summary:

A masterpiece, tear-jerker with splendid music and superb performances. If you haven’t watched it even once, you’ve really missed something.