Love~~ Will You Ever know...... Review on Sadma

When love beckons to you follow him,Though his ways are hard and steep.And when his wings enfold you yield to him,Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.And when he speaks to you believe in him,Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.Kahlil Gibran

It envelopes you in its magic forever and gives wings to your hopes and desires. It brings out the caring instinct in you and makes you nurture your beloved as your own part. It blinds you with its intensity and the whole world loses its charm and existence in comparison to that person. A smile from that soul lifts up your spirits and your world suddenly becomes a magnificent place. You burrow all your pain just by the mere glance at those eyes and the glee depicted in them. You effort and re- effort to keep that smile forever on that face. Any trace of sadness or tear, and your killer instincts arise to eradicate the reason of the sorrow. A mere indication of suffering of that soul and an automatic impulse to protect that beloved consumes you. Even the feeling that the person is upset in any manner, might it be a restless night only, makes you soothe the sadness with a lullaby. In short you revolve your life around that person, your sun rises and sets on that individual and you lose your own identity in making the identity of that person. And such are the bearings of the destiny that one fine day that person even refuses to recognize you….

And not a moment too soon Without a minute to spare You touched my heart When I didnt have a prayer In my darkest hour With my world filled with gloom Your sweet love saved me Not a moment too soon Not a moment to soon, a song by Tim McGraw

Such is the destiny of Somu(Kamal Hassan) when he comes across Laxmi(Sridevi), in a brothel. He rescues her from there realizing that she is equivalent to a six year old child. He brings her home and decides to take care of her till she has found her sanity and her real identity. Laxmi brings in zing and enthusiasm to his otherwise monotonous life. She brings out his caring instincts and a natural impulse to take care. He nourishes her, bathes her, dresses her, braides her hair and in short does all that is done to a kid. He protects her from the evil eye of Balua (Gulshan Grover) and surprisingly depicts his violent streak considering that he is a very peaceful guy. Laxmi becomes his reason for living and paints his world with colors of love, care, concern and devotion. He monkeys for her, if he sees a tear in her eye; sings a lullaby when she can’t sleep and efforts for all those things which bring a smile to her face. Till he realizes that she cannot be cured from her mental illness. And he takes a befitting decision, for her well being, though he knows that its a risk where he would lose her forever.

Kamal Hassan has impeccably acted the role of a balanced caring individual. His character is of a man who has tried to keep himself away from emotions and concerns and yet he falls for a vulnerable girl. Though the movie did not see much of a dialogue delivery from his part. Yet he conveyed all the right messages through his face expressions and actions. The last scene where he tries to monkey again to remind Sridevi , remains as an imprint in my heart forvever. Nowhere in the movie I felt that any scene was overacted or not given full justice by him.

Sridevi gives a perfect definition to the role of a girl who had a traumatic & tremored life and become equivalent to a six year old. The portrayal of innocence and way she brings out the nuances of the character is perfect. A glee from her brings a smile to your face and your heart goes out to hug her when she gets upset or cries. No doubt the actress is a maestro when it comes to show all the shades of humanity. Her scene of trying to touch the mole on Leela Mishra’s face made be giggle. While her tears on being mistreated by Gulshan Grover ,hit my vulnerable spot.

The music given by Ilayaraja is ideal and just the requirement of the movie. Surmayi Aankhon main sung in two versions ; the happy one by Suresh Wadkar and Asha Bhosle ,and the sad version sung only by Yesudas, is preferred by me most. The lyrics, the setting of the song all adds up to magic of the moment and touches the deepest corners of the heart.

Aye Zindagi Gale Laga Le sung by Suresh Wadekar is one song which I hear till date for those lone moments. Another brilliant one with amazing https://lyrics.

Director Balu Mahendra has done an exceptional job in this movie. For the story could have not been so heartrending if the director dosen’t know how to get the best out of his actors. Cinematography, Editing and screenplay are as tightly held as possible. Mahendra's strength as a cinematographer has helped him use visuals as an effective vehicle to carry the story forward(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balu_Mahendra)

On the whole Sadma or trauma is a movie which gives a faultless tribute to the word “Love”. It displays the musings of a person in this emotion, and though he knows that he might lose her one day; he still gives his best. His limits his world to her and rises and sleeps with her existence. And that is the beauty love, for he gives away his whole being, without caring if it ever would be reciprocated.

As he silently watches her leaving on the train, mocking at him, looking at her as if he is just another lunatic…..all that reverberates is…..

I just hope to sleep and never awaken Nothing left in this world could replace what you have taken....Sandy Cheney