The Hindi film, ‘Aankhen’ meaning ‘the eyes’ is a 1968 release produced and directed by Ramanand Sagar, who later made the popular T.V. serial, ‘Ramayan’. It was a big hit starring Dharmendra (the Superstar of those times), Mala Sinha, Jeevan (the villain), Mehmood, Lalita Pawar and Madan Puri. The music was by Ravi and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.
The film plot is crime based involving espionage. Spy in films was introduced by ‘Aankhen’. Ramanand Sagar was apprehensive about taking Dharmendra in the male lead as he had only 1 film in his sleeve. So he took the female super star, Mala Sinha to add glamour and name to the film. But with the success of Dharmendra’s ‘Phool Aur Paththar’’, the producer-director finally signed him with no fears at all.
Post independence, India suffers from terrorist attacks mainly in Assam. The mass destruction of innocent people was hurting all but a few government based people decide to take action against terrorists. A government employee, Salim working in Beirut is shot dead. Sunil Mehra, played by Dharmendra, is sent to take his place. There he meets his ex-flame, Meenakshi Mehta, played by Mala Sinha and Zenab, his admirer. Love once again blossoms between Sunil and Meenakshi.
The terrorist head is Syed, who employs Madame (one of his assistants), played by Lalita Pawar, to spy on Sunil’s dad, Diwan Chand Mehra, and played by Nazir Hussain. Madame lives in Diwan’s house as Mehra’s daughter’s aunt. Madame’s son, Babloo, is held captive by Syed so she has no option but to obey him. Syed is aware of all the developments in Diwan’s home and life. Soon, Syed’s team members, Captain and Doctor X know about Salim and his dad’s intentions to end them. They kidnap Sunil in Beirut. Meenakshi informs Diwan that Sunil has been killed. This news shatters the Diwan.
Meenakshi and Mehmood along with others in Beirut hunt for Sunil, while Diwan catches Madame spying on them, one day. Sunil is found and Madame joins hands with Diwan. Syed and his team is arrested and sent behind bars. The villains are punished and Sunil is married to Meenakshi back in India.
The film’s music and songs were big hits, namely, ‘Tujhko Raakhe Ram, tujhko Allah raakhe’, ‘Milti hain zindagi mein mohabbat’ and so on. The film won Filmfare ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Cinematography’ awards that year. It is a good, patriotic film, worth watching, even today.
