Comments on: Revisiting: Gulzar’s Aandhi (1975)

By: Sujoy

Sujoy — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:18:39 +0000

Could you please elaborate on the strong sound change bit.. I couldn’t understand exactly what you meant.
The night scene was shot in daytime and then post-production work was done, because it was shot at Nalanda University which is the most ancient University in recorded history. I believe they did not have the permission to shoot it in the day. And as the film’s premise demanded Suchitra Sen to be a very busy politician who would only have some time for leisure in the night, the setting had to be changed in the post production..

Yeah, their daughter is in Shimla, [ I guess studying ] so during that short period of stay, she wasn’t being shown. But why does that count as a weakness, err.. I’m confused.
I’m sorry that you are (half) disappointed with the experience, but am glad you loved Suchitra Sen’s performance and RD Burman’s music.

Thanks for the comment. Hope you check out the other posts and you are welcome to comment on any thing you find worth commenting. Cheerio!

By: henrik

henrik — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:04:31 +0000

Agreed that Suchitra Sen left a towering impression as old and young lady (partly reminding of another, newer, Bengali actress, Rituparna Sengupta) and that the songs are lovely (even with me not understanding Hindi). But technically, i thought Aandhi has many weaknesses:
- strong changes in sound in mid-scene
- the “night scene” at the ruins mostly filmed at daytime, with a few confusing switches to night time footage
- their daughter never seen
This and some more added up to a half-disappointing experience.

By: Avni Jain

Avni Jain — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:35:52 +0000

Aandhi is for sure one of the best films based on Indian politics. You are absolutely right. It did take a lot of balls to make this movie, especially during the period of emergency. I love Suchitra Sen’s portrayal of aarti Devi.

I hope you understand Bengali. Would want your views on Saptapadi, if you can get hold of it.

By: theBollywoodFan

theBollywoodFan — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:19:37 +0000

I had no idea those songs were in this film! Thank you for your writeup. It’s on my list to get next. And I can completely relate to your views on re-watching a film with a mature mindset. Try seeing some Guru Dutt films now!

@Bhargav: Have fun in India!

By: bollywooddeewana

bollywooddeewana — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:21:22 +0000

I second Bhargav’s thoughts on Teri bina zindagi hai koi, that song has been in my head ever since i heard it and it makes me want to watch the film, such a pity its not readily available in the Uk, i’ll have to go through arms and lenghts to get a classic like this, which i don’t mind

By: Bhargav Saikia

Bhargav Saikia — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:11:27 +0000

Congrats on the 100th post!

I really need to watch all these brilliant oldie flicks. Will do that once I get back to India next week. Gulzar’s films would be a good start, isn’t it?

P.S. That song, Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi, is so so beautiful! Gulzar rocks, seriously! Brilliant lyrics.