Amar Prem (1972)

Well Deserved Praise

I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Amar Prem is a film directed by Shakti Samanta which is itself a remake of a Bengali film Nishi Padma. This film stars Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna, Om Prakash, Bindu, Vinod Mehra and a host of other actors. This film is considered as one of a classics till today. It was also famous for the Rajesh-Sharmila pair up. At first seeing the title, I thought it was a romantic film (seeing the name 'Amar Prem' meaning eternal love). But I didn't know that love could be depicted in this way a s shown in the film. And I had a great time watching this film.Plot: Pushpa is thrown into the world of prostitution after being thrown out of home by her mother and husband. There she finds happiness in Anand Babu (one of her customers) and Nandu (one of the children recently shifted to the neighborhood).Story and Direction: Like they say 'Old is Gold'. This film clearly justifies the statement. When I first heard the film, I just knew very little about it. But whoever saw this film has sung praises about it. So I decided let me give it a shot. And. O My God, I was impressed with each and every thing in the film. I thought at first that this was a Rajesh Khanna film. But no it is the story of Pushpa. At the time, when heroes dominated the cinema world, a story having a female protagonist was very rare. Every aspect is very nicely shown. From Anand Babu's frustration about his marriage to people seeing prostitutes as someone not fitting in a normal society. Also there is a scene where some mud from the prostitute's house is mixed with the clay by which Lord Durga's murti is made (according to the maker, it is considered auspicious). So beautifully the contrasting views of 2 different sects of the society. Also, the relations between Nandu and her step-mother and Pushpa is shown with reality. The climax was also justified in every way.Performances: Sharmila was very good as Pushpa. She emoted the scenes in a very nice way. Rajesh Khanna, who dons a more supporting character in this film was also great. Om Prakash does a really good comic act for the amount of time he is in the film. Bindu was also good as the (evil) step mother. Vinod Mehra appearing in the final scenes of the film also left an impact.Music: R D Burman creates some very good music in the film. All of the song are hummable and remembered all through the centuries. My favorites would be 'Raina Beet Jaye' and 'Chingaari Jo Bhadke'.Favorite Scene: Every scene where Anand says 'Pushpa, I hate tears' is my awww moment. There are 3 scenes in the entire film where the dialogue was said. Also the climax where Anand stands up for Pushpa was great.Final Verdict: Amar Prem satisfied me in every way. when I finished the film, I understood why this classic is still revered. I couldn't fault this film in any way. Any person who loves Indian films, this film is a must watch.I give it a full score of 10.

Amar Prem will go down in history as one of the best Indian films ever made. It is superbly directed by Shakti Shamantha (his best effort).The film takes a look at how society views women who have been forced into the sex trade. Their sensitivities, insecurities etc., are so beautifully touched upon.The music of the film is by R.D Buraman, a Kaka favorite. All the songs are gems. Specially the "Chingari koi badke" song.Sharmila tagore has mentioned how Kaka had so masterfully performed in this song in the very limited space they had i.e in a small boat.It is a lifetime role for sharmila tagore & she makes full use of it. She surely deserved the national award & it is a wonder how she missed it.The supporting star cast of Madan Puri, Vinod Mehra & Om Prakash are adequate.Coming to the hero of the film, the eternal superstar Rajesh khanna. He was at his zenith when this film released.It was reported that when the film crew asked for police permission to shoot the "Chingari koi badke" song near the howrah bridge, the police denied permission stating that they would not be able to control the crowds & that the bridge may collapse. Eventually, the song was shot in a studio set. Such was the popularity Rajesh commanded.In spite of his super stardom, as is his wont, he did not think twice about accepting this role knowing fully well that this film centers around the heroine. The beauty is he comes out unscathed. He looks handsome in his Bengali dhoti & underplays superbly. The end scenes specially show kaka at his best.Definitely a film which comes in the top 3 of kaka's films & eternally loved by Rajesh khanna fans.Watch it over & over again. You will never feel bored.

Heartwarming is a word which would best describe Shakti Samanta's Amar Prem. The film is about love, humanity, compassion, and how all these terms are condemned by the cruel society of those times. This is the story of Pushpa, a young woman who runs away from her husband's house after the latter marries again and starts abusing her. She is later brought to a brothel in Calcutta by her village-uncle. There she starts singing while all the passers-by walk and get enchanted by her voice. That's her new job, and there she meets Mr Anand, a young bitter and unhappily married man whose wife does not even care about. Another man from the same village she comes from named Sharma resides close to Pushpa's house. There she meets the little boy Nandu, Sharma's son from his first deceased wife, who is maltreated by his stepmother while his father is at work. A great relationship grows between Pushapa and Anand, and even a greater mother-son relationship grows between Pushapa and Nandu. But the cruel society won't leave it at that.Amar Prem is a melodramatic movie, but it is a beautiful and sincere melodrama, not a clichéd one. The relationships in this movie are superbly portrayed, my favourite relationship being the one between Pushapa and Nandu. Samanta uses symbolism to illustrate the story. The film is good in writing, dialogues, music and acting. RD Burman's music never disappoints. Where acting goes, this is Sharmila Tagore's movie and she kind of reprises her role in Aradhana, that of a selfless and caring woman, who epitomises Indian feminine beauty. She is indeed beautiful and convincing throughout the movie. Rajesh Khanna is excellent as Anand and does particularly well in the film's final sequences. The child actor who plays Nandu is wonderful. Vinod Mehra does very well as the older Nandu. Amar Prem is a worthy film. It is both moving and enjoyable, and should be a real cinematic treat for lovers of classic Hindi cinema.

This movie has showed me what is true love. It reminds me of an essay by Krishanmurthy how love is not jealousy, not possession or control over each other not just companionship. Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore had unconditional love. Movie is free of love among blood relationships.Movie scores century in every area weather it is acting, script, direction or music. Songs in movie not just entertains us but take movie to a new height. Both Rajesh and Sharmila has done a great job.After Anand this is Rajesh Khanna's best acting at the end of movie i had tears in my eyes.