Pakeezah (1972)
My head is swimming with things to say about this movie, but I don't know where to begin. I think the songs will be a good place to start, so here we go.
'Chalte Chalte' is one of my favourite songs of all time- on some days, it is my favourite song ever. I can never get tired of listening to it, appreciating its music, its lyrics, its ending. Then there's 'Mausam Hai Ashiqana', which apart from being the biggest mood this lockdown season, is also the biggest mood for missing your sweet and lovely girlfriend in any season. Speaking of lockdown (I am so angsty about it, it's like teenage all over again honestly), 'Chalo Dildar Chalo' really be hitting different in 2020- need I say more than "zindagi khatam bhi ho jaaye magar, na kabhi khatam ho ulfat ka safar"? Who writes like this, my god? 'Najariya ki Maari' is another gem- and anyway, these are only 4 of my personal favourites from a soundtrack that is full of sheer brilliance. These songs were my first introduction to Pakeezah, and I can't believe I procrastinated watching this movie for so long, considering how much I love the music.
This movie is supposed to be Kamal Amrohi's great tribute to Meena Kumari, on par with Shah Jahan building Taj Mahal for Mumtaz Mahal. And well, since it turned out to be her last movie ever, the comparison is all the more fitting. Pakeezah is one of those movies that are so visually spectacular, that you make plans to rewatch it while you're watching it for the first time. The colours, the clothes (designed by Meena herself afsxfjsja what a multi-talented queen), and the lighting- all of them elevate each other, and intensify the emotions being portrayed on screen. There was nothing overtly overwhelming about the acting- rather, it was subtle enough to allow your emotions to build up to breaking point (I'm talking about the nikaah scene), leaving you with a futile wish that the movie had ended with the song 'Chalo Dildar Chalo'.
As much as I loved Meena Kumari, the real star of the show for me was Raaj Kumar. I could not take my eyes off of him for even a second. The way Salim looks at Sahibjaan, my god. THE WAY HE TALKS TO HER. There can never be a love story like this, ever again.
Also, Meena Kumari's voice reading out Nargis' letter to Shahabuddin has more tragedy and depth than anything I can think of. I mean, I can't even come up with an appropriate comparison- to compare her to a man-child would be doing a great disservice to her art. And that's the tea.
Now, I'm going to make a list (in no particular order) of my five most favourite scenes that made did things to my poor little heart. Why, you ask? Well, because this is my "review" of Pakeezah, that's why.
1. Shahabuddin (Ashok Kumar) walking away from Nargis' (Meena Kumari) grave.
2. Salim's (Raaj Kumar) monologue when he's trying to remind Sahibjaan (Meena Kumari) of her identity.
3. Sahibjaan's first performance in the movie, to the song 'Inhin Logon Ne'.
4. Sahibjaan's final performance in the movie, to the song 'Teer-E-Nazar'.
5. The nikaah scene.
In conclusion, this is a must-watch: one of the very best of Indian cinema, in every way possible.
'Chalte Chalte' is one of my favourite songs of all time- on some days, it is my favourite song ever. I can never get tired of listening to it, appreciating its music, its lyrics, its ending. Then there's 'Mausam Hai Ashiqana', which apart from being the biggest mood this lockdown season, is also the biggest mood for missing your sweet and lovely girlfriend in any season. Speaking of lockdown (I am so angsty about it, it's like teenage all over again honestly), 'Chalo Dildar Chalo' really be hitting different in 2020- need I say more than "zindagi khatam bhi ho jaaye magar, na kabhi khatam ho ulfat ka safar"? Who writes like this, my god? 'Najariya ki Maari' is another gem- and anyway, these are only 4 of my personal favourites from a soundtrack that is full of sheer brilliance. These songs were my first introduction to Pakeezah, and I can't believe I procrastinated watching this movie for so long, considering how much I love the music.
This movie is supposed to be Kamal Amrohi's great tribute to Meena Kumari, on par with Shah Jahan building Taj Mahal for Mumtaz Mahal. And well, since it turned out to be her last movie ever, the comparison is all the more fitting. Pakeezah is one of those movies that are so visually spectacular, that you make plans to rewatch it while you're watching it for the first time. The colours, the clothes (designed by Meena herself afsxfjsja what a multi-talented queen), and the lighting- all of them elevate each other, and intensify the emotions being portrayed on screen. There was nothing overtly overwhelming about the acting- rather, it was subtle enough to allow your emotions to build up to breaking point (I'm talking about the nikaah scene), leaving you with a futile wish that the movie had ended with the song 'Chalo Dildar Chalo'.
As much as I loved Meena Kumari, the real star of the show for me was Raaj Kumar. I could not take my eyes off of him for even a second. The way Salim looks at Sahibjaan, my god. THE WAY HE TALKS TO HER. There can never be a love story like this, ever again.
Also, Meena Kumari's voice reading out Nargis' letter to Shahabuddin has more tragedy and depth than anything I can think of. I mean, I can't even come up with an appropriate comparison- to compare her to a man-child would be doing a great disservice to her art. And that's the tea.
Now, I'm going to make a list (in no particular order) of my five most favourite scenes that made did things to my poor little heart. Why, you ask? Well, because this is my "review" of Pakeezah, that's why.
1. Shahabuddin (Ashok Kumar) walking away from Nargis' (Meena Kumari) grave.
2. Salim's (Raaj Kumar) monologue when he's trying to remind Sahibjaan (Meena Kumari) of her identity.
3. Sahibjaan's first performance in the movie, to the song 'Inhin Logon Ne'.
4. Sahibjaan's final performance in the movie, to the song 'Teer-E-Nazar'.
5. The nikaah scene.
In conclusion, this is a must-watch: one of the very best of Indian cinema, in every way possible.
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