Indian Filmmakers normally shy away from taking on subjects which have political overtones as the basic plot of the story. The few films that do hardly manage to do justice to the genre and hence it?s with great trepidation that one approaches movies made on political subjects.
Even so, there have been some movies which have managed to do justice to political dramas. Among these, Gulzar?s Aandhi stands a class apart since not only does it deal effectively with political games of electioneering but also lays bare the emotional conflicts inherent in a game of electioneering, since politics by itself involves mud-slinging and character assassination of rivals and opponents.
Aandhi is the story of a woman (Suchitra Sen) caught between her aspirations of a political career and it?s repercussions on her personal life and the lives of those close to her. It?s a meticulous account of how a life in the public arena can take a toll on personal emotions and make one a refugee among those whom he loves the most.
Gulzar has always been a great story teller and most of his films shine out for their meticulous detail to mundane incidents and the perfect etching out of human relationships. Characterizations in a Gulzar film are second to none in terms of excruciating detail as well as subtle understanding of the interplay of human relationships.
For this film, Gulzar joins hands with an eminent writer, Kamleshwar and the result is sheer magic. Kamleshwar has done an excellent job as the script-writer and it?s to the credit of the writer-director team of Gulzar and Kamleshwar that the film does not degenerate to crass populism.
A combination of Gulzar and Sanjeev Kumar has always been a viewer?s delight. The same combination works wonders in Aandhi too. Sanjeev Kumar is in his element as J. K., the shy and reticent husband of a charismatic mass leader, Arti Devi. In a role which has so many complex undertones, Sanjeev Kumar excels remarkably, and his underplayed and understated performance only proves his versatility and pays tribute to him as one of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema.
J.K’s disgust with politics and overt revulsion to politics is subtly and perfectly put across without recourse to high emotions and drama. The scene where he finally loses his cool in the hotel lobby is one of the best scenes of cold anger portrayed in Hindi cinema.
Suchitra Sen as Arti Devi is simply brilliant. In a role which requires delicate maneuvering, Suchitra Sen lends a quiet dignity and to that end, the viewer feels the hurt and suffering her character undergoes in return for the political success her character yearns for. The scene where she is reunited with J. K but still cannot acknowledge her relationship with him is a case for study for all who aspire to emote with eyes.
Om Prakash and Rehman excel in their roles while A K Hangal brings a sweet and refreshing change to his role of Kaka. Om Shiv Puri as the wily opponent is fabulous and the film does have it?s share of moments which show the moral regression of the political class.
R D Burman proves his mettle as a composer with three soulful ballads and even the election song is one of it?s kind in Indian Cinema. One of the most interesting aspects of this movie are the song picturisations, especially the song ?Tere bina Zindagi Se Koi Shikwa to Nahi? shot in night in a ruins of a fort. The ruined fort symbolizes the extent of destabilization in the relationship of the two chief protagonists due to the difference in the viewpoints of the spouses.
In all, a classic to be seen and watched time and again.