Mahesh Bhatt, A very talented director, unfortunately became popular for his commercially hit directed movies of 1990s and written movies of 2000s based on Hollywood lifted stories has directed classic semi-artistic cinemas in early 1980s. He is the same person who made movies like Saaransh and Arth in early 1980s, and commercial hits like Jurm, Awaargi, Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Sir, Sadak, Gumraah, Criminal, and Zakham in late 1980s and 1990s.
Arth (1982) is serious, realistically treated, human relationship drama. It is story of woman who comes to know about her husband’s extra marital affair, how she deals with it, and how she understands real meaning of the relationships.
Story
On surface, Mrs. Pooja Malhotra (Shabana Azmi), an orphan by birth and Her husband Inder Malhotra (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), film advertising director and executive, are typical suburban happy married couple. But, Puja is facing a crisis. Her husband has thrown away his rather secure job. They have to vacate the company’s flat. Later, much to Pooja’s surprise Inder provides her with a spacious flat and lot more money for interior decoration.
Pooja now is a picture of contentment and totally fulfilled human being. Soon, this secure world of Pooja is once again threatened by something much bigger - Inder is involved passionately with a film actress Kavita Sanyal (Smita Patil). Kavita unlike other mistress is unashamed to state her demands. She wants Inder for herself - She wants marriage and children. The situation much against Inder’s wishes is pushed to the point of choice. Inder chooses Kavita.
Pooja goes through a harrowing phase after her husband leaves her. She even walks out of the house when she learns that it was in fact bought by Kavita’s money. She is back on streets helpless, vulnerable trying to live fresh life on her own.
As luck would have it, she meets a charming young man Raj (Raj Kiran), a struggling GAZAL singer who helps her find a job and above all her lost dignity. In the mean time, Kavaita tormented with the guilt of wrecking Pooja’s home has a nervous breakdown - the relationship between her and Inder reaches a inevitable doom. Kavita refuse to marry to Inder and throw him out of her house. Broken Inder comes to Pooja to make fresh start. Much to his surprise, she refuses. She is no longer a dependent woman. In the final sequence, Pooja brushes aside the help extended by Raj, who is by now in love with her. At last, she refuses to accept any illusions of dependence in the society created by man.
Analysis
Arth is based on one of most fatal marital issues - An extra-marital affair. Beauty of this movie is even though it talks about complex issues, it is one of most down the earth movies - A slow paced simple story, excellent screenplay, well-drawn characters, beautiful ghazals, wonderfully acted, and artistically directed. This is one of movie, where you don’t have any villains. You will have special feelings for all four characters. Of course, because of what happens to Puja, you will have special feelings for her. At the same time, you will have sympathy for Raj, Inder, and Kavita.
Screenplay is best thing happened to this movie. There are many unforgettable scenes I can recall. If you ask 10 people, all will have different answers for their favorite scenes in the movie. Some of them are - Inder’s telling truth to Puja about Kavita, Inder and Kavita’s passionate relationship, Puja’s confrontation with Kavita when they meet first time in the party, Puja and Inder’s physically violent confrontation when Inder tells Puja whose house it is, Puja’s servant confronts Kavita at her house, Puja Signs divorce paper on her birthday and meets Raj later at night for one of beautiful gift of her life - A self esteem, A job offer, Puja sees Kavita to console her, Raj and Puja’s final conversation about how he changed her life, and how she prefers to live alone and many more.
My Most favorite scene of the movie comes at the end of the movie. When Broken Inder comes to Pooja to make fresh start. Puja asks him ‘‘would you accept me, if I would have done same to you.’’ Inder replies - ’’No.’’ and Puja says - ’’Good Night.’’ As a viewer, this is most satisfying moment in the movie for me. You feel like she already realized real ARTH of her relationship with Inder and don’t want to get hurt again in future.
Arth’s music is composed by one of great modern ghazal badshah - Jagjit singh. Jagjit singh composed memorable ghazals for this film - Jukhi Jukhi Si Nazar, Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye, Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, Tere Khushboo Mein Base Khat, and Too Nahin To Zindagi Mein Aur Kya Reha Jayega. These are still favorites among Ghazal lovers. They are well blended by Mahesh Bhatt along with story and screenplay. My favorite ghazals of this film are - Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye (This is one my most favorite filmy ghazals along with Tere Khushboo Mein Base Khat). Best part of Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye Ghazal in the movie is its placement. It changes mood and sets the pace of the movie forever. Raj, a aspire artist sings this ghazal in the party, which reflects trauma in Puja’s mind while watching Inder and Kavita together first time in her life.
This movie belongs to none other than fabulous Shabana Azmi. There is no need of explaining her talent. She is one of most talented actresses we had in 80s working for directors with bold concepts. Emotions displayed by her throughout the movie are simple and believable. She deserved your concentration on her while she was on screen. Smita Patil acted very well in her small yet very effective role. She played mentally insecure, very disturbed, violent actress, who sets gloomy mood throughout the movie.
In 1980-82, Kulbhushan Kharbanda was at the pinnacle of his career. He was playing very effective character roles and worked on prestigious projects with great directors including Yash Chopra’s Silsila, Raj Kapoor’s Prem Rog, Shyam Benegal’s Kalyug, and Ramesh Sippy’s Shaan. But, Inder of Arth is best among all characters he played throughout his career. He displayed amazing stability as confused husband who loves his wife but still attracted to other woman.
Conclusion
Arth is one of those semi-art and semi-commercial movies released in late 70s and early 80s by talented directors like Govind Nihlani and Shyam Benegal. Arth contains very strong emotional marital message with some superlative performances, tight knit story, and well-written screenplay. A definitive classic and must see for mature viewers out there. Go rent this one, enjoy with your honey, and understand the real “ARTH” of marital relationship.