Riding high on the success of Arth (1983), director Mahesh Bhatt followed victory march with yet another off beat film, Saaransh (1994) that shook up the cine-goers and the industry alike. Saaransh was a turning point for the entire industry, which sat up and watched as Mahesh Mahesh Bhatt delivered an offbeat theme with élan that befitted the mainstream cinema.
The Plot : Saaransh is the story of a retired school teacher B.V. Pradhan and his wife Parvati who come to terms with life after the death of their only son who has been killed in New York. Pradhan feels that life is meaningless while Parvati takes refuge in religion. Parvati’s newfound guru has assured her that her son will be re-born very close to her.
In order to overcome their loneliness as well as to supplement Pradhan’s meagre pension, the couple take in a young aspiring actress Sujata as paying guest. Sujata is trying to make it in films but actually hopes to marry her lover Vilas, son of the local small-time politician Gajanan Chitre, who is naturally, against the marriage.
Being not able to come to terms with the death of their only child and overcome with self pity over their hapless situation the old couple decide to end their lives. While on the verge of taking poison, they overhear that Sujata is carrying Vilas’s child and their plans to abort it. Parvati is convinced that this is indeed her son re-born, as predicted by her guru. She persuades Pradhan to intervene and save their son from not only Vilas but also his father, the omnipotent Gajanan Chitre.
Unwilling to break Parvati’s illusion, Pradhan agrees and thus begins the old man’s battle against a corrupt system. Having battled the evil outside, Pradhan sets to battle the evil of disbelief that lurks within Parvati and thereafter suicidal tendency within.
Why watch it? The story is as relevant today as it was two decades ago, this is what makes this film a classic worth watching time and again. The film is worth a watch for Mahesh Bhatt, the ace director has very sensitively handled the issues like old age, corruption and political high handedness. The other reason to watch the film is called Anupam Kher. The then young actor, made his debut as an old retired school teacher and fully justified the role showcasing a perfect debut of an actor. Needless to say, Saaransh was India’s official entry for the 1985 Oscar awards.
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