Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972 film)
| Mere Jeevan Saathi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ravikant Nagaich |
| Written by | Prem Manik[1] |
| Produced by | Devar |
| Starring | Rajesh Khanna Tanuja |
| Cinematography | Ravikant Nagaich |
| Edited by | Bimal Roy |
| Music by | R. D. Burman |
Release date | 29 September 1972 |
Running time | 142 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Mere Jeevan Saathi (My Life Partner) is a 1972 Indian film produced by Harish and Vinod Shah. It is directed by Ravikant Nagaich, and it stars Rajesh Khanna, Tanuja, Sujit Kumar, Bindu, Helen,[2] Utpal Dutt, Nazir Hussain and Rajindranath. The movie was made at the height of Rajesh Khanna's popularity and craze. It was the second movie of Rajesh Khanna with Tanuja after the blockbuster Haathi Mere Saathi (1971). Although the movie was an average grosser upon its release and received ambivalent reviews from viewers and critics but the soundtrack and songs became very popular and are evergreen. "O Mere Dil Ke Chain" and "Chala Jata Hoon" are still very famous Kishore Kumar melodies from this film.
Plot
Prakash (Rajesh Khanna) a son of a rich father (K. N. Singh) wants to be an artist. His father challenges him to earn a single meal from his profession. He accepts the challenge and leaves his father's house but his paintings fail to attract any interest. He meets Kamini (Helen) who introduces him to the world of glamour. He changes his painting style to suit modern demands. Jyoti (Tanuja) an eye doctor arrives in Bombay from London, meets a gifted painter and falls in love. But Kamini calls at Prakash's home one day, drunk only to be seen by Jyoti in full flirtatious mode. She storms off and although Prakash asks Kamini to leave immediately Jyoti spurns his attempts to reconcile. But a feigned suicide attempt succeeds in a reconciliation and Prakash proposes. Jyoti's father (Nazir Hussain) visits Prakash but is displeased with his paintings of the female form and considers rejecting the marriage proposal but he is soon won over by Prakash's altruistic nature.
Prakash is involved in a car accident only to be found by Kamini.She takes him home and becomes a virtual prisoner in her care. She sends Jyoti a telegram informing her of Prakash's death. When the bandages on Prakash's face are removed he discovers that he is blind. Meanwhile Jyoti is wooed by Vinod (Sujit Kumar), who seems to speaks the same words as Prakash who continues to live in her heart. Kamini takes Prakash horse riding to try and win his heart but he tries to escape and hides. In her search among the rocks Kamini falls off the mountain side and dies. Prakash makes his way to the road and is eventually picked up by Vinod. He takes Prakash to his father's house to learn that his father died a month before. Vinod takes Prakash to his own home where his family help him recuperate. Vinod goes to the hospital and asks Jyoti to visit his family home, where a friend is in need of eye care. But before she can see Prakash, she leaves after Vinod's parents pressure her to become their future daughter-in-law. She arrives home to discover that her father has suffered a heart attack. He urges her to marry Vinod. Prakash attends the engagement celebration, where he is asked to sing. Jyoti sees him through her tears.
Vinod calls Jyoti to say that he is sending his friend to her eye hospital. Prakash and Jyoti reconcile and Prakash undergoes eye surgery. While recuperating, Vinod overhears them in the garden. Both men are tormented, Vinod that he has lost his love and Prakash by the thought of this loss for someone who saved him. Although Prakash promises to leave Vinod attacks him. A Just as Vinod is about to kill Prakash, his father shoots him in the leg. The film ends with Prakash and Jyoti's wedding celebration.
Cast
- Rajesh Khanna as Prakash
- Tanuja as Dr. Jyoti
- Sujit Kumar as Captain Vinod
- Bindu as Kamal
- Helen as Kamini
- Sulochana Latkar as Captain Vinod's Mother
- Utpal Dutt as Retired Colonel (Captain Vinod's Father)
- Nazir Hussain as Lalaji (Jyoti's Father)
- K. N. Singh as Seth Govindram (Prakash's Father)
- Brahmachari
Reception
The 2013 review by The Hindu newspaper said: "You could watch the movie for some superb music as only R.D. Burman could have conjured and delivered, film after film, especially if it involved the irrepressible Rajesh Khanna." A religious number, "Apno Ko Kab Hey Ram" and the playful "Chala Jata Hoon Kisi Ki Dhun Mein" strike different notes to prove the versatility of Kishore Kumar, who is at his liveliest in "O Mere Dil Ke Chain" and "Diwana Kar Ke Chodoge" with Lata Mangeshkar. It commands plenty of nostalgic appeals even in present times.[3]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by R. D. Burman and lyrics were by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The soundtrack by R. D. Burman continues to be popular even today.The songs "O Mere Dil Ke Chain", "Deewana Leke Aaya Hai" and "Chala Jaata Hoon", all sung by Kishore Kumar are still very popular. It's said that R. D. Burman was haunted by the tune of "Chala Jaata Hoon" in his dreams. Rajesh Khanna initially did not approve "O Mere Dil Ke Chain", but when director Ravikant Nagaich told to R. D. Burman, he went with the harmonium in Rajesh Khanna's room and came back after 15 minutes saying Khanna had approved the tune.
| Song | Singer |
|---|---|
| "Deewana Karke Chhodoge Lagta Hai Yun Humko" | Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar |
| "Chala Jaata Hoon" | Kishore Kumar |
| "O Mere Dil Ke Chain" | Kishore Kumar |
| "Deewana Leke Aaya Hai" | Kishore Kumar |
| "Aao Kanhaai Mere Dhaam" | Kishore Kumar |
| "Kitne Sapne Kitne Armaan" | Kishore Kumar |
| "Aao Na, Gale Laga Lo Na" | Asha Bhosle |
| "Mere Jeevan Saathi" | R. D. Burman |
References
- ^ "Mere Jeevan Saathi". IMDb.
- ^ Gulzar; Nihalani, Govind; Chatterjee, Saibal (2003). Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Popular Prakashan. p. 582. ISBN 978-81-7991-066-5. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ^ Lokapally, Vijay (9 May 2013). "Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)". The Hindu.
External links
- Mere Jeevan Saathi at IMDb
- Watch film on YouTube (in Hindi) (with English subtitles)