Arzoo

As Bollywood love stories go this is certainly one of finest from the '60's - pleasant, colourful, thoughtful, and although mainly studio-bound has some splendid location shots. It has everything expected - a solid melodrama with a well constructed plot some beautiful music. And all without the hype, pomp and panache that is so necessary today.

After some initial friction on a holiday flight to Kashmir newly qualified doctor Gopal played by the chunky Rajendra Kumar falls in love with Usha played by the photogenic Sadhana. They have a romantic and languid courtship before a disaster kicks in and Gopal has to leg it, or as he later puts it, "run away". Meanwhile the otherwise extremely understanding father of Usha is planning on marrying her to Gopal's best friend the wishful Ramesh… It gradually gets more emotionally fraught unravelling to a tumultuous climax of self-sacrifices from all parties: lovers, brother, sister, friend, parents. Of course, this has been covered almost endlessly by Bollywood over the decades but seldom bettered, and with such fabulous scenery too. The music by Shankar-Jaikishan with the poetry by Jaipuri is the icing on the cake, especially beautiful were Aji Rooth Kar Ab Kahan Jaiyega and the wistful Bedardi Balma Tujhko both sung by Lata and Jab Ishq Kahin by Asha – although the then "modern" sequences have dated the most as usual; Rafi was especially caressing with Ae Phoolon Ki Rani. Although I personally would have been satisfied with less of the hip saxophone blasts throughout the movie!

Is love or prejudice triumphant? In the film there is an emphatic, even ridiculous answer to that - but I recommend a watch because you wouldn't believe me if I told you: it's an excellent old-fashioned time filler, a melodramatic roller-coaster ride through some lovely countryside and lovely tunes.