Satyam Shivam Sundaram review :
Known mainly for Zeenat Aman's abundant skin exposure, the legendary Raj Kapoors Satyam Shivam Sundaram (SSS) is actually an intense philosophical look at the pristine soul beyond the ordinary body. Raj Saahab explains the theme in the opening scene itself where he talks about faith and devotion in an idol which may appear to be a piece of rock to an atheist.
Some say Raj Kapoor got the idea in the 1950s from his favourite singer Lata Mangeshkar who had a divine voice but was not particularly beautiful face. The basic idea of inner beauty vs physical body stayed with him for decades and finally, in late '70s, he decided to translate his vision on screen.
Surprisingly, Zeenat Aman was not the first choice and Raj Saahab had Hema Malini as well as Vidya Sinha in mind. Zeenat literally grabbed the coveted role by dressing up as the village belle Roopa and directly landing up at RK Studios, Chembur to stun Raj Kapoor who instantly signed her.
Satyam Shivam Sundaram remains Zeenat's career best performance though she got her share of criticism for exposing without any inhibitions. In one scene, her breasts are clearly visible yet the Censors were liberal to pass the film without a single cut.
Shashi Kapoor was earnest as Rajeev, the civil engineer who visits a village on duty and falls in love with a beautiful voice whose face he hasnt seen till he marries her. The girl is Roopa (Zeenat) who had burnt a part of her face in childhood and on seeing her, Rajeev shuns her..
Raj Kapoor's collaboration with Laxmikant Pyarelal yielded some excellent music and the duo won the Filmfare award that year. Radhu Karmakar also took home the best cinematographer award that year.
The social drama was released with lot of fanfare at Mumbai's prestigious Metro Cinema. The star studded premiere at Metro had the entire Kapoor family standing at the entrance welcoming their guests for the evening. The film wasn't a big hit commercially but didn't burn a hole in Raj Saahab's pocket like his magnum opus Mera Naam Joker (1970) did.
Satyam Shivam Sundaram is one of my favorite Raj Kapoor film after Shree 420 (1955) and Mera Naam Joker (1970). Only a legend like him can make such an aesthetic piece of work without stepping the line of vulgarity. Kudos!
Regards,
Sumeet Nadkarni.
