Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah star as Sudha and Mahinder, a separated couple who meet unexpectedly at a deserted railway station after years spent apart. The film follows their long conversation into the night and moves from present developments into flashbacks from the past as they recall together their days as a married couple and try to figure what went wrong with their relationship other than the impetuous Maya, Mahinder's past love whose reappearance was making Sudha highly insecure. This brings forth a whole world of new understnadings as they realise everything could have been different and what they had missed out on.
Ijaazat is a true slice of life - the story is affecting, and the emotional impact is haunting. Yes, the basics are somewhat similar to another classic by Gulzar, namely Aandhi, and Ijaazat is equally effective. This is just another superb piece of storytelling - a film that is subtle, realistic, poetic, and which manages to tug at the heartstrings in every turn as we always care about the characters, connect to them, and relate to their story. The conversational and serene narrative style might not appeal to everybody, but I found it highly engaging and was constantly captivated by the film's depth and development.
The film's stark realism is matched by extraordinarily realistic acting. The story is clearly written in Sudha's perspective, and Rekha, in one of her most nuanced and natural performances, does a highly convincing job of portraying her many shades. Hers is a true portrait of strength and maturity. Naseeruddin Shah can hardly go wrong and he is excellent in this compassionate performance. Without taking anything away from the effective work of the two leads, it is Anuradha Patel, in the role of the mysterious and spirited Maya, who gives the film its dramatic urgency and a great part of its poetic tone. Her amazing visage, including the melancholic glimmer of expectation in her expressive eyes, is a sight to behold. She is fascinating.
R. D. Burman's soundtrack for Ijaazat is one of my all-time favourite, and it gives life to the classic that this film already is. The songs are exceptionally composed and written, and their tunes and lyrics resonate in mind. Asha Bhosle, the only singer assigned to the score, is the voice of the film, and who could be a better choice if not her? Every number is performed to perfection, with Bhosle's sharp, soulful and divine voice making them much more impactive than they would have been had someone else sung them. The biggest achievement is their situational relevance within the story which enhances the narrative. "Katra Katra" and "Mera Kuchh Saaman", some of the greatest songs of Hindi music in my opinion, come at the right moments and give so much more meaning to the proceedings. Not to mention the closing gem "Chhoti Si Kahani Se" - oh what a maestro Burman was, and what a perfect and winning combination he formed with Gulzar and Bhosle - out of this world. Just like this film is.
