Jeevan Dhaara

Jeevan Dhaara is the story of Sangeeta Shrivastav, a young, smart and decisive girl. Sangeeta is the sole breadwinner of her extended family, which includes a helpless mother, an unemployed, alcoholic brother, a widowed sister, a sister in-law, and three kids, one of whom is blind. Sangeeta is already 25, she is in daily struggles with her life and she is longing for the day on which she will tie the knot. However, she knows that circumstances force her to remain unmarried and take care of the family, which was abandoned by her father. Sangeeta is the true man in the house and she is known for her tough and no-nonsense attitude with the members of the family, particularly with the kids. She is strict and uncompromising, but everyone knows that beneath this heavy mask lies a very vulnerable and kind soul. She sacrifices her own happiness by letting any incidental chances to get married and form her own family pass by.

Jeevan Dhaara is quite authentic in its depiction, though the pacing is a bit slow from time to time and I would delete a few unnecessary scenes. The writing is good but at times it has a bit depressing mood to it, though it has its occasional joyful moments. The film's main sub-plot with Sangeeta's friend Kalpana, played by Simple Kapadia and her affair with her mother's lover is quite effective. Rama Rao Tanineni's direction is pretty good, and the music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal is appropriate. The acting is good. Jeevan Dhaara is Rekha's film all the way, and she is thoroughly compelling and moving as she always is, though this is clearly not one of her best parts. She manages to draw the audience's sympathy even though her character is quite unlikable. Raj Babbar is average as her alcoholic brother, and Amol Palekar is fantastic as usual.

Jeevan Dhaara is a nice dramatic feature, it is simple, issue-based, and though I wouldn't call it a particularly great film, it is interesting and watchable mainly due to Rekha's beautiful portrayal.