Is Mod Se Jaate Hain (Aandhi, 1975)

My Rating 8/10
[Work of Art 4/5, Sense of Life 4/5]

Music: R.D. Burman
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Portrayal: Suchitra Sen, Sanjeev Kumar

What else is romance than vying for the highest possibilities – aiming to reach a radiant utopia which serves as a backdrop to the actions of man! Such a backdrop is chosen by Aarti (Suchitra Sen) and J.K. (Sanjeev Kumar) – a backdrop dominated by imposing, blue mountains; sun-bathed, green hills rolling down smoothly to kiss the banks of a shimmering river. It is in this setting, amidst wavering shades of tall trees that the two lovers decide to spend a day of their existence.

Gulzar toasts an intoxicating drink of love – and as splendid artists as Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar were, they, high on love, portray the romance so finely that the audience almost comes to realise why love is an emotional response to one’s highest of values. It is thrilling to watch Suchitra Sen – clad in a saree that flutters in the breeze – hopping down the rolling slopes of the hill, blushing, smiling, stopping only in arms of a beaming Sanjeev Kumar. They tread the slopes and the forest hand-in-hand; they hum and sing, “Is mod se jaate hain kuch sust kadam raste, kuch tez kadam rahein.”

Suchitra Sen passed away recently on January 17, 2014. Considered to be the ‘queen’ of Bengali movies, Sen delivered power-packed performances in Hindi cinema as well. At the peak of her glittering career, she retired to a quiet life in 1979 – not to be seen anymore, not to be reached – perhaps living out her days doing what she liked. Her person is no more, yet her works and her glamour will live on – continuing to provide a peek into some radiant utopia!