Aandhi

Aandhi is a 1975 Bollywood drama film directed by Gulzar, starring Suchitra Sen, Sanjeev Kumar, and Om Shivpuri. The movie is a poignant story of a woman's journey through love, politics, and her own self-discovery.

The film's opening sequence sets the tone of the movie with a powerful background score and captivating visuals of a woman walking amidst the ruins of an ancient fort. The central character of the movie is Aarti Devi, a strong and independent woman who's seeking to revive her acting career after a hiatus.

Aarti Devi's life takes a turn when she gets embroiled in a political affair and becomes the target of malicious media reports. Her reputation is tarnished, and she's forced to take a sabbatical from her acting career, leading her to introspect on her life's choices.

The movie's narrative oscillates between Aarti's past and present. Through Aarti's memories, we learn about her past romance with JK, a young hotelier from Kolkata. They both fall in love, but their relationship is cut short by their ideological differences. They part ways, and Aarti moves on with her life while JK dedicates his life to political activism.

In the present, Aarti meets JK, again after many years, during a train journey. The two engage in a philosophical debate about love, life, and politics. Through their conversation, it's clear that they still harbor feelings for each other, but their ideological differences continue to haunt them.

Aarti's relationship with her estranged husband, J.K. Roy, a politician, is also explored in the movie. The tension between them is palpable, and their conflicts are steeped in politics. Through their relationship, the movie highlights the societal pressure on women to conform to their traditional gender roles.

The movie's acting performances are stellar, and Suchitra Sen's portrayal of Aarti Devi is worth mentioning. Her character is nuanced, and she successfully oscillates between her past and present selves. Sanjeev Kumar's performance as JK is equally impressive, and he brings depth and complexity to the character.

The film's music by R.D. Burman is one of the highlights of the movie, and the songs are soulful and melodious. 'Tere Bina Zindagi Se' and 'Is Mod Se Jate Hain' are standout tracks that have become iconic over the years.

Aandhi is a powerful movie that addresses love, politics, and gender expectations in a nuanced and sensitive way. It's a poignant story of a woman's journey of self-discovery and the societal pressures that surround her. The film's direction, acting performances, and music come together to create a cinematic masterpiece that has withstood the test of time.