Writer/Director: Yash Chopra
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Rekha
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore all the movies that he has made in his career. However, “Silsila” is his most underrated work. Released in 1981, Yash Chopra’s film offered a strong portrait of extra-martial affairs. Packed with stunning production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who portrays a husband in a doomed marriage that faces tension. Ultimately, what makes “Silsila” a Bollywood classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films made during the 1980’s that are outdated, it has aged beautifully. A captivating Bollywood classic about extra-marital affairs, there’s many strong reasons why “Silsila” is a film worth watching.
“Silsila” tells the story of a playwright that engages in an extra-marital affair causing trauma in India. Amitabh Bachchan plays Amit, a passionate playwright stuck in an unhappy marriage. After his brother’s sad death leaves wife Shoba (Jaya Bachchan) a widow, Amit makes decisions to marry her out of sorrow. However, Amit’s life forever changes when a former flame enters his life causing disaster. Chandni (Rekha) is a bold woman that has long had strong feelings of love for Amit. Engaging in an extra-martial affair, Amit faces feelings of despair. Torn between his former lover and devoted wife, Amit questions what he wants to do with his life. Facing damage, Amit wonders whether he can save his marriage.
Yash Chopra is fascinated with themes of romance in India. A fantastic Bollywood filmmaker, Chopra has often made strong movies about romantic relationships that endure disaster. His classic movie “Kabhi Kabhie” offered powerful portrait of lovers engaging in romance over many years that face adversity. With “Silsila”, however, the filmmaker made his first ever extra-martial affair drama. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture extra-martial affairs in a traditional country but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Chopra captures a playwright on a journey to find his identity. Chopra effectively use montages to capture hardships faced by men in broken marriage in India. For instance, montages elevate the meetings scene. During this heartfelt scene, Amit has secret meetings with Chandni that are without knowledge of his wife. Through montages, Chopra creates a strong portrait of marriage that’s engaging. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay” proved, montages elevate Bollywood western movies. That being said, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Chopra captures tension that men in broken marriages are facing.
Another aspect of “Silsila” which deserves recognition is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood movies you will ever see. Chopra has always had an aptitude for constructing musical sequences in his films, and “Silsila” is no exception. Chopra effectively employs cross-cutting to create musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Dekha Ek Khwab song scene. During this unforgettable sequence, Amit engaged in a dream romance with his former flame. Using musical sequences, the filmmaker creates a portrait of extra-martial affairs that’s engaging. Moreover, the music is magnificent. Shiv Kumar Sharma’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden which men in broken marriage bear. Using stunning production, Chopra captures lovers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Silsila” is a Bollywood film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture tensions that men in failing marriage experience. Throughout the movie, Chopra uses silences to capture the tensions that men in broken marriages often experience. For instance, silence enhances the affair discovery scene. During this tense scene, Amit shares an awkward moment of silence with Shoba after she has discovered of his affair. Through silence, Chopra crafts a portrait of extra-martial affairs audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in film. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, silence enhances Bollywood films about lives of dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Chopra illustrates extra-marital affairs which come with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
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Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best performances as Amit. Bachchan earned appreciation playing anti-heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Silsila”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a man in a broken marriage facing tragedy but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most bold role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of a man in broken marriages that face tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the greatest Bollywood actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Amitabh Bachchan, the supporting cast is amazing and worthy of appreciation. Jaya Bachchan is brilliant, capturing the tension faced by a woman whose husband has an affair causing marriage destruction. Rekha is remarkable, bringing charisma to a bold woman which engages in an extra-martial affair that causes a dilemma in India. Lastly, Shashi Kapoor deserves appreciation. As a deceased soldier, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Silsila” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing extra-marital affairs in India. Unlike most Bollywood films made in the 1980’s which are outdated today, the film has aged beautifully. It discusses bold themes including ambitions, extra-marital affairs and marriage that would absolutely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian culture to enjoy it. Therefore, “Silsila” stands out as being one of those rare Bollywood movies made in the 1980’s everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan would definitely enjoy “Silsila” and so would movie-goers that seek intense entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates a legendary actor from India with charisma.
Nearly 50 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about men in an extra-martial affair that face despair, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has built an illustrious career through abilities to portray rare characters in iconic movies about which audiences have grown to care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 