Director: Yash Chopra
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman
‘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, “Kabhi Kabhie” stands out as his most poetic movie. Released in 1976, Yash Chopra’s movie offered a powerful portrait of poetic lovers. Packed with breathtaking production design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood films ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Amitabh Bachchan, who portrays a poetic artist facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Kabhi Kabhie” a Bollywood classic is broad appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films made in the 1970’s that are outdated today, It has aged beautifully. A mesmerizing Bollywood masterpiece about poetry, there are several strong reasons why “Kabhi Kabhie” is a film worth watching.
“Kabhi Kabhie” tells a story of a couple that falls in love with passion for poetry. Amitabh Bachchan plays Amitabh Malhotra, a poetic writer with a love for writing poems in India. Amitabh has often focused on pursuing his passion for poetry without interest in having romance. However, Amitabh’s life drastically changes when he falls in love with a woman which becomes his celebrated lover. Anjali (Waheeda Rehman) is a strong woman that has dreams of her own. As the years go by, Amitabh faces tensions in a marriage that is not the heaven he thought it would once be. Facing a dilemma, Amitabh questions love for poetry that he once loved pursuing in the country of India.
Yash Chopra is fascinated with the themes of love in India. A legendary Indian director, Chopra has often crafted engaging movies about lovers facing disaster. His iconic film “Deewaar” offered a strong portrait of close brothers that are torn apart by a war. With “Kabhi Kabhie”, however, Chopra created his first generation spanning romantic drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture hardships faced by poetic lovers in a broken family but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Chopra captures a poetic artist that embarks upon a journey. Evoking Peter Weir’s “Dead Poets Society”, Chopra effectively uses montages to capture lives of poets in society. For instance, montages enhance the poetry reading scene. During this unforgettable scene, Amitabh shows his love for poetry by reciting an Indian poem. Using montages, Chopra creates a portrait of poetry that’s engaging. Montages are a tricky technique. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna” proved, montages often enhance Bollywood movies about doomed marriage. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through engaging visuals, Chopra captures tensions couples are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Kabhi Kabhie” that deserves recognition is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the finest Bollywood movies ever made. Chopra deftly uses cross-cutting to stage musical numbers showing tension poets are facing. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the Kabhi Kabhie song. During this memorable scene, Amitabh delivers a song expressing his passion for poetry. Using cross-cutting, Chopra creates a portrait of poets which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Khayyam’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the burdens poets bear. Through powerful production, Chopra captures poets which experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Kabhi Kabhie” is a Bollywood film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to cards hardships which poets are facing. For instance, the monologues enhance the breakups scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Amitabh has a painful breakup with his wife that causes tension. Through strong monologues, Chopra creates a portrait of a marriage which audiences can easily relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in films. As Aditya Chopra’s “Mohabbatein” suggested, dramatic monologues enhance romantic Bollywood movies about colleges’ students. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Chopra captures posts that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best career performances as Amitabh Malhotra. Bachchan first earned appreciation playing anti-heroes in classic Bollywood films. With “Kabhi Kabhie”, however, Bachchan took on his most poetic role. It isn’t easy to portray a poet that falls in love in a doomed marriage facing adversity but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: engaging, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With engaging expressions, he captures the angst, passion and feelings of resentment faced by a poet. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most talented actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Amitabh Bachchan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Shashi Kapoor is spectacular, capturing the strong personality of a man in a destructive marriage in tragedies. Waheeda Rehman is wonderful, bringing charisma to a woman that struggles to maintain relationships in India. Lastly, Rishi Kapoor is deserving of recognition. As a dedicated family man, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Kabhi Kabhie” would earn praise of everyone capturing romantic relationships that face tragedy. Unlike most Bollywood movies created in the 1970’s which remain outdated today, it has aged beautifully. The film tackles strong themes such as mental health, poetry and family that will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Indian culture to appreciate it. Therefore, “Kabhi Kabhie” is one of those rare Bollywood movies about poetry which everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will absolutely enjoy “Kabhi Kabhie” and so will audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates a legendary actor with charisma in India.
Nearly 50 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a couple with love for poetry that’s torn apart by adversity, it’s a powerful reminder of an Indian actor that has built a strong legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 