Director: Yash Chopra
Starring: Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Anupam Kher
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated as Anil Kapoor. Ever since rise to stardom during the 1980’s’s, Kapoor has proven to be one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s lovers, rockstars or deaf men facing barriers, Kapoor has proven he can portray several characters. Kapoor’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He’s proven to be one of those rare actors with the abilities to portray strong characters through charisma alone. Through his ability to play characters that are compelling, Kapoor has created an enduring legacy that’s lasting. A legendary figure in Indian Cinema, Kapoor has become one of those actors whose name commonly attracts audiences to the theatre. Through his long-lasting career, Kapoor has created many memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Kapoor and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Lamhe” definitely stands out as being his most meaningful movie. Released back in 1991, Yash Chopra’s movie offered a bold portrait of romance. Packed with stunning musical sequences, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood romantic films ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Anil Kapoor, who embodies a tormented husband in a doomed marriage. Ultimately, what makes “Lamhe” a timeless Bollywood classic is universal appeal. Unlike most films made in the romance genre in Bollywood, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. A riveting Bollywood romance, there are many strong reasons why “Lamhe” is a film worth watching.
“Lamhe” tells the story of a couple that falls in love over the years having a price to pay. Anil Kapoor embodies Viren, a prosperous businessman that’s in love. Viren has often taken a liking to Pallavi (Sridevi), with whom he shares a powerful connection. However, Viren’s dreams are shattered when Pallavi passes away in disaster. Following Pallavi’s tragic passing, Viren is left in custody of her daughter. Pooja (Sridevi) is the daughter of the family that shares striking resemblance with her mother. Viren falls for Pooja who he finds reminds him of his deceased lover. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Viren questions whether he will ever find a long-time lover.
Yash Chopra has always been fascinated by the romance genre. An excellent filmmaker, Chopra has often made entertaining movies about lovers facing disaster. His iconic film “Silsila” offered a powerful portrait of lovers torn apart with extra-marital affairs in India. With “Lamhe”, however, Chopra created his first generation drama. It was the director’s first attempt to track relationships over the course of several years but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Chopra captures the life of a man embarking upon a romantic journey. Emulating “Kabhi Kabhie”, Chopra effectively uses montages to convey romantic relationships of a couple occurring over several years. For instance, montages elevate the romance scene. During this bold scene, Viren forms a strong bond with Pooja by spending time together. Using engaging montages, Chopra creates a romance that is engaging. Montages are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Zoya Akhtar’s “Dil Dhadakne Do” suggests, montages elevate Bollywood films about broken families. That being said, it works immensely. Using bold visuals, Chopra caprices tensions couples are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Lamhe” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood romantic movies you will watch. Chopra successfully uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the “Yeh Lamhe Yeh Pal” song. During this bold song, Pooja delivers an emotional song that expresses her love for Viren. Using engaging cross-cutting, Chopra constructs musical sequences that are engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie a romantic atmosphere capturing the burden which lovers in broken relationships bear. Using captivating production, Chopra captures lovers in broken relationships that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Lamhe” is a Bollywood romantic film that’s engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions which couples in broken relationships are often facing. For instance, the monologues elevate the farewell scene. During this emotional scene, Viren bids an emotional farewell to Pooja following many years of bonding together. Through strong dramatic monologues, Chopra constructs a portrait of love that audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in films. As proven by Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire”, monologues enhance Bollywood movies about millionaires. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using a bold screenplay, Chopra captures lovers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Anil Kapoor delivers one of his best career performances as Viren. Kapoor first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Lamhe”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a man mourning the death of his former lover but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in his career before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief faced by a man enduring broken relationship. It’s a bold performance from one of the most beloved actors which is working in India today.
While the film is mainly a showcase for Anil Kapoor, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Sridevi is superb, capturing the fierce personality of a young woman mourning the loss of a mother she loves dearly. Waheeda Rehman is riveting, capturing the tension faced by a woman in broken marriages which endure destruction. Lastly, Anupam Kher merits appreciations. As a concerned father, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Lamhe” would earn appreciation of everyone honouring romantic relationships in India today. Unlike most Bollywood films created in the 1990’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully. The film tackles bold themes such as ambition, mental health and romance that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian culture to appreciate it. Therefore, “Lamhe” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Anil Kapoor would absolutely enjoy “Lamhe” and so would audiences seeking bold entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actor that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a man falling in love with his deceased lover’s daughter, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a beloved Indian actor that has built a strong legacy through ability to portray powerful characters in memorable movies audiences treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 