"Mera Saaya" is an incredibly striking picture and it should provide a completely pleasurable watch not only for lovers of Hindi cinema and its golden era, but also for those who love thrillers which have both tension and substance. This film is about a young lawyer who is still mourning his wife's recent death and soon learns that an alleged criminal woman who looks exactly like his late wife stands trial in court and in her defense claims to be his own wife. From then on, the story follows how Rakesh, who is totally convinced of his wife's death (having actually seen her body before it was cremated), firmly attempts to disprove her claims despite the amazingly genuine evidences she presents in court. The film has a great mix of suspense and romance, and the mystery does not get solved until the very end, although it manages to attract different assumptions from the viewers. The plot is interestingly twisted with unexpected proceedings. Raj Khosla's direction is very good; he delicately refines the film's intensity, yet makes sure the viewer keeps watching it until the fantastic ending. The film has a great Sunil Dutt, who successfully portrays the grief-stricken yet decisive Rakesh, but the greatest impact is made by Sadhana who shines in a brilliantly played dual role (even this aspect remains unclear yet unsuspected for the most part). The music is very nice, and the title song is beautifully sung by Lata Mangeshkar. All in all, "Mera Saaya" is another fine movie of 1966 (a year of many great films). I highly recommend you to watch this classic.
8 Reviews
Excellent thriller and as haunting as the shadow it deals with
Peter_Young18 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
An excellent movie
yalghar3 June 2005
This movie is one of the best movies of its time starring Sunil Dutt and Sadhna.It has thrill,it has mystery,it has good songs,good dances and strong performances.Sadhna gives a strong performance as a woman caught up by police and accused of being a bandit,whereas according to her she is wife of a big Thakur.Sunil Dutt gives a bravo performance in the role of a well read lawyer and a Thakur who loves his wife more than anyone but is depressed because of her death and because a young girl who resembles is wife is claiming to be his wife.The songs like "Mera Saaya",Nainon main Kajra" and all others have a strong appeal and Sadhna's dance in the songs "Nainon Wale ne" and "Jhumka Girra re" has been critically praised.On the whole I would say that the movie is a gr88 one and deserves to be seen.
Great Story, poor direction
AnonymousbutDilpreet00219 March 2020
Second film of Raj Khosla's trilogy of thrillers. The first one was 'Woh Kaun Thi? '. In many aspects the proceeding film is better than Mera Saaya. This one is slower in pace, not so captivating ,acting was substandard. But one thing that is done better in Mera Saaya is the ending, the suspense breaker. While the ending of Woh Kaun Thi kind of ruined the film, that in Mera Saaya was really satisfactory. And music of Mera Saaya was way better and less distracting. You see similar themes in many Hindi films but I still was not expecting it.
Talking of flaws, the court scenes are pathetic, the setup is childish, many unnecessary comedy scenes were there. No need to mention the technical aspects and camera work.
Among positives ,music by Madan Mohan was great, Mera Saaya and Naino me badra chaaye were pleasing to the ears but also have a haunting feeling. What makes this film watchable is it's story. This film should be remembered for it's writers and not the director .
Talking of flaws, the court scenes are pathetic, the setup is childish, many unnecessary comedy scenes were there. No need to mention the technical aspects and camera work.
Among positives ,music by Madan Mohan was great, Mera Saaya and Naino me badra chaaye were pleasing to the ears but also have a haunting feeling. What makes this film watchable is it's story. This film should be remembered for it's writers and not the director .
Nainon Wali Ne Haay Mera Dil Loota
jmathur_swayamprabha25 September 2010
If anybody asks me the name of my most favourite bollywood actress of the bygone era, I will not take a fraction of a moment in replying - Saadhna. This gorgeous lady ruled bollywood in the sixties with memorable movies like Aarzoo and Mere Mehboob. Highly talented director, Raj Khosla made a trilogy of mystery movies taking Saadhna in the lead role - 1. Woh Kaun Thi (1964), 2. Mera Saaya (1966) and Anita (1967). Whereas in the first and the third, Manoj Kumar was cast opposite her in the male lead, Sunil Dutt was cast as her hero in Mera Saaya. Since I have been a fan of Sunil Dutt too, this movie is a very big treat for me. I have seen it umpteen number of times. Reason ? Not just the lead pair and their amazing on-screen chemistry but the other aspects of the movie too - spellbinding suspense, mesmerizing music, engrossing court-room drama, hilarious comedy, rain of romance, the works. This movie has something to offer to all kinds of movie buffs. It can undoubtedly be called a perfect entertainment spanning some 160 minutes.
The story of Mera Saaya (my spirit) is based in the City of Lakes in Rajasthan, i.e., Udaipur. The story starts with the death of the wife, Geeta (Saadhna) of a renowned criminal lawyer, Thakur Rakesh Singh (Sunil Dutt) who becomes melancholous after parting with his beloved wife. However the real story takes off when police catches some dacoits and a woman with them who is the ditto of Geeta by her face and more importantly, she claims to be so. To refute her claim, Thakur Rakesh Singh cross-questions her in the court. At the same time, she also cross-questions him in order to prove that she only is his wife (she refuses to arrange any defence lawyer for her and decides to present her defence herself only). The interesting court-room drama finally culminates in herself first losing her case and then her mental balance, to be sent to asylum consequentially. However the mystery gets resolved through the ringleader of the dacoit gang in the ending scene of the movie.
Mera Saaya has everything to recommend itself. There is not a single boring moment in the movie. This is inarguably the best directorial venture of Raj Khosla and the best ever acting performance of Saadhna. The narrative grips the viewer from the opening scene itself and does not loosen that grip till the very end of the movie. The court-room drama is one of the best court-room dramas portrayed in bollywood movies. Dhumal and Mukri have provided enough laughters and relief moments in between the heated-up drama and intense emotions. The character of the maid, Kumud Bole and her activities add up to the intricate mystery. Alongwith the director, the screenplay-writer and the dialogue-writer have also done their jobs pretty well.
Madan Mohan has given the music of a lifetime in this movie with all the songs as immortal classics. Raja Mehndi Ali Khan has penned the beautiful lyrics for the songs. The movie has Lata's timeless songs like Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalega Mera Saaya Saath Hoga and Naino Mein Badra Chhaye, Asha's great item number - Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazar Mein and Rafi's intense sad song - Aapke Pehlu Mein Aakar Ro Diye. One more song of Lata is there which is my favourite because of intermittent romantic dialogues and Shero-Shaayari of the lead pair - Nainon Wali Ne Haay Mera Dil Loota. The choreography of the songs is also excellent.
Saadhna had her best on-screen chemistry with Sunil Dutt and this pair has lit up the screen with their marvellous interactions in the story, may they be in the court-room or in their household or in the beautiful locales of Udaipur. The romance is lovely and the emotions are intense. The love of the husband (Sunil Dutt) and the wife (Saadhna) looks damn real and the viewers may wish that their real life love be like that only. The gestures of Sunil Dutt and Saadhna in the song Nainon Wali Ne Haay Mera Dil tickle the romantic hearts so much that it's an experience to watch this song. The pain of losing the partner portrayed by both these artists is able to make the viewer empathize with them. Saadhna's dancing performance on Asha's song - Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazar Mein has made this dance number an unforgettable one. The supporting cast has rendered excellent support to this amazing pair which is all-pervasive in the movie.
Mera Saaya is watchable for the scenic beauty of Udaipur also. Since I am a Rajasthani and I have resided too for more than one year in Udaipur, I can say that this world famous City of Lakes has never been shown more beautifully in any other movie. It's a huge pleasure to see a lovely pair romancing in a romantically beautiful location.
Normally a mystery movie does not bear repeat value because of the nullification of the suspense factor after the first watch. But Mera Saaya is a great exception. Despite the suspense being revealed upon you after the first watch, you can watch it umpteen number of times. And every watch will give you the same soothing, nice feeling in your heart. It can unbiasedly be termed as 'the perfect entertainment'.
A masterpiece indeed.
The story of Mera Saaya (my spirit) is based in the City of Lakes in Rajasthan, i.e., Udaipur. The story starts with the death of the wife, Geeta (Saadhna) of a renowned criminal lawyer, Thakur Rakesh Singh (Sunil Dutt) who becomes melancholous after parting with his beloved wife. However the real story takes off when police catches some dacoits and a woman with them who is the ditto of Geeta by her face and more importantly, she claims to be so. To refute her claim, Thakur Rakesh Singh cross-questions her in the court. At the same time, she also cross-questions him in order to prove that she only is his wife (she refuses to arrange any defence lawyer for her and decides to present her defence herself only). The interesting court-room drama finally culminates in herself first losing her case and then her mental balance, to be sent to asylum consequentially. However the mystery gets resolved through the ringleader of the dacoit gang in the ending scene of the movie.
Mera Saaya has everything to recommend itself. There is not a single boring moment in the movie. This is inarguably the best directorial venture of Raj Khosla and the best ever acting performance of Saadhna. The narrative grips the viewer from the opening scene itself and does not loosen that grip till the very end of the movie. The court-room drama is one of the best court-room dramas portrayed in bollywood movies. Dhumal and Mukri have provided enough laughters and relief moments in between the heated-up drama and intense emotions. The character of the maid, Kumud Bole and her activities add up to the intricate mystery. Alongwith the director, the screenplay-writer and the dialogue-writer have also done their jobs pretty well.
Madan Mohan has given the music of a lifetime in this movie with all the songs as immortal classics. Raja Mehndi Ali Khan has penned the beautiful lyrics for the songs. The movie has Lata's timeless songs like Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalega Mera Saaya Saath Hoga and Naino Mein Badra Chhaye, Asha's great item number - Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazar Mein and Rafi's intense sad song - Aapke Pehlu Mein Aakar Ro Diye. One more song of Lata is there which is my favourite because of intermittent romantic dialogues and Shero-Shaayari of the lead pair - Nainon Wali Ne Haay Mera Dil Loota. The choreography of the songs is also excellent.
Saadhna had her best on-screen chemistry with Sunil Dutt and this pair has lit up the screen with their marvellous interactions in the story, may they be in the court-room or in their household or in the beautiful locales of Udaipur. The romance is lovely and the emotions are intense. The love of the husband (Sunil Dutt) and the wife (Saadhna) looks damn real and the viewers may wish that their real life love be like that only. The gestures of Sunil Dutt and Saadhna in the song Nainon Wali Ne Haay Mera Dil tickle the romantic hearts so much that it's an experience to watch this song. The pain of losing the partner portrayed by both these artists is able to make the viewer empathize with them. Saadhna's dancing performance on Asha's song - Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazar Mein has made this dance number an unforgettable one. The supporting cast has rendered excellent support to this amazing pair which is all-pervasive in the movie.
Mera Saaya is watchable for the scenic beauty of Udaipur also. Since I am a Rajasthani and I have resided too for more than one year in Udaipur, I can say that this world famous City of Lakes has never been shown more beautifully in any other movie. It's a huge pleasure to see a lovely pair romancing in a romantically beautiful location.
Normally a mystery movie does not bear repeat value because of the nullification of the suspense factor after the first watch. But Mera Saaya is a great exception. Despite the suspense being revealed upon you after the first watch, you can watch it umpteen number of times. And every watch will give you the same soothing, nice feeling in your heart. It can unbiasedly be termed as 'the perfect entertainment'.
A masterpiece indeed.
Gripping suspense right till the end and splendid performances by the leads, specially Sadhna
rkstylo2 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Welcome to the perhaps only exceptional suspense romantic movie that you would love to watch again and again even though you learn of the suspense after watching it for the first time.
Its easier to prove who is who when there are 2 similar people as someone reveals the distinct feature/attributes of the 2 people but what happens when only you (the person who is claiming to be the one she is) knows of that distinct feature/property.
A woman dies in the arms of her husband and her death rituals are performed by the husband himself. How then can another similar looking woman claim and more importantly prove that she is his wife and not the woman that died in his arms?
A fantastic courtroom drama follows where the other woman seems to be winning but her husband has one final proof that she is not his wife. The verdict is announced and the woman is sentenced.
But wait she comes back to reveal the real secret.
Watch it till the end for a mind-boggling suspense.
Its easier to prove who is who when there are 2 similar people as someone reveals the distinct feature/attributes of the 2 people but what happens when only you (the person who is claiming to be the one she is) knows of that distinct feature/property.
A woman dies in the arms of her husband and her death rituals are performed by the husband himself. How then can another similar looking woman claim and more importantly prove that she is his wife and not the woman that died in his arms?
A fantastic courtroom drama follows where the other woman seems to be winning but her husband has one final proof that she is not his wife. The verdict is announced and the woman is sentenced.
But wait she comes back to reveal the real secret.
Watch it till the end for a mind-boggling suspense.
Good songs, okay plot
krishna27236 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The story was very interesting till the disappointing twist at the end. They did a good job building up the suspense but they did not satisfy us with the climax. Twin sisters get swapped and everything goes haywire - how much more cliché can it possibly get? (Or worse, since its such an old movie, perhaps it's responsible for spreading the cliché.)
Furthermore, they develop some mysteries which they never do anything with. For instance, the suspicious girl who goes through the backdoor everyday is forgotten.
And as you analyze the film, several parts of the story don't make any sense. Why didn't the Thakur find Nisha's diary after scouring her room from top to bottom, when it was just located on the top shelf of her cupboard? Why didn't he ever come across that large picture of her and her twin sister which was always in their room? Did he not have mirrors, that he never noticed the spot on his back? Who's the random Sardar who comes in the middle? The house is heavily guarded as mentioned several times, yet Nisha easily managed to walk in to the Thakur's room when she wanted to and even the dakoo almost made it to his room. The twin sister didn't die immediately, so wouldn't she have been worried and spoken up after Nisha didn't return for several hours? Throughout the film it's said that Nisha/Raina will be hanged if she's found to not be the Thakur's wife, but at the end it's said she'll just be released? Besides, would a dakoo just get excused if she happened to be the Thakur's wife? And the list of mistakes goes on. I know I'm overthinking, but still...
They should've spent the time to think of a better ending, because the last 20 minutes changed my entire opinion of the movie. I'm not surprised that it's not one of the well-remembered Bollywood movies of the 60s, despite having decent actors (especially Sadhana) and despite the fact that Jhumka Gira Re and Mera Saaya are fondly remembered as classic songs half a century later.
Furthermore, they develop some mysteries which they never do anything with. For instance, the suspicious girl who goes through the backdoor everyday is forgotten.
And as you analyze the film, several parts of the story don't make any sense. Why didn't the Thakur find Nisha's diary after scouring her room from top to bottom, when it was just located on the top shelf of her cupboard? Why didn't he ever come across that large picture of her and her twin sister which was always in their room? Did he not have mirrors, that he never noticed the spot on his back? Who's the random Sardar who comes in the middle? The house is heavily guarded as mentioned several times, yet Nisha easily managed to walk in to the Thakur's room when she wanted to and even the dakoo almost made it to his room. The twin sister didn't die immediately, so wouldn't she have been worried and spoken up after Nisha didn't return for several hours? Throughout the film it's said that Nisha/Raina will be hanged if she's found to not be the Thakur's wife, but at the end it's said she'll just be released? Besides, would a dakoo just get excused if she happened to be the Thakur's wife? And the list of mistakes goes on. I know I'm overthinking, but still...
They should've spent the time to think of a better ending, because the last 20 minutes changed my entire opinion of the movie. I'm not surprised that it's not one of the well-remembered Bollywood movies of the 60s, despite having decent actors (especially Sadhana) and despite the fact that Jhumka Gira Re and Mera Saaya are fondly remembered as classic songs half a century later.
Must-watch for fans of suspenseful cinema
disharma-241318 June 2023
Mera Saaya" is a classic Bollywood film released in 1966, directed by Raj Khosla and starring Sunil Dutt and Sadhana in the lead roles. It falls under the genre of suspense thriller and has gained popularity over the years for its intriguing storyline and memorable songs.
The movie revolves around a lawyer named Rakesh (played by Sunil Dutt) who is happily married to Geeta (played by Sadhana). However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Geeta dies under mysterious circumstances. Rakesh is devastated by his wife's death but is shocked to discover that a woman who looks exactly like Geeta appears in his life who's name is Raina. He is not convinced that his wife is alive. Rakesh embarks on a quest to uncover the truth and unravel the mystery surrounding the woman claiming to be Geeta. But there is an element of mystery.
"Mera Saaya" is known for its suspenseful plot and effective storytelling. The film keeps the audience engaged throughout with its well-crafted mystery and unexpected twists. The performances by Sunil Dutt and Sadhana are commendable, with both actors delivering powerful and convincing portrayals of their respective characters. Sadhana, in particular, shines in a dual role, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Composed by the legendary Madan Mohan, the songs like "Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye" and "Jhumka Gira Re" have become iconic and continue to be loved by audiences even today. The soulful melodies add depth and emotion to the narrative, enhancing the overall impact of the film.
One aspect that sets "Mera Saaya" apart is its atmospheric cinematography and skillful use of lighting. The film creates a dark and mysterious ambiance, effectively capturing the tension and suspense of the story. The black-and-white visuals add to the film's aesthetic appeal and contribute to its timeless quality.
Overall, "Mera Saaya" is a classic Bollywood thriller that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. With its engaging storyline, strong performances, memorable music, and atmospheric presentation, the film has rightfully earned its status as a cult classic. It is a must-watch for fans of suspenseful cinema and those interested in exploring the golden era of Hindi cinema.
The movie revolves around a lawyer named Rakesh (played by Sunil Dutt) who is happily married to Geeta (played by Sadhana). However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Geeta dies under mysterious circumstances. Rakesh is devastated by his wife's death but is shocked to discover that a woman who looks exactly like Geeta appears in his life who's name is Raina. He is not convinced that his wife is alive. Rakesh embarks on a quest to uncover the truth and unravel the mystery surrounding the woman claiming to be Geeta. But there is an element of mystery.
"Mera Saaya" is known for its suspenseful plot and effective storytelling. The film keeps the audience engaged throughout with its well-crafted mystery and unexpected twists. The performances by Sunil Dutt and Sadhana are commendable, with both actors delivering powerful and convincing portrayals of their respective characters. Sadhana, in particular, shines in a dual role, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Composed by the legendary Madan Mohan, the songs like "Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye" and "Jhumka Gira Re" have become iconic and continue to be loved by audiences even today. The soulful melodies add depth and emotion to the narrative, enhancing the overall impact of the film.
One aspect that sets "Mera Saaya" apart is its atmospheric cinematography and skillful use of lighting. The film creates a dark and mysterious ambiance, effectively capturing the tension and suspense of the story. The black-and-white visuals add to the film's aesthetic appeal and contribute to its timeless quality.
Overall, "Mera Saaya" is a classic Bollywood thriller that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. With its engaging storyline, strong performances, memorable music, and atmospheric presentation, the film has rightfully earned its status as a cult classic. It is a must-watch for fans of suspenseful cinema and those interested in exploring the golden era of Hindi cinema.
Average movie....
sunildaswaney-6364231 July 2019
According to today's standards,the direction and acting wss terrible in this movie, but I guess 53 years ago(when it was released)it might have been considered stupendous.
It's the same with the quality of the film.At best I find it to be an average movie today,but at that time it was considered a masterpiece.
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