Aradhana (1969) User Reviews

The self-sacrifice and the devotion of a mother for her child

[Peter_Young · 7/10 · 12 August 2009]

Aradhana is both an entertaining and touching film. It has romance, love, dedication, but most importantly it's about the sacrifice of a mother for her child. The film has been known as one of the greatest classics of mainstream Hindi cinema, and it's easy to see why. It had a beautiful Sharmila Tagore, it had Rajesh Khanna making his first steps towards stardom, it had some fantastic songs (well, how can one forget "Roop Tera Mastana" and "Mere Sapno Ki Rani"?), and above-all, a very memorable story that carried the whole concept of humanity and love. I think these are the aspects that made the film unforgettable, although I think it could have been left without some overly melodramatic sequences.

It's frankly puzzling to me that die-hard fans of Rajesh Khanna write very biased comments here about the film being a Rajesh Khanna film, about him stealing the show etc., when actually it's clear that the film belongs to Sharmila Tagore completely. She is a lovely actress - beautiful, dignified, and she was convincing as both the young lady and the old mother, though clearly it's not her best role. The entire cast makes great appearances, from Khanna to Farida Jalal. The moments towards the end when the truth is revealed were very emotional and moving. This may be the film's highlight, which made up for its flaws. This one is a memorable picture, a picture that I feel many would enjoy watching.

I now understand why this movie is a classic

[neetivgarg · 9/10 · 9 January 2006]

Fantastic music and a dashing leading man aside, the main reason why Aradhana works is perhaps because of the wonderful story line and direction. Though this movie is more often remembered for shooting Rajesh Khanna into the big league, its Sharmila Tagore's subdued portrayal of Vandana Tripathi that stays with you. She richly deserved her Filmfare award for Best actress for this role. Farida Jalal and Madan Puri too chip in with good supporting performances. But of course the real winner here is the music, chart busters all of them. Must watch to know what Bollywood was once capable of yielding before inanities set in.

to each his own

[sharankandhai · 9/10 · 1 September 2010]

Let me start by saying that this is a masterpiece and arguably Rajesh Kahnna's best film ever along with Anand. The music is legendary and this was also Kishore Kumars comeback movie after actor Om Prakash had cursed him because Kishore would not act in his m ovie. The story about a girl (Sharmila) who falls in love with an army afficer (Rajesh Khanna) who dies while leaving her pregnant was unique in Bollywood. Especially the entry of her son after approx 20 years (also Rajesh Khanna) and the moving climax. I love classic movies and watch black and white movies regularly. Big was my surprise when i saw the movie TO EACH HIS OWN - a black and white gem of a movie in which a girl gets pregnant by an army officer who dies, she has to give up the child and meets him approx 20 years later. But believe it or not the climax of this movie is even better than Aradhana and they don't even use a song like Chanda Hai Tu. You must watch this gem of a movie.

Rajesh Khanna's Shot to Fame !!!

[Umar Mansoor Bajwa · 10/10 · 2 November 2005]

This block buster movie discovered an Indian superstar. Thereafter, Rajesh Khanna instantaneously became a phenomenon. Movie after movie of his, hit on the box office and it seemed as if there is no stop to it. It was the first time that the screen idol - Dilip Kumar felt a real shock to his fame and his aura being eclipsed.

Aradhana was not only a milestone for Rajesh Khanna, but as a playback singer - Kishore Kumar became the most sought after singer with the legendary success of the peppy song "Mere Sapnoon ki Rani kab aye gi tu". The quixotic appeal of Rajesh Khanna reached its zenith in this superbly directed and choreographed film. Shakti Samantha extracted the best out of a young entrant (Rajesh Khanna) in film industry. Although, Rajesh did as many as four films before this flick but no momentous success came to his way. The same success befell on Sharmila Tagore, as well and she also won real acclaim, although she had acted as an old grey haired lady in the closing half hour of the movie.

Entry of the Super star

[alokc · 10/10 · 15 June 2008]

Aradhana introduces to Indian cinema a great talent Rajesh Khanna. Though this was not his first movie, but this movie brought him acclaim,recognition and Super Star status. The movie has him in a double role where he succeeds in showing different characters. Sharmila Tagore shines in the movie and acts well.The music of Sachin Dev Burman is immortal and all songs were super hit. Kishore Kumar's voice fits Rajesh Khanna's screen image as if either Rajesh Khanna is singing the songs or if Kishore Kumar has become Rajesh Khanna. One voice Two souls. The movie's story is very touchy and is a tear jerker. However, Rajesh Khanna steals the show with good performances by Ashok Kumar, Asit Sen, Sujit Kumar, Pahari Sanyal, Farida Jalal among others. This Shakti Samanta movie is a must see.

Come for the songs, stay for the eyeliner

[davo · 6/10 · 14 February 2019]

A fairly conventional melodrama plot, but some nice parallel moments, almost shot for shot when scenes are repeated involving father and son (both played by Rajesh Khanna.) I liked him more as the father than as the son. A celebrated role for Sharmila Tagore as well. Her make-up goes through an evolution as her character ages. I got kind of obsessed with her eyeliner that resembles cat-eye glasses without the glasses. My real reason for watching this was the music. Again, the stagings don't seem that original (easy to say, 50 years later!) but the songs, the orchestrations and singing are quite nice. But of course, I don't understand Hindi...

Best Romantic movie ever

[sanjayppc · 10/10 · 22 July 2014]

Aradhana is surely one of the best Hindi movies ever made with scintillating music by S.D Burman & RDB(uncredited).

The film belongs to sharmila tagore who has given one of her career finest performances. It has a strong storyline, lovely locales, great performances & out of the world music. It is ably directed by shakti shamantha.

However, the movie is remembered & will be remembered forever for 1 main reason - the advent of the superstar Rajesh Khanna. From the opening song "sapnon ke rani" till the climax, he stays in your heart. The charm, the style, the gait, the performance - simply superb.

The movies was a pioneering one in many ways :- 1. It resurrected the career of kishore kumar 2. "Roop tera mastana" happens to be the only song in Indian cinema which was shot in a single take.

3. The finest album by SDB But above all, it gave India its greatest's super star Rajesh Khanna

A story of sacrifice

[rahul-rdthecool-das · 7/10 · 10 August 2020]

This is story of devotion and sacrifice.

Sharmila Tagore did an outstanding job in this. Be it a mother or a lover, she was graceful in every avatar.

The music of maestro Sachin dev Barman was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

Advent of the Superstar - RAJESH KHANNA.

[amiyshrivastava · 10/10 · 26 March 2021]

I know many film critics will probably lambast me for calling this a Rajesh Khanna movie, but trust me fellas, RAJESH KHANNA truly steals the show here, inspite of the screenplay being heavily dominated by Sharmila Tagore.

Rajesh Khanna fits in perfectly in the 2 roles he played (both were very similar characters TBH). His looks, His Voice, His Dialogue Delivery and His Performance was something that'll definitely make you fall for him.

He brought in the much needed Charm and Style into this movie which is otherwise pretty serious.

Don't get me wrong, Sharmila Tagore did a wonderful job as Vandana Tripathi, first as a young girl in Love and then as a devoted and sacrificing Mother. She rightly recieved her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress for this Performance.

The Songs are wonderful, especially Mere Sapno ki Rani and Roop tera Mastana. The Storyline is a bit offbeat I'd say, but it keeps you glued to the Screen.

Wonderful Direction, Wonderful Music, Wonderful Locales, Wonderful Performances, And of course, The Unforgettable Charisma of Rajesh Khanna......... Highly Recommended.

Old is gold

[tushargupta-27286 · 6/10 · 2 October 2019]

#old is ever gold good story line old movies is inspired to our daily lives

Fell in love with Sharmila after seeing this film.

[nadkarnisumeet · 8/10 · 27 September 2020]

Aradhana review :

I first saw Aradhana in early 80s on DD National. The film made an overnight superstar out of Rajesh Khanna and Kaka, as he was lovingly called, ruled Bollywood for full five years (1969 to 1973) delivering fifteen consecutive hits in a row. A still unbroken record!!

While I loved Aradhana in general, there were a few factors which made me watch it again and again :

First and foremost, the Mere Sapnon ki Rani song, with its lively tune and excellent picturisation. The handsome Rajesh Khanna (with friend Sujit Kumar) in the jeep flirting with the gorgeous Sharmila Tagore aboard the Darjeeling train defines romance for me. Super!

Second, the Roop tera mastana number when in a weak moment, Rajesh and Sharmila consummate their love which doesn't end up in marriage due to Khanna's death and instead ends up with Tagore mothering his child who grows up to be Rajesh Khanna again (double role, o yea!). The sensuality of the song and Kishore Kumar's voice make it unforgettable. Erotica redefined!!

Last but not the least, Sharmila Tagore herself, who has never looked more beautiful. Her character going from a youngster to an old mamma gives her ample scope to perform and she's earnest and sincere. I fell in love with her Aradhana so much that I hated that villain Manmohan for making unwanted passes at her.

For me, Sharmila was Aradhana and everything else about it was just an icing on the cake for me. Kaka included!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Aradhna nothing before or nothing beyond it.

[foodforbrain7 · 10/10 · 11 December 2006]

What kind of sacrifices an Indian woman gives in her day to day life ShaktiDa has showed it in an excellent form and to complement his directorial greatness Sharmilaji has performed out of the league. She has left all of her colleagues and critics beyond by doing this role. In the initial part of the movie she was just a 19year old beautiful young girl of a small town. Like every other young girl of her age she was also a great day-dreamer her self, but with the passage of time within a couple of months she bravely acted as an complete woman. I don't think that anyone else can sacrifice his/her life only to complete there lovers/partners dream. Her eyes, anyone after seeing the movie wish her to be there lover/wife/mother/daughter. This movie depicts that up to what extent an Indian girl would to fulfill's others dream/wish. I personally knows someone like Vandhana, but can't tell you about her.

Memorable romantic drama

[disharma-24131 · 9/10 · 30 May 2023]

Aradhna" is a classic Hindi movie released in 1969, directed by Shakti Samanta and starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore in the lead roles. It is a romantic drama that became a major commercial success and is remembered as one of the iconic films of Indian cinema.

The movie tells the story of Vandana Tripathi (Sharmila Tagore), a young woman who falls in love with Arun Verma (Rajesh Khanna), an Air Force officer. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Vandana is forced to raise her child as a single mother, while Arun remains unaware of their existence. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and societal norms.

One of the standout aspects of "Aradhna" is the stellar performances by the lead actors. Rajesh Khanna, in his breakthrough role, delivers a charismatic performance as the dashing Air Force officer. His on-screen chemistry with Sharmila Tagore is palpable and contributes significantly to the film's success. Sharmila Tagore, on the other hand, portrays Vandana's character with grace and emotional depth, capturing the audience's empathy.

The music of "Aradhna" is another highlight of the film. Composed by the legendary duo Sachin Dev Burman and lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi, the songs became hugely popular and continue to be cherished by audiences even today. The most iconic song from the film is "Mere Sapno Ki Rani," which became a chartbuster and solidified Rajesh Khanna's status as a superstar.

The storytelling in "Aradhna" is engaging, with a mix of romance, drama, and emotional moments that keep the audience invested throughout. The film tackles various social issues prevalent at the time, such as the stigma around single motherhood, societal norms, and the sacrifice of personal happiness for the sake of others.

Overall, "Aradhna" is a timeless Hindi movie that has stood the test of time. It is known for its memorable performances, melodious music, and a compelling story. If you enjoy classic Bollywood films with romance and emotional depth, "Aradhna" is definitely worth watching.

Best Storyline

[malikharsh-44496 · 10/10 · 2 June 2021]

Best Indian classical movie I ever watched. Must view movie. Amazing storyline.

Mildstone creator movie of superstar Rajesh khanna blockbuster

[rajputshri · 27 October 2022]

Aaradhna one of the first diamond jublee blockbuster movie that starts Rajesh khanna superstardom on box office this movie directed by Shakti Samanta and acting by first superstar in hindi cinema shri Rajesh khanna this was outstanding story based and kishor kumar songs Mindblowing magic that rajesh khanna make it all time blockbuster movie this is 1969 magic starts by First superstar in india that unbeatable records and create new mildstone in india that is called superstar Rajesh khanna and sharmila combination makes blockbusters like khamoshi , aaradhana , amar prem and many more movies that called superhit and blockbusters. Rajesh khanna worked 180 movies within 180 movies 110 solo actor and within 110 hits out of 180 40 superhits ( silver jublee) 20 blockbusters (golden jublee) this solo actor also named on superstar Rajesh khanna.