Anupama (1966) User Reviews

Subtle realism at its finest

[Peter_Young · 8/10 · 20 August 2009]

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's socio-realist romance Anupama is a brilliant film about a young girl who is lost within her own world, and about relationships between people from different social strata. Sharmila Tagore plays Uma, a young woman whose mother died at her birth. As a result, Uma has lived all her life with guilt, more so in view of her father's continuous reproach; the man has never really stopped blaming his daughter for the loss of his beloved wife. Uma grows to be a shy and greatly introverted girl, who remains silient most of the time. The story follows Uma's coming of age as a person mostly due to her relationship with a struggling poet named Ashok (Dharmendra), who falls instantly in love with her inner beauty. Their interactions happen while several other characters from their lives carry the narrative forward.

A poignant film portrayed beautifully and realistically, it is a subtle yet powerful episode made with heart and sincerity. Mukherjee's excellent direction is aided by fantastic cinematography, very pleasant music, and above all, brilliant dialogue which enhances the otherwise serene narrative and helps define the characters. Although some may find the film a tad slow, I found the pacing perfectly balanced. I was engaged by its exquisite authenticity, and its humanistic warmth filled me with positivity. Its graceful simplicity just draws you in. Wavering between slice-of-life social drama and delicate romance, Anupama offers a profound exploration of the human experience and an affecting glimpse into the fragility of relationships. Equally significant is its incisive commentary on the societal norms, gaps, and circumstances of its time.

The film has a great collaborative effort by the ensemble cast. Sharmila Tagore delivers a beautifully restrained performance, and Dharmendra is fantastic as the sensitive poet Ashok. Shashikala is extremely likable and funny and makes her presence felt as the vivacious Anita. Ditto for Deven Verma who plays Arun. David provides great comic relief as Uma's father's kind and humourous friend and his stories throughout the film are hilarious. Tarun Bose is excellent as Uma's father Mohan, and the ever great Durga Khote as Ashok's mother, as well as Naina as his lovely sister, provide great support. The story ends on a staggeringly revelatory and moving note. All in all, I highly recommend this classic to people who like artistic quality films. It might require patience, but it's highly rewarding.

First-rate cinema but could have been a little shorter...

[mnalgirkar · 8/10 · 6 November 2006]

I believe that calling this movie a tear-jerker does not do justice to it -- this is world class cinema at its finest that sensitively portrays a range of human emotions. Certainly the interaction between father and daughter towards the end comprise the most poignant scenes in this movie, and they have been both written and picturized in a manner that is deeply touching.

Although the movie takes its own time to develop the characters thoroughly and although you wouldn't expect anything less from Hrishikesh Mukherjee in that regard, I did feel that the movie could have been shortened a little bit. Also, Shashikala's role seemed a little exaggerated.

In general, the movie is a gem and I wish viewers all over the world could be introduced to such Hindi classics for a true appreciation of the range of "Bollywood" movies over the years.

Vintage Hrishikesh?

[HeadleyLamarr · 8/10 · 20 February 2008]

I had really fond memories of this film but on revisiting it I was actually taken aback at how many problems it had.

The bad: 1. Shashikala played a most exaggerated character and got annoying after a while, plus she acted 18-20 years old and was clearly an older woman.

2. The story was melodramatic and exaggerated.

The good: 1. It is a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film - loaded with pluses.

2.Sharmila was awesome as Uma - the traumatized silent girl; she was beautiful and extremely competent at showing emotions without words.

3.Dharam was best in the idealist roles. Here he is just so good - often seen in a singlet with holes, and never stylish but always full of his own inimitable style.

4. Tarun Bise, David, Deven Varma all did a good job.

5. The music was fantastic - Bheegi Bheegi fiza, Yaa dil ki suno duniya waalon, Aisi bhi baatein.

On balance a good film, watchable for the lead pair, the songs, but surprisingly not one of the best from the maestro.

A 'tear-jerker' is not appropriate do describe this film. It is in fact, a masterful handling of a sensitive subject by Hrishikesh Mukherjee

[javadude95 · 9/10 · 13 May 2006]

Known for his more successful rollicking comic adventures, this gem is still one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's best works.

Anupama is the story of a shy and retreating girl who grows up with the stigma of guilt, and her father's reproach and blame for having lost her mother during childbirth. It's a poignant journey of how she overcomes her own guilt and steps out of her father's overbearing shadow.

Tarun Bose - another unsung character actor from Hindi cinema - plays Sharma, an affluent businessman who has married late but deeply loves his wife. When she dies in childbirth, he blames the newborn daughter Uma for having separated him from his only joy in life. She grows up as a timid young girl who pines for her father's affection, feels the guilt of her mother's demise and is barely able to express herself as a result. Indeed her first words in the movie are almost an hour into it, in a lilting song amidst nature.

Sharmila Tagore, performs exquisitely as the daughter Uma, and despite having very few words to say, truly embodies the repressed, melancholy character, especially with her eyes that express all her emotions. Of course it helps that she is so beautiful.

The scenes between father and daughter are poignant, and are sensitively handled. Deep inside, Sharma does love his daughter, but it shows only when he is drunk, and not in his senses.

Hindi cinema has produced many excellent actors who are grossly underrated, and none more so than Dharmendra, who is not really remembered today for some of his sensitive portrayals, and his flair for comedy. Here he plays Ashok, a writer by profession from a modest background whose keen mind is quick to notice Uma's angst. Which also attracts the two together.

Helping the plot race along - despite the melancholy theme, there's never a dull moment in the screenplay - are Shashikala who plays Annie (or Anita) - an effervescent tomboy and a complete anti-thesis of Uma's character- and a young Deven Verma who plays Arun, her love interest and a childhood friend of Ashok.

There's also David - a Hrishikesh Mukherjee regular - provides great comic relief as Sharma's cheerful friend Moses. He has the best line in the movie. Translated from Hindi, "Death is great fun. The dying person doesn't know when it will happen, and everybody else cries." This has to be one of David's finest performances - he jokes, dances with Shashikala, and generally brings the house down with his pearls of wisdom.

An unspoken love develops between Ashok and Uma, that threatens to die unrequited. Ashok understands the father's grief, but resents his ignorance and neglect of his daughter. The song 'Ya dil ki suno..' sung by the peerless Hemant Kumar, who also scores the music, is heart-rending. This song alone is worth the price of the movie. Written by Kaifi Azmi, It poetically describes the insensitivity of the father: "what a flower has bloomed in nature, the gardener has no love for it".

Can Uma really overcome her internal barriers and take the leap to be with Ashok? Does she really have the strength to break free from emotions of both love and terror for her father? Despite a predictable ending, the movie still surprises in the end.

Modern day directors can learn a lot about how to balance emotional content with sparkling comedy. And aided by excellent performances all round, 'Anupama' makes for a memorable experience.

Canonical film

[Kaaliyaa · 17 April 2008]

Besides being a very watchable film, it is a must-have for all serious students of Hindi cinema. The film is dedicated to Bimal Roy (practically the entire crew is comprised of people who worked for Roy) and in this film, Hrishikesh Mukherji's narrative style is clearly reminiscent of Roy's style. Hemant Kumar's music from this film is practically legendary, as are Kaifi Azmi's lyrics. The film has a few flaws -- it starts and ends beautifully, but could have been tightened up around the middle. The lead duo, Sharmila and Dharmendra, are adequately good, but it's the support cast that really carries the film. The director spends time working on the relationships between the cast - Deven Varma and Shashikala, despite (or because of) the latter's slightly annoying excess, have surprisingly good chemistry, and David, doing his classic overgrown bachelor is dependably great. The film is stolen though by Tarun Bose, who plays the lead character's troubled father to perfection.

The thing that strikes out about the film is how well it comes together as a whole -- the cinematography, screenplay, the music, the editing and the acting. To the credit of Mukherjee and Roy alike, the film epitomizes the Black & White class drama that so strongly influenced Indian popular cinema in the post-independence era. I cannot recommend the film enough.

A meticulously crafted work ..

[srivathsan2711 · 9/10 · 22 September 2010]

A filmmaker's flair always lies in presenting a simple story in a visually engaging form that is entrusted with soul,substance and logic.The writers of yesteryear's frankly had little to tell, but whatever they could convey, they warmed us with their utmost honesty in doing so. Hrishikesh Mukherjee was no exception. Simple presentation, beautiful situations, glorious performances is what you expect from such a legend. Here we trace back to a work that aptly glorifies his adeptness in crafting a simple story "Anupama" that's alluring , delicate and equally delicious.

Mohan Sharma is a top notch businessman who is gifted with a daughter Uma at the cost of his wife. This very reason transforms him to drink voraciously . He continuously faults her daughter for ruining his happiness. He isolates her, torments her , traumatizes her and yet adores her when drunk. Uma is grown up in an atmosphere where she hesitates to speak, confined to her room and a heart that's filled with sadness. She wants to speak, but won't , she doesn't aspire, desire or expect anything from life.She feels her life was meant to be like this and she couldn't do anything to confront it.Meanwhile, Sharma's friend Bakshi too has a daughter Anita whom he brought up with utmost care and love. She's lively,bubbly and there's nothing that could stop her from being that. Quite a contrast to Uma, she has a lovable father and he fills her world. Moses, a lawyer,another friend of Sharma is a sheer delight and enjoys his life as a bachelor. He's ageing but his thoughts aren't, quite noble at heart these threesome form an awesome group.

Arun, a well settled chap comes back from the US who has an able friend in the form of Ashok, a writer who's subtle,crispy and full of heart. He falls for Anita immediately and love sparkles. They're mad, wild and form a chirpy pair. To celebrate togetherness they plan a tour and Ashok along with his sister and mother too accompany them. Uma feels completely out of shape in such a place but Ashok's simplicity aided by his sister and mom warms her. Ashok is puzzled to see such a person who's uncommunicative and aloof at heart. These are the moments that connect them unbreakably and a special bond unleashes. Uma's undergoing transformation and a positive one that too. Will her true self emerge? Will she ever stand up for herself ? The climax provides a series of interesting and intriguing answers to this empowering enigma.

As we can learn above, the story is a very delicate one and bad acting or either bad direction could have tarnished such a sensitive script. But having Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore at our disposal we dare expect a blunder. Quality actors mean a lot and this entirely proves it. Enhancing a situation beyond its capacity requires emotions at its natural best and here we see it deliver par excellence. Dharmendra who's underrated for his comedies and simplicity rather than for his loud and booming characters portrays his role with a dignity that's rarely seen. As a struggling writer and an able adviser to Uma, he balances his role with an unqualified ease. In a situation Dharmendra explores a statement " Aap kuch nahin boltein hai, par Aap ki Aankhen sab Kuch kehleti hai". This very much sums up Sharmila Tagore's act. Minimal dialogues, wonderful expressions, she is fantabulous in a role that depicts her capabilities to perfection. The director is very instrumental in extracting such an efficient conduct from her. Tarun Bose as a despotic father is stern and stubborn, he enacts his part impeccably. David provides great relief and moments to laugh out loud in a serious film. Job Well Done! Shashikala infuses life into her role and is extremely lovable. Deven Verma has his moments and he utilises them to good effect. Music by Hemant Kumar is an asset to this movie. "Dheere Dheere Machal ", "Kuch Dil Ne Kaha", "Ya Dil Ki Suno" are compositions which don't come about so often. It stamps a supreme authority and satiates us wholeheartedly. Last but not the least, the master of the game, Hrishikesh Mukherjee is exquisite in harnessing such talent that's aesthetic and soulful.He's literally flawless in his methods and filmmakers of today can learn a thing or two about churning a deft flick that is commercially tangible, creatively satisfying with no level of compromise. He will be surely missed and this sensitive film would sure be one to remember for years to come by(as it is done now). Go for this one rather than settling for plot less flicks that try to be different, but being no good. This is sure to make your time worthy..Grab your copy now.. My Take: 4.5/5

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's attempt to make "Bimal Roy Cinema" as a tribute.

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 7/10 · 14 November 2020]

Anupama (1966) : Brief Review -

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's attempt to make "Bimal Roy Cinema" as a tribute. Anupama, widely known as Hrishikesh Mukherjee's one of the Greatest Achievement is sort of Bimal Roy Cinema and to confirm it there is tagline at the beginning, "Dedicated to Bimal da". Anupama has soul connected to a Woman's strained life just like Bimal Roy films had but Hrishi da makes it more of a love story than a social topic. In Anuradha he gives tribute to all Women who have sacrificed their everything to make men successful and so it became universal concept but that's not the case here for Anupama. The film is about a girl whose mother immediately after her birth so the Father blames her for this loss and even the girl starts believing it as her own fault. Then finally sunshine called Love comes into her life and encourages her to Live incomparably. Anupama has many emotional moments where you can't hold your tears, one is when you realise her pain, another one when Dharmendra sings painful poem. In climax it feels like film misses something, don't know what exactly, may be Father-daughter final face off or acknowledgement or maybe social message. Otherwise it is a very good emotional drama keeping all qualities upto the mark. Sharmila Tagore is fantastic in this shy yet full of life role, Dharmendra shines as a poet and a man with principles, Shashikala is in top form in her favourite zone of chatterbox and free minded girl. Dialogues writing is are pure class, i don't see nothing wrong about it rather many dialogues are overwhelming and ahead of time. Hrishikesh Mukherjee's direction is nice, he covered all elements with his intelligence. The shortcomings are unacceptable though. Anupama should have had more appealing social issue and then it would have left stronger impact.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest

A heartbreaking tear-jerker that explores life and death through the eyes of a young woman who has lived as a burden to her estranged father.

[choubey · 10/10 · 8 December 2001]

A heartbreaking tear-jerker that explores life and death through the eyes of a young woman who has lived as a burden to her estranged father. Both, Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore establish their signature acting in this movie.

Anupama Overacting

[aniketrocco · 1/10 · 10 May 2021]

Anupama always do overacting. I didn't like the series.

Anupama a sentimental fool, unrealistic story

[nirmalkishor-37882 · 5/10 · 9 October 2021]

Anupama ( Rupa Ganguly is superb for her acting ) but Director and story writer are forgetting one basic thing that they are portraying Anupama as a weak docile, self respect less woman who is bent upon accepting any degree of humiliation in marriage and after divorce too.

Leela is Gandhari of president times who ignored her sons grave crimes of ditching his wife in marriage and even after divorce, credits all crime of son to Anupama. Leela could accept Kavya , a flower pot, in her family but not Anupama in spite of using her full time 24x7 unpaid maid who can't even ask for self respect.

It's a story highly decorating negative characters like Vanraj , Kavya, Leela and Toshu. All of these are selfish of the highest order. I don't understand what this serial wants to give to the society, a healthy entertainment or a wrong message ?

Hasmukh is another Dhritraashtra or Bhishma of Mahabharat who never took any decision, and rather believed in auto decisions . He could never control his son or wife who continued torturing Anupama for 26 years in marriage and even after divorce. Such persons are more injurious to society.

I personally do not like Glorification of negativity in life .

The serial as far as acting of actor / actresses is doing well but story is Hopeless and unrealistic.

No woman in 2020/21 would like to live with sautan in the same house.

Any disease if not treated in time , like arrogance of Vanraj or Leela or Kavya, is going to become Cancer .

Anuj Kapadia, is doing well and knows how to give check mate to Vanraj and Kavya and lesson to Anupama in a single move.