Udhaar Ki Zindagi is a Hindi melodrama of its sort. It's a nice, albeit typical episode of a girl named Sita who comes from the US to India to visit her paternal grandfather, who has not been in contact with his son since the latter's marriage, which he disapproved of. Sita is determined to win her grandpa's heart and she ultimately does, but there the real conflict actually begins. The grandfather definitively wants to see his son but Sita does not find the courage to tell her aging grandparents that their son was actually killed in a car accident with his wife, as they would not be able to resist such shocking news. Udhaar Ki Zindagi is not a particularly convincing movie, it is flawed and overly sentimental, but it has its pluses too, the best thing about it being Kajol's presence. She is moving and convincing as the intensely tormented yet vivacious and strong Sita. Jeetendra and Moushumi Chatterjee form a good screen couple like they used to do in their prime. Chatterjee still has a graceful screen presence. The film's music is okay, but one song that is particularly touching is "Thodi Hansi". The film's ending is bittersweet. Lovers of Hindi cinema and its melodramatic nature would certainly enjoy watching Udhaar Ki Zindagi, and I recommend it to Kajol fans mostly. I'm sure they will be interested to see the lady, who is regarded today as one of Hindi cinema's best actresses, in one of her first roles, which may not be particularly memorable but is played sincerely enough to be seen.
5 Reviews
And that's why Kajol is one of the best!
anthony_fernandes807 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
In 1993 Kajol had Baazigar as her major claim to fame. SRK hogged all the limelight, but the two were noticed for their terrific chemistry. Yet Kajol probably knew that she had a lot more to prove and do. So while Yeh Dillagi earned her commercial success in 1994 (and a Filmfare Nomination), Udhaar Ki Zindagi got her tremendous respect and critical acclaim. Everyone applauded her courage for choosing a film sans item songs, a big hero, action or any other gimmicks.
UKZ honestly, is not a flawless film. It is well intended but even for 1994, it did seem a tad dated. Nevertheless, the film (a remake of a South Indian Film) had its heart in the right place and that made it likable.
The story has several sub plots around the core plot, i.e. the daughter-grandparents relationship. Today's Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishen played a minuscule role as Jeetendra and Moushami Chatterji's son who marries against his father's wishes and hence is asked to leave their house, never to return. In the USA, Ravi's wife gives birth to a daughter, played by Kajol. After many years when Moushami and Jeetendra receive a letter from their estranged son that he intends to visit them with his family, the mother is ecstatic. Although Jeetendra is happy too, he keeps his emotions under wraps. However, all the excitement translates into disappointment when only Kajol shows up at their doorstep, to inform them that their son and his wife (her parents) will join them in a few days as he has some important business related work to attend. Kajol must now win the hearts of her grandparents and slowly, she manages to do so. But the twist in the tale is that she has a secret that will shatter their lives.
The film has a bit of suspense (which is predictable) and loads of drama. Raghubir Yadav tries to add comedy which at best is slapstick. The hero (Rohit Bhatia) gets no scope when pitted against the powerhouse of talent, Kajol, who sinks her teeth into one of her first author backed roles and delivers a first rate performance. I'm sure she would also rate her performance in this film rather highly. If anyone matches up to her it is yesteryear's seasoned actor Jeetendra who delivers a convincing and praiseworthy depiction of the grandfather who never expresses his emotions but is saddened by his son's absence. Ravi Kishen and Priyanka get limited scope but do well. Moushami Chatterji is aptly cast and enacts her part ably. So do Mehmood and Sujata Mehta. A film that belongs to the dramatic genre needs good performances and on that count UKZ excels.
Music by Anand-Milind was not chart-busting but the songs are high on melody. While Main Bhi Chup Hoon and Dadaji Ki Chadi Hoon Mein played at the number 10-9 spots on the charts, the beautifully worded song Thodi Hansi Hain (courtesy lyricist Sameer) that appears in 2 versions sung beautifully by its singers (Suresh Wadkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan and Suresh Wadkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhna Sargam) is the song that lingers in your heart even after the film has ended.
The direction is very 90s like - melodramatic. Overall, this is not the best film out there but thanks to some excellent performances, a lilting musical score and a decent story (no double meaning dialogs or songs unlike several films released in the 90s), UKZ qualifies as a clean family entertainer. Give it a watch!
UKZ honestly, is not a flawless film. It is well intended but even for 1994, it did seem a tad dated. Nevertheless, the film (a remake of a South Indian Film) had its heart in the right place and that made it likable.
The story has several sub plots around the core plot, i.e. the daughter-grandparents relationship. Today's Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishen played a minuscule role as Jeetendra and Moushami Chatterji's son who marries against his father's wishes and hence is asked to leave their house, never to return. In the USA, Ravi's wife gives birth to a daughter, played by Kajol. After many years when Moushami and Jeetendra receive a letter from their estranged son that he intends to visit them with his family, the mother is ecstatic. Although Jeetendra is happy too, he keeps his emotions under wraps. However, all the excitement translates into disappointment when only Kajol shows up at their doorstep, to inform them that their son and his wife (her parents) will join them in a few days as he has some important business related work to attend. Kajol must now win the hearts of her grandparents and slowly, she manages to do so. But the twist in the tale is that she has a secret that will shatter their lives.
The film has a bit of suspense (which is predictable) and loads of drama. Raghubir Yadav tries to add comedy which at best is slapstick. The hero (Rohit Bhatia) gets no scope when pitted against the powerhouse of talent, Kajol, who sinks her teeth into one of her first author backed roles and delivers a first rate performance. I'm sure she would also rate her performance in this film rather highly. If anyone matches up to her it is yesteryear's seasoned actor Jeetendra who delivers a convincing and praiseworthy depiction of the grandfather who never expresses his emotions but is saddened by his son's absence. Ravi Kishen and Priyanka get limited scope but do well. Moushami Chatterji is aptly cast and enacts her part ably. So do Mehmood and Sujata Mehta. A film that belongs to the dramatic genre needs good performances and on that count UKZ excels.
Music by Anand-Milind was not chart-busting but the songs are high on melody. While Main Bhi Chup Hoon and Dadaji Ki Chadi Hoon Mein played at the number 10-9 spots on the charts, the beautifully worded song Thodi Hansi Hain (courtesy lyricist Sameer) that appears in 2 versions sung beautifully by its singers (Suresh Wadkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan and Suresh Wadkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhna Sargam) is the song that lingers in your heart even after the film has ended.
The direction is very 90s like - melodramatic. Overall, this is not the best film out there but thanks to some excellent performances, a lilting musical score and a decent story (no double meaning dialogs or songs unlike several films released in the 90s), UKZ qualifies as a clean family entertainer. Give it a watch!
Only Kajol's performance saves this film
jahangirhussain7429 January 2013
It is a well known fact that Udhaar Ki Zindagi is copied from a South Indian film. But it's the bravura performance of the film's leading lady, Kajol that saves the film from going into slumps. Kajol was flying high these days with the success of Baazigar and UKZ further solidifies her position in Bollywood as a heroine of substance.
Kajol is wonderful from the very first frame of the movie. The film is basically about a granddaughter's (Kajol) constant struggles to placate her angry grandfather played by Jeetendra. The reason that Jeetendra is angry at Kajol is because his son married a girl whom he didn't approve of. Kajol's father then walks out on Jeetendra and settles down in USA. Years later, Kajol comes back to India but with a secret whom she's dead scared to disclose to anyone, including her doting grandmother played by Moushumi Chatterjee.
As mentioned above, Kajol is magnificent in this movie. The sincerity with which she portrays her character shows off in many scenes. Her character Sita's expression of frustration, sadness, happiness and vanity is well conveyed by Kajol. Jeetendra and Moushumi Chatterjee's chemistry is excellent and the couple look too good on screen. Moushumi Chatterjee portrays her character with grace and a certain amount of vulnerability. Ravi Kishen as Jeetendra's son was good. Rohit Bhatia as the leading lady's love interest is strictly okay. Given the fact that it's a heroine-driven film, the hero had nothing worth mentioning to do.
The music of UKZ is heartwarming, especially "thodi haasi thode ansoo". This song is amazingly picturized and really unfolds the essence of the film. Other songs of this film are good too.
Overall, a must-watch for Kajol's fans.
Kajol is wonderful from the very first frame of the movie. The film is basically about a granddaughter's (Kajol) constant struggles to placate her angry grandfather played by Jeetendra. The reason that Jeetendra is angry at Kajol is because his son married a girl whom he didn't approve of. Kajol's father then walks out on Jeetendra and settles down in USA. Years later, Kajol comes back to India but with a secret whom she's dead scared to disclose to anyone, including her doting grandmother played by Moushumi Chatterjee.
As mentioned above, Kajol is magnificent in this movie. The sincerity with which she portrays her character shows off in many scenes. Her character Sita's expression of frustration, sadness, happiness and vanity is well conveyed by Kajol. Jeetendra and Moushumi Chatterjee's chemistry is excellent and the couple look too good on screen. Moushumi Chatterjee portrays her character with grace and a certain amount of vulnerability. Ravi Kishen as Jeetendra's son was good. Rohit Bhatia as the leading lady's love interest is strictly okay. Given the fact that it's a heroine-driven film, the hero had nothing worth mentioning to do.
The music of UKZ is heartwarming, especially "thodi haasi thode ansoo". This song is amazingly picturized and really unfolds the essence of the film. Other songs of this film are good too.
Overall, a must-watch for Kajol's fans.
Movie ahead of its time
sccermaniac29 February 2020
A great film about sudden changes in life. - Spoilers
Kamrat_Alstrom29 October 2003
Warning: Spoilers
My mother really likes this movie. It's about the relationship between a father and his only son. The son marries against his fathers expectations. Life takes a turn and his son and sons wife dies in a car accident abroad. The sons daughter has to carry the heavy message of his son and daughter in laws death in such a way that it's not fatal for the father. Great movie! Kajols acting is excellent.
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