Samadhi

That Dharmendra never got an award for his memorable performance in this great movie is nothing short of shameful in the annals of Indian Cinema. In fact, Dharmendra never got one, in spite of giving such great performances in movies like Anupama, Satyakam and Chupke Chupke, amongst others.

The movie has Dharmendra as a notorious bandit who kidnaps, then falls for and marries Asha Parekh. Dharmendra tries to turn over a new leaf but his wife falls critically ill. When he tries to borrow money to have her treated, all his efforts fail. He then kidnaps a millionaire's young son. The millionaire agrees to pay but when Dharmendra goes to deliver the boy, he kills the latter by accident. Broken-hearted, Dharmendra buries the boy. His "samadhi" (tomb) remains as indelible in the viewer's psyche as it remains in Dharmendra's destiny...

Dharmendra is just brilliant. The pathos he conveys is incredible when, in one scene, he asks God how he is going to return the dead son or, in another, he is slapped by his son (played by Dharmendra also) and curses his own destiny.

The movie is by the way directed by the great Prakash Mehra and, if you like it, check out also the older "Mujhe Jeeno Do", another superior flick with Sunil Dutt.

R D Burman's music shines as usual with a hauntingly beautiful song by Asha Bhosle (Jab Tak Rahe), an offbeat gem by Kishore (Jane Jaana) and a great solo by Manna Dey (Bhagwan Bhi), amongst others.

Lakhan Singh strikes terror into the hearts of village people everywhere. But when his heart is tamed by a woman through her courage & tenacity who would believe it. So begins the tale of Samadhi a story of hardship & misfortune where Lakhan follows a pathway of self sacrifice to provide for his loved ones. But however hard he tries he cannot escape the shadow of crime that has blighted his existence, Happiness is always seems to be snatched away & replaced by remorse & anguish which forces him out of desperation back into the life of crime he was raised into. His only hope is to ensure that his child is not caught in the circle of deception that he is so effectively ensnared. If that means disassociating himself from the one thing that he values the most than so be it...

I won't repeat the story as other reviewers have described it well. Samadhi signifies the monument constructed by Dharmendra Sr. in memory of his beloved wife.

Dharmendra has acted well as a dacoit turned into a hard working yet unlucky man. The young, modern, dashing Dharmendra is also equally convincing. A very touching story focused on the senior Dharmendra.

Songs are beautiful. Kaata laga, jab tak rahen, jaan-e-jaanaa are all very melodious songs composed by RD. Overall, definitely worth watching once. Asha Parekh, Jaya Bhaduri have done a good job. Villain Madan Puri is passable.

Overall, it's a typical 70s movie. With action, songs, some comedy.