I’m already loving the deeper emotional chord that Gehraiyaan is pulling and can’t wait to watch what the film has in-store. The Doobey Doobey track that released today looks so impressive as well. It’s such a sensitive subject though, which seems to have dealt beautifully. So, amidst the talks around this film, I can’t help but recall five other Hindi films with the backdrop of infidelity.
Arth
This cult by Mahesh Bhatt is the ultimate when it comes to complexity of relationships shown on celluloid. Shabana Azmi won a national award for her character Pooja who gets cheated on by her husband played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda while Smita Patil plays the other woman. The amazing dialogues, relatability, and the brilliant performances of all these actors including Raj Kiran make Arth the cult that it is. Oh, this would be incomplete without the mention of its music by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. This film was so ahead of its time that today’s youth will also enjoy it thoroughly. A true cinema lover cannot miss out on this classic.
Silsila
There never was and there never can be another Silsila in the history of Indian cinema. Amitabh Bachchan reciting the most poetic lines in his baritone, Jaya Bachchan’s depth while expressing through her eyes and Rekha’s display of emotions – weaved in Yash Chopra’s narrative can never be forgotten. The vistas of Kashmir, romance amidst the yellow flower bloom, Rekha in monochrome sarees and the soulful music – Silsila was poetry in motion, and none other than Yash Chopra could create this. Now let me go watch this again for the 100th time, now that I’ve reminded myself of this film.
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
First of all, I feel like this was such a brave film for Karan Johar to make. While the film-maker is known for his other movies like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham… or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, it was Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna which was so ahead of its times. KJo dealt with such complex emotions in this one and made it the way it was, despite the risk that it may not be accepted at that point. This was a beautiful, one-of-its-kind film, and I’m sure many would agree with me when I say that, it was under-rated. Watch this scene, and I especially have to mention how brilliant was Abhishek Bachchan here!
Astitva
This film is considered one of Tabu’s best work so far. In 2000, there wasn’t really a Hindi film made on a woman finding love outside her marriage. But Tabu did it in those times and sheer finesse of Mahesh Manjrekar to make this one so beautifully. Such a hard-hitting role and Tabu’s monologue towards the end is just everything! I’m totally in awe of Tabu more, ever since this film.
Biwi No. 1
Now this one was a slightly funny take on infidelity, but continues to be remembered and loved over the years. David Dhawan’s quintessential element and style, this wonderful ensemble cast and performances, lots of lovely moments treated on lighter notes – completely make Biwi No. 1 for repeated watches. Don’t you guys agree?