Mili [1975]

Mili
Reviewed: August 03 2007

After waiting to see this movie for years I finally got the DVD a month or so back and watched it last night. Chupke Chupke has been one of my all time favourite movies ever since I first saw it... Among Hrishikesh's other films I adore Guddi which I also saw just recently (it's a classic all the way)! The other two films I've seen made by him are Anand and Jhoot Bole Kauwa Kaate, both of which I don't think are classics like the others but they're still quite good. Anyway, so I've been trying to work my way through all of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's cinema and Mili was another step forward for me.

What did I think of it? I simply loved it! Here is a film that I wont forget any time soon, it truly leaves a deep impact with the viewer.

The story is simply fantastic. So real, simple and about human life like all of H.M's films. Screenplay is tight and gripping - after Guddi this is another film from H.M which did not drag in the least bit and kept me glued to the screen in each and every frame! It finishes so quickly (just a 2 hour film) and you wish it had gone on for a bit more. The end of the film deserves a special mention here because it took me by complete surprise. We're left wondering what happened next... In today's day and age we'd probably have a sequel thrown upon us haha but I think the cliffhanger we're left with is perfect...

Kal Ho Naa Ho? People say Karan Johar was inspired by Anand while writing his KHNH, and though I do see parts of Anand in KHNH, I would actually go as far as saying KHNH may be 30% similar to Anandbut it's actually something like 50-60% similar to Mili! I'm really surprised that Mili's name never appeared as an influence to KHNH in any of its reviews!! Hrishikesh Mukherjee had his Mili - and there Karan Johar found his Aman. Dying day by day, knowing of his/her illness but still going strong and keeping that smile fixed on his/her face. Making others around him/her smile and laugh and live life to the fullest. If Karan wrote Naina Catherine Kapur - Hrishikesh Mukherjee had already written Shekhar! Depressed and living a cynical life due to the situation one has been left in thanks to his/her father's doings. Someone finally comes into his/her life to bring happiness and a reason to live - teaching him/her how to smile!

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Mili is a fight of human spirit. It's a pure evergreen classic and I know I will watch this film more and more over the years, it outstanding cinema at its best.

Performances by each and every actor are perfect and natural!

Jaya Bhaduri Honestly, what can I say? Every single time I see a movie of Jaya Bhaduri, I just wonder what happened to her?! Such a beautiful and natural actress... Jaya Bachchan is not a patch on Jaya Bhaduri - and I honestly don't feel anyone will go against my saying this. She was such a natural actress... she portrayed the role with such simplicity, such sweetness and she just oozed of reality - there wasn't a single moment she went overboard, there never is in any of her older performances that I've seen. Definitely, without any doubt, a performance of a lifetime!

Amitabh Bachchan Wow. The power in his eyes...the depression, the cynical attitude...everything was projected with utmost perfection! Of course, there isnt' really a surprise there because Amitabh was, is and always will be one of the most brilliant actors our cinema has ever and will ever see. His character had so many layers for him to dig his teeth into as an actor and he did a brilliant job, his performance as Shekhar was outstanding!

Ashok Kumar was outstanding as the father. He had so many fantastic scenes but the two that really took the cake were [1] when the doctor tells him that Mili's nearing her last days and [2] the night when Mili goes to him and says she wants to sleep with him 'coz she's not slept for days. A really amazing performance.

Aruna Irani looked so young and beautiful! She portrayed her role naturally. It seems like H.M was a big fan of Asrani hehe... he was really funny in his guest appearance - his scene was hilarious!

Great entertainment value, heart-touching story and a gripping screenplay makes me recommend Mili to each and every one of you out there who has not experienced her - because she'll really make you smile and make you cry!