Sunday, December 4, 2011

Govind Nihalani's Classic Movie - VIJETA (1982)!

.

I heard this classical raaga based song of Asha Bhosle in the radio programme, Sangeet Sarita, a couple of days back.  The song is based on raaga Aahir Bhairav, a morning raaga and Asha's voice was impeccably melodious.  Rekha is, as usual, superb in the song video.  Then I saw the name of the movie, 'Vijeta'.  I remembered that I had been planning to watch the movie for a long time and I did, today! And it is a Govind Nihalani, my favourite director's movie! I have watched, Ardh Sathya, Party, Aakrosh etc. and if I mention 'Tamas', the TV serial, it is enough to know of his calibre...I remember its impact on us when it was transmitted in Doordarshan, in the 80's.  He was the cinematographer for the movie 'Gandhi' and he has done this job for this movie, Vijeta, too. Now, hear the song first and you will know why I got hooked to the song and the movie. This is the only song in this whole movie and this is a Hindi movie!



This is the story of how Nihal Singh's (Shashi Kapoor) son, Angadh (Shashi's real son, Kunal Kapoor), matures in his life from a confused teenager to a fighter pilot.  Neelima (Rekha), as Angadh's protective mother, has done her job, superbly.  I had never thought that Kunal Kapoor could act so well amongst the talented actors like Shashi and Rekha.  He did his role very well. 
The story begins with the India-Pakistan partition scene (though they don't show it, but just hints) where Shashi loses most of his family members and so, often gets nightmares.  His mother, Dina Pathak offers her first grandson to the Sikh religion, as is the practice in many Punjabi families as a 'mannath'. So, Angdh is brought up as a Sikh boy. This is not a partition story or war story, but revolves around the emotions of the parents, Shashi, Rekha and their son.    Shashi is shown as a sort of weak personality.  Because of a short extra-marital affair, his wife Neelima is emotionally detached from him and the friction reflects on their son Angadh.  He is restless and is not able to concentrate in his studies.  So he was sent to a boarding school but he leaves it halfway and comes home.  So, there is fiction between father and son and Rekha is very protective of her only son.  Then, her brother, Om Puri (this superb actor comes in a short role, in this movie) suggests to Angadh to join Air Force so that he becomes focused in his life with the discipline he has to go through over there. Here, again, the father is against it.  But Angadh joins the Air Force. 
Then the story develops to show how Angadh gets accustomed to the atmosphere at the Air force, their training, his friends and how he changes into a self confident person as a fighter pilot and comes closer to his father.  The training of the fighter pilot and later, the war scene (Indo-Pakistan war scenes are not shown in detail, but just the scenes where Angadh's personality is developed) are shown superbly.  Govind Nihalani is a good cinematographer and it is visible in these scenes. Wikipedia says: 

The film is notable for some rarely seen aerial photography of combat aircraft active with the IAF in 1980's.  The central character of Angadh himself, is a MiG-21 pilot and is shown flying the aircraft in ground attack role in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.  Much of the movie, including the climax involving MiG-21bis, was shot at Pune.  The IAF No.4 squadron (the Oorials), provided the pilots and planes for the film's aerial sequences.  The movie included good colour footage of the Oorials aircraft in fight and in operations.
I am a great admirer of Shashi Kapoor's movies (well, some of them!), like Junoon, Kalyug, Kabhie Kabhie etc. People who know/have seen Rekha's movies, will always be her fan.  I can't mention her movies because it is a looooong list! She is one of my favourite actors.  Khubsoorat, Kalyug, Silsila, Utsav...no, I will stop here!  

Let me post some good scenes from the movie, so that you will definitely watch this movie after reading this review.  I am very much impressed by it, you know!

The dialogue by Shafi Inamdar of 'Yeh jo hai Zindagi' fame, is superb, here.  You can see KK Raina also here.  Amrish Puri as Angadh's Fighter pilot instructor, has done a very good job in this movie.  Supriya Patak is a stage actress (Angadh's girl friend) and so naturally, has done very well. Now, to the videos:





.
Poster courtesy: Google

32 comments :

Deepa said...

Aha! I seem to be first. I've seen the movie many years ago on DD. And I LOVED it. I love the chemistry between Angadh and Anna (Supriya Pathak). Kunal Kapoor was a good choice. Rekha stunning as always. Everything about the movie was very watchable. I would love to see it again. I'm trying to see if its available online.

Sandhya said...

DEEPA: I had missed it somehow, though I knew I was a good movie. I am happy that I was able to watch it now! Every frame was good, in this movie!

Yes, you are THE first, Deepa, thank you!

ashok said...

Love the song...earthy composition.

Wud love to watch the moview when i get a chance, now that you & Deepa have praised it so much!

Anonymous said...

I saw the movie years ago, so this was a refresher course! I had forgotten most of it!! :)

Destination Infinity said...

"In khoobsurat unchayiyon mein, main bilkul akela hun. Par akelapan nahi hai!" - Nice dialogues. Good to see that such movies were made in India too at some point of time. I have not seen any Hindi movie that was shot before 1990, maybe except sholay which I saw recently. I would really want to see those movies - They are more appealing, actually! I sometimes feel that I should have been born 20 years earlier!

Destination Infinity

Sandhya said...

ASHOK: Please do, Ashok! It is worth watching!


INDIAN HOMEMAKER: Somehow I missed this movie for so many years now, though I like the cast, director etc.! Enjoyed watching now!


DESTINATION INFINITY: Yes, the dialogues are memorable. I think it is by one Satyadev Dubey! I liked the dialogue by Shafi Inamdaar. You must have seen the clip.

I remember reading about MiG 21s crashing often during the war and later. They were used in this movie.

It is not late, D.I. You can watch those movies even now, but at home!

Renu said...

I have seen the movie..since Shashi kapoor and rekha both are my favourite, I always watch all the movies if I see their name and it has Om puri too:)

Why dont we see such movies today?

Bikram said...

I got a dvd of this .. and watch it .. the good thing i liked was a Sikh person was shown as proper SIKH.. if you know what I mean and not made a joker ..

every one was os lovely in the movie.. shashi kapoor , amrish , supriya pathak AMazing actors

Bikram's

Swaram said...

Thanks for sharing Sandhya. I hv nt watched this movie. Hope to do so soon :)

Amrit said...

I agree Vijeta was good movie. Classic.

Roshmi Sinha said...

I have watched this a long time back. Need to watch it again ... to refresh my memory :)

But I have a feeling that this one 'inspired' Farhan Akhtar's "Lakshya" starring Hrithik Roshan and Priety Zinta...

Kavita Saharia said...

I have seen this movie many times and i watch it again if i see it running on TV.I completely agree ,it is undoubtly a classic.

Sandhya said...

RENU: They are my favourite actors too, esp. Rekha, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah etc. Somehow I had missed this movie.

Some good movies are coming in Tamil nowadays.


BIKRAMJIT: Kunal Kapur has done a very good job. I haven't seen him much later. Yes, he was shown as a true Sikh. Supriya Pathak is a stage actress and all others also did their job very well.


SWARAM: Please watch, Swaram! This is worth watching!


A: That is the reason I wrote the review even now! I know most of the people would have seen it! I enjoyed so much that I wanted to put my appreciation in record!


ROSHMI SINHA: I haven't seen Lakshna. Have heard that it was a war story based movie. Yes, might have got 'inspired' by this movie. But, was it good?!


KAVITA: It is going to be in my memory always. I forget most of the movies within days of watching them! Even though this is an old movie, I was so impressed that I wanted to tell everybody about it! I love the only song in the movie!

Deeps said...

Oh I love this song, Sandhya! So beautifully rendered by Asha Bhonsle! I remember watching this movie years back and feeling a bit depressed. But the pairing of Rekah & Shashi Kappor is always a treat to watch.

Have you seen Kalyug? A contemporary interpretation of Mahabharata, its a beautufl movie.

Ramakrishnan said...

Great movie.Kunal did a fine job. Rekha is at her ravishing best - she was at her peak in those years. Thanks for reviving old golden memories!

Sandhya said...

DEEPS: I have watched Kalyug. I still remember the story. I forget movie stories easily if it doesn't touch my heart. This movie, Vijeta is going to be in my memory always, I think.

Yes, Shashi and Rekha are good actors. I never missed their movies, mostly.


S.RAMAKRISHNAN: I have never seen Kunal before this or later. He acted very well in this movie. Rekha, Shashi, Amrish Puri, Supriya Patak etc. are famous for their acting.

I am happy to know that you like this.

Ramakrishnan said...

Kunal acted mainly in his father's films - Siddhratha,Junoon, Ahista Ahista,Vijeta etc. He could never emulate the success of Shashi Kapoor, his famous father.He moved later into producing TV commercials.

Kirtivasan Ganesan said...

Vijeta indeed is a superb movie. I have forgotten the story and remember only a few scenes from it.
Nice selection !!

Sandhya said...

R.RAMAKRISHNAN: I haven't seen Siddhartha and Ahista ahista. Have seen Junoon and liked it but don't remember him. Kunal seems to be a good actor, though he might not be like Shashi. I have seen Karan as a model in some commercials and didn't know that Kunal was into production of TV commercials. Thanks for the information.


KIRTIVASAN: Welcome to this blog, Kirtivasan!

I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to write about it! Thank you!

dsdsds said...

asha bhosle is my all time fav.. be it tamil or hindi.. i am not too familiar with old hindi movies but this sounds good.. will pick it up in the video store near by if available.. good review, Sandhyaji, with all the good dialogues and stuff..

Anonymous said...

nice review...

R. Ramesh said...

sandhya ji nanri:)

Reflections said...

I remember watching this movie years back on Doordarshan but the details are hazy. After reading ur review I want to watch it again:-).

ashok said...

Congrats Sandya! you are my choice for the "versatile blogger" Award...receive it here:-)

http://ashokism.blogspot.com/2011/12/versatile-blogger.html

Sandhya said...

HEMA: This is a good movie and you will love it, Hema!


KRISHNA: Thank you, Krishna!


R.RAMESH: Nandri ungalukkum, Ramesh!


REFLECTIONS: Yes, this is a good movie, thank you!


ASHOK: Thank you, Ashok! This means a lot to me! Will visit your blog.

shaggy said...

Interesting review! DD plays the movie every year as part of its Republic Day season but I seem to have missed it this year..it's surely one of the best war movies to come out of India..along with the training/camaraderie/coming-of-age aspects.. all the officers I know who graduated from the NDA and AFA swear by it..this was still part of the "parallel cinema" movement in those days.. thirty years on, movies like this winning the best accolades in popular/commercial cinema - like they might in the west - continues to remain a distant dream..
Still, it's refreshing to find 'parallel souls' in cyberspace who love the movies as much:)

Sandhya said...

SHAGGY: Welcome here, Shaggy!

It was a very well-made movie, but the director is Govind Nihalani and it has to be the best!

I enjoyed the movie very much and was dwelling on it for the next 2-3 days, talking about it to anybody who was listening to me! You can see from the comments here that many people liked the movie.

Thanks for the comment, Shaggy.


Unknown said...

Please suggest how can I get a DVD of this movie. I am even willing to buy offline a copy of the same from someone who owns the original.

Unknown said...

Please suggest how can I get a DVD/CD of this movie. I am even willing to buy a copy of the same from someone, preferably staying in Bangalore.

Sandhya said...

Sandeep Sinha: Welcome to my space, Sandeep! Thanks for the comment.

I think you should get it in DVD shops. Flipkart sells it at Rs. 149. Check this link pl. http://www.flipkart.com/movies/movies/pr?q=vijeta&as=on&as-show=on&otracker=start&sid=4kt%2C3lz%2C4jy&as-pos=1_1_ic

manoj said...

Im looking for the speech Amrish puri gives the young cadets..it was there in youtube, and now can't find it..great blog!

Sandhya said...

MANOJ: Welcome to my space, Manoj!

I remember it now! I should have looked for it then and posted. Thank you!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Labels

Agra ( 3 ) ants ( 1 ) Arya Samaj wedding ( 1 ) Aurangabad ( 1 ) awards ( 3 ) Badami cave temples ( 4 ) balika vadhu ( 4 ) Bhimsen Joshi ( 1 ) birds and butterflies ( 28 ) Book Review ( 2 ) Books ( 5 ) Chennairain ( 1 ) children ( 2 ) Churches ( 1 ) Chutney ( 1 ) Cinderella Man ( 1 ) cinema ( 15 ) common wealth games ( 1 ) concerts ( 7 ) Corporation Schools ( 1 ) cricket ( 3 ) Dharamshala ( 3 ) dogs ( 5 ) Doordarshan ( 9 ) down memory lane ( 5 ) Education ( 15 ) English Movie Review ( 16 ) Environment ( 52 ) Europe tour ( 1 ) Festivals ( 20 ) Firaaq (2008) ( 1 ) Fitness ( 1 ) Forts ( 3 ) Foto Friday ( 18 ) Gafla ( 1 ) General ( 42 ) Health ( 7 ) Hindi film songs ( 3 ) Hindi Movie Review ( 25 ) Humour ( 6 ) Jagjit Singh ( 4 ) Kalakshetra ( 1 ) Kamal Haasan ( 2 ) kanjira ( 1 ) Karsh Kale ( 1 ) kaun banega superstar ( 3 ) kbc ( 2 ) Kew Gardens ( 2 ) Kittens ( 10 ) Kurnool ( 4 ) kya aap paanchvi paas se tez hain? ( 1 ) language ( 1 ) London ( 5 ) Mahabaleshwar tour ( 5 ) movie review ( 8 ) Mumbai Meri Jaan ( 1 ) music ( 58 ) my garden ( 17 ) Nature ( 19 ) New year ( 3 ) Notre Dame ( 1 ) onion ( 1 ) patriotism ( 19 ) pattadha kallu ( 1 ) People whom I admire ( 62 ) Personal experience ( 2 ) pets ( 19 ) politics ( 20 ) Portugese anchor ( 1 ) Pt.Chaurasia ( 1 ) radio ( 4 ) rantings ( 3 ) reality shows ( 2 ) recognition ( 2 ) religion ( 3 ) s ( 1 ) Sangeeth Saritha ( 5 ) saregama 1998 mega final ( 3 ) saregama 1999 finals ( 1 ) saregamapa 2010 ( 1 ) showcaves ( 1 ) Sonu Nigam ( 5 ) sound of music ( 3 ) sparrows ( 4 ) Sports ( 7 ) Srilanka tour ( 4 ) sunrise ( 6 ) superstitions ( 2 ) Tagged ( 11 ) Tamil movie Review ( 8 ) Temples ( 22 ) Tendulkar ( 3 ) The King's Speech ( 1 ) The Taj ( 1 ) thief ( 1 ) Tirupati ( 3 ) tour ( 59 ) tours ( 1 ) Travel ( 26 ) TV serial review ( 8 ) Ulagath Tamizh Semmozhi Maanaadu ( 1 ) unbelievable news ( 2 ) US tour ( 5 ) Ustaad Zakir Hussain ( 1 ) Vaalpaarai ( 3 ) vedanthangal ( 3 ) voh kaagaz ki kashti ( 75 ) wordless wednesday ( 38 ) yoga ( 2 )