Uphaar : Retro Gems

#8 Uphaar (1971)

The perfect combination of an innocent young girl and a charming boy is beautifully captured in this classic movie of 1971, Uphaar. Produced by Rajshri Films, I fall in love with it every time I see it. Innocence at its best is seen in this beautiful film, which starred Jaya Bhaduri and Swarup Dutta in the lead roles. It had some melodious all-time hits in it.

Plot

Minoo / Mrinmayee (Jaya Bhaduri) is a young carefree girl staying in a village with her parents. She is pampered by her father. But her mother is often worried as Minoo spends her time loitering around with her village friends, which include a bunch of naughty kids. She enjoys picking mangoes from the gardens of other people. Consequently, village people complain about her mischief, which upsets her mother every time. Not to mention, her father comes to her rescue though.

In the same village, Anoop comes to his home to spend the holidays. He is rich and the only son, and stays with his mother (Kamini Kaushal). His house is blessed with wealth and prosperity. One day, his mother sends him to see a girl to get him married. On the way, he meets Minoo in a hilarious situation, and she laughs her heart out.

He Falls For Her

Uninhibitedly, he falls for her innocence. He returns home and informs his mother about his feelings. But as Minoo is famous for her tactics, his mother straightaway denies this proposal. It results in Anup becoming upset and losing interest in everything.

Finally, his mother agrees and they get married. Now, the naive and childish Minoo is unaware of the depth of marriage, let alone her responsibilities towards her husband. Consequently, complications develop in their relationship. Once, Minoo even tries to escape from her in-laws’ house but is brought back by a loyal boatman.

Anup tries to make her happy with several tricks. Once he takes her for an outing. The beautiful song Main Ik Raja Hoon appears on the screen. Sung by maestro Mohd. Rafi, it is absolutely soothing to the ears.

Anup’s patience is tried several times by Minoo when he finally decides to give up and pursue his studies in Kolkata. He decides to go alone as Minoo is least interested in accompanying her husband for the journey.

The Golden Moment

It’s the night when he is with her just before leaving for Kolkata. Anup questions her, “Will you come with me to Kolkata Minoo?” But she answers without a thought, “How will I? All my friends are here. I play with them. So how will I leave them?” Anup is sad and shocked to see her preference. The next morning before leaving, Anup asks Minoo if she will give her something wholeheartedly if he asks for it. She agrees. He asks her for a kiss. But she bursts into giggles every time he attempts to do so, and finally, he pats her head lovingly and leaves the room.

Now this is a moment, which touches my heart every time I see it. The purity of this scene is so well maintained by the writer and the actors, Jaya Bhaduri and Swarup Dutta, it is beyond words.

Realisation

As promised to her, he leaves her at her parent’s home before leaving. His mother obviously doesn’t object as she is not at all in peace with this marriage, from first. On the way, there is a song in the boat, sung by Mukesh – Maajhi, Naiya Dhunde Kinaara. What a masterpiece. In the movie, it is picturised on Yunus Parvez, another veteran actor of that era.

The minute Anup disappears from her sight, Minoo feels a restlessness, an urge to see him again, just one more time. And, her journey of realising what he meant for her begins. She yearns for him and misses him badly. The pain of separation from him stings her every minute.

She later decides to go back to her in-laws’ place. The upset mother is not in a state to actually welcome her. But, as she enters the premises, the mother feels something has changed in her. As she comes nearer, Minoo touches her feet and addresses her as ‘Mom’. She forgets everything and embraces her wholeheartedly with joy. A song is played then, sung by Lata Mangeshkar, Sooni Re Nagariya. It is another gem of that era.

The Union

His mother and his sister (Nandita Thakur) plan for a meeting of the two lovers. His mother takes her to his sister’s home, while Minoo is unaware of Anup’s presence there. And same is the case with Anup.

Anup is not in a mood to eat at all, and Minoo is equally sad. After dinner, his brother-in-law ( Suresh Chatwal) says a poem slowly in the background of heavy rainfall.

In the corridor, Minoo is strolling at late night. Anup also comes there unaware of her presence. When they see each other, they feel as if they have found their world. She runs maddeningly into his strong embrace, and he hugs her fondly. The universe smiles at the union of the two souls.

What a movie . . . You have to see this to experience the perfect combination of yearning and romance with innocence.

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