Riddhi
3- Astitva
This Mahesh Manjrekar directorial, Astitva, starred Tabu and Sachin Khedekar in lead roles. Tabu played the role of Aditi and Sachin played his husband Shrikant. Aditi and Shrikant share an unhappy marriage, and they both know it. At least, Aditi seems to be more aware of the truth of their relationship. But things come to a standstill when during a party, Shrikant receives a will that states Aditi’s late music teacher, Malhar, has bequeathed his property to her. A shocked Shrikant then remembers that when Aditi had first announced she was pregnant more than two decades ago, he had just come back from a tour. In fact, Shrikant had often been on tours, leaving Aditi on her own as he went about fulfilling his dreams. A bored Aditi at the time had suggested that she could take up a job to fill her time. However, Shrikant had refused. Although seeing Aditi’s long face, he did recommend her to take up music as a hobby. A bored Aditi and a sensitive, caring teacher fall for each other, resulting in her pregnancy. This movie won a National Film Award.
4- Ijaazat
Gulzar’s musical relationship drama Ijaazat starred Anuradha Patel, Naseeruddin Shah, and Rekha. Maya (Anuradha Patel), Mahendra (Naseeruddin Shah) and Sudha (Rekha) share a complex relationship. Mahendra and Maya share a tempestuous relationship (abandonment issues and a suicide attempt are involved). But he is married to Sudha, and for a short time, they are happy together until Maya resurfaces (and no, she is not made out to be a vamp). There is a constant push and pull until Mahendra realizes he has lost both his loves. Heartbroken, he suffers a heart attack. He is nursed back to heath by Maya, who has returned to be with him. Later, Mahendra receives a letter from Sudha who says that she is allowing him and herself, the chance to begin afresh. The conclusion is bittersweet, with Sudha asking Mahendra’s ‘Ijaazat’ to move on.
5- Guide
Guide starred Dev Anand and Waheed Rehman. Rehman’s Rosie is trapped in a loveless marriage and has to quit her dream of being a professional dancer. Marco, her husband, is neither loyal nor caring and Rosie is a sex worker’s daughter. Now, Raju the Guide shows up in her neighborhood. It is a forbidden connection, that would be frowned upon today, let alone in 60s India. But that did not seem to worry writer-director Vijay Anand too much, as he steadfastly adapted this RK Narayan story for the screen. But Guide’s portrayal of the Marco-Rosie-Raju bond was just the tip of the iceberg. Filmmaker Anand made concentrated efforts to show the audience that even after Rosie and Raju got together, it was never all hunky-dory for them. A relationship takes work, and even then, sometimes, you fail. Guide’s lead pair went through their own share of ups and downs until emotions reached an unbearable crescendo of pain, guilt, and self-pity, ending with Raju’s death. The guide was a box office hit.
