Deepika Padukone’s Gehraiyaan was loved for the sizzling star cast and its classic relationship drama.
However, before Gehraiyaan, here is a list of 5 Bollywood Films With Complex Adult Relationships which were loved by the audience.
1-Silsila
One of the most popular movie, Silsila, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, and Jaya Bachchan is an all-time classic. As per reports, this movie is one of the finest works of Yash Chopra but it was declared a flop. While this one too ends on a happier note, with Amitabh reconciling with his estranged partner Shobha (Jaya Bachchan), for its time and its audience, Sisila was a bold movie. It showed Amitabh indulging in adultery with his former lover Chandni (played by a lovely Rekha). At the time, Bachchan had been married to Jaya for at least 7 years, and maybe the audience found it hard to digest that their beloved leading man was going behind his on-screen wife’s (who also happened to be his real-life partner) back to have an affair with Rekha’s Chandni. But the actors did a fine job of it, in fact, Rekha and Bachchan’s chemistry was the highlight of the romantic drama.
2- Arth
Mahesh Bhatt’s movie Arth, starring Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Shabana Azmi playing the lead roles was a hit. Smita Patil and Raj Kiran essayed supporting parts. It was said that the movie was inspired by Bhatt’s own affair with the late Parveen Babi. Kavita was someone who met Inder first in a more professional capacity as a collaborator in the film industry, and that is where their bond strengthened. The narrative of the film centers on Azmi and Kharbanda’s Pooja and Inder. Pooja wants a stable marriage within the four walls of her home. She wants roots but Inder’s idea about having a home did not follow the norm. He was a ‘free spirit’ who ended up having a dalliance, and then a serious relationship with one actress Kavita (Patil).
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.