Classic Revival: Celebrating Gulzar's 'Aandhi' on its 50th Anniversary

'Aandhi', a film by Gulzar starring Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen, celebrates its 50th anniversary. Regarded as a modern classic, the film is praised for its nuanced portrayal of ambition and love amidst political undertones. Industry veterans advocate its re-release, highlighting its timeless music by RD Burman.

As 'Aandhi' marks its 50th anniversary, industry stalwarts, including Javed Akhtar, Mahesh Bhatt, and Karan Johar, reflect on its significance. The film, directed by Gulzar, featured Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen, and is hailed for its depth in depicting ambition intersecting with personal relationships.

Set against a political backdrop, 'Aandhi' faced challenges during its original release, including a ban during the Emergency period in India due to perceived similarities with the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi. Yet, its re-release highlighted its capability to resonate with audiences across generations.

Javed Akhtar believes that 'Aandhi', if re-released today, would perform exceptionally well, attributing this to its intelligent storytelling and timeless RD Burman soundtrack. Fellow filmmakers echo this sentiment, underscoring its cultural and cinematic impact as a masterpiece of Hindi cinema.

(With inputs from agencies.)