After the famous Satyajit Ray Trilogies made on the character of Apu and the city of Calcutta (Kokatta), another lesser discussed but immensely important trilogy focusing on the subject of ‘marital discord in urban settings’ came from renowned director Basu Bhattacharya in the 70s. The three off-beat films in this series explored the middle class marriages in the city and the living style of nuclear families after the first few romantic years of their married lives with a thoughtful vision. Made under the banner of Aarohi films, though the projects were not commercially successful at the box office as always, but they did win a wide appreciation and few awards too, touching the young hearts who could easily relate to the characters emoting on the screen.
The first in this trilogy is ANUBHAV (1971) featuring Sanjeev Kumar, Tanuja & Dinesh Thakur in the key roles. Shot in black & white format, it’s an artistic film showcasing the shallow, lonely life lived by a successful husband’s wife and the conflicting ego clashes between the two young individuals. Beginning with a fabulous party scene involving a child, the film beautifully incorporates many realistic sequences straight taken out of the real life. And its final hour has some great life teaching dialogues as a third person enters the couple’s life uninvited. Interestingly ANUBHAV is also remembered as the last film of the famous singer Geeta Dutt and her three melodious swan songs composed by Kanu Roy and written by Gulzar.AVISHKAAR (1975) being the second in the series has two stars of that era, Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore playing the loving rebellion couple going for a love marriage against their family will. The illusions start cracking soon after the few years of their marriage as they get to know each other more deeply. But instead of giving up, the intelligent couple realizes the mistakes they have been making and begin looking for the lost spirit in their cherished love together. An introspective finale shows the couple talking to each other truthfully sorting it all out with maturity and the film did get Rajesh Khanna the Best Actor award at the Filmfare quite deservingly.
The third film in this trilogy aptly titled GREH PRAVESH (1977) talks about extramarital relationship in a middle class marriage, wherein the husband is pretty confused that whether he really loves that other woman seducing him calmly or its just infatuation arising out of boredom felt in his otherwise routine life left with no energy. A timely action taken by the smart wife after knowing the painful truth, gives that much needed clarity to his loving husband and he soon realizes his mistake before its too late. Sanjeev Kumar, Sharmila Tagore and Sarika played the three main characters of the script and the film had a soulful soundtrack composed by Kanu Roy with lyrics once again coming from Gulzar. In fact Gulzar also makes a cameo appearance in one of its songs, as the couple’s close friend visiting them for a musical evening.
Presented in the era when parallel or meaningful films were calmly making their way into the Hindi Cinema, the first two films in this trilogy remain deeply focused on their chosen theme with a romantic & pensive mood followed throughout. Hence they might not be an easy watch for friends used to enjoying the fast paced, fantasy cinema of the present age. Admittedly GREH PARVESH does offer a more comical take on the issue brilliantly depicting the typical office mood in its first hour. But the trilogy ideally needs to be experienced as a more meditative learner searching for many tiny precious diamonds in its realistic execution and insightfully written dialogues relating to our own lives.
For instance in ANUBHAV, as Sanjeev Kumar realizes that he was unnecessarily thinking about her wife’s past, simply ignoring all the recent years lived full of love & passion, he very rightly says that,
"Beeta Hua Kal Aaj Hamare Beech Tabhi Aata Hai Jab Hum Apne Aaj Ko Poori Tarah Jee Nahin Paatey."
And this one life teaching line alone should be inspiring enough to make you go for this rare, must watch trilogy at the earliest.
Cheers!
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Basu Bhattacharyas Trilogy on marital discord, ANUBHAV (1971), AVISHKAAR (1974), GREH PRAVESH (1979), Movies To See Before You Die List by Bobby Sing, Must Watch Movies List By Bobby Sing, Not To Be Missed Hindi Films List, Meaningful Hindi Cienma by the veterans.
