Arth | The Critique

When movies are autobiographical, they create great furors because even in broad daylight everything is not simply bright. There are shadows as well. Arth casted light on shadows that were meant to be in dark only.

“Tum Jo Itna Muskura Rahe Ho…” this song by Jagjit Singh must have pricked Mahesh Bhatt to the core as his affair with Parveen Babi must have shattered the life of his wife who had no mistake. Exemplary music by Jagjit-Chitra laced a beautiful story that can boast of some great performances by Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Raj Kiran and magical ladies- Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi. A great directorial effort by Mahesh Bhatt, this is one of the finest movies of its time.

The story is about a director (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) who needs money and success. He ditches his wife (Shabana Azmi) to live with a star (Smita Patil). The star is extremely moody and needs psychological help. On the contrary, his wife is an extremely balanced lady who knowhow to live life without the support of her estranged husband. She finds a friend in a struggling singer who consequently falls in love with her. However, she maintains a distance.

Finally, should she go with him or will her husband return to her after the delusion of stardom vanishes or should she live an independent and peaceful life? Let the question be unanswered. The Arth i.e. meaning of her life depends on her decision.

The ghazals in this movie are masterpieces. They remain in your memory for long and so does the images of Smita and Shabana at their best. The drunken Shabana scene and raging Smita’s performance are the two highs of the movie. People must appreciate the way movie was made and the honesty of Mahesh Bhatt to portray the suffering of his wife. Watch it… it worth it…

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh