Beautiful award winning Hindi movie “Anuradha” (1960) directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and starring Balraj Sahni, Leela Naidu, Abhi Bhattacharya among others.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee is known to make socially relevant movies. Dr. Nirmal (Balraj Sahni in a splendid role) is an idealistic doctor preferring to work and serve in the village where there is no medical facility available instead of practicing in the city and making money.
Anuradha (Leela Naidu, in a stunning debut) is a known radio singer who falls in love with the doctor. She goes against her father’s wishes to marry the village doctor and to live in the village. The story moves back and forth in a flashback.
Deepak (Abhi Bhattacharya) is a London educated and returned boy whom her father had chosen for his daughter. But she choses her love life. Much later when Deepak gets injured and comes for treatment to the village, he realises how much Anuradha is missing her singing career. He urges her to move back to the city and resume her singing career.
Anuradha is almost on the verge of quitting village life when something in the good doctor spurs her to stay back. The moment when she expresses her desire to move back permanently to the city, the doctor quietly acquiesces to her request.
Very subtle script of the times (1960s) when the girls choosing their own partners was rare, melodious songs by Lata Mangeshkar in semi classical style, the magnificent acting by Balraj Sahni and the sensationally beautiful Leela Naidu, all add charm to this vintage classic. IMDB 7/10
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