Alaap (1977)

I finally get to gush over 1977’s masterpiece Alaap (Modulation- in singing terminology, or a Music Prelude*), directed by the legendary Hrishikesh Mukherjee, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Om Prakash, and Chaya Devi as Sarjubhayi. 

This was one of the movies that was very easy to fall in love with. Not only did it speak to the musician in me, but the plot of the movie and the flow is so unique, and so amazingly touching. I haven’t seen a movie that can parallel a song, or a passion for music, quite like this.

The story revolves around the son of an affluent man, played by Om Prakash, who is unwilling to allow his son to further pursue his passion for singing. Upon finding out that Alok, played by our Mr. Bachchan, has been keeping company with a once-famous singer Sarjubhyaii, played by Chaya Devi, a series of events occur which lead Alok to leave the wealth and fame of his family and become a part of a family that is bound by love and music.

The progression of the story is like music, the tempo steadily rising, with dramatic and aptly placed crescendos and rests that speak louder than a beating drum. Why this movie hasn't received more love or more recognition, I cannot understand it. It combines so many elements and there is something for everyone.

And let me tell you about the music! The soundtrack of the movie by Jaidev is a lesson in classical Hindi music, with all its fantastic instruments and other-worldliness of the musical experience, of the true music lovers addiction to music.

There is a moment in this movie, a scene with Rekha and Asrani, where the brother and sister are fighting, and the sister is hungry and asks her brother to fulfill his promise to their father- that he would kill her instead of letting her go hungry. Rekha is, as always, remarkable in her role. She throws of an air of innocence and sweetness that wins your heart just as it steals Alok’s in the movie. This is one of her finest performances.

And let us not forget Om Prakash, playing the father of the family who refuses to allow his son to defy him and pursue his love of music over a career in law. I’ve always loved Om Prakash, whether he is the strict Triloki Prasad of this movie or the lovable Dadu from Namak Halal or Sharaabi’s Munshiji. He embodies every role he plays and this movie, as with a piece of music, he starts out with a blast, a thunderous crescendo and slowly melts into a soft melody at the end of the movie.

Amitabh Bachchan as Alok is at his best, embodying integrity, righteousness without its nasty connotations and singing or playing the various instruments with such heartfelt passion. The way he is around his adopted mother in the movie, Sarjubhayii, will melt your heart…It shocks me endlessly why this movie does not get mentioned among the top 10, or at least 20 of Mr. Bachchan’s greatest movies.

Please watch this movie! You will not regret it! And keep an eye out for Sanjeev Kumar’s special appearance and a parallel love story within the movie that spans decades. 

Agey meri ma, keeraya lene....

-Ishtar

*Definitions provided by Messrs. Saxena and Sharam via Twitter...eternally grateful :)

PS: This one of the only movies for which I could not find the original poster for...any help tracking it down is welcome :)