Aakhree Raasta (1986)

So let’s talk about Aakhree Raasta (The Last Option), directed by Bhagyaraj from 1986, with our amazing Amitabh Bachchan as David/Vijay (father/son), Sridevi, the lovely Jayaprada and Anupam Kher.

This movie very happily, very tastefully and with your full consent rips you completely apart, exposes your very soul and lets you think about what’s been exposed before allowing you to pick your self up. In this way at least, it resembles my beloved Deewar.

Actually, the movie shares another quality with Deewarthat I love, which is that it is all shades of gray- nothing black and white about the situation the father and son are forced into, nor does it give you any easy ways to find your way through the shades of gray. 

What’s good? 

What’s bad? 

Who’s right? 

Who’s wrong?

It doesn't give you the answers- Aakhree Raasta simply feeds you thoughts and situations and showers you with emotions that you might never experience in your lifetime, and then it sits back and watches you squirming to find your way through what you’ve just been exposed to. Suddenly the story of the torn father and son finds the audience questioning their own reality in the way only Hindi movies can- sprinkled with dialogues that can only be delivered by the remarkable Mr. Bachchan.

I cannot imagine another actor being able to so distinctly play two different characters, who can so easily morph from one character to another and never let the audience in on the secret that, as he stands in the graveyard, he’s really talking to himself!

Even as I write it, it seems almost impossible to think of Vijay and Daniel being played by the same actor. 

There’s also another point I would like to make about this movie- Jayaprada.

She needs to get more attention. She is, in fact, a rarity. She is not only stunningly gorgeous, she is also a damn good actress, and one of the only ones can be visible standing next to the Shahenshah of Hindi cinema. She delivers lines and emotions as convincingly as Mr. Bachchan himself at times. And in her role as David’s Mary, her somewhat brief appearance still burns itself into your mind.

Those reading this, who have had the fortune of having already seen this remarkable movie are already familiar with the brilliance of the graveyard scene. But I also ask you two watch the scene where Vijay’s character finds out the truth, and really watch the little baby that is crying alone in that dark room; and think about all that the scene means and represents.

I have nothing but praise for this movie. I urge you to watch it and share the experience of this well-made movie.

Also, a thing to note is Mr. Bachchan’s injured hand in the movie, visible throughout, and startling so at times!

Enjoy!

I’m gonna go learn my ABC’s now-

Ish. 

Note: The last images is one of several screencaps I created because the emotions on that beloved face need to be shown when one is talking about this movie, and this amazing actors abilities.