Silsila (1981 film)


Silsila is a 1981 Indian romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Rekha and Sanjeev Kumar. Shashi Kapoor and Kulbhushan Kharbanda appear in supporting roles. On his last birthday, Yash Chopra revealed that he had originally signed Smita Patil and Parveen Babi opposite Bachchan, but after consulting with him, he cast Jaya Bachchan and Rekha in their respective roles. Padmini Kolhapure revealed in an interview that she had also been considered for the role of Chandni, but Amitabh had considered her too young to star opposite him, she was only fifteen then.
This was the last film to feature Rekha with Amitabh Bachchan. This was also the last film to feature Amitabh Bachchan with Jaya Bachchan until they appeared together on screen 20 years later in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.... After this film, Jaya Bachchan did not feature in any new releases until Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, 18 years later.
The film was a commercial failure at the box office. However, over the years, the film has acquired a cult following, and is widely acclaimed to be a classic film. To this day, the film is considered to be one of Chopra's best works. He also said that this film and Lamhe were his favourites. The movie's soundtrack became a "super-hit" upon the release of the film and continues to be popular.

Plot

Orphaned at a young age, brothers Shekhar Malhotra and Amit Malhotra lead independent lives. Shekhar is a squadron leader with the Indian Air Force, and Amit is an emerging writer. Shekhar has fallen in love with the lovely Shobha, while Amit seeks to woo the attractive Chandni. Amit finds professional success as a playwright in Delhi, enjoying a successful launch into the circles of Delhi's intellectual elite. His passion and dedication to his craft win Chandni's affections, and they share a brief, blissful courtship.
Chandni's parents prepare to arrange her wedding to Amit. Both Shekhar and Amit plan to marry at the same time, but Shekhar is killed in air combat against PAF, leaving a pregnant Shobha behind. Taking pity on Shobha, Amit marries her and writes to Chandni to forget him. This news breaks Chandni's heart. She goes on to marry Dr. V.K. Anand, who is in love with her.
Tragedy strikes once more, and Shobha loses her child in a car accident. With no child to bind them together, Amit and Shobha drift apart. Amit runs into Chandni and they secretly rekindle their romance. They meet on the sly until a fateful night when Chandni accidentally hits a passerby on the way home from a tryst with Amit. The police get involved, but Amit manages to hush the matter up. But the secrecy of the affair is endangered by the fact that the police inspector in charge of investigating the accident is Shobha's cousin, who is determined to expose Amit's affair with Chandni. Soon, Amit decides that he can no longer continue his loveless marriage to Shobha and wishes to reconcile with Chandni. This news shatters Shobha - who had long known of Amit's affair - but she does not lose hope. She believes that if her love is true he will return to her. Similarly, Chandni's husband Dr. Anand is aware of and devastated by Chandni's infidelity. Dr. Anand leaves on a business trip, assuring Chandni he will be back soon, hopeful that she will be there when he returns. Amit and Chandni leave town to start a new life elsewhere, but tragedy strikes. Chandni's husband Dr. Anand's plane crashes, causing the lovers to rush to the wreckage site visible to them from the overhead helicopter they are making their escape in. Rushing into the fray to save Dr. Anand, Amit is confronted by Shobha, who in a moment of turmoil reveals that she is expecting his child. When Dr. Anand is rescued from the wreckage, Chandni realises her love for her husband. The film ends with a song depicting Amit and Shobha living happily in marriage and an end title saying, "Love is faith and faith is forever".

Cast

The music for the film was composed by Shiv-Hari, and the lyrics were written by Javed Akhtar, Hasan Kamal, and Rajendra Krishan. The song "Rang Barse Bhige Chunar Wali" is said to be one of India's best known folk songs. Its lyrics were by poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. The song "Dekha Ek Khwaab" was shot in the Keukenhof tulip gardens in The Netherlands and some parts in Pahalgam. According to music expert Rajesh Subramanian, the tune of "Neela Aasman So Gaya" was actually composed by Shammi Kapoor. Kapoor made Bachchan hear it on the sets of Zameer. Bachchan suggested it to Yash Chopra, who incorporated it in Silsila. The lyrics of "Tum Hoti to Kaisa Hota" were taken from the poetry collection "Banjara" by Javed Akhtar.
SongSingerLyricist
"Dekha Ek Khwaab"Kishore Kumar, Lata MangeshkarJaved Akhtar
"Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum"Amitabh Bachchan, Lata MangeshkarJaved Akhtar
"Rang Barse Bhige Chunar wali"Amitabh BachchanHarivansh Rai Bachchan
"Ladki Hai Ya Shola"Kishore Kumar, Lata MangeshkarRajendra Krishan
"Sar Se Sarke"Kishore Kumar, Lata MangeshkarHasan Kamal
"Neela Aasman" - Part 1Amitabh BachchanJaved Akhtar
"Neela Aasman" - Part 2Lata MangeshkarJaved Akhtar
"Jo Tum Todo Piya"Lata MangeshkarMeerabai
"Khudse Jo Waada Kiya"Pamela ChopraNida Fazli
"Bahan Jinah Di Pakdiye"Ragi Harbans Singh and PartyTraditional

Box office

Silsila did not do well at the box office, grossing , but has since achieved a cult status among Indian audiences. It launched Shiv Hari as a commercially successful duo, and its songs continue to be remembered and heard in India.

Awards and nominations

29th Filmfare Awards
Nominations