Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)

Really Surprised!

Overrated

Don't listen to the negative reviews

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Given the high popular status of this film, I really wanted to see Ek Duuje Ke Liye. And well, I finally did. The movie was quite a nice watch although I can't say it was fascinating. It is a rather ordinary yet watchable picture about star-crossed lovers and the trials they have to go through, although it is filled with several moments which make it special and quite different. I liked the concept of young lovers whose main obstacle is their cultural differences. While many films portray star-crossed lovers focusing on religious grounds, here it's actually their ethnicity which plays a major role. He is from the south, she is from the north, he speaks Tamil and she speaks Hindi. Despite the many languages spoken in India, very few films have portrayed romantic stories where a language is a barrier, so it was a very interesting idea. The film is quite well directed and shot, and it captures the beauty of Goa exceedingly well. The romantic sequences were extremely well handled and are of the film's most entertaining. But then the movie has its turn when the youngsters' love has to withstand a test. This was a rather unconvincing phase and from then on the film became quite melodramatic and occasionally boring. Some scenes in which the heroine's mother tries hard to morally deter her were particularly peculiar, although I personally was curious about the film's next proceedings.Ek Duuje Ke Liye has several songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Some of them were okay, like "Tere Mere Beech Mein" but none was really great. At times the songs came across as totally unnecessary (and I'm actually not one of those who are against song numbers in Hindi movies). The film's acting is generally good. Kamal Hassan does very well as the main lead. Towards the second half he even manages to bring a new dimension to his character. Also, his classical dance numbers were fantastic. Rati Agnihotri suits her part and is extremely pretty. At times she stared angry eyes at her mother and it was a bit repetitive but overall it was a good debut and I liked her in a number of her subsequent films so let it be. Madhavi was very good in whatever little she was given. But the film's biggest flaw is obviously its ending. It is unexpected and surprising, and I don't mean to say it as a compliment. I was totally disappointed and could not figure why the writer in his own mind would think of such a melodramatic twist, which was not necessary and did not really conclude the story well. I mean, the film was not a fairytale saga, so why end it like this? I would not go on to say Ek Duuje Ke Liye was not worth the time, I actually enjoyed watching it. I do recommend it, but remember that the first half is stronger than the second, and the ending may disappoint you.

What really sets 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' apart from other love stories, is its disturbing ending. Otherwise the film itself is no different than other love stories regarding star-crossed lovers that have been made several. Some of the songs are nice (but not great) and mostly forgettable. The use of the language barrier between the two characters was something different and new. Also there are some nice sequences that prevent it from being just another romantic film. The director deserves credit for executing them. Performances are quite decent. Rati Agnihotri does well for a newcomer. Madhavi is very good. Kamal Hassan is quite alright in a few scenes and very bad in some. He seems to just not get the right expressions particularly in the crying scenes (which are unintentionally funny). However, the guy can surely dance! Shobha Khote is extremely annoying and almost want to press the mute button. 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' is certainly one of the better films of the 80s. A different love story it is and I'd recommend it to viewers who enjoy romantic films but beware of its disturbing conclusion.

The scene is a small town in India before liberalisation and globalisation. In fact, I don't think America or any foreign country is mentioned in the script or any picturisation done there. contrast this with Bollywood of 2000s where the only Indian part is language and actors.The people are simple and the life of young ones are sans complications. If today's Indian youth were not panting after career, America etc., then they would fall in love exactly like this.The story is well executed on screen. There are no contemporary obsessions like morality, or Indian versus American values or saas-bahu conspiracies. Even the numerous plots by girl's mother (Shubha Khote) to separate the lover duo are almost poetic and are received by the lovers as tests of the path of love.The songs and the ending are the highpoint of the film. Rakesh Bedi adds comic relief. This is one of the few films where no villain / negative characters is trying to marry either lover.

A movie in which love knows no color, status or origin. The director does a fantastic job retaining the nuances of both Tamil and Hindi and the movie comes out so well. The locales and the beaches are simply amazing. Set in the coastal town of Visakhapatnam, this remake of a Telugu film with almost the same cast has an unconventional ending leaves the viewers in shock. The songs are gr8 and acting superb. This is definitely a movie that transcends time and the problems that are faced by the protagonists are the same faced by many couples in love today. Watching this movie in 2006, I feel that the screenplay could have been better, the scenes change abruptly and the color combinations are not always correct. But, all said and done, its an wonderful movie all should watch.