User Reviews

Almost fifty years ago, with this movie, Sunil Dutt attempted something remarkably innovative and courageous… a hundred minute feature starring no one else but himself!

Vanity is undesirable. But no one can deny that some of the greatest artists been some of the most vainglorious people of their time. Be it painters or actors, politicians or writers. If the vanity was not in their words, it was in their works. If it was not in their works, it was in their actions. In some ways a Mahatma Gandhi walking semi-naked, with just a loincloth on, into the viceroy's office was a blasphemously vain thing to do!

So, is humility overrated?

Cinema, being a visual medium, is a breeding ground for narcissism. Some people, the privileged lot blessed by above average looks, express the very emotion by being very finicky about their physicality. Some others take the other route, of being much in love with their craft- and in the process many of them end of pushing the envelope. 'Yaadein' is one such example where an artist's indulgence with himself and his craft has produced an extremely unique and personal piece of work. More than a movie, it is a statement that there is no limit to creativity and that the possibilities are indeed infinite.

But all said and done cinema is a medium to entertain, most would say. But a few would add that it is also a medium to express. However, the two things are seldom separate as more innovative the expression, more is the probability of it also being entertaining. So is 'Yaadein' entertaining? Depends on what your cup of tea is. For those who can appreciate experiments for how much out from the box they are, will certainly relish watching the movie, despite its excruciatingly slow pace. Also, there is another set of people (a big one at that) who might identify with a lot of things Sunil Dutt does in the movie- people who are married and especially ones who have been that for a while. But those who look for a story (a majority I presume) would be disappointed (that is if they manage to complete the film- my guess is they won't! I just about managed myself).

The film has a young Sunil Dutt coming home after work and discovering that his wife has walked out of his life- taking with her their two kids and leaving behind a note… and lifetime of memories. As the night progresses the man starts reminiscing of the past and transforms from being an angry and vengeful husband to a helpless and hopeless romantic, longing for his wife and kids. In the process his soliloquy is what keeps the audience company. Instead of using other actors, Sunil Dutt uses sounds, dialogues, shadows, puppets, balloons, and what not- to create the scenes. To an ardent movie lover, this very compromise and how it is executed would be worth the hundred minutes of the run-time.

Once I was done watching the film, a question just came to my mind intuitively. How does Sanjay Dutt feel when he watches this film of his parents? It is like reading a personal diary for it contains so many moments that seem to come straight out of Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt's lives. Today both of them are no more, but their work would remain forever for the benefit of their posterity (and the fans). Truly, cinema (or art in general) is one sure way created by mere mortals to achieve immortality.

For my views on more such lesser known movies from the world of Hindi cinema, do check moviesandnomore.blogspot.in

The movie is unique and innovative in its approach, and maybe one of the few movies to have such experiments if not ever but at least at the time of the movie. I was quiet interested and curious how the movie will be carried by a single man on the frame, and I was quiet happy with the results. Of course, analyzing the movie form today's perspective might makes us pout at the loopholes as well. Nonetheless, the experiment worked in my view.

Yatra Naaryastu Poojyante, Ramante Tatra Devta (Gods dwell where women are worshipped) - declares Manu Smriti. Millenniums later, the Indian men are yet to learn and absorb this assertion. Indian folklore also underscores the significance of wife in home through the following assertion - ' Bin Gharni Ghar Bhoot Ka Dera (a house sans housewife is no better than a ghost house). Still the Indian husbands, in general, consider their wives as inferior to them and treat them like their slaves or maids.

Yaadein (1964) is a Hindi movie which features only one actor visually whereas the other actors come before the audience through their voices. This is not only a unique movie but also a highly admirable, in fact, an outstanding movie.

Yaadein (memories) is the story of Anil (Sunil Dutt) who comes home in the evening only to find that his wife Priya (Nargis) has left home alongwith their two children because of his irresponsible behaviour and keeping relations with other women. Then how he reminisces the bygone happenings involving his wife and children - his first meeting with his would-be wife, their marriage, the birth of their children, the family bliss with some regular irritations and dissatisfaction leading to small quarrels in the couple etc. Finally he realizes his mistake of not giving due respect, recognition and desirable treatment to his wife and then decides to end his life. But then his wife comes back with children and prevents him from doing so, ensuring the happy ending of the movie.

This unique one actor movie is an ode to marital bliss and the virtues of love, understanding and trust that are a must for the husband-wife relationship to survive and prosper. Nargis who considered her home only as her paradise after her marriage and allowed her husband to climb the ladder of stardom, herself has written the story of this movie. Screenplay written by Omkar Sahib contains the vision of Mrs. Sunil Dutt (while giving credit to her, she has been mentioned as Mrs. Sunil Dutt only) in every particle of it. It's a brilliant piece of art which touches and moves any viewer deep within especially if he / she is a family loving person. And who could understand the significance and piety of the bond between a husband and a wife better than Mr. and Mrs. Sunil Dutt ? The story opens with the arrival of the hero Anil to his home and then it becomes a river of memories of his family life and his relationship with his wife and children in which the spectator effortlessly flows with him and gets soaked with sentiments and tender feelings. Since it's a one actor movie (with Nargis and two child artists being shown as silhouette only in the ending scene), the interaction of the only visible actor with the other characters has been conveyed to the audience through their voices as well as sketches and cartoons. The cartoons are hilarious whereas the sketches are so beautiful that they conquer the hearts of the spectators in no time. Everything visible and audible in this movie moved me like anything and I shed tears with the hero in many scenes. I am sure that any family loving householder will undergo the same experience while watching this movie.

Mainly an in-house drama, the movie is a showcase of the talent of the art director and the cinematographer and above all, the debutante director Sunil Dutt. The whole presentation of this one man drama is mesmerizing. The technical side of the movie as a whole deserves a standing ovation from the audience. Dialogs written by Akhtar-Ul-Imaan are apt for the script.

Sunil Dutt has excelled not only as a director but also as an actor in the lead role. His love for his wife is well known to the world and he only conveys his personal sentiments through the character of the protagonist and that's why his performance appears to be something out and out real instead of fictional. All others are present through their voices only and they have done quite satisfactorily especially Nargis and the two child artistes playing their kids.

The movie contains two beautiful and touching songs in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar - Dekha Hai Sapna Koi and Raadha Tu Hai Deewani which have been penned by Anand Bakshi and composed by Vasant Desai. Background score is also perfect.

Though Yaadein requires a particular mindset from the viewer to enjoy it properly and more to feel the message conveyed by the filmmakers who have made this movie from the core of their heart, nevertheless I recommend this commercially unsuccessful movie to all those who appreciate great pieces of art. Hats off to Sunil Dutt for making a movie straight from his heart without caring for the box office.

A classic, beyond doubt !

Very nice and innovative movie with nice and innovative script,good direction , brilliant acting and nice cinematography.a story of a man who comes to find that his wife and his children has left him but they had gone outside .so he repents over his past .The best thing about the movie is that it does not becomes monotonous even after being unique .has only one song at the mid " and one more song that appears at the end unique and innovative it got the name mentioned in Guinness book of world records

for the least actor in a narrative film and even got national Filmfare award for best feature film in Hindi and for best cinematography .Sunil dutt Saab has very intelligently used the balloons , cartoons and and drawings on the walls to symbolize other characters and has use them as a soliloquy of a man . overall a brilliant acting by Sunil dutt and get direction too.but the sand thing is that even after getting so much national and international awards it is awfully underrated on its home turf.indeed a brilliant and must watch classic movie.