The Season (1975) User Reviews

Gulzar's atmospheric gem

[Peter_Young · 9/10 · 28 February 2011]

Gulzar's Mausam tells the story of Dr. Amarnath Gill, who returns to Darjeeling after many years and after a while decides to look for his past love there. Just like Aandhi, Mausam is about a missed opportunity, only that here the separation is inevitable as in Aandhi the pair separated for good and only later realised what they had missed out on, and here, it was unintentional. Mausam is excellent in writing, direction, cinematography and acting. It's authentic to the core, it's beautifully shot, it's emotional and melancholic, and it just presents a moving episode of mainly three characters, while it is mainly seen through the eyes of Amarnath. Wavering between the present and the past through flashbacks, memories and confessions, the story is narrated exceedingly well. Gulzar gives the script a touch of tension and suspense, and several proceedings are completely unexpected and surprising.

Gulzar shows his characters going through many trials and tribulations, and yet he never tries to victimise them or dramatise their stories when he presents the motives behind their current state. The movie in large portions works as a character drama, and is a very poetic, intense and atmospheric piece. Moreover, while the casting of one actor in two different roles has often not been justified in Hindi films, in Mausam it is very symbolic actually, showing what a cruel and ironic game destiny has played with Amarnath by taking away his love and making him meet her lookalike daughter who is a completely different person, namely a prostitute. I was very impressed by this part of the film, particularly by the portrayal of the brothel which looks most lifelike and real. You will see none of the mess or the caricature girls one is used to seeing in Hindi movies dealing with prostitution.

There can be no doubt about Sanjeev Kumar's extraordinary acting talent and following Aandhi, in which he played a similar part, here too he plays his character's regret and pain with depth and ease. Sharmila Tagore got her best roles in Satyajit Ray films, and Mausam may be one of the best parts she received in Hindi cinema. She is astonishing in both roles although it's the role of Kajri, the daughter which lets her do a full emotional cycle. Not for a single moment in the film did she overdo her part, not the cute young girl, not the foul-mouthed prostitute, not the woman who lost her mental sanity. The transformation of Kajli looks very natural and due credit goes to her. She exudes a warmth and her emotional scenes towards the end, particularly the final scene of her realisation, are amazingly forceful. Among the supporting actors, Dina Pathak and Om Sivpuri play their parts excellently.

The film was released after the death of its music director Madan Mohan. I liked his compositions very much and "Dil Dhoonta Hai" is my favourite. The film's ending is very touching, and it provides a great moment of relief and optimism. Mausam is another example of Gulzar's craftsmanship and of his unique storytelling. Just go and watch it.

Emotions! Emotions!

[harrissajjids · 8/10 · 24 February 2006]

Sanjeev Kumar has been my favorite actor. His Characters in Andhi and Sholay were impressive or, in other words, he made them unique. But, in my opinion, Mousam is his best movie in respect of characterization. Mousam is a story of a medical student who comes across his memories after spending much part of his life. These memories contain pain and pang of lost love and emotion of repentance. When Gill realizes that he has committed a mistake by not caring for a girl who builds a sweet home of love in her dreams, he tries to compensate for her by finding her daughter but a lot of water has gone under the bridge now. The film has simple plot but the real charm is the sad environment of the movie and also its music. It is the film which bases on emotions and passions. If you are not a man with sensitivity of emotion, it is not for you. Such emotional environment can be felt in Masoom also. Masoom is also a fine movie worthy of watching and remembering.

Gulzar and Sanjeev and a superlative outing by Sharmeela...an unforgettable experience!!!

[stepvest · 9/10 · 12 February 2018]

Enough said. A successful surgeon visiting his past and never realizing the havoc that was caused in the multiple lives (that he genuinely cared for) due to something that he neglected to do. There was a reason of course, but a superficial one which he recognizes too late. The plot revolves around the life and heartbreaking fate of Chanda and her daughter Kajali due to his self-absorption. In the first half Sanjeev presents a master-class of immense acting...you cry when he cries ( he cries only once) but you also cry when he is hit with a proverbial emotional brick. He totally reveals the complex emotional whiplash that he suffers as the details on Chanda and later Kajali' lives are revealed. The last quarter belongs to Sharmeela in the daugher's role. What she does when she finds out the real identity of Sanjeev ....is extremely impactful and masterfully emoted. That scene makes the movie come together in ways that otherwise would not be possible.

There are some minor flaws that do not impact the plot....not much is revealed about Sanjeev's current life. Also the peripheral characters in Sanjeev's life are given only a weak presentation although the women in Sharmeela's life are given the needed depth. But they do not distract from the powerful emotionality of the movie....

This movie was made more than 40 years ago. It is interesting to think if Bollywood is capable of making this movie again?? possible but perhaps unlikely--and it is not because talents like Sanjeev Kumar may not be available (which may indeed be true)-but primarily that Bollywood "mores" on handling the love stories have changed...watch the movie closely ---and watch what Kajali's only love Kundan does when he loses her. It is a powerful scene in its own right. Would you blame Kundan? How will Gulzar rewrite Chanda's character if he were to write this story today??? same or different?

See it and be amazed.

A season's beginning or end?!

[antarapanda · 30 July 2007]

One look at the movie poster and my mind was made up! Two of my favourite actors, Sanjeev Kumar and the very sexy Sharmila Tagore, sure promise a few hours of good cinema.

Mausam (season) though decades old, stills remains an attractive movie owing to Gulzar's candid story telling. While the plot itself is not what I would rave about, its the way Gulzar and his actors have handled the story, that glues you to the expected end. Amarnath Gill (Sanjeev Kumar) guilty of a failed relationship with a small town vaid's (local village doctor) daughter Chanda (Sharmila Tagore) and incidentally, twenty odd years later stumbles upon the remnants of Chanda's life, in an off-season vacation in Darjeeling. Filled with remorse and regret, Amarnath embarks on a journey to seek what remains of his lost love, Chanda's daughter Kajli (also Sharmila).

Of the several paths that this story could walk down, the choice of simplicity and bare truth exposed in the character s feelings makes the movie so convincing! Without actually dwelling on the notes of sympathy (for Kajli's life as a prostitute), or revenge / hatred (for Kajli towards Amarnath, the lover who failed her mother) or self-loathing (for Amarnath who realizes the cost of his erroneous choices in life), the movie paces on, leaving it for its viewers to experience this basket of emotions.

Some rather nice tracks, befitting its generation, accompanies this movie. Take those hours off and grab yourself a copy of this film.

Integration of the persistence of memory

[kunalsen_7684 · 10/10 · 7 May 2007]

Dil Dhoondta Hai. The heart yearns. One day when we'll look back upon these days of leisure and carelessness with a great sense of nostalgia, we would find these days hazy, hidden, buried and long gone and what'd be left for us but the remains of these days. I'm getting ahead of myself but how else can I describe Mausam for what is it but an eclectic mosaic of sweet, sad, vengeful, insightful, melancholic memories, the colors of which are brought forth masterfully on the canvas, by the master painter and poet, Gulzar, who with the sweep of his magical brush, paints a kaleidoscopic landscape of lost love Now, there are many kinds of memories. Some memories are hauntingly pertinent and indelible. Funny how they keep lying- dormant, unused, in a hidden cavity inside our cache like conscience, waiting to flash psychedelic impulses of Deja- Vu into our brain, triggered by an obscure thought; the whole process reminiscent of the obsolete Oracle 8i software, marvelously retrieving data from its enigmatic records. And just reliving them makes one feel alive again. One wants to be deluged by those memories, to be drowned in them and wallow in the sweet anguish they bring along Then, some memories are unpleasant and one wishes to obliterate them but is such a thing possible? They invariably come back periodically like wind bouncing off the abandoned water facing lighthouses, to haunt us again and again and remind us of our fallibility. Then, disorientation beckons and insomnia reigns. Many nights in a row. Isn't there a thing called consecutive dreaming? It is these memories that the film in question deals with.

We meet Dr. Amarnath Gill. Though ostensibly, Dr. Gill is on a vacation to Darjeeling to take a break from his hectic schedule, his visit has a more subliminal motive too, one that is not known to his frenzied city life but is only known to his other self, which has long since become lost like an unknown face in the mirror that he doesn't recognize anymore. Dr. Gill has a past. Something he had done years ago has left his conscience pecked with a deeply embedded guilt. He tries to pick up the broken pieces and tie up the loose ends. His immaculate questions about a woman he had known many years ago, sheds ample light on the cause of his restlessness.

Then, we embark upon a journey with him along the woolen clouds and the and through a series of flashbacks, we meet our second main character- the object of Dr. Gill's affection in the past and his culpability in the present. Theirs was a fairytale story. Young, city bred, urban urbane man comes to a small hill station to study Medicine and falls in love with a local damsel. But he has to go back to the city for his exams. He promises to come back and marry her. But he doesn't. She keeps waiting, keeps his memories and a gift as an embodiment of hope- and she clings on to that hope like a flimsy rope knowing very well that if it snaps, it could also act as as a noose. What happens next? He doesn't come. Her illusion is shattered. Her innocence lost. There are even other clues that point to the fact that she may have borne his love child before her ultimate abandonment by him.

We cut back to the present where suddenly, our protagonist finds himself face to face with a stranger whose countenance has an uncanny similarity to that of his lost love. Who is this enigmatic stranger, who happens to be a prostitute, to whom he feels so mysteriously attracted? Is she the reincarnation of his lost love or could it be that....yes that must be it! He pays her pimp to take her to his guest house. There, the revelation takes place and mournful at the news that this man had walked out on her desolate mother and thereby subjecting herself and her mother to years of destituteness, she walks out on him.

In the last scene, he seeks forgiveness and she grants him that by agreeing to go with him to the city (just like her mother would've and should've many moons ago) and we leave them like that, unsure of the future facing them but sure of their intentions of facing it together

The story of the movie is fairly simple. The doctor goes back to his past that he had left behind and once there, he remembers his lost love, discovers himself and meets a mysterious stranger who would eventually change the course of his life. The pace of the movie is like the doctor's vacation- unhurried, laid back and luxurious. The camera smacks of poignant poetry in every frame, metaphorical interludes amidst the sophisticated narrative. 'Dil Dhoondta Hai' probably has some of the best use of photography- bringing together the two ends of the continuum- the past and the present, the start and the end. That one song is enough to grant this film a permanent place in my heart's graveyard. Bhupinder's vocal builds an emotional bridge between the viewer and the protagonist. You feel as if you are Dr. Gill and that you can almost touch Kajli by extending your arm through the confetti- like mist. Sanjeev Kumar is magical. Sharmila probably gives the performance of a lifetime. But with a role like hers, in a film like this, it would've been hard to falter.

But ultimately, the film belongs to its creator. Gulzar weaves a tale like a rich, exotic, Pashmina Shawl. A tale of lost love- a favorite subject with Gulzar, is probably told in three parts- Mausam, Aandhi and Ijaazat. Mausam, released in 1975, forms one installment in this wonderful trilogy. Its memory is one to cherish for a long long time just like Dali's surreal masterpiece

Memorable and Evocative Depiction !

[Umar Mansoor Bajwa · 10/10 · 3 March 2011]

The resounding and penetrating direction and story by Gulzar makes this film a toast to watch. Although, the story is not very extra ordinary, but the resonating acting of Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila bring poignant waves of past events laden with turbulent sequence in the movie.

Simply put, they don't make it like this anymore ........... Gone are the days, when lesson oriented, soul stirring and reflective films were made. These films which carried their imprint on the audience memories for a long time,not like the hullalalabulo absurdity of present day movies. The classic era of cinema, may it be from Hollywood, Bollywood or Lollywood was a subject of intellectual thoughts and yearnings. The crazy, temporal and mediocre standard of present day movies hold nothing for the mature and serious viewer. There is nothing worthwhile to watch, which could penetrate beyond the cinema screen.

Memorable music, and lyric

[anandkc · 10/10 · 9 June 2000]

The movie is overshadowed by its music. When you listen to Gulzar's songs, it creates an image, which is unique from every other. For this movie he has aptly chosen a Galzal of Galib "Dil dhundhta hai phir ohi phursath ke raat din". This single song steels the show. It creates an atmosphere where a lonely person is looking for his lost soul in the valley of himalay. The films main character could have been justified by none other than Sanjeev Kumar. And a brilliant music by Madan mohan, all add to the charm.

Only people who can understand the subtilities of Hindi lyrics can truly enjoy this movie.

Love, fate, regret and redemption!

[HeadleyLamarr · 10/10 · 18 June 2008]

I managed to catch two gems recently. The first one was over 3 days while I worked out. Maybe the installment approach allowed me to ponder on this film and love it all over again. In Mausam, Sanjeev Kumar rocked as the young doctor-in-training, and then as the older man who comes back to Darjeeling to relive his memories. Gulzar kept many things shrouded in mystery and so many things completely understated - I was so glad he chose to not insult the viewers' intelligence with needless explanations along the way. We never found out if Sanjeev came back to Darjeeling for any other motive than R and R. We were never told if the young Sharmila actually "fell" for this older man or it was pure gratitude, since she knew who he was all along! The flashbacks were kept to a minimum and even the minor characters like Om Shivpuri, Dina Pathak and Agha were so perfect in their roles. Sanjeev was pitch perfect, playing men that were 20 years apart in age, just by subtle changes in body language and some gray hair! And in a surprising twist all the intensity, regrets and anger were portrayed by the older man. Sharmila was excellent in the mother daughter roles, although clearly outclassed by Sanjeev. And the divine music - Dil Dhoondhta Hai Phir Wohi Fursat Ke Raat Din. A perfect 10 from me for this perfect film.

Dil dhoonta hai

[lyrxsf · 6/10 · 28 May 2006]

This movie is a slow-paced drama about broken hearts. The first half an hour can be entirely skipped. The movie takes off when the doctor first sets sight on Kajli. Early in his life, he had ended his love due to shame of professional failure. His lover agonizes about it all her life and dies a lonely death. Her daughter, Kajli, is the product of poverty and a dysfunctional family. She takes to being a prostitute and harbors grudges against her mom's unrequited love, the doctor's betrayal and the society in general. The movie is all about the doctor's efforts to make amends for his past by offering Kajli a family. Kajli's conflicted emotions range from her mocking his fatherly behavior to actually forgiving and accepting him. Her fatalism and near-addiction to her prostitute lifestyle is very well portrayed.

The high point of the movie is the song - Dil dhoonta hai. It never fails to bring back images of lost love from bygone years.

The heart lies in search . . .

[VirginiaK_NYC · 8/10 · 24 April 2007]

I got hold of this movie in order to start seeing more of Sanjeev Kumar, whom I admired so much in Silsila, where he plays a husband who probably knows his wife (Rekha) does not love him the way he loves her - the performance was so subtle and intelligent He is wonderful in this one too, but probably it's the performance of Sharmila Tagore I'll remember more keenly.

When I went looking around the Internet for comments on Mausam I came across a message board note from someone who said she knew she could feel all right if she could hear Dil Dhoondta Hai every day of her life. I understand why someone could fall in love with this song, played at the very beginning of this movie and again in a scene of love from the past of Kumar's character, whom we first meet in his middle age.

Translation on screen:

The heart lies in search

Once again for those days

And nights of leisure . . . .

We're right away in the world of the longing and search for long-gone sweet memories, recalled with melancholy.

Dr Gill (Kumar), an unmarried gray-haired man who has become successful through discovering a useful medicine, is spending a holiday at Darjeeling alone. Over twenty years before he had visited the same place, and fallen in love with the daughter of a local Ayurvedic doctor. He did not keep a promise to return for her, and he has come back to see what he can find out about her.

He learns that she never recovered emotionally from his abandonment of her; she had married subsequently, lived in poverty, and had a daughter, who is now a prostitute The movie is the story of his efforts to deal with all of this, including his "buying" several weeks of the girl's time from the brothel where she works.

Sharmila Tagore (the mother of Saif Ali Khan, for fans who know present stars better than earlier ones) plays both the girl Kumar falls in love with and her daughter, the young prostitute. She is a magical creature in both roles - as the brash mountain girl who helps her father get customers (she rounds Kumar up fast when he slips on some steps and gets him to her dad's herbal dispensary), and as the seen-it-all and still enchantingly innocent prostitute girl. We also have a glimpse of her as a gray-haired "old" woman in a sad scene where her decline into madness is dramatized.

She doesn't know what Kumar wants when he takes her to his house, and is emphatic about being paid for her services - he insists on getting her dressed up in a ladylike way, once he's dealt with her insistence that the cost not be taken from her wages. My favorite scene in the movie possibly, besides the car and the song at the beginning, is the scene where she decides she knows what kind of customer he is: not the kind who wants to "have fun" with a girl, but the romantic kind who wants to "roam" and see dancing.

If I recall correctly, she insists on dancing for him, though with a warning that she is not good at it - and she isn't, instead she is entirely lovable. She seems to be about 14.

It's the kind of story Bollywood excels at - there is such artistry involved (the movie is written and directed by Gulzar, so the script is basically perfect) in containing the powerful emotions of a man who abandoned the only person he ever loved, and has returned too late to do anything to benefit her directly.

He is a taciturn, grim-ish character when we meet him, tenderer but also somewhat self-involved in the flashbacks to his "days and nights of leisure."The antic aspects of both the girl he loves and of her tough little daughter keep the movie far away from being a dreary guilt-and-sob-fest. Kumar is a wonderful actor, as noted, but this movie is from the days when the hero didn't have to be in fit physical shape; he isn't, so when he is supposed to be young and handsome, his face is fine but the body detracts from my ability to experience the "young love" thing. But Dil Dhoondta Hai just about makes up for it.

I think the movie also allows some play to the question of whether there is a Lolita-like element to the relationship developing between Dr Gill and the girl - it lets us think about that, I'd say.

A Total Surprise

[Feel-the-truth · 9/10 · 27 December 2016]

Caught this movie totally by chance and could not turn away from it.

The story at its fundamental explores a father and daughter relationship, missed opportunities and the act of repentance.

Firstly, let congratulate Gulzar for making such a thoughtful and emotional movie. Lets not forget that this movie was made in 1975 in India, the sub-continent is very reserved and back in 1975 it was even more so. This movie tackles a subject that even today Indian movies wont go near so just imagine how ahead of its time this movie was. The movie has been handled with the utmost delicate manner.

The two main actors in the movie were amazing. Sanjeev Kumar is amazing, he was one of those actors that did not have to say much as his expressions lied within his eyes. In this movie Sanjeev Kumar plays a man with so much guilt in him, you can actually feel it and his wanting to repent. Sharmila Tagore was amazing, you would have to be a brave woman and actress to take a movie like this back in 1975 and boy does she nail it.

Conclusion, a great movie, a great story and great acting.

Search For Lost Love

[Chrysanthepop · 6 June 2010]

Gulzar is an artiste in the truest sense. I'm not saying this merely because he's credited as lyricist, writer and director but because of the way he combines poetry and visual art. 'Mausam' is like a beautiful poem and a fascinating painting. It is a part of Gulzar's Lost Love trilogy (the other two being the equally spellbinding 'Ijaazat' and 'Aandhi').

The film starts with Dr. Gill (Sanjeev Kumar) arriving at Darjeeling on holiday to get a break from work. Work seems to follow him. Yet, he tries his best to get away without being impolite to his fellow doctors. There is another motive for his coming to Darjeeling. Perhaps it is more on a subconscious level that have been uncovered upon his arrival. The town gives rise to lost memories, memories of a lost love (Sharmila Tagore). A love he had promised to return to but he failed to keep his word. As Dr. Gill is showered with memories, he embarks on a desperate search for his love but as he discovers the truth his regret exacerbates and his despair to find her heightens.

The cinematography is wonderful. I especially liked how the songs were visualized, the highlight song being 'Dil Dhoondta Hai' that juxtaposes a desperate aged Dr. Gill with his memory of his young self with Chanda. Two other songs are beautifully visualized depicting the relationship between Shankar and Kajri. Needless to say, each songs are eloquently written. The beauty of Darjeeling is well demonstrated. Gulzar's depiction of the prostitutes and brothel is very realistic, especially compared to most movies of its time.

There's no doubt that Sanjeev Kumar was one of the best actors (if not THE best) of his time and he delivers yet another terrific performance. Sharmila Tagore is remarkable in one of her most challenging roles. Even the minor characters are excellently acted by actors like Dina Pathak and Om Shivpuri.

'Mausam' is both a mesmerizing poem and a captivating oil on canvas. It is a timeless piece that I am sure to revisit.

A journey into past: A gem

[aristonechole · 10/10 · 5 December 2012]

It was 1999 and I was passing my 12th grade exam, those were the days when it was a MAUSAM of Bollywood movies everywhere. In my neighbor a shopkeeper suggested me this movie from that time till today this movie is in my collection. OOOOO Sanjeeve Kumar I love you how he has played his role with mere perfection and outclass natural gestures. He will remain one of the best actor of Bollywood in coming future for at least 1000 years. I salute Gulzar Sahb who has produced this gem. When you watch this film you will enter into the journey of hate, love and the time which has passed away and you can not fill those gapes by providing redemption Medicare. The music, dialogue acting everything was perfect and I guess this is Sharmila's best performance in any movie. This movie is a cocktail of solid acting, strong script and nearly perfect direction from Gulzar Sahb.... From me 10/10

the movie with a soul

[satyenderrankwal · 10/10 · 26 August 2014]

Mausam is a masterpiece. The more you watch it the more you understand it and you start developing a bond with the actors in the film. There are people who debate whether mausam is better than Aandhi or vice versa, although both the films are based on somewhat a similar subject which involves the actors making a mistake in their early life and living through it to the latter part of their life filled with remorse and guilt.I will go with mausam as a better movie than Aandhi mainly because of Sanjeev kumar's acting (not that his acting in Aandhi was bad but the story of Mausam is sanjeev kumar centric) who makes you feel for him and his helplessness as Amarnath Gill. He comes back after 25 years to the place of his love and has not married yet. Gulzaar Saab has left it upon us to think whether amarnath was right or wrong in his decision of not returning at the earliest and it is these moments in the movie that trigger our imagination and establish a bond with the characters. Sharmila Tagore has played a character that you will have in mind whenever you go to Darjeeling. I recommend to see the movie twice and in absolute peace. The songs just suck you even further into it

Disclaimer: Watching the movie repeatedly might start to trouble you emotionally ;-)

A darker 'My fair lady' ... but just as lovely.

[WWmoviejunkie · 8/10 · 23 January 2018]

One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen in Hindi. Sharmila Tagore's finest performance as a trafficked working girl with benevolent brothel-madam , Dina Pathak and dead mother's ex-fiance, upper-crust doctor Sanjeev Kumar who comes to Darjeeling looking for his former summer love after decades & finds out that she died , leaving behind a single daughter, who has been tragically trafficked. Sanjeev Kumar tries to quietly redeem Sharmila Tagore from her dark existence , without revealing who he really is ; while she mistakes him for an unusual client - begins to respect him and eventually develops warmer feelings for him- which she tries to cure herself of , by going back to the brothel , mistakenly believing her arrangement with the good doctor , to be temporary. This is a lovely, lovely film. 9.5 / 10. One of the top 5 films from the Hindi film industry of all time.

Gulzar's Poetic mind gives birth to one of Vulgarly sensitive film and path-breaking Classic of Bollywood.

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 8/10 · 24 June 2020]

Mausam (1975) : Brief Review -

Gulzar's Poetic mind gives birth to one of Vulgarly sensitive film and path-breaking Classic of Bollywood. I deliberately used the word path-breaking because Mausam has leading actress playing a role of a Prostitute, and the second thing is it has Love Beyond Generation Gap flavour which didn't happen mostly in Bollywood by 1975. It cannot be called a love story because the only real love story in the film lasts for 15 minutes and then there are several other love stories in incomplete mode but are not that real or two sided. Mausam is a story of a Doctor Amarnath who falls in love with a village girl Chanda, he promises to come back soon and leaves for his exams. When he returns after 25 years he finds Chanda dead and her Daughter at brothel. In atonement he tries to recover her life by taking her with him but sensitive scenario takes solid turn when she falls in love with him. Mausam tries to discover many issues of society such as Mindset of a Prostutite, cruelty of evil minded people who force a girl to live at Brothel, redemption of a Man and his respect towards a prostitute. Sharmila Tagore is brutally beautiful and delivers a hard-hitting performance. Sanjeev Kumar doesn't disappoint at all even while playing an oldy. Music is decent and dialogues are Excellent. Gulzar deserves an applaud for making such a brutal film so sensitively and soberly and that too in 70s. Woman's mindset is expressed in tough manners by him which was needed but was too early for a time. One can easily notice his trademark writing when he clearly points towards cruel society for the Woman's misery and at the same time he showcases a gentleman who tries to change things. Overall, Mausam is adversely crafted film with path-breaking thoughts and also breaks the love beyond generation gap formula for Bollywood. Apparently, it isn't love, it is Respect of a Man towards a Woman and a Woman's Respect towards a Man and you just need to understand it.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest

Haunting, poetic, heart breaking and simply marvellous

[JPEI64 · 10/10 · 21 July 2023]

They just don't make movies like this anymore - and that's not old age talking! It's a fact.

Gulzar's movies never truly got the recognition they deserve. Ijazzat is another gem of a movie.

To be honest I was never a hardcore Sharmila fan, I found most of her mannerisms in commercial movies fake and exaggerated. But in this movie, barring a few scenes, she has knocked it out of the park! And with the immensely talented Sanjeev Kumar (what an actor!) alongside, Excellent editing, production values and the haunting music/songs, this is a movie you can watch again and again.

Romantic and yet heart breaking at the same time, this deserves to be on the same pedastal as some of the other greats.

To my mind Sanjay Bhansali at one time came a close second to Gulzar (relatively speaking of course, but still miles behind) with Khamoshi (and only Khamoshi) until he sold his soul to Bollywood.

Mausam

[IPyaarCinema · 8/10 · 10 May 2021]

Review By Kamal K

Gulzar has always tried to explore different and complex human relationships in his films. Mausam, too explores a complex relation between two people. Masterly crafted, this movie is a milestone in the careers of Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore.

A very well directed film...and Sharmila and Sanjeev Kumar...it is impossible to call one as overtaking the other in talent...both do an INCREDIBLE job and one forgets and has to remind the self that Sharmila really isn't Kajli---of the two characters she played---Chanda/Kajli--- Kajli is definitely the harder of the two characters to play and no one could have done it better. She has lived that character...one feels her every emotion. The supporting cast of Omshiv Puri, Dina Pathak, Agha did their job well.

The other highlight were the dialogues of the film. Even the small nok-jhok between Amarnath and Chanda are interesting. For instance Chanda keeps asking the meaning of difficult english words which Amarnath uses during his normal conversation. Then there is the scene when Sanjeev is scratching his ears and Chanda stops him saying 'kaan mat khujao, zeharband ho jayenga'. This same dialogue is repeated by Kajli again while she is travelling with Amarnath. These light scenes also remain with you long after the film is over. The scene when Amarnath arrives to the meet Kajli at her brothel and she perceives him as a customer is also well-enacted by both actors and well directed.

It is touching and it lingers in your heart. Films like Mausam, however, comes only once in many seasons.