Koshish (1972) User Reviews

A heartwarming nest of hope, faith and optimism

[Peter_Young · 8/10 · 7 July 2009]

One of Gulzar's finest works (well, in his case every film is one of the finest) is called Koshish. This is a realistic tale of a deaf couple, played to perfection by Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri. The film shows how handicapped and limited people learn to live life to the fullest despite and against their difficulties and defects. They suffer but they love life and try to see their cup as half full. The film follows their life experiences during a period of 25 years or so, presenting their fears, their love, their ups and downs, and their struggle with the tough reality, always overcoming the obstacles with a smile.

Only two hours long, this cinematic piece is thoroughly beautiful and moving. Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri bring two accomplished performances much ahead of those years, played with impressive simplicity and ease. Kumar leads the show, and Bhaduri provides great support. Dina Pathak is also very compelling as Jaya's mother. The film has several heart-breaking moments, which I won't reveal here. It may seem too dark at points. It is naturally devoid of songs or comedy and is very focused, which makes it a tad too serious, but it's artistic and brilliant and should appeal to any sensitive cine-goer.

The valiant effort of a deaf and dumb pair

[Curious-from south · 9/10 · 7 February 2002]

There are very few movies that would leave a lasting impression on your mind long after you have left the movie theater like "koshish" will do. Two of the most talented actors- Sanjeev kumar and Jaya Bhaduri, brings the courage and agony of the two handicapped but strong willed persons. The movie brought national awards to both of these actors. Gulzar directs and writes the dialogues of the movie which are a treat in themselves.

Koshish karne walon ki haar nahin hoti

[piyushg902 · 8/10 · 13 November 2018]

Sanjeev Kumar gave his best performance in this movie,It gives inspiration to all,Jaya Bhaduri did her job well,Om shivpuri,Asrani and Dina Pathak were all gave impact performances,Hats off to the filmmakers for making such an awesome movie.

And Koshish Continues

[Chrysanthepop · 25 June 2008]

'Koshish' tells the heartwarming story of a deaf woman Aarti and a deaf man Hari. What happens when a deaf man and a deaf woman fall in love? What follows is a story. Through the ups and downs of life, Aarti and Hari move passed all obstacles to make a home for themselves. Only Gulzar can tell a story so beautifully. The artiste put a lot of soul into the making of this moving piece of cinema and this is obvious in the tenderness and sensibility of the movie. 'Koshish' is both poetic and realistic. He introduces the school of the deaf and briefly portrays the life of the deaf and blind but he does not go overboard as he returns to the two main characters and continues their story. Gulzar's execution and writing is outstanding. There's a beautifully poetic scene set on the beach where Aarti and Hari describe the sunset to a blind Uncle Narayan. Then there's a chilling sequence set during a rainy night when Kanu breaks in his sister's house to steal her necklace and what follows is a tragic outcome. Gulzar's background score flows beautifully with the film. Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri share a lovely chemistry and act very naturally giving us memorable performances. These two are always known to have a great on screen chemistry and in 'Koshish' their acting depends on body language more than anything. Yet, they seem to pull it off with ease. Dina Pathak too is excellent as the supportive mother and Asrani is quite good. My only complaint would be to avoid the song at the school function. This sequence does not add much and it only hinders the constant flow of the screenplay. Nonetheless, this is only a minor flaw and 'Koshish' remains a beautiful story of love, courage, survival and life.

A true tale of hope and optimism

[mishu_mausam · 10/10 · 18 February 2002]

What happens when a deaf and dumb guy with a blind friend falls in love with a deaf and dumb girl. Marriage and a child. A great tale of survival against all odds. Rather a great tale of living once life fully against all odds. It deals with lives of the lesser blessed with great dignity. The way they live, the way they bring up their child, the way they find solutions to their problems, shows the immense possibilities in man.

The narrative is not typical of a movie. It feels more biographical and has breaks but still the storyline is strong enough for us to overlook those things. The end is strong, touchy. Trying putting yourself in the place of his son and see if you can conform with the movie.

One more master-piece from Gulzar and Sanjeev Kumar

[parthearthdave · 9/10 · 11 October 2012]

It is a strange love story of deaf and dumb couple but still it is more expressive than any other love story. It is not all about their dignity to live proudly but it also touches the emotional side of this unique couple. It also represent the struggle of deaf and dumb couple to live a comfortable life style.

This is third movie of Gulzar which I watched after Andhi and Machis. Gulzar is changing my views on Indian cinema by some superb writings and directions. Now I am looking forward to Ijaazat, Mausam and Khushboo.

And yes Sanjeev must be mentioned because of his splendid performance as a Haricharan. He and Jaya makes the movie more beautiful and emotional.

Koshish is also a research and rights based organization, the focus has been particularly on Women and children keeping in view the vulnerabilities they have in conflict zones

[soxafeb · 10/10 · 7 December 2021]

Koshish is also a research and rights based organization, the focus has been particularly on Women and children keeping in view the vulnerabilities they have in conflict zones. A rights-based approach ensures that entitlements are available to all children without any discrimination. Koshish has conducted several studies in some of the remotest areas of the valley, which have shown interesting insights and the need for these issues be highlighted.

A must watch film

[surya-pratap120 · 9/10 · 26 July 2020]

One of the best act of late Sanjeev Kumar ji. Fabulous acting with great skills. Had tears when the child died in rain. What an act...

Masterpiece

[IPyaarCinema · 10/10 · 14 April 2021]

Review By Kamal K

koshish ....for me it is one of the all time classic. Every scene unforgettable....the background music compliments the emotions .....superb acting by all the characters. The real hero is the director. I also congratulate the producer for making a movie which is not considered to be a commercial. Its sad the movie is not given its due or exposure it deserves. It must be shown repeatedly to present generation as the theme of the movie is reality all the times.

We wish to watch more such films in Hindi Cinema!!

[sauravjoshi85 · 10/10 · 10 March 2024]

Koshish is a romantic drama directed by Gulzar. The film stars Late Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bachchan, Asrani and Late Om Shivpuri and Late Dina Pathak.

The film displays the difficulties faced by speech and hearing-impaired couple in raising their son facing various difficulties and obstacles in their life.

Sometime i wonder why Hindi cinema doesn't make such films anymore. This is probably one of the most underrated work of both the leading actors who did a commendable job and one of the most underrated wok of Hindi cinema as this film is rarely discussed when we discuss about masterpieces of Hindi cinema.

The plot of the film is inspiring and the execution is superb. The best part of the film is that the director has made a film with speech and hearing-impaired couple as the main leads still we never faced the requirement of any subtitles as the hand gestures were very easy. The only point which i felt invalid was the use of 'aen','aen' words by the main lead while communicating with each other as the speech and hearing-impaired never makes any sound while communicating with each other.

The background music of the film is good so as the screenplay. Climax of the film is also good. Acting in the film is top notch and as said earlier one of the most underrated work by the lead actors. We wish to see more such films in hindi cinema. A must watch.

Gulzar's Koshish at making a film

[Sachin_Chavan · 6/10 · 25 February 2020]

Have high regard for Gulzar the lyricist, write and director. But his best works came after this debut film. This one though, just like the title, is just a 'Koshish' (an effort), albeit an appreciable one, given the theme he dealt with. But the story kept meandering with loose ends.

A good koshish, not a great one

[AnonymousbutDilpreet002 · 6/10 · 18 May 2020]

Gulzar, mostly known for his songs and shayari, was among the better directors 70's and 80's. When whole Bollywood was busy in making, twin brothers and lost brothers drama(Indians can understand what I mean), he decided to make a film about a deaf and dumb couple.

Full marks to his Koshish(try), but there are too many flaws in the narrative. It is not sure about what it is, story of a couple ,or story of just Haricharan or struggles of deaf and dumb. For my interest, I found it a little dramatic. A scene which standsout is one in which Haricharan calls doctor to confirm if his son can hear. I also liked close to the end where his brother-in-law did'nt face Haricharan.

The ending is kinda illogical. It's one's own decision to marry or to not, forcing one to marry a dumb girl is wrong.

Touching movie...

[shilpajog · 2 September 2001]

A touching movie about a deaf and dumb couple (Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri) who fall in love and get married. They are afraid that their kids would also be deaf and dumb. Their first child dies because of an accident and they feel they could have prevented it had they been able to hear him crawl out of their small house. A blind man helps them out with their second baby. When their son grows older (his mother is dead by then), the father wants to arrange his marriage with a deaf and dumb girl (in the Indian setting, marriages are generally arranged by parents). SPOILER ! The son isn't very happy but then changes his mind when he realizes that deaf and dumb people, like his parents, also have hopes and ambitions and he ought to give the girl a fair chance.