Rear View: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Taal and Devdas

Three Hindi films that perhaps indelibly marked my young mind during my formative teenage years on the transitoriness of love and how grief, sorrow might be long-standing companions, sometimes lifelong, and how society can badly influence the decisions of young often immature minds, sometimes even out of helplessness. All three films represent the many shades of love, the agony of separation, the moments of ecstasy which are all so brief. The stories of all three films evolve on a backdrop of scenic beauty and opulent sets, as the emotional depth of the narrative intensifies. You see tender love portrayed through innocent glances, playful interaction, and moments of joy shared together. The separation brings in painful scenes of longing, tears, and heartbreak. The ecstasy of love, though brief in most circumstances, is depicted through vibrant dance sequences, colored camera work, and passionate dialogues. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) And who can forget the signature song of that film, "Tadap Tadap ke ," which made every morning memorable when we listened to it on our way to school? We were just thirteen or fourteen years old, and many times I used to wonder why adults liked to listen to that heart-wrenching song. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam brings out the dilemma of love and so-called pride among families. The film shows how Nandini, played by Aishwarya Rai, sacrificed her love for Sameer, enacted by Salman Khan, for the sake of honouring her family's commitment. The film’s opening sequences, where Sameer and Nandini meet and engage in playful interactions, showcase the blossoming of their tender love. Set against the vibrant and colorful landscapes of Gujarat-Rajasthan border, the grandeur of the havelis, and the energetic dance sequences, the film amplifies the passion and intensity of the love story. The scene where Sameer and Nandini having intense dialogue during the kite festival, surrounded by multiple colors, is particularly memorable for capturing the excitement of their young love. The picturesque locales of Hungary, with Budapest and its charming bridges, give a touch of European style to the narrative. The grand architecture and the Danube River flowing through the city create a visually stunning backdrop for Vanraj and Nandini’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

image credit Wikipedia The separation shown in the movie is heart-wrenching, particularly the scene where Nandini bids a tearful goodbye to Sameer from a distance.. Whenever I heard the “Nimbuda-Nimbuda” song during those days, I used to think, “Come what may, there should not be a ‘Nimbuda-Nimbuda’ moment in life.” The absolutely soul-draining song serves as a watershed moment in the film. Just before the “Nimbuda-Nimbuda” song, Nandini and Sameer have a disagreement, leaving Nandini frustrated. In her emotional state, Nandini goes off on her own and expresses her feelings through a solo dance. It is during this dance that Vanraj observes her and is captivated by her beauty and grace. Vanraj’s admiration for Nandini deepens, ultimately leading to their marriage. The marriage results in Nandini’s forced separation from Sameer, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative, truly echoing the words from the song : “Pyar mein jab lagti hai ek dusre ki nazar…” The “Nimbuda-Nimbuda” song then serves as a touching reminder of the love that could have been, highlighting the contrast between Nandini’s forced marriage and her true feelings for Sameer. Taal (1999) Though the film was released in 1999, I saw it for the first time in 2003. Taal is a musical delight with the song "Taal Se Taal Mila" fully illustrating its epitome. Aishwarya Rai and especially Akshay Khanna are at their best in this film. The film, though somewhat filmy in its portrayal of the innocence of villagers and the complexities of urban life,as like a black and white, delves into the challenges of love across social barriers. It highlights the struggles of Mansi (Aishwarya Rai), a talented singer from a humble (?) background, and Manav (Akshay Khanna), a wealthy businessman’s son, as they navigate their love amidst societal pressures. Scenic value too is attached to Taal. The scenic landscape of Himachal Pradesh-with its snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys-provides the most breathtaking backdrop to the romance. The song sequences, especially "Taal Se Taal Mila," make use of the aura of nature to heighten the emotional depth of the love story.

image credit imdb As tender love unfolds between Mansi and Manav amidst the serene beauty of the mountains, the innocence and tenderness of their love are perfectly portrayed. However, their separation, fueled by class differences, leads to touching moments of heartbreak and longing. The film ends with an fairy tale happy ending, where Mansi and Manav reconcile. This resolution feels somewhat unrealistic and glosses over the deep-rooted societal prejudices and the immense challenges they would face in bridging the gap between their worlds. This undermines the otherwise powerful message about love transcending social barriers. In the end, I felt a deep sense of empathy for the character played by Anil Kapoor. As my elder brother used to say, “Amol, you always side with the losing side.” Devdas (2002) When I entered medical school, Devdas had just been released in theaters. The anatomy dissection tables, one of my classmates would be reciting dialogues from Shah Rukh Khan's character almost in a mad tone: “Babuji ne kaha gaon chhod do… sab ne kaha Paro ko chhod do… Paro ne kaha sharab chhod do… aaj tumne keh diya haweli chhod do … ek din aayega jab woh kahenge, duniya hi chhod do” “Kaun kambakht bardaasht karne ko peeta hai… hum toh peete hain ki yahan par baith sake, tumhe dekh sake, tumhe bardaasht kar sake” “Apne hisse ki zindagi toh hum jee chuke Chunni babu, ab toh bus dhadkano ka lihaaz karte hain… kya kahen yeh duniya walon ko jo, aakhri saans par bhi aitraaz karte hain.” Devdas is a tragic tale of one sided(?) love and self-destruction. It explores the themes of longing, obsession, and the destructive power of alcohol. Besides being a tragic love story, the movie was also noted for its grand sets, superb costumes, and extended dance numbers-a visual spectacle that tells a story of grandness and tragedy in Devdas's life. The tears of everlasting sadness, the beauty of Chandramukhi's kotha, or the decaying grandeur of Devdas's ancestral home mirrors his emotional state. The flashback scenes of the childhood of Devdas and Paro are full of innocent playfulness, contrasting with the pain and longing of their separation. The scene of Paro, stretching her hand through a window to touch Devdas's hand, knowing they will never be together, depicts the agony of their love. Aishwarya Rai is mind-blowing in Devdas.

image credit imdb Along with the omnipresence of Aishwarya Rai, common denominator between these three films is the fact that in almost every case, the lovers separate because of a clash of family egos and societal expectations rather than any personal animosity between them. In Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: Nandini’s family honor prevents her from pursuing her love for Sameer. In Taal: The stark difference in social status between Mansi and Manav’s families creates a formidable barrier to their union. In Devdas: The feud between the families of Devdas and Paro, fueled by ’ egos, sense of belonging to khandan shatters their childhood love. While Taal offers a glimmer of hope with its unrealistic resolution, where love conquers social barriers, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas portray the harsh realities of love and sacrifice, both ending in tragedy. For years afterward, I prayed to the God (in whom I never believed) that none of these stories would be repeated in anybodys life. But then, life is less about choices… - Amol 29/08/2024