This was an excellent film which was very poetic if very episodic, and is also inexplicably very much neglected. Amidst all the worthy philosophy and fluffy poetry there is some pointless slapstick which personally spoils the overall impression, and probably generally loses it points too.
Lady doctor of the poor (Meena Kumari) falls in love with and marries similar male doctor Pradeep Kumar while the passionate chain-smoking snobby doctor Ashok Kumar who also loves her schemes to cause trouble and strife between the husband and wife. It's long-suffering angelic Meena's film from start to finish, I lost count of how many pearly words of wisdom she gave out to all; if everyone could behave like that there wouldn't be any trouble, illness, or any films either. With plenty of scope for tragedy here she bears all the negativity around her with fortitude, in the process striking many iconic poses and when together with Pradeep they look a strikingly handsome couple. Emotionally-charged Ashok has a lot of things to say too, but usually the kind to make you boo and hiss – knowing him as a bit of a healing heel, who'd really want him as their brain surgeon?! I agree with the previous commenter who covered everything superbly – and the best song was definitely Lata's Kabhi To Milegi which was so good it was reprised throughout, although the remaining seven songs by Roshan and Sultanpuri sung by Lata, Rafi and Asha were also sublime.
I should warn that attention is required because the ending is swift and after two and a half hours all the details are swept up in minutes! The film is a tonic, a real treasure indeed and would bear repeated viewing - though unfortunately not many people seem to agree.
Lady doctor of the poor (Meena Kumari) falls in love with and marries similar male doctor Pradeep Kumar while the passionate chain-smoking snobby doctor Ashok Kumar who also loves her schemes to cause trouble and strife between the husband and wife. It's long-suffering angelic Meena's film from start to finish, I lost count of how many pearly words of wisdom she gave out to all; if everyone could behave like that there wouldn't be any trouble, illness, or any films either. With plenty of scope for tragedy here she bears all the negativity around her with fortitude, in the process striking many iconic poses and when together with Pradeep they look a strikingly handsome couple. Emotionally-charged Ashok has a lot of things to say too, but usually the kind to make you boo and hiss – knowing him as a bit of a healing heel, who'd really want him as their brain surgeon?! I agree with the previous commenter who covered everything superbly – and the best song was definitely Lata's Kabhi To Milegi which was so good it was reprised throughout, although the remaining seven songs by Roshan and Sultanpuri sung by Lata, Rafi and Asha were also sublime.
I should warn that attention is required because the ending is swift and after two and a half hours all the details are swept up in minutes! The film is a tonic, a real treasure indeed and would bear repeated viewing - though unfortunately not many people seem to agree.