Review of Sangam

Sangam (I) (1964)
10/10
A Celluloid Classic
15 March 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Raj Kapoor, was probably the most co-ordinated of the actors, just watching him, during the song "Her Dil Jo Pyar Karega" he is playing an accordion,singing,dancing and acting when some of his counterparts couldn't walk and chew paan at the same time!!. No wonder this immensely talented actor was known all over globe and was adored as the Indian "Charlie Chaplin". He took a big gamble with a subsequent magnum opus-encompassing the life and tribulations of a Joker-"Mera Naam Joker", almost bankrupting this Producer/Actor/Director known as the flamboyant Showman of Indian Cinema. This Movie was the culmination of many years of his efforts and one of the best he ever made. This celluloid classic was shot extensively in Ootacamund (Ooty-a Heavenly hill station near Bangalore-the song "Oh-Mehbooba" was shot in the Ooty lake), London, Rome, Switzerland.

When Sundar (Raj Kapoor)is deemed to be dead, the rekindling of the romance between the erst wile caretaker-friend Gopal (Rajendra Kumar) and Radha (Vijayantimala) starts with barren,desolate and lifeless tree and then, there is this most beautiful scenery of fully blossomed trees-when the music changes from a sullen to a lilting tune coming from a 'Veena' and the subsequent interlude is probably the most romantic song-sequence ever filmed. This was the genius of Raj kapoor at work. He had the greatest ensemble of talent, musicians Shankar-Jaikishan, singers Mukesh and Lata, lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri,cinematographer Radhu Karmarkar, who enriched this visual splendor. Then there is the guilt ridden flashbacks of Gopal and Radha, when he sings "Dost Dost Naa Raha". This vivacious and talented actress was aptly rewarded with the best actress award. This is a movie, that everything came together, like the Indian "Sound of Music". Raj Kapoor had style, class, and passion for film making that no other film-maker shared. "Sangam" is a flawless Diamond that will shine as a quintessenstial Jewel in the Crown of Indian Cinema.
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