Bollywood Movie Mili: Celebrating 41 Years

1975 was perhaps the most glorious year for Bollywood. This year gave us movies like Deewar, Aandhi, Sholay, Amanush & Mili. It was one year where Hindi cinema across genres, formats and styles truly coexisted. Mili was released on June 20, 1975 and completes 41 years today.

Jay Bhaduri essays the role of Mili, a jovial girl suffering from a dreadful disease which was said to be incurable in our country at that time. She is always lively and inquisitive and believes in spreading happiness in everyone's life.

Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of Shekhar, a young man devastated by a tragedy in his family.  Mili's depressed neighbor, Shekhar falls in love with her without any knowledge of her ailment.  When he finds out about Mili's ailment, he thinks of going away as he cannot see her die.

The manner in which Mili and Shekhar's love story is handled is pure brilliance. The pre-climax is extremely emotional and will surely moisten your eyes. The ending is perfect showing a glimpse of hope. You will be happy to know that there is no death scene. The synopsis of this movie may be depressing but the movie isn't. It is full of life and hope. One the whole, Mili is a must watch for all Bollywood lovers who appreciate good cinema.

Trivia:

Released in the year of biggies like Sholay, Deewar & Aandhi, Mili was the last film of music director S.D. Burman who went into almost a year long coma preceding his death.  Jaya Bachchan won a filmfare nomination for this movie. The song 'Badi Sooni Sooni Hai' was arranged and recorded by his son R.D. Burman after his father's demise. Interestingly, you will notice Abhimaan movie's background music played in a couple of scenes.

Cast:
Ashok Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Asrani, Aruna Irani, Usha Kiran, Suresh Chatwal, Shubha Khote & Parikshat Sahni