Abhimaan is a 1973 Indian Hindimusical drama film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Asrani and Bindu. It was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It was originally titled as Raag Ragini. The film is perhaps best remembered for its songs, composed and arranged by the late S. D. Burman, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and sung by playback singers Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, and Kishore Kumar. Film was a major hit at the box office & amongst earliest hits of Bachchan's glorious career. Jaya Bachchan won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for Abhimaan. According to Aalif Surti film is based on troublesome marriage between two sitar maestros Ravi Sankar and Annapurna Devi. Also according to author Raju Bharatan, Hrishikesh Mukherjee based the film's story on the life of singer Kishore Kumar and his first wife, Ruma Ghosh,but most relevant sequence of events have real life resemblance to Meena Kumari and her husband. Although it has resemblances with the movie A Star Is Born and influenced the movie Aashiqui 2. It was remade in Tamil in 1983 as Nenjamellam Neeye starring Mohan, Radha and Poornima Jayaram. The film was screened for 590 days at Empire theater, Sri Lanka.
Synopsis
Subir is a professional singer whose career is soaring. He does not plan to marry—until he meets Uma, a sweet village girl who also sings. Subir falls in love with Uma and marries her. He returns to Mumbai with his new bride. Subir continues as a singer and also fosters Uma's singing career. His career falters, however, just as Uma's singing career begins to thrive. Eventually, she becomes more successful than her husband, sparking jealousy from Subir. His pride and jealousy tear the marriage apart. The question becomes whether Subir can overcome his jealousy. The movie reaches a very sensitive situation when the couple separates and Uma has a miscarriage. In what is considered a masterpiece of direction by Mukherjee and scoring by Burman, the couple comes together again in an emotional reunion and they sing together.
The movie was made under the production AmiYa, although the copyrights are owned by their secretaries. Lata Mangeshkar was the sole voice of Jaya Bachchan in the movie, whereas Amitabh Bachchan was voiced by three singers. Manhar Udhas recorded the demo for "Loote koi man ka nagar" and it was supposed to be sung by Mukesh; however Mukesh refused because he thought the demo sounded good and Udhas ought to be given a chance.
Song "Meet Na Mila Re Man Ka" was listed at No. 23 on Binaca Geetmala annual list 1973
Awards and nominations
Influence
The film was also a turning point for Bindu, who, for the first time, played a sympathetic character. Previously, she was known for playing vamps/cabaret dancers, such as in Amitabh's star-making hit Zanjeer. This film was very popular in Sri Lanka more than in India and was screened continuously for 590 days in the same cinema, Empire, Colombo.
