Khamoshi
1969 · India
- Director
- Asit Sen
- Screenplay
- Gulzar
- Music
- Hemanta Mukhopadhyay
- Cinematography
- Kamal Bose
Cast
What it is about
In the psychiatry ward of a Calcutta hospital, a nurse looks after a writer and poet who is admitted with acute mania after a broken romance. While caring for him, she recalls her posting in Ladakh during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The film explores the difficult balance between professional duty and personal feeling.
How it was made
It is a remake of Deep Jwele Jaai (1959), which director Asit Sen had earlier made with Suchitra Sen. Kamal Bose's black-and-white cinematography, Hemant Kumar's music and Gulzar's lyrics are its most noted features. Waheeda Rehman suggested Rajesh Khanna for the lead after seeing him in Aakhri Khat.
Reception and legacy
It was a moderate box-office success. Kamal Bose won the Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer (B&W) at the 18th ceremony, and Waheeda Rehman was nominated for Best Actress. Its songs are still widely remembered. The Bengali original had been a hit, and the story also led to the 1960 remake Chivaraku Migiledi, a major success.
Stills
Trivia
A hidden role
Asit Sen acted in the original Bengali version in a part that Dharmendra played in the remake. Audiences did not recognise him, as the scene was dark and mostly carried Hemant Kumar's voice.
A recommendation from the lead
Waheeda Rehman suggested Rajesh Khanna to Asit Sen, having been impressed by his work in Aakhri Khat (1966).
Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.