SURAAG [1980-82}

Directed By – Dr. Jagmohan Mundra
Starring: Sanjeev Kumar, Shabhana Azmi, Parikshat Sahni, Gita Siddharth, Mac Mohan & Siddharth Kak.

Music – Bappi Lahiri
Lyrics : Kaifi Azmi
Genre- Musical, Thriller, Mystery.

Memory of the film: I have very faint memories about watching this film, it’s like almost not watched. But I very well remember I have seen this movie its because of the Sanjeev Kumar on the cover of its VHS. I was not able to recognize Gita Siddharth or Parikshat Sahni on it and thus got the VHS just for Sanjeev Kumar. Later when I got the VHS at home, many of my elder cousins got super excited as they all loved Suspense films. Also this film was based in U.S.A so for us it was double treat, i.e along with the movie got to see the locals of U.S.A. Besides these memories I don’t remember anything about this film.

Hunt for the film: Years later I heard the soundtrack of this movie and was in love with almost all songs. Guys this is among Bappi Lahiri’s one of good composition. “Pyar Pyar Pyar” by Kishore Kumar was my that time favorite song which is shot on Sanjeev Kumar and Jayshree t. This song is continued by Asha Bhosle’s “Mera Dil Liye Ja” in the soundtrack and in the movie. As I grew up “Kya Hua, Are Kya Hua” again by Kishore Kumar and Shot on Sanjeev Kumar along with Gita Siddharth went in my selected naughty romantic songs of Kishore Kumar.

As I started my collection of Movies I found out “Suraag” was not released on DVD or VCD or neither did it play on any satellite channels. The more I kept hearing the songs, the more want for this film grew. I contacted Dr.Jagmohan Mundra too for this movie, but he too was working out on getting the digital version of this movie. Then a friend of mine got hold of the VHS and from him I got it to view it and refresh my memory of this film.

Impact in today's time: I started to enjoy the film thanks to Sanjeev Kumar and fantastic songs by Bappi Lahiri. Followed by the thriller treatment in the film where Sanjeev Kumar and Parikshat Sahni reside in U.S.A and Parikshat comes to India to get married and falls in love with Shabhana Azmi. Loved “Dhoondte Dhoondte” by Bappi as a singer beautifully shot on Parikshat Sahni & Shabhana Azmi in streets of Mumbai. Sadly Shabhana Azmi gets kidnapped while coming to U.S.A and starts the hunt to find her and culprit behind it.

Thought the climax was sort of predicted and thriller moments were missing at few places, the movie still is winner as it keeps you grabbed due to the plot, performances and music. We have one of Lata Mangeshkars beautiful rendered song “Bheega Bheega Mausam” picturized on Shabhana Azmi.you cannot get enough of this song and feel like hearing it again and again. Some scenes were brilliantly directed thus giving us a Hollywood type feel in the film.

The movie has some Special Appearances by few Superstars of that era and a Song shot on Rajesh Khanna and Tina Munim which is one of the crucial scene of the film. Followed by Hema Malini, Mehmood, Asha Sachdev and many more.

My Verdict – A decent watch as per that time with some great music which will haunt you till long time. Again waiting for the better print with good sound quality, so I can enjoy the chase scenes, background music and its soundtrack in full volume.

{Enjoy the songs = http://www.desi-radio.com/album_Suraag_year_1980.php}



P.S - This film did satisfy a Ham movie lover inside me as it had a Kissing Scene between Mac Mohan {Sambha of Sholay} and a American African Women. {Are o Sambha Kaisi Kiss thi re…...:)}