Ankahee (1985) - (Movies To See Before You Die - Drama)

This is a rare and rather unknown classic from the well known actor director Amol Palekar. A film which talks about an extremely important and interesting topic of Jyotish, Astrology and future gazing, in a simple yet highly effective style. Amol truly deserves all the praises for raising such a relevant issue in his movie, which can really make or break anyone’s life so easily.

Astrology, Palmistry or Jyotish are no doubt part of a deep study and the research does have many valid favourable points to prove its truthful applicability in real life. But here veteran Amol Palekar, very intelligently asks a question that what will happen to the confidence of a common man if he is straight away told something negative about his future which cannot be averted. And moreover what is the use of telling him all about it when it has to happen and we cannot avoid it in any condition.

The opening sequence of the movie itself raises this debatable question in a well written sequence of a hospital. Vinod Mehra is a doctor who is going to do a delivery operation of a lady. But just before he is going to operate, Dr. Shri Ram Lagoo who plays a well known astrologer in the movie, tells him that the lady is not going to survive as written in her Kundali. Ignoring his prediction, the doctor performs his duty skillfully but unfortunately the lady dies. And then comes a short but impactful confrontation scene between Vinod Mehra & Dr. Lagoo which can easily disturb any person’s views about the topic, putting him in a dilemma.

In real life, whenever we are facing a tough time, we all tend to bow down in search of some alternative solutions to our problems provided by Astrology, Gemology or Numerology. But “Ankahee” comes up with a simple question that if everything is written in our destiny to happen as planned without any exception, then firstly what’s the use of trying to know it and further what’s the use of even trying to avert it or change it.

Supported by Deepti Naval with her superb performance the film is a must watch for all who are interested in watching Hindi films made on some new and unexplored subjects. It’s a well directed film based on a brilliant script revolving around an untouched issue. And as an added merit it also has some soulful classical songs rendered by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. So if you want to experience something completely out of the box and yet relevant, then just search for its DVD at the earliest and serve your thinking minds with this worth watching film from Amol Palekar.

Directed By Amol Palekar
Starring : Amol Palekar, Deepti Naval, Dr. Shree Ram Lagoo and more.
Music : Jaidev Verma (featuring Pt. Bhimsen Joshi)