Andaz - From Shammi Kapoor To Rajesh Khanna

I've talked about Teesri Manzil and the effect that it had on me. Shammi Kapoor was at the top of his game when he starred in Teesri Manzil. He was stylish and flamboyant, unlike the other leading men in 60s Bollywood. Slowly but steadily, time and tragedy took its toll on Shammi Kapoor. By the end of the 60s and early 70s Shammi Kapoor's career as a leading man began to end. New actors like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan emerged, taking the place of of those from the previous generation. It was during this time that Shammi Kapoor starred in Andaz, one of his last movies as a leading man.

I still remember the first time I watched Andaz. At first I did not know that Shammi Kapoor also starred in the movie because Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, the most popular song from the movie, featured Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini. So I assumed that the movie starred just them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Shammi Kapoor was in fact the leading man while Rajesh Khanna just had a guest appearance. Along with Rajesh Khanna, Simi Garewal also had a guest appearance. Most importantly, I really liked the unconventional story in which the main characters were a widow and a widower rather than a playboy and a college girl.

The story is that of a young widow, Sheetal (Hema Malini) and a widower, Ravi (Shammi Kapoor). Sheetal has a young son, Deepu while Ravi has a young daughter, Munni. Both children go the same school where Sheetal teaches. The children become fast friends and play an integral part in bringing their parents together. Just as Sheetal and Ravi begin to fall in love, complications occur. Whether Sheetal and Ravi get over those complication and come together makes up the rest of the story.

Apart from the unconventional story, Andaz also had an excellent soundtrack by Shankar-Jaikishan.

Song 1. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle. This song showcases the relationship between Raj (Rajesh Khanna) and Sheetal. I really like the meaningful lyrics of this particular song.

Song 2. Re Mama Re Mama - Mohd. Rafi. This song highlights the father-daughter relationship between Ravi and Munni. I like the way Ravi goes out of his way to make sure Munni forgives him.

Song 3. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai - Asha Bhosle. Here, Sheetal sings to her son Deepu a song that his father sang to her. I like the way the lyrics are used in this version of the song.

Song 4. Dil Usse Do - Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle. This song highlights the relationship between Sheetal and Ravi. Both Shammi Kapoor and Hema Malini are adorable in this song.

Song 5. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle. Ravi sings to Sheetal, trying to give her strength and reassurance during tough times. I like that Mohd. Rafi sang Shammi Kapoor's portions emphasizing the difference between Ravi and Raj.

Song 6. Mujhe Pyas Aisi Pyas Lagi Hai - Asha Bhosle. This song essentially introduces the audience to Badal (Roopesh Kumar), the villain.

Just as films like Teesri Manzil, for example, showcased an actor at the top of his game, Andaz showcases an actor who was on the brink of passing on the role of the romantic leading man to a younger lot of actors. Even then, Shammi Kapoor still managed to give an excellent performance as a doting father, loving husband and strong companion.