Anuradha  is a 1960 Hindi-language film directed and produced by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film was based on a short story by Sachin Bhowmick, first published in the Bengali monthly magazine Desh. The film had Balraj Sahni and Leela Naidu in lead roles, along with Nasir Hussain, Asit Sen, Mukri, Hari Shivdasani, Abhi Bhattacharya, David and Ranu Mukherjee. Leela Naidu had won the Miss India title and had been offered this eponymous role by Mukherjee.

Film story based, a lonely housewife, who gave up her promising singing career to marry an idealistic village-doctor, begins to regret her decision.

Anuradha is a 1960 Hindi-language film directed and produced by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Balraj Sahni as Dr. Nirmal Chowdhary and Leela Naidu in her debut role as Anuradha Roy. Anuradha, a noted radio singer and dancer, falls in love with Dr. Nirmal, an idealistic doctor dedicated to serving the poor in a distant village. She rejects the wedding proposal set by her father with the London-returned Deepak (Abhi Bhattacharya). Deepak wishes her well, and promises to help her in the future if she ever needs it. Despite her father’s disapproval, she marries Nirmal, abandoning her promising singing career.

Life in the village becomes monotonous and challenging for Anuradha as she manages household chores and cares for their daughter. Her husband, engrossed in his medical practice, neglects her needs and desires, leading to a growing sense of isolation and regret.

Years later, when Anuradha’s father visits, he urges her to return to the city, but Nirmal refuses due to his commitment to his patients. An unexpected visit from Deepak, a former suitor, brings to light Anuradha’s unhappiness. He encourages her to leave Nirmal and pursue her passion for music again. At a critical moment, Nirmal supports her decision, leaving Anuradha to choose between her love for her husband and her passion for music.

Anuradha is a film about the common man and the problems that he faces in his day-to-day life. Here the spotlight is on the housewife. The story of a young woman who gives up her dreams to be with the love of her life.

Characters like the man who falls sick thinking about his wife (Mukri) or the man on a diet who cannot resist sweets (Asit Sen) or Ram Bharose (Rashid Khan), the conductor of the bus, who engages in idle conversation with Dr Nirmal are lovable and believable.

Balraj Sahni’s is one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. His restrained performance in Anurdaha is exemplary. Leela Naidu’s delivers her role with so much conviction. Screen is not Naidu but Anuradha Roy – melancholic and desolate, pining for her lost love and struggling to deal with the loneliness unsuspectingly bestowed on her.

Film manages to portray a marital relationship sensitively, Leela Naidu’s exquisite beauty and effervescent charm add immense value to the plot. Leela Naidu and Sahni share great screen chemistry.

Film is symbolic of his directorial ability and editorial panache. Dialogues are simple and devoid of any cinematic touches.

The film explores themes of personal sacrifice, marital neglect, and the internal struggle between love and individual fulfillment. The music, composed by Pandit Ravi Shankar, enhances the emotional depth of the story, particularly through songs that express Anuradha’s inner turmoil. Lyricist Shailendra wrote the lyrics for timeless classics.

The movie begins with Anuradha Roy being introduced on the airwaves. She proceeds to sing for her listeners, us included, so one knows straight away that this woman is no wallflower. She has a voice, as strong as it is soft, and she knows her mind. Based on Raag Bhairavi, “Sanware Sanware Kahe Mose”  features the use of the tabla and sarangi, giving it a beautifully classical tone.

“Jane Kaise Sapno Mein” song is perhaps the most filmy number on this soundtrack, a romantic, happy melody that comes when Anuradha and Nirmal have decided to get married. Song is “Hai Re Who Din Kyon Na Aaye”, Anuradha has just told Nirmal she wants to leave him, and they have guests for dinner that night who ask her to sing. She has wanted to tell him for the past 10 years. He realises what he has done and what he stands to lose.

“Anuradha” won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 11th Berlin International Film Festival in 1961.

Photos courtesy Google.  Excerpts taken from Google.