About the flm and its maker
Mera Saaya ( My Shadow) was made by Raj Khosla a Producer/Director of great repute. Earlier he had produced and directed the black-and-white blood-curdler, Woh Kaun Thi (Who was she?) [1964], which was followed with the suspenseful "Mera Saaya" and "Anita" , making probably the only big-budget suspense trilogy in Hindi films. All three mystery films starred the lovely actress Sadhana in multiple roles. .A style icon and trendsetter, during her reign, Sadhana was a perfect mix of impeccable style, awesome talent and radiant beauty of the sixties. She was one of the most
A compelling film , a taut suspense thriller , Mera Saaya holds one's attention right from the first frame itself.Mera saaya had some outstanding music score by Composer Madan Mohan which has been interwined with the plot and forms an integral part of the storyline.
The story of Mera Saaya
Thakur Rakesh Singh(Sunil Dutt) a lawyer, studying abroad urgently returns home , as his beloved wife Geeta (Sadhana) is very ill, failing to respond to any medical treatment she breathes her last in his arms. Thakur Rakesh Singh is heartbroken ,grieving for his lost wife , he withdraws into a shell.
Soon after a revelation turns up that leaves him thunderstruck..The police had earlier arrested a dacoit , a lady in an encounter in a small village, but she claims to be innocent of the charge that they have held her on (murder). And more suspiciously, she claims to be Geeta , the dead wife of Thakur. She looks exactly like Geeta who died a few weeks ago, and the police are baffled at this and inform Thakur about this news.They request him to clear up the misunderstanding by identifying her.
When Thakur goes to the Police station to see her and identify her as a routine, Raina (or is it Geeta?) singles out Thakur as her husband in the inspection parade held at the police station. She runs up to him and pleads with him to take her home .
Thakur ofcourse rejects this claim as ,Geeta died in his arms and in front of his own eyes, so how can this woman claim to be his wife?
The police have identified the woman as Raina (Sadhana again), an accomplice of Surya Daku (Prem Chopra) who has a record for looting villagers and terrorising people .A court case follows , as Raina is given a chance to prove her identity.
During the proceedings,She remains firm in her utterances about her being Thakur's wife and surprises everyone including the Thakur comig out with some very intimate revelations that are known only to the two of them.
The long drawn out , very absorbing court case and the paralell sub plot forms the rest of this very interesting film.
Performances
It is the Ravishing Sadhana all the way, she has given her career best performance in 'Mera Saaya'.
She mesmerises the audience with a far away feel in this film.
Sadhana looks eye-catchingly beautiful even in those simple sarees she is seen wearing for the court room scenes .
The Sunil Dutt-Sadhana chemistry contributes much to the film's appeal. They had earlier starred in the highly successful Waqt sharing some very intimate scenes together, and here in this film they make a very cute romantic couple totally in love with each other.
Sunil Dutt is brilliant in the film.He is one of the most cultured actors of Hindi film Industry ,who has always been respected by a large section of the filmlovers. He has given a very convincing performance as the grieving husband unable to come to terms with his loss , the sad song "aap ke pehlu me akar ro liye" composed by Madan Mohan and sung by Rafi is shot on him where he has portrayed his grief in a very touching manner. It breaks ones heart to see his performance as the grief stricken husband pouring out his heart in front of his loved wife's Picture. .
The performances by the other actors is commendable, be it K.N.Singh as a senior
lawyer or Anwar Hussain as the Police officer or Mukri and Dhumal as the household helps providing some comic relief.My own views about the film
The film begins with the death scene of Geeta, and the happier past has been shown in flashbacks as Thakur remembers his wife and slips into those everyday details and days with his wife Geeta. In some scenes Raj Khosla has very beautifully blended the past scenes with the present happenings, without confusing the viewers.In fact ,these scenes enhance the entire canvas of Mera Saaya, making it very attractive to viewers...
I have always liked Raj Khosla's films.I have seen most of his films, and i notice that he makes woman oriented films , and the ladies in his films have a strong personality at the same time they are presented in a very feminine and grraceful manner.
One scene stands out in my mind - While arguing in the courtroom Raina / Geeta, comes out with some revelations about the past that are intimate and personal. After listening to her , Dutt as Thakur looks at her and tells her ' I dont know what game you are playing? but no matter what you say i can never accept that you are my wife Geeta, she was my life and in my eyes a goddess who i worshipped ..and Geeta gives him a long look and says' I can only admire you and worship you in return for having such intense feelings about me ', which rejoinder baffles a helpless, confused, grief stricken Thakur..
Sadhana has been beautifully presented here with his trade mark chiffon sarees in pastel shades, a long plait ...very graceful and attractive sixties style. I love watching films from that era.They are visually so very pleasing..
The entire film has been shot in the beautiful locales of Udaipur lake palace and the surrounding areas in Rajasthan. The color photography is stunning and the Lake Palace very attractively filmed.
Raj Khosla is a very sensitive director and a great director, with a lot of care being taken for minute details.One can see it in the convincing manner of the judge, the little legal jokes that the 2 opposing lawyers share with each other and the judge.
This is a very well made impressive film, which will keep the viewers glued..
Composer Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar combination is well-known , and in Mera Saaya they have chiselled three tuneful and well sung songs. The music of the film was a major hit , popular to this day.
The peppy Asha number 'Jhumka gira re' is probably the most popular song from this film,with Sadhana doing a good job with her bindaas(carefree) dancing...it seems she had to take lessons and work hard for several days to learn the dancing steps and the right expressions, before Raj khosla was convinced enough by her ability , before it was shot.
My own favorites are the 2 awesome songs by Lata -'Nainon mein badra chaaye' and the haunting 'Tu jahan jahan chalegi mera saaya' and of course Rafi's 'Aap ke pehloo mein aa kar ro diye'...Rafi's voice and and Sunil dutt's acting brings tears each time I watch this song. Those were the days....
Details
Year: 1966 (color)
Genre: Suspense Drama
Actors: Sunil Dutt, Sadhana Shivdasani, Jagdish Sethi, Ifthekar,Prem Chopra,K.N. Singh, Anwar Hussain
Directors: Raj Khosla
Music compose : Madan Mohan
Lyris: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar,Mohammad Rafi,Asha Bhonsle