In this classic Hindi movie, Lamhe broke ground for suggesting a relationship was possible between a man, and a woman older than him. Several film giants played starring roles including Anil Kapoor (best known outside India for his recent role in Slumdog Millionaire), Sridevi and Waheeda Rehman. Viewers are treated to a story which begins as unrequited love, yet takes a major twist. Sridevi stars as two different, but similar, characters in a convincing way allowing us to enjoy her presence on screen through most of the movie.
This movie is all about the character interactions, emotions and relationships. Unfortunately due to this, only a few desert scenes of Rajasthan dot the storyline as well as exterior shots set in London proper. But a fantastic soundtrack accompanies the film directed and produced by Yash Chopra, one of Bollywood’s most successful filmmakers. Fashion choices are somewhat amusing thanks to the time period Lamhe was written around including a dance scene reminiscent of the US film, Flashdance. A “will he or won’t he” cliffhanger keeps viewers waiting for closure until the last few minutes.
Review by Planet Bollywood
Lamhe is another 1990s classic romance by Yash Chopra and Yash Raj Films. This was followed by his son’s directional debut in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, several hit productions (but not directions), including Aaina and Yeh Dillagi, and his own producing and directing venture, Dil To Pagal Hai . DTPH wasn’t the caliber of Lamhe, but was pretty decent anyhow.
The actors, for once, are outstanding in this movie—performance-wise and they looked great also. However, the take home winners of all the action are Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher. The movie revolves around the three—Sridevi in both roles as Pooja and Pallavi, Anil Kapoor as Virren, and Anupam Kher as Prem.
The story is simple, though it wasn’t understood by the Indian audience and therefore flopped. Virren falls in love with a girl older than him (Pallavi), but she loves someone else. She marries him, has a daughter (Pooja). Pallavi dies and her daughter looks exactly like her when she grows up. Then she falls in love with Virren, but he is to marry Anita… and the story repeats itself… or does it? Find out if you haven’t seen this wonderful movie yet.
Aside from the astounding presentation, acting and ensemble, the film has other things working for it. The music is outstanding with super hits like” Chudiyan Khanak Gayeen” by Lata Mangeshkar and then-newcomer Ila Arun and “Kabhi Main Kahoon” by Hariharan and Lata. The album came in two editions, the first one without the title song “Yeh Lamhe” and the Parody which was inserted after a few weeks of release in theaters.
Like all Yash Chopra films, the direction and screenplay are par excellence and the camera work is simple. The dialogues are superb also—including the mesmerizing scene where Pooja speaks to Virren’s to-be wife at a café.
If you haven’t seen this film yet—go rent it and watch a wonderful flick from the Chopra household—right from the heart of Yash Raj Films. It is certainly one of Bollywood´s more classic films.
