Lamhe, in Hindi, means moments. It also is the title of my most favourite movie ever. I must have watched it over 80 times, if not more. Directed by the Late Yash Chopra, it had Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in the lead roles. I think, this was one of the finest movies from the banner, Yashraj Films. In fact, I think it was the role of a lifetime enacted by Anil Kapoor. Restrained and not over the top, he was fabulous.
The story was way ahead of its times. Penned by Honey Irani, it spoke of unrequited love being bridged by the age gap. An 18 year old Viren (Anil Kapoor) falls in love with a much older Pallavi(Sridevi). She however gets married to Siddharth. They both die in an accident, but not before Pallavi gives birth to a baby girl. Pooja (Sridevi in a double role) now is Viren’s responsibility who he leaves in the care of his governess. Viren on the other hand relocates to London along with his best friend Prem. Pooja, back home, grows up waiting and wanting his attention. Over the years, she falls in love with him. The age gap and her resemblance to her mother are huge deterrents. Through many ups and downs, eventually, love overcomes all.
The treatment of the film was not sappy. It was directed with flamboyance of the banner, yet laced with gentle humour and a very strong story line. Heart warming dialogues with A+ music, and soulful lyrics constituted to make this a delightful watch. One of my favourite scenes is when Prem, played by Anupam Kher, tells Pooja, “If you realize you love someone, say it right then, don’t wait. He might not reciprocate. But at least your heart would have the solace that you let him know”. For the Hindi cinema audience, this was way too bold. Considering the trash dished out today, this was a masterpiece. I strongly feel, had the movie released in present times, it would have done stupendously well. Even though it did not do much for the Indian Box Office collections, it remains close to the heart of its filmmaker.
I have forgotten how many times I had danced to this ‘Morni’ song in school functions and competitions. It was only befitting that I pay an ode to the movie that made a poet out of me (and enhanced my fascination for the salt and pepper ‘Richard Gere’ look). Lamhe, let the moments of love begin…
Comments
Okay shoot me now – I have seen the movie! But the story line sounds fantastic. How I would have love watching you dance to this song. But then, there’s still hope that I can see it! 😉
Come home Corinne, movie, lunch and me dancing….all in one only for you 😀
One of my all time favs
PhenoMenon
http://capturedalive.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/let-me-be-free/
🙂
I haven’t seen the movie – will have to find it somewhere and watch it.
Do watch Suzy and then let me know how you liked it.
I was a kid when this movie came out, and my mom loved it….I couldn’t care less for a romantic saga at that time, and thought why the hell did Anil Kapoor shaved his mustache off for the first half….
Well, you were in your nappies then….not now. Go watch it 😛
I could just picture you doing the jig on that Morni Song ! 😀 😀 😀 suddenly the song sounds that much more peppy ! 😀
Yup, I can imagine that. Now come back to reality.
I was crossing my fingers as I clicked on your link, hoping that you’d blog about these “Lamhe” and not the literal ones:-) – Thank you, thank you, thank you – for making my day. Never mind the commercial success, I firmly believe that Lamhe found place in the hearts of discerning movie lovers. I keep listening to the title track in infinite loop, to live through the happy and sad moments of my life. I did not know the story was Honey Irani’s – I have a new found respect for her now:)
As always, I leave with a smile, Gee 🙂
Cheers, L
I am telling you when Ameesha Patel sang Lazy Lamhe, I wanted to kill her! I am glad so many liked this movie and post. We are a great bunch, aren’t we?
This was the one movie where I liked Sridevi’s acting…and ‘morni’ I have watched too…innumerable times.
I guess it is upto the director to be able to get the performance from an actor.
One of my fav movies too.. Agree that this movie was way ahead of it times and had it been out now, it would’ve fared better at the BO.
Great read 🙂
Thanks so much. Yup, it would be a BO wonder for sure.
u think it will click if re-released now?
As long as Sajid Khan or David Dhawan don’t remake it, I think it would do ok.
Thanks for writing this today !
I so so so Lovvvvvve this and am a biggg sridevi fan
already wrote a post as tribute hence cant use it for S :-/ but ya ANIL Kapoor was yummy in this . The movie is one of the Yash Raj’s best !!
thansk for revival
I am so happy that you enjoyed this post just as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thanks for the movie tip!
Happy to help.
This is my one of the favorites movie too. So ahead of it’s time but a Masterpiece. I can watch this movie anytime without a second thought ever. I enjoyed reading your ode to this timeless magic.
This comment makes me very, very, happy.
I like sridevi ! but have not seen this movie, this post was interesting.. am motivated to see this movie some times. Thanks for sharing !
Please do and let me know what you think.
vinita- lost count as to how many times I would have watched this movie. totally loved the dishy anil kapoor in it 😀 morni is a peppy number but my all time fav song in this flick is kabhi main kahoon—- ha l=love this post 🙂
Kabhi main kahoon was actually the background score in Chandni and was then used here. Check the movie and you will know. 🙂
Lamhe is such a fabulous movie ! I would say one of Ysh Chopra’s finest !
So glad you like it too. Makes me very happy.
I too just loved the movie and watched it multiple times!! And, totally agree about going ga-ga over the salt and pepper hair!! The songs were also fabulous. We used to imitate the neck roll in Maine tujhe dil de diyaaaaaaaaa!!! 😀
Ha ha ha that bit I never tried. I must?
Wish I had been around to catch your performance to Morni. I’m sure the audience must have loved it. Beautifully written nostalgic post.
Yup, it was one of my fav dances. My school friends still tease me to it.
Any videos of you dancing to ‘Morni’? Please, can we have a dekko?
I wish Shail. But no cell phones then or video cameras. Come to Bombay for a live performance 😛
Lamhe is a fabulous movie! sad that it didn’t get that it didn’t ring the cash registers at the box office then!
True that Shilpa.
I am glad someone likes this movie apart from me.I loved the movie and the premise of the movie , though it was much ahead of its time. Morni song brought a smile because I danced like a morni to for all the school functions and for the conniving elders at their parties.
I can only imagine 🙂
I remember watching this movie and the legendary Sridevi song shot in Rajasthan’s desert :). It way ahead of its time. Anil Kapoor was brilliant but Anupam Kher was perfect casting!
Anupam Kher is an actor par excellence. He hits a six every time. Yahan toh he was A for adorable. Hence the most fav dialogue in the movie is his 🙂
How the hell I missed this post during A-Z!!??
Vinita, this is my most favorite movie ever and I too must have seen this innumerable times by now.
Every time its something new. And yes, that dialogue is my favorite too. Such beautifully he delivers it. Every one did justice to their role.
Was a pleasure reading this post.
No clue babe, but glad you visited now. And happy to know we share similar tastes, well, almost 😀
I love this movie too. Now, I want to watch it all over again. 🙂
Ah, Pooja…..I never tire of it, no matter how many times I’ve seen it!
I loved the movie. People found it incestual … I could not understand why!
People do more incestual stuff that we’d ever know Ritu. And such people are the first ones to raise fingers and toes.
Don’t worry, you got a good choice, movies and otherwise 🙂
I’ve watched Lamhe way back. It was a beautiful movie way ahead of it’s time. Great choice Vinita !!!
Yup Diana, me too……………and I loved it….I still do!
Haven’t seen this movie. But I am gonna watch it now!
Do watch Sheethal and let me know. I will wait for your review.
thats my favourite too…
We have fabulous tastes, Barkha 🙂