Mumbai, March 22: Some films from the past never fade away. They remain beloved by audiences, who continue to watch them with the same enthusiasm. One such classic is ‘Silsila,’ written by Sagar Sarhadi and released in 1981. It is still remembered for its exploration of complex relationships and deep emotions. However, the initial reactions to its release were mixed. Today marks the death anniversary of Sagar Sarhadi, and we recall an interesting anecdote related to ‘Silsila.’
The performances of Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Jaya Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar are still celebrated. Sarhadi’s writing was filled with sensitivity and authenticity. Although the initial response to ‘Silsila’ was lukewarm, it eventually became a classic, setting a new standard for storytelling in relationships.
In an interview, Sagar Sarhadi revealed that renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar told him directly after watching the film, “Sagar Sahab, I didn’t enjoy it.” Sarhadi responded by saying that if Akhtar didn’t like the film, he couldn’t argue with that. He remarked, “I did my best, but if it didn’t resonate, what could I do?”
Sarhadi noted that the early response to ‘Silsila’ was slow. Akhtar’s comment came during a time when audiences were struggling to grasp the film’s depth. However, as time passed, the film’s impact grew. Sarhadi emphasized that such a film had never been made before, nor has it been replicated since. The real-life connection between Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha added another layer to the film, prompting viewers to revisit and appreciate it, ultimately earning it the status of a classic.
Sarhadi invested significant effort in writing ‘Silsila.’ He collaborated closely with Yash Chopra, revising scenes multiple times based on suggestions. He felt that such dedication might not be typical for a film, but he worked with great passion. The film’s songs, including “Rang Barse,” “Dekha Ek Khwab,” and “Main Aur Meri Tanhai,” became immensely popular. The music by Shiv-Hari and the poetry contributed to the film’s timelessness.
The writer admitted that he had no idea about the film’s success at the time of its release. He felt exhausted and was not entirely satisfied with his work. He believed he was a good playwright and short story writer but was working in the film industry for livelihood.
He expressed joy when people told him they had watched ‘Silsila’ 10-15 times. Sarhadi acknowledged that while it was gratifying, he personally felt that too much time was spent on writing the film. He co-wrote ‘Silsila’ with Yash Chopra, who played a significant role in providing suggestions and direction.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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