Mumbai: Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore starrer Aradhana released on September 27, 1969, marks its golden jubilee today. The iconic film broke the mould of regular Hindi filmsin that era.
The film was a blockbuster not only in India but also in the Soviet Union.
Produced and directed by Shakti Samanta, Aradhana made Rajesh Khanna, an overnight sensation marking the beginning of his spree of 17 consecutive hit films between 1969 and 1971, a record-breaking success stint till date.
Aradhana was special for Sharmila Tagore as she received her first Filmfare Best Actor (Female) Award for her performance in the film. She was pregnant with Saif Ali Khan when she went on the stage to get the Filmfare trophy.
Scripted by Sachin Bhowmick, Aradhana was based on 1946 Hollywood movie To Each His Own. The romantic drama featured Rajesh Khanna in dual roles playing a lover and son to the character of Sharmila Tagore.
Aradhana also fetched appreciation for its timeless songs like Roop Tera Mastana, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Mann Mera and Chanda Hai Tu Mera Suraj Hai Tu.
The popular romantic song Roop Tera Mastana crooned by legendary singer Kishore Kumar marked the beginning of his long association with Khanna having 245 songs picturized on the superstar, an unbeaten record for any actor-singer collaboration till date.
Interestingly, Roop Tera Mastana, a song lasting for 3 minutes and 30 seconds was shot in a single take, a rarity in the cinematic world at that time.
The song featuring sizzling chemistry between Rajesh and Sharmila burnt the screen with the sensuality in the actors' eyes and body language without being explicit.
Aradhana was undoubtedly way ahead of its time as it showed a woman who is unapologetic towards her pre-marital pregnancy and a father who supports her without creating a fuss out of it.
Owing to its massive popularity and box office success, Aradhna was later re-made in Tamil as Sivagamiyin Selvan and Kannavari Kalalu in Telugu in 1974. The film was also dubbed in Bengali along with its Hindi release.
The Hindi cinema is truly blessed and honoured to have such a gem of romantic classics carved forever in its golden pages.
