Mahesh Bhatt calls Gulzar ‘brave’ for creating 'Aandhi'

Aandhi: A Story of Love, Ambition, and a Woman’s Right to Choose

There are films that entertain, and then there are films that stay with you—deep in your heart, echoing thoughts and emotions you didn’t even realize you had. Gulzar’s Aandhi is one such masterpiece. Even 50 years after its release, this cinematic gem remains as powerful as ever, and if you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out on something truly special.

A Story That Was Way Ahead of Its Time

When Aandhi hit the screens in 1975, it did more than just tell a story—it sparked conversations. Imagine a woman who chooses ambition over love, duty over personal desires, and independence over societal expectations. That was Aarti Devi (played brilliantly by Suchitra Sen), a strong-willed woman who walks away from her marriage to build a political career. Her story wasn’t just about love; it was about sacrifice, choices, and the quiet, painful battles that every woman fights at some point in her life.

In a world that constantly demands women to “choose wisely” and to “have it all,” Aandhi was brutally honest—sometimes, you can’t have it all. Sometimes, love has to take a backseat, not because it is weak but because a woman’s dreams deserve just as much importance as a man’s.

Mahesh Bhatt’s Love for Aandhi

Celebrated filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt recently described Aandhi as a “timeless masterpiece.” And rightly so. The film doesn’t just capture the nuances of a relationship but also highlights the ironies of life. Two people deeply in love—Aarti and JK (Sanjeev Kumar)—are separated not because of a lack of love but because of the weight of their individual dreams and responsibilities.

Bhatt has always been vocal about his admiration for films that challenge societal norms, and Aandhi is a perfect example. It forces us to rethink the roles we assign to women, the sacrifices they are expected to make, and the silent guilt they carry for simply choosing themselves.

Why Aandhi Still Matters Today

We like to believe that times have changed, that women today have more freedom to chase their dreams without judgment. But let’s be honest—how often do we still hear things like, “She’s too ambitious,” or “She should focus on her family first”? Aarti Devi’s story isn’t just a fictional tale from 1975—it’s the story of countless women today who are torn between their passion and their personal lives.

Aandhi reminds us that choosing oneself is not selfish. It is brave. It is necessary. And above all, it is every woman’s right.

So, if you’re in the mood for a film that will make you think, feel, and maybe even shed a tear, put Aandhi on your watchlist. Because some stories never fade—they just become more relevant with time.