The year was 1973 and a star was in the rising. The phenomenon that is Amitabh Bachchan had struck the Hindi film screen. Jaya Bhaduri, the original girl next door, was his heroine, both in reel and in life. No wonder then that Abhiman created a sensation. The parallels were too obvious to overlook for the cinegoers.

Of course at that time it was also rumoured that this Hrishikesh Mukherjee classic was inspired by George Cukor's A Star Is Born, starring Judy Garland and James Mason. There were also rumours that the film was probably inspired by the real life story of Geeta and Guru Dutt. Kind of remote that. But then such are the many stories surrounding Abhimaan. Jaya Bhaduri's decision to retire from the silver screen post her marriage simply lent more grist to the rumour mills.

But none of the above detract from the overall impact of the film. Superb casting and a sensitive director have made Abhimaan one of the enduring gems of popular Hindi cinema.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's film has an interesting storyline. Writer Nabendu Ghosh's story is about a popular playback singer (Subir Kumar), played by Amitabh. It's quite lonely at the top for Subir, whose only friends are his secretary Chandru, played by Asrani and Chita (Bindu), friend-cum-benefactor. On a visit to his village to meet his beloved Durga mausi (Durga Khote), he falls in love with simple village girl Uma (Jaya).Actually, it is her voice that he falls in love with first. He hears her rendition of a Shiv vandana and is floored by it. Uma is the daughter of classical singer.

The consummate director that Mukherjee was, he lays the foundation for the cracks in the relationship right in the beginning. Uma and Subir have different views on singing. She sings for herself and he sings for the gallery. Later, at their marriage reception, Subir cajoles Uma into singing a duet with him. One of the characters present at the reception, Raisaab (David), even comments on the superiority of Uma's voice. He almost predicts the tragedy that will unfold. The moment is gone and over. But Mukherjee has very subtly given his audience ample hints of things to come.

The early days of Subir and Uma's marriage are blissful with the pair discovering each other. The chemistry between Amitabh and Jaya is quite palpable and works well for the characters they are portraying.

But cracks start appearing in their relationship as Uma is flooded with offers to sing solo. The same producers who would make a beeline for Subir now start flocking around Uma and are even willing to pay her more than him. Subir's ego understandably, cannot take it. He clams up and takes to the bottle and good friend Bindu (all platonic please). Uma finds it difficult to communicate with him. And when he tells her that he really does not need her, a hurt Uma has no option but to go back to the village. But she is pregnant. Subir hears about it and is happy but is ego will still not allow him to go to her. Better sense prevails and a penitent Subir comes back to Uma but she has lost their baby by then.

Shattered by her broken marriage and now the loss of her baby, Uma withdraws into herself and cuts herself off from the world. Subir sets out to help her recover. He forces Uma to sing again at a function, knowing that it will finally melt away her fears. So it does. And what follows is a very poignant scene with Subir and Uma singing a duet all over again.

Set against the backdrop of showbiz, the film has the typical warm, humanistic approach of Hrishida. Its strength remains, as it does for all Hrishikesh Mukherjee films, its strong emotional current. Jaya and Amitabh are quite flawless in their portrayals of Uma and Subir respectively. Even the other actors, like Bindu, Asrani and Durga Khote, all play out their roles to perfection. There is no discordant note here.

But no discussion of Abhimaan can be complete without mentioning the fantastic music given by SD Burman, One of his last films, Sachinda entralls with his meet na milere man ka; piya bina or even the evergreen duet, tere mere milan ki yeh raina.

While Abhimaan may not be Hrishida's best, it still has a special place in the hearts of Hindi film goers. It had it all, lilting music, absorbing storyline, great acting and very fine direction.