Aandhi (1975) Review: Notable Songs, Mediocre Drama, And A Flawed Take On Feminism

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ✨ 2.5/5*

Aandhi Review Movie Talkies:

Aandhi made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Many believed the film was based on Indira Gandhi, and since it released during the Emergency, it was banned and later re-released. The controversy generated publicity, but beyond the headlines, it didn’t really help the film. Contrary to popular belief, Aandhi has nothing to do with Indira Gandhi’s life.

Aandhi Story:

The story follows a rich woman who falls in love with an ordinary hotel manager and marries him. After marriage, she realises that her political ambitions and career aspirations are far more important to her than domestic life. This leads to constant conflict, after which she leaves her husband’s home to pursue a political career. Years later, fate brings them face to face again when she arrives at the same hotel—now run by her husband—while campaigning for elections. Their meeting soon turns into a scandal, further damaging the woman’s public image.

WATCH Dhurandhar 2 Official Teaser: Aditya Dhar's Spy Thriller Returns With New Dhamaka –

At its core, Aandhi tells a very ordinary story with flat characters and unexciting conflicts. The narrative lacks momentum and remains dull for most of its runtime. The portrayal of feminism feels confused and inconsistent, with the female protagonist making impulsive decisions, reversing them, and then changing direction again. The husband even states that he had clearly explained his lifestyle before marriage, yet she fails to adjust. Similar themes were handled far more effectively in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anuradha (1960), where mutual understanding strengthens a marriage, and in the Bengali classic Mahanagar, which beautifully portrayed a woman stepping out to work. Sadly, Aandhi comes nowhere close.

Aandhi Movie Review:

The performances are mostly average. Sanjeev Kumar is decent, though one expects much more from an actor of his calibre. Suchitra Sen surprisingly gets more limelight and performs well. Om Prakash is perfectly cast, while the supporting actors are just about fine. Gulzar has made far superior films, and this one doesn’t rank high in his filmography. Overall, Aandhi is a strictly average film. The only truly memorable aspect is its music.

Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990) Review: A deeply painful and thought-provoking story of a doctor’s struggle against the systemic excommunication

Stay tuned to Movie Talkies' website and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), along with our YouTube channel, for latest updates, breaking news, box office reports, movie reviews, celebrity spotting, and interviews from Bollywood, television, OTT, Hollywood, and regional cinema, including South Indian films.