Ankhen (1968) Review: Spy Universe Will Age Out Matching Half Of This! Dharmendra As The Most Patriotic, Intelligent & Charming Spy Ever

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4/5*

Ankhen (1968) Review:

Ankhen stands tall as one of the most technically advanced and patriotic spy thrillers Indian cinema had produced during the 1960s. If there’s anything that can be argued as a stronger contender from that era, it would be Johnny Mera Naam (1970), which blends more masala elements to amplify its entertainment value. Beyond that, I don’t think there was any real competition for the classy and stylish espionage world that Ankhen built — even when compared to today’s spy films. Jeetendra's Farz could be a challenge, but in my opinion, that's second or third best.

Ankhen feels like India’s answer to Sean Connery’s James Bond era, proving that Indian cinema wasn’t lagging as much as people believe. In multiple aspects, Ankhen actually surpasses those popular Bond films of the 60s. What truly sets it apart is the characterization of its hero. You don’t expect a charming lead spy to reject a beautiful woman’s romantic advances by declaring that “the nation comes first, and spies don’t have the luxury of love and family.” And he lives by that conviction until the end! Imagine Bond or Ethan Hunt doing that. Then we have Tiger and Pathaan falling in love with ISI agents today. Holy Crap!

Although the final love‐triumph moment feels a little cliché and earns a half‐star deduction, the romance between Dharmendra and Mala Sinha in Japan is genuinely adorable. You rarely see a Hindi film heroine flirt so gracefully and later sacrifice her love with such dignity — literally showering flowers at his feet and promising to wait. That moment is incredible.

Even more impressive is the male spy refusing another woman’s heartfelt love, even though she switches sides and defies her own organization for him. The film constantly surprises with advanced gadgets — hidden bases, surveillance tech, alarms, coded communication — all remarkably ahead of their time and still engaging five decades later.

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Milti Hai Zindagi Mein Mohabbat plays early but remains the standout song of the entire film, and Lata Mangeshkar’s divine voice elevates it to a different level altogether. Lata didi, you were truly a goddess in the form of a human.

Dharmendra delivers one of the most patriotic, intelligent, and suavely charming spy performances in Indian cinema. Mala Sinha shines in a layered, emotional role. Director Ramanand Sagar deserves full credit for crafting such a gripping thriller. It’s no wonder the film became a massive blockbuster despite the bold modern theme for its time. In short, Ankhen is a near‐classic — a super-spy film India should always treasure.

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