This 44-year-old film of Amitabh Bachchan was a super flop, yet its 7 songs created history, 3 of them still top the retro playlist, songs are.., film is…
In the ever-evolving world of cinema, many films come and go. Some shine at the box office, while others fail to hit the mark. Yet, a few rare gems might not outlive the commercial expectations, but they are still remembered, sometimes for their compelling storyline, rich visuals, or soulful music. One such similar is a film that was released 44 years ago in the year 1981. While the film couldn’t deliver numbers at the box office, it ended up creating music history. It delivered seven melodious tracks that remain timeless and resonate with the audience even today.
How much did Silsila earn?
The film that we are talking about is none other than ‘Silsila’. The film was directed by the celebrated filmmaker Yash Chopra. It featured a star-studded cast including legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, and Shashi Kapoor. But despite the stellar cast and breathtaking visuals shot in the Netherlands, Kashmir, Delhi, and Mumbai, the film failed to strike a chord with the audience. The film earned Rs. 7 crores, which was a decent amount at that time, but it couldn’t meet its high production cost and expectations.
Much like the infamous off-screen triangle of Jaya-Amitabh and Rekha, this film’s plot also revolved around the same. Revolving around the complicated love triangle, the film shows Amit (Amitabh Bachchan), who falls for Chandini, portrayed by Rekha. But, in a turn of events, Amitabh Bachchan ends up marrying his late brother’s fiancée, Shobha (Jaya Bachchan). Meanwhile, Chandni weds Dr. Anand (Sanjeev Kumar). As time passes, Amit and Chandni cross paths again, and old emotions resurface. One of the film’s most emotional moments is captured in the song ‘Jo Tum Todo Piya’, symbolising Chandni’s inner turmoil.
What Makes Silsila Unforgettable?
Although the storyline fails to connect with the audience, its songs by the legendary duo Shiv-Hari (Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia and Pt. Shivkumar Sharma) turned the film into a musical marvel. The film features seven tracks, out of which three are evergreen till today. Songs like ‘Rang Barse’, ‘Dekha Ek Khwaab’, ‘Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum’, and ‘Neela Aasman’ still resonate with the audience today and top the retro playlist. ‘Rang Barse’, in particular, has become a Holi anthem.
The lyrics of these timeless songs were written by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Javed Akhtar, and others. The voice to this song is given by legendary Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and even Amitabh Bachchan himself
Even though Silsila didn’t become a blockbuster, its timeless songs, breathtaking visuals, and emotional storylines make it unforgettable. Even after more than four decades, its songs continue to dominate playlists and touch a chord with the audience.
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