Asli-Naqli

Asli-Naqli is an Indian drama romance film released in the year 1962. Directed by the noted filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the movie stars Dev Anand, Sadhana Shivdasani, and Nasir Hussain in the lead roles.

The film centers around a wealthy young man named Renu (played by Dev Anand) and a hopeful Sagina (played by Sadhana Shivdasani). The narrative forms a complex web of innate human emotions like love, deceit, pretense, and truthfulness – the essence of which are encapsulated through emotions inherent in the course of the protagonists' lives.

Renu is rich yet unfulfilled – a young man surrounded by wealth, but continuously seeks for something his riches can't buy - contentment. Dev Anand impressively portrays Renu’s character exhibiting his need for simplicity, honesty, and ordinary human connection that he critically lacks in his aristocratic lifestyle. Renu's grandfather, the source of his wealth, is stern and values prestige above anything - an aspect that Renu finds oppressive.

Sadhana plays the role of Renu, a humble and modest girl who makes her living by selling fruits. She leads a simple life that, in its way, holds more richness than Renu’s lavish existence. Her existence is pure and untouched by the worldly desires and materialistic possessions, which makes Renu fall in love with her, indicating the solid portrayal of the dichotomy of real and fake lives – the Asli and Naqli.

Nasir Hussain delivers a commendable performance as Girdhari, a pivotal character through whom Renu gets to know the real world. Through his association with the poor but honest Girdhari, Renu gets to understand the worth of living a life with dignity and principle even if it is devoid of riches.

Asli-Naqli focuses on the cultural class differences and poses a philosophical question on the real essence of life – whether it lies in pomp and show, or in honesty and simplicity. The film does a remarkable job portraying the emotional turmoil inside the characters, making the viewers empathize with them. Hrishikesh Mukherjee, known for his keen insight into human psychology and society, wonderfully displays the same in this film.

The visual audio complement each other distinctively throughout the narrative. The film is crafted with an artistic touch, often using visual metaphor and symbolism to enhance the storytelling. The opulence of Renu's world is juxtaposed against Renu's simplistic life, effectively representing the stark contrast.

What adds to the allure of the movie is the melodious music scored by the talented duo Shankar-Jaikishan. The soul-stirring music of Asli Naqli is one of its high points, and the songs are ardently remembered even today. Adding to it are the stunning lyrics penned by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra, which beautifully complement the poignant storyline. Some of the memorable songs from the film include 'Tera Mera Pyar Amar', 'Cheda Mere Dil Ne' and 'Ek But Banaoonga'.

Overall, Asli-Naqli delivers a universal, timeless message wrapped in a compelling narrative, brilliant performances, and noteworthy music. The film is about confronting one's own fears and insecurities and learning to embrace simplicity and truth. The performances of the lead actors, the engrossing storyline and the soulful music make it a must-watch for any lover of classic Indian cinema. Asli-Naqli masterfully depicts the essence of 'asli' or original values and the hollow superficiality of 'naqli' or duplicate human relationships. It is a timeless exploration of the eternal struggle between truth and falsehood, between love and prejudice. It remains relevant even today with its portrayal of an aristocrat learning the true value of life from those who lack his worldly riches but have an abundance of honesty, generosity, and love.

The film earned considerable critical acclaim since its release in 1962 and has since maintained its timeless charm. Asli-Naqli is a beautiful cinematic representation of the exploration of real versus faux elements of life, making it a captivating watch.