Hare Rama Hare Krishna

Hare Rama Hare Krishna is a 1971 Bollywood movie that submerged its audiences into a potent amalgamation of drama, adventure, and music, underlined by a profound social message. The movie, directed by the superstar of his time, Dev Anand, featured the on-screen charm of radiant actresses Zeenat Aman and Mumtaz Askari. A key feature of this film is that it intertwined a tale of estranged siblings caught in the mire of ideological divergence and personal disillusionment with an exploration of the counterculture movement flourishing in the 1970s.

The film opens up with the disintegration of an Indian family based in Canada. In the midst of marital discord and divorce, two siblings, Prashant and Jasbir, played by Dev Anand and Baby Guddi, respectively, are separated. Prashant ends up moving with his aloof father to India, and Jasbir stays with her mother. The narrative leapfrogs 12 years ahead, only to find Prashant deeply unsettled by the thought of his sister's well-being. The movie then morphs into Prashant's search for Jasbir, transitioning the setting from monotonous city life to the calm yet chaotic landscape of Nepal.

In his quest to find Jasbir, Prashant encounters a vibrant hippie community thriving on Hashish and suspended spirituality, in the heart of Kathmandu. Once a young innocent girl, Prashant's sister Jasbir, now Janice, is one of these hippies, engrossed in a world of psychedelic flush and Hare Krishna ethos. Zeenat Aman embodies Janice's character with her mesmerizing charm and coaxes the audience to empathize with her lost and disillusioned persona.

Parallel to Prashant’s search, the narrative unfolds the romantic angle between Prashant and Shanti, a tour guide portrayed by Mumtaz Askari. Mumtaz's portrayal of Shanti brings warmth to the narrative with her cheerful demeanor amidst the tumultuous unfolding of events. The film takes an intriguing turn when Prashant, the concerned brother, must confront Janice, the deviant wandering soul. The discord in their perceptions, accompanied by their longing to associate with each other, brings in a fascinating blend of controversy, drama, and emotion to the screen.

Hare Rama Hare Krishna is also lauded for its evocative soundtrack that was a commercial success and widely appreciated for its authenticity. R.D. Burman's enchanting melodies provided the perfect backdrop to the movie's narrative, with Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle's soulful renditions, notably the ever-popular ‘Dum Maro Dum', adding life to the film. The movie subtly uses its music, specifically the Hare Krishna chant, to resonate with the zeitgeist of the youth culture of the time and also to magnify the spirituality imbued in India's rich cultural fabric.

Dev Anand’s virtuosity shines in his dual role as both an actor playing Prashant and the film's director. His invested performance hits the right empathetic chord, making everyone root for the loving and concerned brother searching for his lost sibling. His directorial skills sharpen the edge of this dramatic plot and give it a balanced cinematic rendition.

The film is a brilliant exposé on the counterculture movement invading Indian youth under the guise of spirituality and enlightenment in the 1970s. The impeccable performances and the piquant narrative leaves a strong imprint on its audience's minds, making it a must-watch movie for cinema purists and those with an inclination towards understanding cinema's role in portraying socio-cultural shifts.

In summary, Hare Rama Hare Krishna is more than a mere film; it's a cinematic sojourn that discovers and discusses a hidden layer of the Indian society of the 1970s. It brilliantly traverses through intricate themes of lost youth, familial relationships, and the quest for identity and salvation, rendering it an iconic feature in the annals of Indian cinema. The stellar performances by the cast, especially Zeenat Aman, Dev Anand, and Mumtaz Askari, the soulful music, and the intriguing storyline all collectively make this movie a timeless classic.