Aradhana Awards | Fact

Aradhana, a story of ahead it's time, surprising did not only do well in the box office in 1969, but went ahead and received quite some recognition

• Best Film – Shakti Samanta
• Best Actress – Sharmila Tagore
• Best Male Playback Singer – Kishore Kumar for the song "Roop Tera Mastana"

Aradhana Remake from Hollywood | Fact

Aradhana beloved Bollywood megahit is a remake of the 1946 Hollywood version, To Each His Own.

Mere Sapno Ki Rani Secret | Fact

When Shakti Samanta was shooting, Aradhana, the song Mere Sapno Ki Rani, he couldn't get combined dates from Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore.

Sharmila Tagore couldn't make it to Darjeeling and so only Rajesh Khanna's portions were shot, showing him driving the jeep across the hills.

Tagore's footage was separately shot in Mumbai where a train set was erected in a studio. The two footages were later edited together to appear as if in the same frame.

Aradhana couple | Fact

Aradhana, the first film of hit pair Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore

Aparna Sen "mother" Aradhana | Fact

In the movie Aradhana, Aparna Sen was offered the role as Rajesh Khanna's mother, but refused 

Aradhana | Movie Review

Synopsis: 

Air Force pilot Arun and the lovely Vandana marry in secret after a brief courtship. But when Arun perishes in a plane crash, the heartbroken and pregnant Vandana must fend for herself and her child. Featuring the tunes "Mere sapno ki rani," "Chanda Hai Tu" and "Roop tera mastana," 

Starring: 

• Sharmila Tagore 
• Rajesh Khanna
• Sujit Kumar
• Madan Puri
• Pahadi Sanyal 
• Anita Gohal
• Abhi Bhattacharya 
• Asit Sen
• Sitaram Manmohan
• Farida Jalal
• Subhash Ghai 

Grade: B+

Fantastic music and a dashing leading man aside, the main reason why Aradhana works is perhaps because of the wonderful story line and direction. Though this movie is more often remembered for shooting Rajesh Khanna into the big league, its Sharmila Tagore's subdued portrayal of Vandana Tripathi that stays with you. 

She richly deserved her Filmfare award for Best actress for this role. Farida Jalal and Madan Puri too chip in with good supporting performances. But of course the real winner here is the music, chart busters all of them. 

Must watch to know what Bollywood was once capable of yielding before inanities set in.

Rating: PG 13