Saagar (film)


Saagar is a 1985 Hindi language romantic drama film directed by Ramesh Sippy. The film stars Rishi Kapoor, Kamal Haasan and Dimple Kapadia. The film featured lyrics, story and screenplay written by Javed Akhtar and music by R. D. Burman. It received critical acclaim upon release, and winning a Four Filmfare Awards.
Saagar was a comeback film for Kapadia.
Saagar was India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985.
This was the second instance in the history of Filmfare Awards where an actor has been nominated for both Best Actor as well as Best Actor in Supporting role, the previous nominee for both awards was Ashok Kumar. Kamal Haasan ultimately won the Best Actor award, his first and only award in that category for a Hindi film.

Plot

Mona runs a small restaurant in Goa. Raja, who lives close by, is a good friend. He is in love with her but is unable to profess his feelings. Ravi is from a rich industrialist family who moves to Goa from the US. Mona and Ravi fall in love of which Raja knows nothing. Ravi's grandmother, Kamladevi, is opposed to their love because of class differences.

Cast

The music was composed by R. D. Burman and the lyrics were by Javed Akhtar. Kishore Kumar bagged his 8th Filmfare Award for the song "Sagar Kinare", Other singers include Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Shailendra Singh.

Reception

According to Asiaweek, "Saagar offers a skimpy eternal-triangle plot, but it is remarkable for its polished narration and masterly technique. The romance is subdued, symbolised by waves gently caressing the shore." It further praised the performances, calling Kapadia "a delight" and claiming that Hassan "steals the show with his subtle performance," and the direction by Sippy, who "has succeeded in injecting vitality, beauty and deep insight into a gossamer-thin story." India Today wrote, "Like Sholay, and only like Sholay, Saagar is purely a director's film."

Awards

The film was chosen by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the 58th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.