Some old movies are real treasures and the 1983 romantic drama, Sadma, starring Kamal Hasan and Sridevi, is surely one. In 2013, CNN released a list of 50 the most iconic scenes from Bollywood history. And, one moment that we couldn’t agree more is the climax from Sadma.
Even though Bollywood is more than 100 years old now and there are many iconic scenes, Sadma’s climax is still one of the most heartbreaking cinematic moments ever.Â
As the whole film is a classic, we believe every person must watch this masterpiece once. Not just Kamal Haasan and Sridevi’s flawless performances as Somu and Nehalata/Reshmi but also the powerful plot is what makes this movie extra-special.
But, here’s a warning, the movie’s powerful emotional ending will leave you with loads of tears. Even after watching the movie so many times, the last scene always leaves us heartbroken!
In case you haven’t watched this beautiful classic, we would strongly recommend watching this unusual but delightful love story. And, in case you have already watched it – then you know exactly the painful and heartwrenching moment we are talking about.
In the climax, Reshami (Sridevi), who was suffering from amnesia, is cured and forgets everything that transpired between her accident and her treatment. She also forgets the way Somu (Kamal Haasan) took care of her and what they felt for each other. And as Reshami recovers and remembers her life as Nehalata, Somu makes an earnest, heartfelt appeal to remind her of the past. But, what he gets in return is the blank look on Sridevi’s face. And, at that moment, talented Kamal Haasan’s performance shakes you to the core.
In the final moments, Somu recreates the monkey impressions that Reshami was very fond of. In his failing attempts to make her remember the old times, he calls out the name he gave her, and he limps behind a running train until he falls down, which leaves him utterly hopeless and dejected.
This movie is just a reminder of how powerful talent can create a magical moment that leaves millions with pain and despair. You can actually feel Kamal Hassan’s heartache so deeply that you can’t stop yourself from shedding bucket loads of tears! And, then there you catch yourself in a guilty moment when you hope Reshami should have never been cured. Because that’s what great acting does to you! It makes you feel so intensely. But, what makes this scene more powerful is how disconnected Nehalata is – because she literally has no memory of her life as Reshami.Â
This powerful scene is shot so beautifully. Somu’s despair, heartache, and inability to put the words together along with Nehalata/Reshami’s picture of grace and poise. This scene is actually the complete reversal of the roles that the characters played throughout the movie. When Reshami comments about Somu, ‘koi paagal hai shayad’, your heart is torn apart.
At the end, when a bystander asks Somu about the issue, he couldn’t put his feelings and emotions into words. You could see him dejectedly walking towards a bench – even as the very song he sang for Reshami plays in the background, Surmayee Ankhiyon Mein.Â
At this juncture, this beautiful song serves a dual purpose – it shows the memorable moments that Reshami and Somu spent together. It’s a reminder of what Somu has lost.
It is quite amazing how a movie released in 1983, touched upon all the taboo topics like loneliness, mental health, etc. Thanks to Sridevi’s great acting skills, the portrayal of an amnesiac woman with childish mannerisms struck the perfect balance of sensitivity and realism.Â
But, it’s the climax that leaves you speechless and heartbroken. The beautiful and honest exploration of grief along with the incomplete love story, this scene is a powerful reminder of great filmmaking!