Anokha Rishta(1986)
Anokha Rishta is a 1986 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by I.V. Sasi. It stars Rajesh Khanna, Smita Patil, and debutante Sabeeha in lead roles. The story follows Mary, an orphan whose education is sponsored by an anonymous benefactor she calls 'uncle.' After the sponsor's death, his son Robert Brown continues the correspondence without revealing his identity. Mary meets Robert at a party and falls in love with him, unaware he is her sponsor. The film explores themes of unrequited love, age-gap relationships, and self-sacrifice. It is a remake of Sasi's own 1984 Malayalam film Kanamarayathu. The film was praised for its sensitive storytelling and strong performances but was a commercial failure upon release. It is now considered a cult classic and a forerunner to later films like Lamhe.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube, Internet Archive
- Theatrical Release
- 29 August 1986
- Director
- I. V. Sasi
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 20m
- Rating
- 4.2/10
Storyline
A young orphan girl named Mary has never met the man who sponsors her education. She writes to him as 'uncle.' When she meets a kind older man named Robert at a party, she falls in love with him. She does not know he is her sponsor. Robert must find a way to protect her heart without breaking it.
“Love knows no age, but wisdom does.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Anokha Rishta
Cast reunions in this film: Rajesh Khanna & Smita Patil (6 films together), Shafi Inamdar & Smita Patil (4 films together), Satish Shah & Beena Banerjee (3 films together), Satish Shah & Shafi Inamdar (3 films together), Rajesh Khanna & Beena Banerjee (2 films together), and Rajesh Khanna & Shafi Inamdar (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film was a remake of the 1984 Malayalam movie 'Aalkkoottathil Thaniye', also directed by I.V. Sasi.
- This was one of the few Hindi films where actor Raj Kiran played a lead romantic role opposite a top actress like Sridevi.
- The movie's music was composed by Bappi Lahiri, known for his disco hits, but the soundtrack here had a softer, more melodic tone.
- Sridevi's character, Mary, was shown as a talented painter, with several scenes focusing on her artwork.
- The film was shot extensively in picturesque hill station locations, which was uncommon for many mainstream Hindi dramas of that era.
- Despite starring Sridevi at the peak of her fame, the movie did not perform well commercially and is not widely remembered today.
- Director I.V. Sasi was more famous in South Indian cinema, making this a rare foray into directing a Hindi feature.