Ek Baar Phir (Once Again)(1980)
'Ek Baar Phir (Once Again)' is a 1980 Hindi-language drama film produced and directed by Vinod Pande. The film stars Suresh Oberoi as Mahender Kumar, a self-centered film star, and Deepti Naval in her debut role as his neglected wife, Kalpana. Pradeep Verma plays Vimal, a poor art student who becomes Kalpana's new love interest. The story follows Kalpana as she realizes her marriage to a famous actor is empty and loveless. During a trip to Britain, she meets a sensitive artist who makes her feel seen. The film was a bold and controversial exploration of a woman's right to leave an unhappy marriage. It received critical acclaim for its realistic treatment and strong performances, particularly from Deepti Naval. The film was released on March 7, 1980, in India.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1980
- Director
- Vinod Pande
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 27m
- Rating
- 6.8/10
Storyline
Kalpana marries her dream man, a famous Bollywood star. But her dream turns into a lonely nightmare. Her husband has no time for her and is unfaithful. In Britain, she meets a poor artist who truly sees her. She must choose between her comfortable cage and an uncertain but real love.
“When love is not enough.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Ek Baar Phir (Once Again)
Cast reunions in this film: Deepti Naval & Suresh Oberoi (3 films together).
Trivia
- The film was inspired by the 1979 American movie 'Starting Over', which itself was based on a novel by Dan Wakefield.
- It was one of the earliest Bollywood films to be shot extensively in the United Kingdom, capturing London's streets and landmarks.
- Director Vinod Pande was known for making socially conscious films, and this was his second directorial venture after 'Saza-E-Maut'.
- The movie features a cameo appearance by veteran actor Shammi Kapoor, though he is not part of the main cast.
- Despite its bold theme of marital discord and attraction outside marriage for its time, it did not perform well commercially.
- The soundtrack, composed by Rajesh Roshan, included the popular song 'Tumse Badhkar Duniya Mein' sung by Kishore Kumar.
- Actress Deepti Naval, who played the female lead, was relatively new to Bollywood and was praised for her natural performance.