Like a song in motion or poem in play, Gulzar's Ijaazat speaks of love, hope, commitment and the bittersweet choices that encapsulate one's journey called life.
There's much contemplation in its narrative and all the right pauses in its speech, which takes place during a rainy night in the impersonal confines of a waiting room. Though there's enough tenderness to hold on to in these portions, the real colours are revealed in the flashbacks that follow.
An edgy relationship between two headstrong, liberated individuals halts on an unexpected note after one bows out to marry another. A rather special lady, the other is. But compromises do not necessarily guarantee a fruitful collaboration. Ijaazat articulates why.
Gulzar's magic is at work all through. Be it the exchange between the enigmatic, subdued Rekha, a bemused Naseeruddin Shah and a free-spirited Anuradha Patel. Or the flee-flowing verse of Katra katra, Mera kuch saaman, Khaali haath sham and Choti si kahani, crafted within R D Burman's exquisite melody.
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