Shakti Samanta's often overlooked gem, Amar Prem, is a powerful exploration of social rejection, human compassion, adapted from the short story titled Hinger Kochuri by Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhyay, best known for writing the novels Pather Panchali and Aparajito. The film tells the story of Pushpa (Sharmila Tagore), a woman forced into prostitution after being cast out by her husband and family. Rather than depicting her as a tragic and mystified figure, Samanta humanises Pushpa, presenting her as a source of compassion and emotional refuge for two neglected individuals: Anand (Rajesh Khanna), a wealthy man estranged from his wife, and Nandu, a young boy abandoned by his mother. The film questions the legitimacy of traditional family structures by showcasing how Pushpa, who society deems immoral, provides the emotional warmth and care that...

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