Andaz (1971) is a romantic saga directed by Ramesh Sippy in his directorial debut, with the screenplay and story credited to the renowned writer duo Salim–Javed, alongside Gulzar and Sachin Bhowmick. The film stars Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini, and Simi Garewal, with Rajesh Khanna making a memorable guest appearance. One of the most iconic elements of the film is the song 'Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana', written by Hasrat Jaipuri and composed by Shankar Jaikishen, with Kishore Kumar’s unforgettable yodelling performance. The song’s lasting impact cemented its place in the annals of Bollywood music and even made it to the soundtrack of Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala. Kishore Kumar’s performance earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer. Andaz’s unique storyline, centred around the theme of widow remarriage, was groundbreaking for its time, challenging societal norms in both urban and rural India. At the time, widow remarriage was largely frowned upon, and this progressive theme marked the film. However, the portrayal of two elderly couples finding love after the death of their respective spouses was not immediately accepted by audiences. Hema Malini’s character, Sheetal, a single mother after the death of her beloved Raj (played by Rajesh Khanna), faces difficulty in rekindling love with Ravi (Shammi Kapoor), whose wife Mona (Simi Garewal) is also deceased. The concept of their romance did not sit well with the audience, reflecting societal reluctance to accept such relationships on screen. Despite this, Andaz became a moderate success and was significant in furthering Hema Malini’s career. The film arrived at a time when Shammi Kapoor’s box-office appeal was waning, and his role helped re-establish his star presence. Rajesh Khanna’s 10-minute cameo was pivotal to the film’s success, playing a major role in turning Andaz into a hit. Khanna, who had enjoyed an unprecedented run of 17 consecutive hit films between 1969 and 1971, counted Andaz among them, marking a notable moment in his career. This film also marked the beginning of the successful screenwriting partnership of Salim-Javed. Interestingly, years later, Shammi Kapoor revealed that Andaz was heavily inspired by the 1966 French film Un Homme et une Femme, which contributed to the film’s distinctive blend of romance and drama.