Mili

Story:

Mili is a 1975 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Ashok Kumar. Jaya Bachchan received a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress, the only nomination for the film. The film was remade in Telugu in 1976 as Jyothi starring Jayasudha in the title role. Mili was the final work of music composer S.D. Burman, who died four months after the film’s release.

PLOT

Mili is a girl who suffers from pernicious anemia, a disorder considered untreatable at the time. Her lively, inquisitive and cheerful demeanour spread happiness in everyone’s life. She becomes an inspiration to her new neighbour Shekhar who is a depressed alcoholic. With her cheerful ways she changes Shekhar and he falls in love with her, unaware of her ailment.

When he learns of it, he thinks of going away as he cannot bear to see her die. A reproach from their neighbour Runa makes him reconsider his decision. He offers to marry her and take her abroad for her treatment. The film begins and ends with a scene of an aircraft taking off, ostensibly carrying the couple to Switzerland where they hope to find a cure for Mili’s illness.