Milan is overall a very nice film. It is a sort of a fairy tale in mood and execution and it definitely works as such. The story is simple and quite easy to follow, and overall it is a watchable film which does have its moments but it's never particularly great. The proceedings follow the strong friendship between an illiterate ferryman named Gopi and a beautiful girl named Radha, who comes from a wealthy family. They spend a lot of time together, treat each other with respect, and what could have been a story of romance never looks like one as it never really comes across on the surface. It is basically a story of love that was not materialised. Anyway, the interaction between the two is pretty much what this film is all about, and it is quite heartwarming, and at times even magic. The scene in which he teaches her to sing is perhaps the film's best. The film also deals with reincarnation, which is a minor part of it, but it's well-handled and it is clearly there to complete the uncompleted. Unfortunately, while there is some honesty in director Adurthi Subba Rao's approach, the film is not entirely captivating, it's often melodramatic and at times quite tedious.
That said, it has many good points. First, Milan is set on the banks of the Ganges, and it is very well shot. The acting is definitely very good. Sunil Dutt is very likable and sincere in the role of the kind, loving and innocent Gopi, and I liked a lot his other and very different appearance once reincarnated. Nutan is splendid as Radha. She is beautiful, natural, and throughout the film she exudes a certain warmth that really elevates the film. Jamuna is wonderful as the sassy Gauri, although she does not have a very good role. Pran is excellent as usual, and Deven Verma is very good as well. Laxmikant-Pyarelal really give a new life to a film in which music plays an important part. Their soundtrack is melodious and memorable. Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar are the voices, and one can always expect some wonderful performances. My favourite numbers are "Hum Tum Yug Yug Se", which is hauntingly beautiful and romantic, and "Sawan Ka Mahina", an ear-pleasing, melodious track which presents this very scene which I discussed above and which according to me is the film's best. Overall then, a nice movie which is not flawless but fairly enjoyable.
