Silsila (1981 film)

Silsila
Theatrical Release Poster
Directed by	Yash Chopra
Produced by	Yash Chopra
Written by	Yash Chopra Preeti Bedi Sagar Sarhadi Romesh Sharma
Starring	Amitabh Bachchan Jaya Bachchan Rekha Sanjeev Kumar
Music by	Shiv-Hari
Cinematography	Kay Gee
Edited by	Keshav Naidu
Distributed by	Yash Raj Films
Release date	14 August 1981
Running time	183 mins
Country	India
Language	Hindi
Box office	₹7 crore (equivalent to ₹100 crore or US$16 million in 2016)

Silsila (Series Of Events) is a 1981 Indian Bollywood Hindi romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Rekha and Sanjeev Kumar. Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Shashi Kapoor make a special appearance in the film. The movie is said to be loosely inspired by the alleged real-life love triangle of its three stars, Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha, the most talked about love affair back then. On his last birthday, Yash Chopra revealed that he originally wanted to cast Parveen Babi and Smita Patil opposite Bachchan, but after consulting him, he chose to cast Jaya Bachchan and Rekha in their respective roles.

This was the last film to feature Rekha with Amitabh Bachchan, putting an end to this popular on-screen pair and their rumored off-screen affair. This was also the last time to feature Amitabh Bachchan with Jaya Bachchan until they appeared together on screen 20 years later in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001). The film did only average business at the box office, faring much below expectations. Since its release, however, the film has gained a strong cult following and is today considered a classic in its treatment of the themes of abandonment and familial responsibility. Producer Yash Chopra considered this film and Lamhe as his favourites. The movie's soundtrack became a "super-hit" upon the release of the film and continues to be as popular.

Orphaned at very young age, brothers Shekhar Malhotra (Shashi Kapoor) and Amit Malhotra (Amitabh Bachchan) lead independent lives. Shekhar is a Squadron Leader with the Indian Air Force, and Amit is an emerging writer. Shekhar has fallen in love with the lovely Shobha (Jaya Bachchan), while Amit seeks to woo the attractive Chandni (Rekha). Amit finds professional success as a playwright in Delhi, enjoying a successful launch into the circles of Delhi's intellectual elite. Amit's passion and dedication to his craft wins Chandni's affections for Amit, and they share a brief, blissful period of courtship.