Simply sweet (Chitchor)

If Sooraj Barjatya were to heed his grandfather's principles, Main Prem ki Diwani Hoon would not have happened. And, we would have been saved from the onslaught of poor performances, bad characterisation and shoddy execution. For, this remake of Chitchor, Basu Chatterjee's adorable romance, lacks simplicity, an ingredient that made the 1976 classic so memorable. Tarachand Barjayta, with a penchant for setting his non-convulated social dramas in small towns and villages, made sure that his films stole your heart. And, Chitchor did that...
Reflecting the innocence of commoners living in small towns (as well as their trials, tribulations, joys and sorrows), Chatterjee centred this triangular love story on simple people's dreams, aspirations and hopes. Chitchor is a story that can happen in any household in a small town in India. It throws light upon a father's concern regarding the marriage of his daughter, a mother's tact in getting a well-off son-in-law, a village belle's innocence and charm and most importantly, the understated exchange of emotions between two lovers. This beautiful story gets a different dimension altogether with Ravindra Jain's music. A smell of the soil emanates from those heartwarming numbers. Jain, the blind composer, imparts a distinctive flavour to these tracks, something that he retained in all his later films. And, I love that quality. Call it a rustic feel, or the sheer play of classical notes blended into soft hummable songs, Jain's music is devoid of the loud cacophony of electronic beats that cloud the so-called music of today. So, when you hear Yesudas crooning Gori tera gaon bara pyaara, you are instantly transported to the peaceful environs of the village. When Vinod sings Jab deep jaley aana with Geeta by his side, the notes play magic with your senses. A thoroughly romantic song, Jain's lyrics equate love with the pleasures of music, an art that aught to be worshipped. Like love, which is worship in itself...
Pitamber Chaudhri (AK Hangal), an old school master living in Madhupur, (Vivaah, Sooraj Barjatya's last superhit venture, is set in Madhupur, too) is looking for a suitable groom for his younger daughter, Geeta. Played brilliantly by Zarina Wahab, Geeta is not much of a looker, but will captivate with her spontaneity, innocence and childish ebullience. One day Chadhri receives a letter from Meera, his elder daughter, who is married in Mumbai. She writes that one of her relatives, a well-to-do engineer, would soon go to Madhupur for work. She suggests that this allaince would be great for Geeta, so, the prospective groom should be welcomed and treated well. On hearing the news, Chaudhri and his wife (a natural Dina Pathak), erupt with joy. The next day, the old man goes to the station to receive the engineer, who turns out to be Vinod (Amol Palekar). His living arrangements are made in a nearby government bungalow. Chaudhri's wife treat him with homemade food and Geeta is encouraged to go the bungalow everyday to give flowers to Vinod. Initially shy, Geeta slowly takes a liking to Vinod, who promises to teach her music. Even her neighbour, Deepu (Master Raju), likes Vinod immensely.
Just when Chadhri and his wife are satisfied with the proceedings, Meera informs them that the engineer who was supposed to come to Madhupur, would do so only after some days. This enrages the elderly couple as they think Vinod to be an imposter. But, it so happens that Vinod is just a subordinate of Sunil (a very handsome Vijayendra Ghatge), the engineer in question. Geeta's parents instantly cosy up to Sunil and ignore Vinod purposely. Geeta is asked to avoid Vinod. Geeta is in turmoil as she is already in love with Vinod. The rest of the film shows how true love triumphs over all.
Palekar, a top choice for directors those days, to portray the middle-class man, emotes too well. He looks very Vinod, gells well with the Chaudhri family and warms up to their hospitality. Even when he is shunned by the family later, he does not grudge it, thinking that they must be too busy now taking care of his boss. His love for Geeta is subtle but sure. He has fallen in love with her not because she is a pretty princess. It is her innocence and simplicity, her pure nature that has him besotted. When he sings Tu jo mere sur mein, he is projecting the passion in his heart for Geeta (much to the discomfiture of Chaudhri and his wife). This song is my favourite in the film. Yesudas and Hemlata simply play havoc with my senses with the harmonious crest and the trough of the classical notes.
In the scene where Vinod gets to know that Sunil wants to marry Geeta, Palekar's expressions are fantastic. He quickly camouflages his hurt emotions with exuberant greetings and congratulations. His life is changed. This is not the same man who began the picnic with the frothy Aaj se pehle, aaj se zyaada... Don't see this flash of ingenuity in Hrithik Roshan!!!!
Now to the girl, over whom two hearts are stuck. Zarina Wahab is absolutely the village belle. Devoid of flashy clothes and modern looks, she is the quintessential simpleton, speaking a thousand words with her expressive eyes. It's commendable how Chatterjee didn't fall into the trap of glamour when he depicted Geeta, a girl totally unaware of fashion. Her oily hair tied into a neat plait or bun, she is the demure damsel in her plain sarees worn at least two inches above her ankles. She initially giggles when she sees Vinod singing, but it is this music that brings her close to her man. Facing opposition from her parents regarding Vinod, her eyes mirror the storm in her heart. She is in a dilemma as to whether she should obey her parents or answer the call of her heart and be faithful to her true love. You can sense her trauma when her mother insults Vinod when Sunil is already in the picture... Even though you might question the choice of Wahab for Geeta, it's only after you see her effortless performance that you realise that the focus is on her personality and not on her looks!!! In that Chatterjee chose the right gal...
Kareena Kapoor plays Geeta's role in the remake. But, she loses the plot from scene one itself. Overacting, lousy expressions and overt melodrama by the actor kills the film. This, after she was heard saying in an interview that Sanjana is the most difficult part that any lead actress has played so far!!! Without sounding judgemental, I feel, this Sanjana was a horrendous Geeta!
The tweaks employed by Sooraj Barjatya for his remake further botched up his direction. The new film looks extravagant, with opulent settings and costly locales. The songs are plain bad and lengthwise, the film is tedious. Both Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan (playing Sunil here) are called Prem (a favourite name for the young Barjatya) but their relationship goes beyond just work. They are hardly as good as the original Vinod and Sunil...
Here's a trick that could work the next time when Sooraj is paying a tribute to Tarachand, the grand old Barjatya... Keep it simple, it's a sureshot way to steal hearts...