Treading untried territory (Bombai ka Babu)

Come to think of it, there are quite a few films where Dev Anand has portrayed characters undergoing immense mental turmoil. There's Hum Dono, Asli Naqli, Guide and Kala Bazaar. But, in Bombai ka Babu, his character tilts towards the dangerous territory of incest. A full-bodied man, Babu has to suppress his passion for a beautiful woman only because he is duping her family pretending to be their long-lost son. And in doing so, he is supposed to be her brother. With a plot as fascinating as this, Bombai ka Babu is obviously a thrilling experience. You sympathise with this angst-ridden young man as he is forced into the crime world and stay riveted when he helplessly tries to clear his ground before the charming Maya.

But then, nothing less is expected from a director of Raj Khosla's repertoire. A man with a taste for the unique and a penchant for thrills. His 1960 thriller adapted from O Henry's The Double-eyed Deceiver keeps you hooked from the very first frame as Inspector Malik's (Manohar Deepak) jeep follows Babu's car after he is released from jail. Throwing light on the underbelly of Bombay, Khosla traces Babu's introduction to crime. A strong social message that says that society is not ready to forgive a juvenile who did a petty wrong. He is stigmatised for life as he is not rich enough to rinse himself off the blame with money like his rich friend. And even after being released from a correctional home, he is not given a second chance by 'respected' citizens even though he is hardworking and honest. It is this sad truth that is reflected in Manna Dey's Tak dhoom tak dhoom, an otherwise buoyant song that is reminiscent of a popular Bengali folk number. With SD Burman composing the superlative tracks, that is hardly surprising. In this awesome song I am struck by the fabulous expressions of Dev Anand and one particular line, "Jitna mera mol hain, ho na tera mol rey." So poignantly true...

Babu is a victim of circumstance. Absconding after murdering Balli (Jagdish Raj), his compatriot in crime, Babu takes refuge in the ramshackle shelter of Bhagat in Jogendranagar, whose keen nose discovers the truth about his guest. Little does Babu know that he will soon be plunging into a territory that is more dangerous than before. Forced to hoodwink Shahji (Nazir Hussain) and his blind wife Rukmini (Achla Sachdev) as Kundan, Babu agrees to the grey game half heartedly. His reluctance towards the plan comes from his decision to absolve himself of his sins. But then, Bhagat gets the better of him. While gulling Shahji and Rukmini is a cakewalk, Maya (Suchitra Sen) is a different ball game altogether. A luminous beauty as a sister? What is Babu to do?

Initially unaware of the intensity of his feelings towards this charming woman, Babu soon gauges his attraction for Maya. Especially in the scene where he catches furtive glances of her while she is trying to pluck flowers from a high branch. His eyes narrow and you can feel him relishing the sight of the woman. His deliciously wicked looks betray the passion he has for her now. His remarks towards Maya's beauty is but an admission of his feelings. This is the same man who playfully danced to her tune in Asha Bhonsle's Dekhne mein bhola hain a few days ago. This joyful song was 'inspired' from Eruvaka sagaaro, a Waheeda Rehman hit track from the 1955 Telegu film Rojulu Marayi. The similarities are pretty obvious.

The film just gets more engaging once Babu fights with himself to restrain his feelings for Maya. He tries to  camouflage his love sometimes but then he is just a healthy man. Maya, all smiles and enthusiastic with her sisterly affection, is baffled by Babu's obsession. And why won't she be? After all he is her brother? A relation  that is sanctimonious and tied by blood. Anything different from it is sin-- incest. I love the scene where Babu rushes with a necklace to Maya's room. He wants her to wear the necklace, which should rightly belong to his wife. Maya is flummoxed by his wish and rebukes him for it. But, she does not know that this man desires Maya, is passionate about her and loves her. How on earth will he explain things to people here? In Babu's words and thoughts, we see his predicament and his troubled soul. Time is running short. Babu has to decide things fast.

Then there is the rakhi scene where Dev Anand's dialogues are sheer whiplashes. And, of course those eyes that belie his dilemma. Every scene that depicts Babu's true feelings for Maya are remarkably well done. For instance, the dream sequence where Babu confesses to Maya. I so love to think that this dream would come true. Then there is the fabulous Diwana mastana hua dil (Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhonsle). Problems multiply when Maya's marriage is fixed. It is then that Babu realises that he will soon be left all alone, with no one to love or care for him. His sorrows surface in Mohd Rafi's Saathi na koi manzil.

Maya also has problems galore. Here is this man who is her brother, but his behaviour is so different from that of brothers. She is stupefied by his words and actions and senses that something is amiss. Suchitra Sen, a marvellous actor that she was, really makes Maya a credible entity. And her eyes speak volumes. She looks charming (though she was past her prime in moviedom) and especially ethereal in Aise mein kachu kaha nahin jaye. And yes, she does look good beside the very handsome Dev Anand.

Chance luck brings Babu to the real truth about Kundan and from here he traverses towards the path of redemption. This is the third aspect of Babu's character growth in the film. Saving his new family from disgrace, he chooses to bury his heart's desires for the sake of the old Shahji and his wife. Babu here is a changed man, a reformed soul. The niggling doubts that were troubling him throughout have been laid to rest and there are graver duties to fulfill than winning over Maya. Though he feels a tinge of sadness over losing her, he rises to the occasion by protecting his family. He bids adieu to Maya with Chalri sajni (Mukesh) knowing full well that this is the right decision he has taken. Kudos to Raj Khosla for conceiving this bold plot with such an untried end...

So, how good is Dev Anand as Bombai ka Babu? Perfect, I'd say. Never seen him play such a complex character. His face is roguishly attractive on one hand and exuding sweetness on the other. His body language has the immaculate mix of hesitation, apprehension and panache. Khosla captures in the otherwise frolicky Dev Anand a brooding intensity and simmering passion. And the incest side to the story becomes commendable because of this brilliant actor's histrionics. Making hearts flutter, this Babu sure knew how to rule...