e lovers tepid and the songs just about tolerable. I had thought that I would never watch this 1961 romance again.But, I'm happy to admit, I was wrong. The other day, I tried it again. And voila, this time the film looked different. I loved the songs (except the first two forgettable numbers), Dev Anand was naughtily charming and Parekh was very pretty. I neglected the plot loopholes and enjoyed myself. Films and their layers, never fail to surprise me!!
Nisha, the daughter of the wealthy Sardar Roop Singh (Ulhas), lives in Neelgaon. She is now of marriageable age, and her father wants her to marry his friend's son, Sohan (Pran), but Nisha dislikes him. Soon she goes to Darjeeling to meet her father's business associates' son, Popat Lal. With a name like that, Nisha is sure that he would be a fat unassuming idiot. But when she opens her door to a striking young man, she can't believe her eyes. Soon, she drowns in the pool of love. After a series of misadventures, of course.
There is the subplot concerning Sohan and his devious exploits. Pran. This one name conjures up odious images in the mind. How this man could contort a simple love saga into a story full of intrigue and deception? He looks absolutely safe, but has wickedness oozing out of his every pore. In fact, whenever you are bored with the actionless plot, Pran appears and peppers the story with his treachery and deceit!!!
One gap here. I'm a bit confused by why and how Sunder gets entangled in Shanti's murder. The proceedings leading to his getting embroiled in controversy and later getting exonerated in kind of vague. But, I guess we can gloss over that.
For, when Uff yumma happens you know it's not worth worrying about those silly errors. It's a fabulous, feet-tapping romantic duet, picturised on the lap of Darjeeling's stunni
ng hills with the beautiful Parekh frolicking with dashing Dev Anand. Parekh sports a body hugging chequered salwar suit and Anand a casual jacket. His attire gets a chic spin with those leather gloves!! Intoxicated by bhang laddoos and of course, Nisha's big eyes, Sunder can't help falling in love. He is hell bent on her acquiesance and floors her with his appreciation of her beauty...My father was very fond of the title track of this film. I quite like it, too, for its unique picturisation. As the raven-haired Nisha looks on from the toy train, Sunder woos her from atop a car. He sits in a precarious position and tells her that the pain of love is oh-so-sweet. She is a bit embarrassed b
ut is relishing his actions!! This song gets a certain poignancy when later in the film, Nisha sings it to get back her lover, Sunder. She offers her love to him and requests him to accept it... What we get is a rare double treat from Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. Great job by Shankar Jaikishan.Then there's the one signifying the eternity of love. Sau saal pehle is a love ballad bringing Sunder and Nisha together. This is a bond that will stand the test of time and all
adversities.Nisha's heart is broken by Sunder when he goes away without telling her the truth. She feels cheated. But, Sunder comes back with the heartful rendition of Teri zulfon se judai nahi mangi thi. While he bears his heart out to Nisha, the lady flirts with Sohan to make Sunder jealous. Marvellous execution!!
Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hain is enjoyable. But, only if you avoid Rajendranath (use this time to refill your popcorn bowl or take your loo-break). I'm baffled. Why on earth does he wear a frock??? Strange. He is really, in the words of Nisha, a clumsy goat!!! Great description for a buffoon of such gigantic proportions!!!
Dev Anand, with his swagger, is a darling!! His cheeky grin is so adorably mischievous!! But it's Parekh who will grab your attention. She is spontaneous and exuberant. Deftly balancing mirth and dejection, Parekh proves that she is a great performer, with superb emotive skills!! In the love sequences, she looks adequately starry-eyed. In the scenes where she is torn between her love and filial obligations, Parekh is flawless!!
And those big bright eyes... yeh aankhen, uff yumma!!
I have seen this film only once and it was more than a decade ago....so don't remember much of the plot - I had completely forgotten Rajendranath's existence here (this reminds me that iI need a re-watch). But I had enjoyed watching the film - music was awesome. And I had adored Asha-Dev in it. I'm a huge fan of Pran - I love him in almost everything.
ReplyDelete@Archana: Exactly, doesn't Pran spice things up all the time??? He's mean yet delicious! Watch this...it's worth it...at least the lovely chemistry between Dev and Asha :) And yes, totally ignore that foolish Rajendranath!!
ReplyDeleteI have seen this only once, too, and I must admit that it didnt make a very big impact. Part of the fault is that its very similar to Phir Wahi Dil Laya Hoon, Pyar Ka Mausam, Dil Deke Dekho and Tumsa Nahin Dekha and I saw all the films pretty close together - so they're all kind of mixed up in my mind! Dev A was at his best at this point in time and looked really really good, though. Maybe I should give it another try...
ReplyDelete@Sharmi: Hmm, looks like I've to watch this, if not for anything, but for the songs.
ReplyDeleteNice post
:)
@Bollyviewer: Yes, Dev Anand looks soooo sweet. Try it again, you might like it :)
ReplyDelete@Dwaipayan: Ha ha...don't you think your must-see list is now a few kilometers long??? :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm... must see this again; it's been a while since I last watched it, so the intricacies of the plot have gotten a little fuzzy. As bollyviewer mentioned, it's very similar to a bunch of other films; and while I own the DVDs for Dil Deke Dekho, Tumsa Nahin Dekha and Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon (which means I watch them fairly often and so remember the story pretty well), this one's something I'll need to rent to recall what it's all about.
ReplyDelete@Dustedoff: This film's plot is erroneous. But I guess you can watch it just for the romantic pair (though the romance is far better in the films you mentioned). The songs are lovely and Parekh-Anand look cute together. And, Pran is deliciously devious!!
ReplyDeleteIn your case, you were not even infatuated with Dev Anand's charms and Asha Parekh's exuberance, but like true love, over a period of time, your fondness grew. Now when you watched this classic, the experience was refreshingly different and enjoyable. That is the spirit of love....Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai...So you have summed it up in first few lines itself. Good!!!
ReplyDelete@Shilpi: Exactly, I never give up on films at the first go...I always go back for a second time if the first watch does not excite me!!! It's different for films that are outright disgusting and can't be taken at all!!! But, this one turned out to be quite enjoyable...especially the exuberant love between Asha and Dev!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the comments above about the plot which is similar to many of the romantic movies made in that era. What set one apart from the other was the twists and turns that came in the way of two lovers uniting! But of course the music was unparalleled in most of these movies...my favourites in this one is the title track and sau sal.
ReplyDeleteAnd I used to like Rajendra Nath's buffonery as a kid:) I think one of the reasons he got cast because he was Raj Kapoor's brother in law! Just as his brother Premnath who chose to be a villain:) I liked him in Dharmatma where he played the desi version of Don Vito Corleone:D
@Abhi: I liked Mehmood more than Rajendranath. Have you seen Teen Bahuraniyaan?? There Rajendranath is still better?? And, I like Premnath, too. His grin is perfectly wicked. I remember he was really handsome in Barsaat!! :)
ReplyDelete@Sharmi: If you found any disconnect in the story, blame it on Eros. Eros did a merciless job chopping off scenes on DVD. For example, the whole train scene and Rafi's lovely song "Bin dekhe aur bin pehchane" can be found only on VHS. Watch Dev Anand singing this sweet song in Darjeeling Tea Gardens on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbrYAKrqRnI
ReplyDelete"Teri Zulfon Se Judaai" song has to be one of the best romantic songs. Absolutely brilliant job by both Rafi and Dev Anand. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie in my recent watching and if not for Eros it would have been even better.
@Sreenath: Really?? That's why I found the films a bit jumpy in parts. Will definitely watch the song. Thank you so much :)
ReplyDelete