Songs that have stayed (Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai)

Yes, yes, yes. My sincere apologies for keeping you all waiting. Those of you who thought I've abandoned this space, well, think again! For, I'm too much a movie-lover to give up this blog of mine. It's taken me time, a lot of time indeed, to come back to it, but here I am, once again. Yes, Malhar's fine. He's now turning three, is as hyperactive as an Energizer Bunny, and extremely (that's an understatement) naughty. And work is very hectic as well! But again, here I am...

Padmini Kolhapuri is a powerhouse of talent. Her energy was palpable in all the films starring her as a child actress so when you see a film where she makes her debut as the heroine, the expectations are obviously huge. Mine were too. I must say I am extremely fond of this bubbly, photogenic actor who has an effortless charm about her. No role is too tough for her. Being in the industry from a very young age, she makes the characters look like a cakewalk. So, when I saw her in Nasir Husain's 1981 romance Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, I was waiting for some real fire-cracking in the scenes she set foot with yummylicious Rishi Kapoor. But I was left waiting for more...

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A courtesan's tale (Ghungroo)

There are many good things about Ram Sethi's 1983 drama, Ghungroo, as well a few bad. Lets start with the good, because it's not quite recommended to start off with negatives.

The film, a drama set against the backdrop of a royal family, is well-scripted. The editing is quite taut, till the editor looses steam mid-way. The actors do their job quite well. One song seriously stands out for its strength and emotional quotient (I actually thought I saw Malhar's nanny wipe her tears during Tohfa kubul hain sung by Asha Bhonsle). And yes, Ranjeet is slicingly devious without being OTT.

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The livewire (Khoobsurat)

What a jolly, buoyant film Khoobsurat is! And, it definitely bears the stamp of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, its director. It's frothy, fun and engaging from the word go. You don't have to think too much. Sit down with your family, or alone, and have a happy watch. There's nothing in this 1980 Filmfare award winner that can disappoint you. Although, one song seems to stretch it a bit but on the whole this is another sheer entertainer from Mukherjee.

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Songs that melt (Sunny)

The last time I was watching Raj Khosla's Sunny, I was in Class 8. And, I had my final examinations starting the day after! But, the movie-buff that I was, I just couldn't resist the temptation. It was a pleasant afternoon and RD Burman's score, Sharmila Tagore's pretty face, Waheeda Rehman's histrionics and the beginning of a good emotional drama was too much. However, the experience was cut short by my father, who woke up from his afternoon siesta and hollered out to me to switch off the television and sit down with my books. I did so right away. And yes, I kept sulking right away, too. Hmmm, the life of a student...
Now things are different. I can watch films anytime of the day. Well, maybe not just anytime, because there are still scores of chores to do. But what's the harm in thinking so! At least, I do not have to shun the films for some examinations!

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Packing a punch (Shikar)

I'm a happy soul today. I've just watched a film that brought under one roof two good-looking men, three fetching ladies, a thrilling murder plot, plenty of feet-tapping songs, awesome action, rib-tickling comedy, superb dialogues and... Well, if you ask me, the list is endless! Yes, Shikar, directed by Atma Ram is one scintillating entertainer. It grips you from the word go, and rivets you to your seat till the very end. A solid romance does not slacken the pace of the mystery, the hero is as dashing as the heroine is glamourous. Just about everything in this 1968 film is perfect. So much so, that a friend of mine have been discussing the clothes and probable marriage of the investigating officer and one of the suspects in great detail. Yes, the effects of Shikar have been profound!

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Satisfaction guaranteed! (Aaye Din Bahaar Ke)

I'm always game to watch a film for umpteen times provided it guarantees wholesome entertainment. There might be flaws and redundant inclusions, but after it ends it should leave me happy and satisfied. Sadly, not many films of today deliver such fun. So, I keep going back to the films of yore to extract my daily quota of entertainment. I might know every scene by heart, every dialogue might just rotate in my mind and everything looks all too familiar. But nothing stops me from re-watching them. J Om Prakash's romantic drama Aaye Din Bahar Ke is one of them. Only heaven knows how many times I've watched this Dharmendra-Asha Parekh lovely, but does that mean I'll stop? No way...

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Shocked to silence (Gazal)

Everything was running just about fine. A charming romance set in old-world Agra nourished by the beauty of Taj Mahal, sublime songs that connect to your heart directly, able actors who know what exactly to do on screen and a very likeable plot. But suddenly out of nowhere, a stray incident that Ved Madan considers imperative to take his story forward completely throws everything out of control. Especially when the event appears forced and uncalled for. Till then Gazal was doing fine. And the songs were seriously soothing the senses.

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True lies (Jhoothi)

Rekha's on a rampage in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Jhoothi.  Not that in her other films she is any bit dull or drab, but in this comic caper, she is just so boisterously marvellous that you cannot help but glue your sight, smell and every other sense on her. Playing the tomboy Kalpana, she dons the role of a pathological liar. But the difference between her and a wicked weasel is that she lies for a purpose--always a good one. Her lies helps long lost friends meet, helps her sister evade an unwanted alliance and charts an escape route for herself from a sticky situation. Most importantly, this habit of hers helps an innocent from being sentenced to death.

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Rollicking discovery (Do Ustad)

I've been telling this to people and they are cracking up. My friends are brushing my statements away. My husband wanted me to repeat what I said thrice pretending that I wasn't clear enough. Well, all the reactions are understandable. I do not grudge them even a bit. For, when you tell anybody, yes, anybody, that Mohd Rafi did sing for Raj Kapoor, there might be times when people would suspect your mental stability. Thankfully, before I was declared a loony, YouTube came to my rescue. I promptly searched for the songs of Do Ustad and put them in front of my husband. And, as expected, like me, he stood amazed, gaping at the screen.

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The delicious dreamgirl (Seeta aur Geeta)

This is perhaps one of the few films which has been rehashed prolifically. Identical twins getting separated at birth. One grows up being tortured brutally by evil guardians, the other is rambunctious owing to an indulgent upbringing. The mal-handled one is shy, apprehensive and thinks twice even before breathing. A freak accident makes them change places and mayhem ensues due to mistaken identities. The extrovert teaches the evil ones a lesson or two, the shy one gets her due love at last. There's fun and loads of laughter before the kingpin of the villains find out the truth and quickly there is more action towards the denouement before everything becomes crystal clear and all go home happy. A film like this can only be awesomely entertaining, with great performances, frothy comedy and sweet romance. Not to forget the great songs. Yes, in totality, films like Seeta aur Geeta are absolute winners.

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A feast for the eyes (An Evening in Paris)

It's not just one evening. Shakti Samanta's superhit 1967 romance features the goodies of Paris and other exotic locales in Europe throughout the entire length of the film. Pretty women, flashy cars, stylish clothes and scenic landscape, all this more make the musical drama quite an eyeful. And then there's Sharmila Tagore, all delicate, gorgeous and sexy in her awesome attires, and the prince of entertainment, Shammi Kapoor. Wooing the lady in his inimitable style, this man knew how to win hearts. Here of course, he does it with a completely new Parisian flourish.

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Sound suspense (Anamika)

I think I've managed to zero in on my favourite Jaya Bhaduri film. Easily, it's Anamika, the 1973 mystery romance directed by Raghunath Jhalani. There is something very charging about the Jaya Bhaduri here. She is different and immensely enjoyable. Not that in her other films she is not. But here, she is spontaneous, sprightly and extremely jaunty. Her character undergoes several changes in dimension and she slips from one mood to another with utmost ease. There are times when she is funny, clever, endearing, teasing, sad and angry. And this range is hardly ever visible in any of her other films. She wears some great clothes, rather experiments with her looks and makes a sweet romantic pair with Sanjeev Kumar. In Anamika, Jaya Bhaduri shines. But most importantly, it's the script that sails along so properly with the histrionics of its protagonist and the other characters. Yes, Jaya is great in and as Anamika...

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Sweet as Honey (Talaq)

I will not say that Talaq is a path-breaking film. It deals with the very sundry problems that may arise in a marriage when both parties fall prey to misunderstandings, are irrational on some count or the other and when there is that one nosey parker who spoils all the fun and love. In that, Talaq, directed by Mahesh Kaul, sticks to the tried and tested formulae. But, what makes this 1958 film stand out is the way in which the usual dramatics are handled. The narrative is rather engaging, the events are quite interesting and the actors look extremely real in their behaviour. The best part is of course the adorable child actor Honey Irani (for some reason she is credited as wonder child Ashwini) who plays the three-year-old son of the lead actors and who is a testimony to the trying state that a child may be in when parents quarrel like animals.

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Fun departure (Dil Hi To Hai)

Those of you who are accustomed to being bogged down by the conventional role play of Raj Kapoor should watch this romantic comedy. Yes, Raj Kapoor is the hero in Dil Hi To Hai and he does some delightful comedy with panache. Strange isn't it? Even I was a bit skeptical about seeing Raj Kapoor get into the shoes of what would otherwise be the perfect part for maybe his brother, Shammi Kapoor, but the actor pulls off this personality with elan. For me therefore, it reinstates the fact that Raj Kapoor should not be underestimated. He sometimes displays shades that might just flummox and surprise!!

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Love in Lucknow (Mere Mehboob)

I had never thought that I'd like Rajendra Kumar. I had also not thought that a somewhat restricted Muslim society would throw up any likeable qualities about it before me. I had also not thought that despite the director squandering away the chance of using a super villain like Pran, I will forgive him. But I guess, there is always a first time. Here is a film that made me experience many firsts.

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Community feeling (Biradari)

There is a magnanimous old woman, who is forever kind to her poor and helpless tenants. There is a handsome young man who is impressed with her affectionate behaviour when he comes to live in the same chawl. There is a sweet love story that brews between him and the old lady's attractive daughter. There are the simple and funny neighbours who keep the halcyon atmosphere intact. There is the big builder who is scheming to get the building to himself, there are misunderstandings, songs and dances and everything that a chawl film should have. Yet, Biradari comes across as pretty unconventional.

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Hey baby!! (Tum Haseen Main Jawan)

I call this a bubblegum film. Nothing is serious here. Even when the villain is trying to bump off an infant, you know at the back of your mind that he will reform his actions in the climactic scene. I also call this bubblegum because of the plethora of colours I see here. Every frame is bursting with multiple hues. Every song is bouncy and one can surely leave his brain behind when this Bhappi Soni venture starts. Moreover, I call this bubblegum because the moment the bubble bursts, you don't get to see the gorgeous Dharmendra anymore. Nor the perfectly charming Hema Malini. You don't get to be party to their sweet tale of love. You don't get to enjoy their infectious banter and you don't get to see them romp in nature declaring their undying love for each other. And yes, you don't get to see the baby who no matter what danger is hovering over his head keeps flashing his cute toothless smile!!

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Women's lib (Pati Patni)

If you discount the main leads in this S A Akbar comedy, you are in for a jolly good time. Not that the main story is bad or the cast dismal, but it is the supporting cast that comes up trumps in the entertaining Pati Patni. The lead cast is good, the story conventional, replete with the usual romance, twists and misunderstandings. But it is the utter uproariousness of the supporting plot that takes the film to another level. The best comedians are all brought under one roof but every one of them has a special part to play. The dialogues are so darn hilarious and the situations are absolutely funny. Wonder why this 1966 film is not spoken about much. I think this film deserves much more than obscurity. It needs to be celebrated as one fine comedy. Fast paced, action-packed and utterly hilarious!!

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Banal prejudices (Parvarish)

I don't believe this! An entire film hovering on the predicament of a father who is not able to distinguish his own son from another child who is just as cute!! Ridiculous! And I thought Parvarish would have more meat to it!

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Of hope and survival (Saudagar)

As you sow, so shall you reap. An adage that befits the plight of Moti, the most famous jaggery seller in the village, who bartends an innocent woman's emotions for his own selfish need. He does not even pause to think that he is doing a heinous crime playing foul with Mahjubin, a woman who never even suspects him once. This widower could very well have continued to deal with her hardships in a dignified manner had Moti not fooled her into believing that he wants to marry her for love. And she would have been saved of feeling distraught at how Moti, and in other words, fate strikes her with a cruel blow.

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