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.

Read more »

Prefer the remake... a bit more (Kangan vs Uljhan)

When I watched Nanabhai Bhatt's Kangan a few months back, I quite liked it. Though the narrative ran a tad slow, it had the elements of an engrossing mystery. The best part was Nirupa Roy starring as the female lead. She really was a pretty sight and played her part well. I never liked Ashok Kumar as a male lead so here too I was noncommittal. But the main thing was the story. It was a gripping mystery that hooked me to the very end.

The other day, I watched Raghunath Jhalani's Uljhan. And wonder of wonders, it was a remake of the 1959 film. The story was absolutely same but the treatment, I might add, was better. Not that the old one was bad, but the remake had everything in place. The cast was fabulous and the 1975 film ran fast. Which means it's even more engrossing.

Read more »

Deepak who? (Aabroo)

Seriously, was CL Rawal joking or something? He tags Deepak Kumar, the hero of his Aabroo, as the star discovery of that year. Deepak Kumar who? Never heard of him, never seen him in any film. And after watching this 1968 drama, I know why filmmakers never took a chance by casting him. He is excruciatingly bad as a performer. He has a wispy voice, a comical look on his face, his voice modulations are pathetic and every time he utters romantic nothings, I crack up! Actually come to think of it, he is almost like Mr Bean trying to do some serious Hindi film. Or rather Rowan Atkinson trying to sing, dance, act and cry in a true-Bollywood style. And yes, he is appallingly bad in all aspects!!

Read more »

Behind the scenes (Guddi)

There are several scenes in Guddi that I love. For, there are several scenes in this 1971 film that you aught to love. Deftly balancing a sweet romance with a poignant take on the true life in the inner precincts of film studios in Bombay (yes, I prefer calling the place so), Hrishikesh Mukherjee spins a tale that is so didactic. Interesting anecdotes populate every moment and lovely performances make this film a roller-coaster ride. At one point you feel that it is after all a coming-of-age sage of a young girl heavily infatuated with her matinee idol, at another point it is the stark depiction of the strange world of films.

Read more »

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.

Read more »

The perfect Parineeta

Here's reason why sometimes it's sacrilege to remake a classic that has stood the test of time. When I saw Ajoy Kar's Parineeta, I realised how hollow and OTT the Pradeep Sarkar film is. How inappropriate is the depiction of the characters in the new-age romance and how absolutely simple yet stunning the 1969 film is. Kar is as faithful to the Sarat Chandra classic, as Lalita is to her book version and Shekhar to his literary avatar. In short, the old Bengali film is flawless, marvellous and a must-watch for those who crave for golden oldies...

Read more »

Quaint quadrangle (Benazir)

The high point of Bimal Roy's Benazir is Husn ki beharein liye. Not only is this a brilliant ghazal from S D Burman, rendered with haunting precision by Lata Mangeshkar, Shakeel Badayuni's lyrics also point out the poignancy of Benazir's state. Here is a woman, seen as a fallen one by society, torn between her love for a young man and her gratitude for the favours she has been receiving from his elder brother. As much as Benazir would love to declare her affection for Anwar, she is forced to stay mum because she is bound by her promises to the Nawab. And of course, her innocent love would be regarded as crafty lust by the world.

Read more »

Drab drama (Aarti)

Now I've seen all three. Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam, Main Chup Rahungi and Aarti. Meena Kumari won a Filmfare best actress nomination for each of these films in 1962. She went on to win the black lady for Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam. Rightly so. For, while Main Chup Rahungi is a tad melodramatic in its execution (Kumari was very good), Phani Majumdar's Aarti is quite boring. And Kumari here is certainly not in her best acting shoes.

She plays Aarti, an idealistic doctor out to serve society. Her ideals clash with that of Prakash (Ashok Kumar), a talented brain surgeon who wants to be rich and famous. Incidentally he wants to marry Aarti, and expresses his intentions before her father.

Read more »

It's a wonderful life (Khatta Meetha)

Priyadarshan is making a film called Khatta Meetha. Wonder whether it will be able to recreate the fun and warmth of the original Khatta Meetha, Basu Chatterjee's comedy about a bunch of Parsis living in Mumbai.
Well, not really a comedy. This 1978 classic is a slice of life. Peppered with a melange of emotions, this family drama is a complete joyride. You laugh with the characters, sing with them, dance with them and cry with them. Such is the strength of this sweet saga...
At the outset we are introduced to three Parsi families.

Read more »

Rules of the game (Chhoti si Baat)

Love's playing truant in your life? Seek Colonel Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh's advice. But, for that you have to watch Basu Chatterjee's Chhoti si Baat. And, after you've done that, I'm sure, you'll watch it again. Such is the delight of this 1975 roller-coaster romantic comedy.
The best part of this sweet film is its resemblance to every day life. Arun's story could have been the story of any man travelling with you in the bus, or train. You wouldn't even know what's in that man's mind. It's the same case with Arun (superbly subtle Amol Palekar). When he fancies himself to be like Dharmendra, and imagines wooing Prabha with Jaaneman jaaneman, he is just like us. Don't we sometimes step into the shoes and travel a zilion miles in dreamland imagining ourselves to be a celluloid diva spending tender moments with a dashing hero!!! Well, I do...

Read more »