DUSHMAN

A 1971 film starring Rajesh Khanna & Mumtaz which was a major blockbuster. Surjit Singh is forced to take care of Ram Din’s family after he accidently kills him in a road accident under the influence of alcohol. However he is treated with hostility by Ram Din’s family members.

Dushman means enemy. It is based on a novel by Virendra Sharma. Rajesh Khanna has the nomination for best actor. He has done an excellent job. Ably supported by Mumtaz.

Paisa phenko tamasha dekho…had Mumtaz dancing in her unique style.I have always felt only she can carry such costumes. The bioscope & the gathering of children was very often shown in films. The fairs were also looked forward to as some things like the balloon filled with water, mud idols, the cart wheel ,etc were not available the year round.

O balma Sipaiya,teri tambok se darr lage…she always says ‘tambok’ instead of ‘banduk’, that was special. He was a soldier in her dreams. Simple dreams did come true  in those times. Who would love a criminal or really make him a soldier? The very concept of making him realize his folly & take care of the family whose bread winner has died due to him. The thought that it wouldn’t suffice by just putting him in jail was itself innovative. Labeling a person scars him forever.

Rajesh Khanna is a Truck driver & is consuming alcohol at a joint where …the first song is filmed. Sachhai chuup nahi sakti banawat ke asulon se …ke kushboo aa nahi sakti, Kabhi kagaz ke phulon se…the songs were not only good but also had deep meaning that makes them evergreen & update even today.

Vaada tera vaada,vaade se tere maara gaya

Banda ye seedha,sadha….Damaan me tere phool hai kam,aur  kante hai jyada..vaada tera vaada…

 The pair is a delight in any movie.  Here it makes sense as he has no one to call his own & clings to whatever he gets.He is in the village till his term is over.The theme was seen in V.Shantaram’s ‘Do Aankhe, Baara Haath’ where he was the jailor & he takes on himself to rehabiliate six hardened criminals. He takes them to a barren  land where they learn the meaning of hard work. It is a 1957 drama.It had the national best film award.The classic…Ae Malik tere bande hum is still remembered.

In Dushman,the hit number was ,Maine dekha, tune dekha…

Isne dekha, usne dekha….kya dekha?

Dushman, dusman jo pyara hai….it comes to loving the enemy by all . He is at work ,helping …the people realize it, only the widow, Meena  Kumari is unable to forgive him.

He gets involved in arranging marriage for Kamala, the daughter of the house. He saves the Bahu, Meena Kumari from the bad guys & is finally forgiven. These movies had a message & the audience left with satisfaction. Today it happens so rarely. But all is not lost, lets go for another good one,happy viewing!