Parakh

A 1960 film with Sadhana, Motilal, Durga Khote & others. It is story about a post master receiving a cheque of 500,000 INR . It is to be given to the person who will use it for the benefit of other people.Everybody claims to be honest to have it. Remember ‘Malamal’ where everyone wanted to be ‘malamal’ only it was in a hilarious mode. This movie is more serious & remembered today for…’O sajana barkha bahar aayi..’ one of the best rain songs that we come across.

Directed by Bimal Roy who received the Filmfare’s best director award. It is one of seven films for which he has the award for best director. Best supporting actor for Motilal , who plays Haradhan/ Sir Jagdish Chandra Roy & best sound for George D’cruz. Sadhana is cast opposite Bengali actor, Basanta Choudhury. He is Prof. Rajat Sen Sharma. (another teacher. At the end of the blogs the number of teachers will exceed all others ,it seems. Shammi Kapoor had a title role in ‘Professor’ & Dharmendra – Zeenat Aman starrer ‘Professor Pyarelal’ had Dharmendra as Prof. Pyarelal.)The film became a semi-hit at the box office. Nasir Hussain is the postmaster.

The movie is a Satirical look at democracy through various twists & turns in the plot, interwoven with a simple love story.The music by Salil Choudhary has the highlight in the song’O sajana…’,’Mila hai kisi ka Jhumka..’,’Ye bansi kyon gaye..’,’Mere maan ke diye..’ all by Lata Mangeshkar. “Kya hawa chali babu, rut badli..’ by Manna Dey.It is one of those films that have a good start & an end.Devoid of any frills it ends simply.These films left the audience with satisfaction & closure.Today most of the films end either abruptly or a scene or two are such which leave you uneasy or dissatisfied.There is that lurking ,’But…’ which wasn’t there earlier.

I remember most of these films where I couldn’t have had it any other way. Perfect nothing lacking.This’ lacking’ is the feel I hate most.It may be acting,story or some area where they could do better.Why then put forth a half baked product ? is the thinking not proper or some more yet to be done..then just Do it! & come again!

In 1987 a film titled ‘Parakh’ was made with Vijayendra Ghatge & Simple Kapadia in the lead.Sarika also in the cast.Little information is available about this film.

There was a ‘Parakh’ made in in 1937 & also in 1944. Lets go there briefly. In 1944 Sohrab Modi directed a social film ‘Parakh’. Mehtab, Yakut starred in this film. Music by Khurshid Anwar & Saraswati Devi. The 1937 ‘Parakh’ was directed by Baburao Apte. It featured Manohar Ghatwai,Madhav Kale,Noorjahan,Indira Wadkar & others.

In the archives very little is known.But this will do for now.We will come to more details as & when needed. So, happy viewing till then!