Nagina

I had definitely not decided to write about any’ nagin’ but it so happened that at the spur of the moment I thought this will be in continuation with Yesterday. The years that followed saw Jaya Prada climbing high with all the top heros working with her. She has worked with Amitabh in ‘Sharabi’,’Aaj ka Arjun’, ‘ Akhari Raasta’ & others. She was offered the lead role in ‘Nagina’ but her apprehension led to Shree devi accepting it. Jaya Prada must have regretted her decision for years. Shree brought in a wave of ‘Nagin’ dance which is done today as a part of the wedding celebrations. Use of eye lens was done by her that may be tacky today but appreciated then.

Both have worked in a couple of films like, ‘Tohfa’ where there was one hero, Jeetendra & a team of dancers at various locations. Today it will be difficult to recognise them, which comes from which movie . Either hundreds of sarees in various colors or pots… earthen or metal piled up forming rows through which they had to run, dance. It would be either or both sometimes. ‘Jumping Jack’ as he was called must have made a fortune then! It was said that, Jaya Prada is for the classes & Shree devi for the masses!

“Nagina” begins with Rishi Kapoor returning back home after many years. He visits a temple later where he comes across Shree Devi. She is a ichchadhari nagin, she can change her form at will.’Bhooli bisri ek kahani…’ the song increases the suspense. He is unknown of her identity. They marry & reside in a palatial house with his mother. Then comes Amrish Puri who informs Rajiv’s mother that her daughter-in -law is a nagin. He also tells her that she has come to avenge the death of her spouse. Sushma Seth an excellent actress, if you see this scene, it shows her watching Shree Devi with big,wide eyes as if the transformation is about to take place!

After the grand success of the film, sequels followed but none had the zing that was in the first one. I feel it was due to these actors! The magic could not be duplicated!

Amrish Puri as Bhairo then brings his team & with the been make her dance in the snake dance.( ‘Man dole mera tan dole…’ the original ‘Nagin’ song had that classic tune used & improvised today). “Main teri dushman, …’ brings out the best in them. Although typecast as a villain Amrish Puri was an excellent actor, he worked with his eyes. In the sequel,’Nigahen’ Anupam Kher another good actor, but falls short because we compare him with Amrish Puri continuously. I remember thinking about it in every frame!

Rajiv arrives & Rajani escapes. But Bhairo wants the Mani that she has & catches her. His designs are foiled by Rajiv & all ends well. Accepting the fact that she is a nagin, but his wife & not here for revenge!

‘Nigahen’ had Sunny Deol with Sridevi. Again comparing him with Rishi Kapoor was inevitable. Both have their unique styles & in a love story nobody fits as does Rishi Kapoor!

In ‘Nagin’ where Reena Roy is the nagin to avenge the death of her spouse, Jeetendra. She kills all involved in his killing. Firstly, Reena Roy is afraid of snakes, so all the shots were taken without her. Second point was how will the audience react to so many killings. But they need not have worried. It was a great success. Reena Roy then went on to sign films like,’Aasha’ & created a niche of her own! “Tere sang pyar mein…is popular & sung today!

Films about snakes then ‘Hiss’ is one of the least scenic. A critic had written about it to go & see how glamourous a ‘Nagin’ can look. Mallika Sherawat wanted a hit but her abilities fell short & her film did not do well at the box office. Besides, ‘Murder’ she has rarely seen success but did well with item songs. Whereabouts today are unknown.

“Nagin” tv serial had Mouni Roy & Arjun Bijlani in the lead. Mouni looked so good 7 acted so well the serial ran into sequels & Mauni got her break in films. ‘Gold’ with Akshay Kumar & ‘Made in China with Rrajkumar Rao. Then there was one more ‘Ichchadhari Nagin’ but it failed to entertain the audience. It was a hilarious comedy, a family drama that was taken off due to TRP.

So much about the snakes on the silver screen (not talking of ‘snakes on the plane’ because from the title I don’t like films which deal with such thrills!) Happy Viewing!