Looking back at these films I wonder if we feel nostalgic or miss those times. A sari clad, long plait on the back & riding a bus( what?) … the image of the heroine is shattered to pieces. The hero who also rides the same bus (Trying to match the time & catch the same one) sometimes gets a lift from his friend on a scooter! Those were the times & the life in Mumbai!
A sweet film by Basu Chatterjee starring Vidya Sinha, Amol Palekar, Ashok Kumar, Asrani & others. “A small matter” the boy wishes to put forth his feelings but being shy he is unable to do so. But when another boy starts taking interest he musters his courage & says it! This film I remember vividly for another reason. It was in ‘Circle’ theater & ‘Vikas’ had ‘Bajrangbali ki jai’. My father made everybody watch ‘Bajrangbali ki jai’. Aai wished to see “Choti Si baat” but that was not to be. Years later when I saw ‘Choti si baat’ I was remained again. We thoroughly enjoyed “Bajrangbali..” with Dara Singh as Hanuman I remember, ‘Mataji aur parosiye…’ he kept on eating & the delicate Seeta was exhausted by the number of empty plates.He kept on demanding ‘ladoos’!
Loosely based on the British movie ‘School for scoundrels’ the film takes us on the journey have a timid man outsmarts a street smart colleague to win his lady love. The mentor is Ashok kumar in a different role. Normally we find him in as ‘Dadaji’ but here he teaches the lessons of life. Prabha has to be shown his table tennis skills but he is up against last years champion, Asrani. He is made to wait while picking up, then the ball is examined, shoe laces are tied, play is stopped to wipe off sweat, finally Asrani wants to just finish the round & loses concentration. It gives a natural feel because he could hardly have beaten him in a fair battle!
It was new for us as fair & square is our concept of winning. The film went on to become a super hit & Amol Palekar became a household name. Dharmendra & Hema Malini are in a song ‘Janeman janeman..’ new to films then. Amol Palekar imagines himself singing & being with Vidya Sinha. There is another character Amitabh Bachchan who comes to Ashok Kumar for guidance. He has the same costume of ‘Zameer’ in which he was acting at that time. The bus stop where the lead pair get in the bus also has a poster.
‘Na jane kyon…’ & ‘Yeh din kya aaye…’ were played on radio frequently then. All the songs were popular. The pace of the movie is comfortable so there are no shakes, twists. A must birthday party is also not there. On a shoestring budget the film got critical & popular reviews. The costumes also do not change the style remains the same. Her white saree with floral design is a constant.
I have this thing for simplicity & may be the Bengali directors bring out the best in the themes. I hardly remember a film that I haven’t liked that had a good director. He then is able to mould his characters. In ‘Khushboo’ Jeetendra does not dance, nor does he have a romantic song with Hema & yet we know they care for each other. The details aren’t necessary. The subtle shift in their behaviour is enough. She has a small child that is never forgotten.
Towards simplicity then. Living simply!
Asian Entertainment 