Bombay to Goa (1972) User Reviews

A fun bus ride all the way!

[Peter_Young · 7/10 · 8 May 2010]

S. Ramanathan's Bombay to Goa is one classic and light entertainment. This film stars Aruna Irani as Mala, a young woman who runs away from some gangster and manages to get into a red bus titled "PC Travels", which is bound for Goa. The reason for her escape is shown through some inconsequential flashback later on. This flashback is my least favourite sequence in the film and it was poorly done. What makes Bombay to Goa memorable is, as the title itself suggests, the bus journey from Bombay to Goa in which the majority of the story actually takes place. This adventurous and comic journey introduces us to a totally mixed bunch of passengers from all over India, from different religions and cultures. Two significant characters are those of Rajesh, the bus driver, and Khanna, the conductor - two characters played by real-life brothers, Anwar Ali and the great Mehmood, respectively. The list of travelers includes, among others, a married couple named Amma and Appa with their fat son, a sleeping passenger (Keshto Mukherjee), a chubby and heavily made-up woman (the wonderful Manorama) sitting at the back of the bus with her daughter, and an elderly noisy woman named Kashibai (Lalita Pawar).

The situations we get to see through this episode are very funny and enjoyable. The film is light, feel-good (except for some unsuccessful attempts at thriller in the flashback sequence, which are boring) and happy, and is flavoured by some nice tunes composed by RD Burman. I liked Kishore Kumar's appearance as himself and I loved Usha Utthup's number in the club where she sang "Listen To The Pouring Rain" as soulfully as ever. The show-stealer in this film is undoubtedly Mehmood. He is hilarious and brilliant and gets the best dialogues. Amitabh Bachchan does not have a very significant role, just a few action scenes and a few romantic scenes, but he does well in what he is given. Aruna Irani gets a leading role, one of the few in her career, and she does well. Manorama is simply outstanding, the funny faces she makes are awesome and she keeps reminding me a lot of her role in that same year's classic Seeta Aur Geeta. Lalita Pawar is great as always, while Anwar Ali and Shatrughan Sinha are adequate. One of the film's funniest scenes is in the ending - the entire action sequence was extremely funny. Bombay to Goa is a fun watch, nothing particularly great but still a memorable and entertaining little film.

A Feast Movie !

[elshikh4 · 8/10 · 11 February 2013]

In Egypt, the national television used to air only fun movies at the feasts, whether the Lesser Bairam, the Greater Bairam, or else. So I grew up naming any really fun movie as "Feast Movie". Hence, when I watched (Bombay to Goa), it joined the list quickly, earning the title deservedly.

As a regular viewer of the Indian cinema, I didn't run into this high-level writing in the Indian comedies before. Actually, the comedy in this movie is intelligent, electrifying and endless, with a lot of situations, gags, and lines. And the best about it is that it's international. I found out that this movie could allure different nationalities by its humor, which is rare for any comedy to achieve.

Originally, it is usual romantic comedy, with 2 from-haters-to-lovers young leads, evil antagonist, many songs, and big fight before the happy ending. However, all of that is mixed into a one of a kind road movie, and a wild variety of hilarious characters.

By using a bus's journey to tell its story, the movie depicts something like 100 funny quarrels between the passengers and the bus conductor (played unforgettably by Mehmood at one of his best performances and movies), while keeping the basic romantic comedy, and its leaning to a thriller, on. And so, the bus extravaganza, beside the love story, were being focused on in equal portions. No wonder if knew that Mehmood produced it.

Many moments refer to the talent which this comedy is filled with. For a few instances: The huge falling-out between the riders over the necessity of war, where smart sound effects of bullets and bombs were used. The funniest and shortest boxing match ever was in a Bollywood movie. The way all the riders were peeping at the 2 lovers, then their gallant attempt to defense the lovers against the evil guys at the end; that was genius. And, yes, the Pakoras madness; which some may nominate as the movie's biggest laugh.

As a musical, it is pure WAW. All the songs are no less than great delight; especially what I call it "the singing duel", in which the very superb singer Usha Utthup performs a medley of American pop songs as a part of a combat between the movie's 2 lovers. Now as a song; this is so enjoyable, and as a comic situation; another proof for how exceptionally intelligent this movie is.

Amitabh Bachchan was awfully thin, and - most importantly - too gleeful, with extremely gay shirts; that violet shirt had gleam which could bring daylight in night! I think, in his third year in the movies, he was sort of searching for a persona. Yes, he loves, sings, does comedy, and fights well, doing 95 % of his own stunts, but being angry is what would secure him the distinct persona that he would win, and be famous for, later, to do all of the above yet as Amitabh Bachchan, not that strutting, very jubilant, fellow who we watched here. Aruna Irani wasn't as funny as everyone and everything in this movie. Her face seemed dead serious, perhaps compared to this party of a movie.

You must notice that the movie has a message about releasing the Indian girl, even a bit, from her traditional decency, according to time change, and for being in conformity with the development of things, through the clash of Irani as the heroine, who wants to work in cinema, with her parents' raging refusal for that, since it demands actions like dancing or wearing indecent customs (observe a line, from her argument with them, like: "riding bulls in the time of jetliners is wrong"!). But somehow the movie suspected its own message by turning the cinema guys into evil men and cold killers, and pushing the heroine, under her love for cinema, to do crimes, be liable to drugs, and finally be a target of killing herself. Let alone that the end hinted at the fact that she would be a housewife not a movie star. So, was the movie with the message, or against it?! I think with the appearance of Kishore Kumar, the cinema icon, as kind and lovely character, the movie loved cinema. However, on the other side, it was little conservative, managing eventually to satisfy both; the youth generation of 1972, and the older one as well.

Holding a gun, by a member of the gang, in the bus was naive. I mean if he wanted to kill the girl, then how to shoot her among all of these people, and without a silencer? And if he wanted to threaten her to leave with him, then he waited SO LONG! Moreover, I hated that the title song "Bombay Goa" used the music to the Beach Boys song "Help Me Rhonda". Why to do such a foolish deed? Clearly, the movie's song writers weren't any short of creativity to plagiarize. But anyway, those were the movie's only shortcomings for me.

In the final analysis, and based on this movie's amount of fun, (Bombay to Goa) isn't a Feast movie; it is a Feast in itself, which I live every time I watch it. I know it's hard to believe, but I love it more than that kid loved the Pakoras!

Enjoyable comedy

[dassmi · 8/10 · 22 May 2019]

A fun ride with some hilarious moments during the bus journey, a special appearance by Kishore Kumar and a vintage Usha Uthup & Amitabh Bacchans first movie as a hero. This movie will always be remembered for giving us the hit song "Dekha na".

Loads of Comedy in this Classic Adventure!

[pawanpunjabithewriter · 13 September 2020]

First of all, this is among my dad's favorite movies, Amitabh and Mahmood being his favorites. I, being a late 90s guy, didn't have much thrill to watch this one considering it's way too old. However, I gave it a try after convinced by dad. The story and the comedy kept me entertained from the first minute. Never have I ever enjoyed an old Bollywood movie the way I enjoyed this one. The role of the female actress was exceptional. It remembered me an era of of our culture where women were used to remain in the houses given the mentality of everyone (not only men) those days unlike the feminism evolving these days. They didn't have much freedom, which was very sad. However, I believe, men are not to be blamed for that act. I feel both should be given equal priorities and right although I see feminism evolving at a greater pace these days. Coming back to the story, many movies have some moments which keep audience entertained. In this one, i noticed lots and lots of moments that took place. Kishore Kumar was wonderful! He made the story take pace and give it meaning. Most of the comedy movies we watch do not concentrate much on the story part, but only comedy. This one has both. A great great story. After that, the comedy that is added with those lots of moments most of them involving the ride and Mahmood were awe-inspiring. Mahmood was sensational, so was Amitabh. These days you won't see such slim actors, but stunning six-pack, broad-chested, highly muscular bodies. However, I'm sure you do compromise for Acting. As the movie takes pace, the comedy and entertainment mounts. and you see more of Mahmood and Amitabh. With stunning comedy and adventure, the movie has a terrific climax too. In short, the movie is a complete package of fun and adventure. The Best: The bus Ride! The Worst: Shatrughn Sinha

Bollywood Comedy at its BEST!

[bshanjra · 10/10 · 7 July 2007]

If you enjoy comedy, I mean REALLY enjoy comedy, this is the movie for you! There are so many comedians in this movie that it is very easy to lose count. And also, I believe this is superstar Amitabh Bachchan's very first movie. It is also one of Shatrughan Sinha's first movies. But the BEST stars are Mehmood and his gang of cut-ups. Even the names of the bus driver and the conductor when put together are a tongue-in-cheek reference to one of the biggest superstars of that era - Rajesh Khanna. Why don't people make real comedies like this anymore??? My personal favorite scene is when the bus stops at a roadside snack stand and a hungry kid goes berserk when he sees a complete stranger eating some pakoras (fritters) that he suddenly decides he wants as well. The facial expressions of everyone involved had me in stitches long after the scene was over. You have to see this movie if you want to die laughing!!! Two thumbs, eight fingers, and ten toes up!!!

Best comical film

[lakhaniyash-16667 · 10/10 · 15 October 2022]

Great sense of humor. Mehmeood and S Ramanathan made a classic comedy film which creates a space in everyone's heart. Mehmood's Acting skills are amazing and stupendous, very expressive and very energetic. Loved watching the Bus Conductor. Amitabh Bachchan's appearance itself makes him a classic Actor, the way he stretched himself for performing such an extrovert character is highly inspiring. Aruna Irani is an all-rounder, VERSATILE, finest Actress in Indian Cinema, her looks and style were so adorable. Lalita Pawar as Kashibai did a fantabulous job.

Songs sung by Kishore Kumar are iconic and it truly makes you sing it the entire day. Lovely songs.

Costume Designer made the actors look even more dashing. The credit is all Kashinath's and his Assistants Eashan, Shivprasad, Manik Sharma.

Fighting was perfectly choreographed.

It is all about the entire team's effort.

Highly appreciate the team work.

Cheers to the team!

AT BEST AN AVERAGE MOVIE

[sunildaswaney-63642 · 5/10 · 6 October 2022]

At best and that too after judging it extremely liberally,this movie is an average movie with terrible performances and worse direction The USP NOW(and not 50 years ago when it was released in 1972)is watching an extremely ordinary looking actor called Amitabh Bachchan giving a very poor performance and wondering at how he made the miraculous transformation the next year in ZANJEER!

I found nothing at all in Amitabh Bachchan's performance,personality and voice to suggest that the very next year in 1973 and to date he would have continued to astound us with his amazing performances voice and personality.

ALL I WILL SAY IS THAT NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER Aruna Irani was his heroine in this film and 3 years later she was was an ordinary dancer doing a mujra in DEEWAAR. Such is the dynamics of Showbiz.

5/10,only because of Amitabh Bachchan. Otherwise 1/10.

Guess movie I like to see.

[pvinodm-88300 · 10/10 · 25 June 2021]

I knew a ryan dariel brothers they were staying in aunts building in mumbai one of the brothers have a few hotels in goa presume will love goa I also had a konkan friend he was a salesman when we were together in a yellow page publication.sales of adspace in that yellow page I think sangeeta nadkarni in my primary school was also from goa.

Some Great Tunes

[noahax · 1 December 1999]

Even though I don't speak much Hindi, I got a big kick out of this movie. My mother-in-law, who was born in India, rented this title on DVD and watched it while she was visiting us.

I was busy doing something on my computer, while she watched the movie in the background. The unusual songs caught my ear, and I ended up watching much of the movie with her. The title song, "Bombay to Goa," is a note-for-note cover of the Beach Boys' "Help Me Rhonda." The lyrics have been changed, but the melody is clearly the same.

Another song is a medley of old rock-n-roll tunes, sung in English, by an Indian woman in a nightclub. She did a few bars from a song which I believe is called "Jezebel." I have a version from Herman's Hermits. It was very odd to hear this 60s garage song in a Bollywood musical. The same medley also included a portion of "Fever," also sung in English.

A bus ride to remember...

[keshmeister · 17 November 2003]

I first saw this movie a couple of weeks ago and have loved it ever since! Past the areas of suspense and family values, the part of this film that makes it a cut above the rest is the bus journey from Bombay to Goa with the passengers being a cast of some of the funniest looking characters you will ever see together in one film. Some of the funny goings on during the journey is pure genius.

This is one film where no credit can be given to Amitabh Bachchan as his role was something even an extra could have pulled off.

Fast Forward all the suspense then sit back and enjoy the comedy. If you have a silly sense of humour, and don't mind watching old films...I guarantee this film will make you laugh!

Laugh attack keyword: 'Pakora'