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Reviews
Insaniyat (1955)
Dilip-Dev Multi-starrer
The first and only Dilip-Dev multistarrer. This is the movie that Amitabh Bachchan wanted to watch as a kid, but was considered too much of an entertainer by his parents. SS Vasan was remaking this film from his Tamil/Telugu multistarrer versions. It was a huge hit, but not as good as one would expect from the big stars involved. In fact, the real star of the movie was an imported chimp, and Agha playing his owner. Dev Anand plays a dacoit who turns good after being slapped by Bina Rai (that seems to work pretty well in Bollywood). Teams up with Dilip to fight off his boss Jayant and his gang. Of course, since the only heroine is Bina, Dilip has to sacrifice his love so that Dev can get her. C Ramchandra's music fails to impress. In hindsight, Dilip and Dev represent two totally different kinds of Indian cinema, and it would have taken an extraordinary script and direction to make a film that would suit each's trademark style. While Insaniyat did not cast Dilip in his typical Devdas-like role, it did give him free rein to mouth bombastic dialogue (why are monologues always called dialogues in India?). Poor Dev was cast against type and seemed distinctly uncomfortable playing a mustachioed dacoit/villager, rather than a suave, urban conman. Worth seeing for the novelty of Dilip & Dev together, a talented chimpanzee, and the fast-paced adventure.
Asli-Naqli (1962)
Riches-to-Rags Musical Entertainer - Amazing Quest Adaptation
A Bollywood style song & dance adaptation of a forgotten 1936 Cary Grant movie "The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss". Dev Anand plays a spoiled playboy, who decides to earn his own living after a tiff with his industrialist grandfather. Finds a life among working class 'real people', and enjoys it. Especially when he meets Sadhana, a volunteer teacher. Gets a job and keeps it for a while with her help. Unnecessary twists complicate the plot, and separate Dev and Sadhana, before the usual happy ending can be engineered. Shanker-Jaikishan's music is lilting as usual, and the Rafi-Lata duet 'Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se' leads the hit parade. Typical 60s Bollywood fare - a good basic storyline with the usual 'masala' - twists, melodrama, and memorable songs.
Paap Aur Punya (1974)
'Prisoner of Zenda' Adaptation - Bollywood Style
I don't remember much of the movie, considering that I saw it about 30 years ago on TV as a kid. When I read 'Prisoner of Zenda' later, I realized that the movie was an adaptation of this. At that time, it seemed much more action-packed than the usual weepy stuff on Doordarshan. A precursor to the 'masala' action movies that were to become staple fare for Bollywood in the 70s and 80s, this movie is quite well done, even without any big names in the crew. As is common with Indian adaptations, this is not a faithful adaptation of the book or the Ronald Colman classic. Shashi Kapoor carries of his double-role, and one of his characters has a distinctly negative shade, unlike in the book. All in all, fairly entertaining stuff, and a bit of a nostalgia trip for those who remember the pre-Sholay days of Bollywood.