tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post1800978187908713538..comments2024-03-18T23:23:28.279+01:00Comments on Old is Gold: The glorious 70: a decade of Hrishikesh MukherjeeBollyviewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-19303849341756380592015-07-28T19:27:36.777+02:002015-07-28T19:27:36.777+02:00A wonderful post.
Yes I am a great fan of Hrishid...A wonderful post.<br /><br />Yes I am a great fan of Hrishida though frankly I did not like Chupke Chupke. <br /><br />Om Prakash's hamming got into my nerves.<br /><br />But I beg to disagree about Bawarchi. Rajesh Khanna did justice to the role. The problem was that HM wasn't happy with his late coming [see the 1974 documentary about RK made by BBC] and beyond a point RK's arrogance proved to be his undoing.<br />The tetchy RK dug his own grave.<br />On top of it I read that RK treated AB like shit and Jaya Bhaduri was extremely upset with this. It happened on the sets of Bawarchi in 1970.<br />Satyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08591806759624580265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-44355863809505016682010-08-23T21:03:31.106+02:002010-08-23T21:03:31.106+02:00Filmbuff, I was surprised to discover that Hrishi-...<b>Filmbuff</b>, I was surprised to discover that Hrishi-da was responsible for <i>Buddha Mil Gaya</i> too! Apart from <i>Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi</i>, it also has <i>Bhali bhali ek surat</i>. The only downside of the film is that it has Navin Nischol wearing a wig!<br /><br />The "homeless Om Prakash" film is probably <i>Anndata</i> - directed by Asit Sen. Jaya Bhaduri plays a compassionate but poor young woman who gives shelter to the homeless Om Prakash, who later turns out to be a rich man.<br /><br />I have not seen <i>What's Your Rashee</i>, but <i>any</i> film would benefit from HK/BC treatment!Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-22291189566253354812010-08-23T04:04:12.781+02:002010-08-23T04:04:12.781+02:00I am commenting quite late on this post as I have ...I am commenting quite late on this post as I have only discovered it on ur blog. I didn't know that Budha Mil Gaya was a HK film. I have heard the fab kishore no - Raat kali ek khwab mein aaye". Haven't seen the movie though.<br /><br />That reminds me of another film (forgetting the name) where Om Prakash plays the role of a homeless man. Is this the same film or another one?<br /><br />I love HK movies - all the ones I have seen. Compared to the crap we have to tolerate from other 70s movie makers like Prakash Mehra et all, i think the ott comedy by some characters in some HK films were a minor flaw.<br /><br />Recently when I was seeing Gowarikar's What is your Rashee, I couldn't help thinking "This movie needs the touch of a HK or Basu Chatterjee". Both HK and BC would have limited themselves to one song or two and kept the focus on key aspects of the movie and made a short and very interesting movie.Filmbuffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-74913818947808162082010-03-29T09:01:19.042+02:002010-03-29T09:01:19.042+02:00It does sound like Hrishida was inspired by Main k...It does sound like Hrishi<i>da</i> was inspired by <i>Main kaa karoon ram mujhe buddha mil gaya</i>! He was reportedly very fond of Raj Kapoor too, so maybe this was a nod to RK's film...Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-21454685098964599812010-03-26T11:53:02.501+01:002010-03-26T11:53:02.501+01:00Hello again:
Is there by any chance a connection b...Hello again:<br />Is there by any chance a connection between the movie "Buddha Mil Gaya" and the same-name song sung by Vijayantimala in Sangam?<br />Just a thought!<br />yvesyveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12975451635895715233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-92142360236551603822010-03-01T08:49:10.500+01:002010-03-01T08:49:10.500+01:00Shalini, I love Alaap too. Its the one film of his...<b>Shalini</b>, I love <i>Alaap</i> too. Its the one film of his that doesnt fit into the "happy" category - even <i>Abhimaan</i> isnt quite that bitter.<br /><br /><b>Sophy</b>, thanks for that link. Gulzar sounds very politically correct in that article - something that doesnt come out so well in his films!Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-2102051910846065922010-03-01T03:22:53.079+01:002010-03-01T03:22:53.079+01:00Bollyviewer,
Here's Gulzar's comments on...Bollyviewer,<br /><br />Here's Gulzar's comments on Aandhi --maybe this will answer your question.<br />http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=519498sophynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-19707037337803764012010-03-01T02:43:45.122+01:002010-03-01T02:43:45.122+01:00Shalini, I love Alaap too. I had been looking for ...Shalini, I love Alaap too. I had been looking for that Saraswati vandana for a very long time and I saw the movie because of it. Also features Yesudas as playback.sophynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-22647949940333572792010-03-01T01:45:08.608+01:002010-03-01T01:45:08.608+01:00One movie of Hrishida's that doesn't get m...One movie of Hrishida's that doesn't get much mention but which I absolutely love is "Alaap." It's probably his most bitter movie, but very powerful and touching nevertheless. The music is wonderful and even Amitabh's performance as the "angry young man" has an unexpected sweetness to it.Shalinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13254643642104251964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-51201222117096864982010-02-28T07:34:40.924+01:002010-02-28T07:34:40.924+01:00Daddy's Girl, if you, who loves Rajesh Khanna,...<b>Daddy's Girl</b>, if you, who loves Rajesh Khanna, didnt like him in <i>Bawarchi</i>, there is no hope for me! So, I guess I better not re-watch it. Its good to leave some childhood memories intact!<br /><br />And you are right about the gender issues in Hrishi<i>da</i>'s films. He is no feminist, but often his films steer clear of gender issues altogether, and in films like <i>Anupama</i> and <i>Guddi</i>, the women do grow and develop - like real people.<br /><br /><b>Sophy</b>, Dharmendra would definitely be better. He does those sensitive roles very well and his cheerfulness rarely gets loud. Shashi might have hammed as much Rajesh K, but I find his loudness a whole lot more bearable!<br /><br /><b>dustedoff</b>, I love <i>Khubsoorat</i> and <i>Anuradha</i>, too. The former also had that grating cheerfulness - Rekha was so loud that I could almost empathise with Dina Pathak's dislike! <br /><br /><b>Amrita</b>, everybody is manic in <i>Chupke Chupke</i> but they're not loud. And they all seem to be having so much fun overacting, that its hard not to have fun with them. OK, maybe its the whole ratty-old-teddy-bear syndrome again. I watched the Bangla original of <i>Chupke Chupke</i> (<i>Chhadmabeshi</i>) and its hijinks are so restrained that in comparion to CC, it almost feels flat! <br /><br /><b>bollywooddeewana</b>, if you watch only ONE Hrishi<i>da</i> film, make it <i>Chupke Chupke</i>. Only his <i>Golmaal</i> comes anywhere close in hilarious hijinks.<br /><br /><b>sunheriyaadein</b>, RUN to the nearest DVD store and get your copy of <i>Anupama</i>! Cant believe you still havent seen it...Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-68770476486148415782010-02-28T06:06:18.162+01:002010-02-28T06:06:18.162+01:00Buddha Mil Gaya sounds great - I haven't seen...<i>Buddha Mil Gaya </i> sounds great - I haven't seen it and will have to look for it.<br />I simply love Hrishida's movies, no matter what. And I have never wanted to change any of the casts.<br />The middle class families going about their everyday chores trying find joys in small things in life somehow makes the story seem real. Finally, as you said, they make me feel good and believe that the world is a lot better place.<br />This post reminds me that I haven't seen <i> Anupama </i> yet. I have Baradari queued for today. Will catch up on atleast one Hrishida movie today.sunheriyaadeinhttp://sunheriyaadein.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-9947413699654510862010-02-28T00:37:17.416+01:002010-02-28T00:37:17.416+01:00I loved Guddi and i've just received Bawarchi ...I loved Guddi and i've just received Bawarchi in the post for my weekend viewing,I loved the songs of Anand but not the film, perhaps knowing what would eventually happen to Anand's character took most of my enjoyment awaybollywooddeewanahttp://bollywooddeewana.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-18910257259141302972010-02-27T17:54:31.463+01:002010-02-27T17:54:31.463+01:00God, I love Hrishida and you're totally on the...God, I love Hrishida and you're totally on the money about the outrageously cheerful tone he loved to adopt for his comedies. Perhaps its because I started watching them when I was little and didnt know any better and thought this was how comedies should be, but they never really bothered me even though it registered even on a childish mind. They're just so charming and beloved, like a ratty old teddy bear to me that I can forgive them much. <br /><br />But I think one of the reasons why I don't much care for Anand is because AB's performance in it was so restrained, it came up as too stark a contrast for me to skip over. On the other hand, Chupke Chupke has everyone performing at top manic ability and it all comes together - but I firmly believe that's because of Sharmila and Dharam and their chemistry. Bester movie EVAR!Amritahttp://indiequill.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-83578092670398321142010-02-27T06:20:18.568+01:002010-02-27T06:20:18.568+01:00I'm going to second (third?) what sophy and DG...I'm going to second (third?) what sophy and DG have already said: the liveliness in <i>Bawarchi</i> in particular grates. In <i>Anand</i> too, like you mentioned - but then, that's a minor quibble when it comes to HM's films. They're just so good, I'm willing to forgive him that.<br /><br />Two more favourites of mine, though only one of them is from the 70s: <i>Anuradha</i> and <i>Khubsoorat</i>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-18178374958678339442010-02-27T01:20:34.383+01:002010-02-27T01:20:34.383+01:00I think the greater problem with these characters ...I think the greater problem with these characters for me is their intrusiveness, not their OTT good cheer. In Bawarchi, for instance, RK is several notches lower on the happy scale than in Anand. I don't know, in the end, the role did not fit him. There is a beautiful clasically inspired Manna Dey song and it is very hard to imagine RK actually singing it. <br /><br />Would Dharmendra or Shashi have been better here? Maybe.sophynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-89770074089603209082010-02-26T23:19:08.908+01:002010-02-26T23:19:08.908+01:00I thought 'Bawarchi' was a sweet film with...I thought 'Bawarchi' was a sweet film with a lovely ensemble cast - the kind of thing Hrishida did so well. But Rajesh Khanna was SO annoying and meddlesome as the cook, and so gratingly cheerful that I just kept wanting him to go away. I would have loved the film so much more with someone else in that role. I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to like him or not (although I think I was) because Hrishida, by not reining him in a little) made him so unlikeable. One more thing I wanted to mention about why I like HK films - I don't think he regarded himself as a feminist or anything, and his films weren't perfect in this regard, but for the most part, the women are depicted as real people, with agency, and the ability to grow and develop and make their own decisions. Such a simple thing but so lacking in so many films.Daddy's Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14679564351145843434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-33570355167962355762010-02-26T21:52:17.631+01:002010-02-26T21:52:17.631+01:00Sophy, I saw Bawarchi in my uncritical childhood d...<b>Sophy</b>, I saw <i>Bawarchi</i> in my uncritical childhood days - so I dont know how bad Rajesh Khanna was in it. Judging from the few clips of <i>Anand</i> that I've seen, though, I can imagine just how grating his cheerfulness must've been! <br /><br />As to language, most Hindi films from the 50s and 60s had that kind of language. Hindi of the 70s masala flick tended to be of the basic sort, with a few cliche dialogues on a repeat-loop (thanks Salim-Javed!), which is why Hrishida's more realistic language seems like the kind of Hindi not easily come by in Bollywood!<br /><br /><b>Daddy's Girl</b>, I need to re-watch <i>Bawarchi</i> to see just how bad Rajesh Khanna was. I have rather fond memories of that film and its sort-of-remake <i>Khoobsoorat</i> (the 90s one starring Sanjay Dutt and Urmila). But every time I gear up for a re-watch, my courage fails me at the thought of having to sit through a 2.5hr performance of THE SUPERSTAR! Same with <i>Anand</i> - now if only Hrishida had got Dharamendra, or even Shashi Kapoor for the roles, I'd watch in a trice.Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-34191628041815816602010-02-26T19:40:30.634+01:002010-02-26T19:40:30.634+01:00Lovely post! Hrishikesh Mukherjee is my very favou...Lovely post! Hrishikesh Mukherjee is my very favourite Hindi film director ever, and I adore so many of his films. I love your description of why you love his movies, and I agree. I find them so charming, they make me laugh (and sometimes cry), and they just almost always find a way to my heart. I can relate with the characters, feel for them and just enjoy spending time with them. I just love the simplicity and charm of Hrishida's movies.<br /><br />I agree with the flaw you've identified in his direction - the liveliness can get a little grating, and I agree with Sophy that Rajesh Khanna in 'Bawarchi' was a good example of this, as were the others you mentioned. <br /><br />Favourite characters... so many, from Ashok in Anupama to pretty much every role he cast Jaya Bhaduri in (I love her and just finished raving about her on my blog), I love so many of the characters he brought to life. I don't think I've ever wanted to change any of his casts, but I do wish someone else had played the title role in 'Bawarchi' - I just could not bring myself to like the guy! <br /><br />'Buddha Mil Gaya' sounds great - I haven't seen it and will have to look for it.Daddy's Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14679564351145843434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-58627502121303385322010-02-26T15:14:26.719+01:002010-02-26T15:14:26.719+01:00Very nice bollyviewer. I love the screencaps in y...Very nice bollyviewer. I love the screencaps in your reviews.<br /><br />You've already mentioned my one grouse with Hrishida movies:<br />"Be it Shashikala in Anupama, Jaya in Guddi or Mili, or Rajesh Khanna in Anand – the liveliness could’ve been a bit less loud."<br /><br />Add to that RK in Bawarchi. These could have all been great movies but end up only being situation comedy done well. (Anand of course is not comedy). Untempered and unnatural behavior really takes away from these movies.<br /><br />There are many other things I appreciate about Hrishida. I love the use of language for one--I'm learning Hindi and good Hindi is not so easy to come by in Bollyland (my opinion of course).sophynoreply@blogger.com