Manchali is a light comedy drama Hindi movie based on a novel “Swayamber” by Satyendra Sharat, directed by Raja Nawathe. Its a fun film starring Sanjeev Kumar and Leena Chandawarkar in lead roles.

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The Plot

The Manchali here is Leena (Leena Chandawarkar), who is a bold, beautiful and adventurous girl. Leena stays with her uncle “chachaji” (played by Krishnakant) and aunt “chachiji” (played by Nirupa Roy) in Shimla. Leena has come of age and is supposed to receive her father’s inheritance. But there is a catch. Leena needs to get married before her uncle can complete the transaction. It is important to note the uncle and aunt are genuinely concerned about Leena’s happiness & wellbeing. They have selected a groom for Leena and want to go ahead with the marriage at the earliest. Leena also cares for her uncle who has suffered 2 heart attacks and doesn’t want to antagonize him.

Leena has no plans to get married soon and lose her independence but is compelled to do so in order to get the money. She would prefer to select her husband herself. Her best friend Pushpa (Nazima) has placed a matrimonial ad and brought the mail responses from eligible grooms. This is a funny scene where Pushpa reads out the applications. After much deliberation, Leena is impressed by one Sushil Kumar from Dehradun. He has sent his photo and is ready to meet her. The condition being she needs to come alone. For easy identification, he will be wearing a red suit and holding a bouquet of flowers.

Leena cooks up a story and informs her chacha and chachi about her decision to marry Sushil Kumar as the husband of her choice. They are of course against this plan. But adamant Leena runs away and boards the train to Dehradun. Arriving in Dehradun, she is aghast to find an old and stooping Sushil Kumar waiting for her on the platform. He is not the young and impressive man in the photo. Undecided on what to do next, she gets down the train and climbs up the opposite platform. Here she meets a talkative coolie Sanjeev Kumar.

He is a smooth operator. He gets friendly with Leena and manages to get rid of Sushil Kumar and arrange a hotel room. Apparently he is an educated man knowing multiple languages. Leena is worried about her next move. She will be a laughing stock if she goes back to Shimla without a husband. Leena is impressed by Sanjeev Kumar and tells him her unfortunate story. He suggests she take a fake husband with her and divorce him as soon as she receives  the inheritance. Leena agrees but doesn’t know where she can find a “temporary” husband at short notice. Sanjeev Kumar confidently offers to play the role of the fake Sushil Kumar for Rs 25,000. And the deal is settled.

They reach Shimla and things don’t really go as Leena had planned. The over smart fake Sushil impresses her uncle, aunt and other members of the family. He is also a hit with her friends especially Pushpa. Leena makes plans to forcibly send Sushil with a pehelwan Sher Singh and hold him in Delhi till the divorce papers are signed.

However Sushil fights with Sher Singh and returns to Shimla. Leena is concerned when she sees an injured Sushil and for the first time develops feelings from him.

Sushil keeps acting randomly to Leena’s chagrin. She feels romantically involved with him but is unable to express her feelings. Sushil leaves no chance to make her angry and jealous. He even arranges a big party for Pushpa’s birthday and flirts with her in front of Leena.

Finally the day arrives when chachaji is ready to pass on the inheritance. Leena is shocked to find that she and Sushil have been made joint owners of the property. Will Leena be able to accept the reality? Will the fake Sushil return as per the divorce agreement? Things are sorted at the end with a satisfying ending.

The Music

Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant Pyarelal do full justice. The title song O manchali kahan chali, Gham ka fasaana ban gaya achcha and Tan man dhan sab hai tera fit the situations and are enjoyable.

My Thoughts

The story is dramatic and the dialogues are witty. Sanjeev Kumar is most effective as the supposedly fraud temporary husband. He is at his irritating best when he interacts with Leena. His catch phrase..pichli saat pushton se..talking about the “contributions” of his family’s last seven generations is enough to annoy Leena. Great coming timing without being over the top. Leena provides good support as the dominating but helpless “wife.” Nazima is impressive. Overall, Manchali is a funny and entertaining movie.