I would term some movies as deceptive. The packaging is good but the product is not. That is the case with Ek Dil Sao Afsane (EDSA). When you see Raj Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman and Lalita Pawar’s names in the acting department, and Shankar Jaikishan as the music directors, your expectations increase. EDSA is a decent film but could have been better. Today. the film is remembered only for some of its songs if not more.

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The Plot

EDSA is the story of 2 lovers. Shekhar (Raj Kapoor) is an eligible bachelor. He is also very rich. His naani (maternal grandmother) played by Lalita Pawar dotes on him. Apparently,  his parents have passed away and naani is his only close relation. Naani has one mission in life. Shekhar has to marry and “produce” a son at the earliest. The family needs to have a male heir. For this, she insists on matching the horoscope of every prospective bride with that of Shekhar’s. If there is no possibility of a son’s arrival, the proposal is immediately rejected.

Shekhar doesn’t seem to do anything apart from attending parties and enjoying his bachelor status. He sings Mast nazar dekh idhar in a party. The party is full of women looking for eligible bachelors for their daughters. Seems the market is quite competitive. They approach Shekhar with a list of all that they will offer him as dowry. Shekhar informs them about his Naani’s precondition for marriage. The girl needs to deliver a male child else the marriage is off!

After the party, he goes with one of the girls in her car. While reversing, the car hits a girl riding a bicycle. This is Sunita (Waheeda Rehman). She is a salesgirl who works for Navbahar Cosmetics. The girl insults Sunita who slaps her in return. Shekhar is super impressed by the salesgirl – he has found his match. He tries to flirt with her but she shoos him off and leaves.

Shekhar and Sunita meet again on a train journey. Sunita is going for her friend Neelu’s wedding. Shekhar boards the same train compartment. He is surprised to see her and makes some poetic talk about separation and uniting. She responds to him sarcastically.

Upon reaching home, his Naani tells him he has to get married soon and gift her a toy – i.e. his son. There is no dearth of proposals and she is consulting astrologers to match the horoscopes and move ahead. Shekhar’s aunt (mausi) Sulochana (Sulochana Chatterjee) comes to visit them. Her daughter Neelu (Uma) is getting married. Shekhar and Neelu are very close and he gets heavily involved in the marriage activities.

He is surprised to find Sunita attending the marriage. He tries to impress her with his irritating (but endearing(?)) antics. During the sangeet, she performs a dance as he sings Sunoji suno hamari bhi suno. Later, Shekhar has a direct talk with Sunita about their marriage. She has started liking him too and they agree to get married. Its time for a dreamy romantic song O jaadugar pyar ke ye bata.

The only hurdle is Naani and her precondition for marriage. Naani meets Sunita. Sunita tells her she is an orphan. Naani is ready to accept her wholeheartedly. But she is in for a shock. The astrologer informs her that the couple will never be able to bear a child. Naani is appalled and tells Shekhar that he cannot marry Sunita. Shekhar pleads with her but she does not agree. He rebels against her and goes to meet Sunita.

Sunita sings the title song. They get married and settle down happily in his friend’s house, who has 4 children. Shekhar sings a romantic song Kuchh Sher Sunata Hoon Main. With no access to naani’s money, the couple is finding it hard to make ends meet.

By coincidence, Shekhar and Sunita get a job in the same law firm. Happily, they sing a romantic duet Tum hi tum ho. Sunita’s boss is Jagdish Raj, who falls for when she lies that she is not married.

Back home, Naani is not keeping well. She has no plan to reconcile with Shekhar and has decided to donate all her property and head for Kashi. She sends a family friend cum well wisher Chintamani to Mumbai to get her will prepared. As expected it is the same law firm where Shekhar is working. Shekhar brings Chintamani to his house. He sees Sunita holding a child. This is the son of Shekhar’s friend. Chintamani wrongly assumes this is Shekhar’s son and informs the same to Naani upon his return. Naani is overjoyed to hear the news. She rushes to Mumbai to see her great grandson. She also decides to make a new will with Shekhar as the beneficiary.

Naani arrives as planned. Shekhar continues with the deception and presents his friend’s baby as his own. His mind is on the money he will be entitled to.

Coincidentally, Shekhar’s friend has been transferred to New Delhi. He is leaving for New Delhi on the same day with his family. Shekhar is in a dilemma. He arranges for a “baby on rent” and brings the baby to his house. The baby’s mother also comes with him pretending to be a servant.

The drama, deception and confusion continues. Naani extends her stay unexpectedly. The baby’s mother makes extreme demands for keeping her mouth shut. Sunita begs Shekhar to tell Naani the truth. Will Shekhar agree? Will Naani figure out the truth? All is sorted with a twist in the climax.

The Music

Shankar Jaikishan deliver some nice tunes. Sunoji suno and the title song is famous. The surprise song is Tum hi tum ho as it has Rafi singing for Raj Kapoor when Mukesh had become his regular voice. Overall, the music is not that memorable when compared with other offerings from Shankar Jaikishan.

My Thoughts

Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman are great actors, sadly their chemistry is not very effective in this film. Lalita Pawar appears in a predictable role. The film appears to be a comedy but falters in between. The hero’s character only cares about money and goes all out to deceive his grandmother. The heroine doesn’t have much of a say. The solution offered in the climax is not convincing. Overall, the high expectations are unfortunately not fulfilled.