All posts by GGaurav

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About GGaurav

I am passionate about old movies, songs and trivia.

Fatakdi (1980)

My Reviews, ,

Women filmmakers are a rarity in cinema. More so in regional cinema. In Marathi, Sushma Shiromanee stood out when she successfully produced a few films and cracked that elusive formula of delivering a hit film. She also directed one Hindi and 2 Marathi films.

Fatakdi is an out and out masala film. It uses time tested elements like lost and found, revenge, romance, comedy, not to forget hit songs and special appearances by Hindi stars including Rekha to catch the audience’s attention. There is never a dull moment. The film is directed by Datta Keshav.

The Plot

The plot is predictable. The film starts with a court hearing concerning a land dispute between Narayan (Dr. Shreeram Lagoo) and Damu Sawkar (Nilu Phule). Damu Sawkar is accused of forcibly grabbing the land. Both parties present their claims in this regard. The judge rules in Narayan’s favour. An overjoyed Narayan goes to the local temple to seek the diety’s blessings. There he meets Damu Sawkar with his henchmen including Viju Khote. Damu Sawkar can’t accept the verdict which he treats as his insult. He considers himself the ruler of the village and things need to happen as per his will.

Narayan arrives home to share the good news with his wife Laxmi (Usha Kiran). Laxmi is desperately awaiting his return. They have 2 children. The son is Shirpa and daughter Indi. Laxmi is relieved to hear the news. They start cultivating the land and are blessed with a good crop.

The couple sing a duet Dharni aaichi maya while sharing this blissful moment. Also, Diwali is around the corner, and Narayan celebrates it with full force that year. On the other hand, Damu Sawkar is still licking his wounds and unable to enjoy the festive period. He is hoping to teach Narayan a lesson soon.

Out of frustration, Damu Swakar tries to damage the standing crop in Narayan’s field. But Narayan intervenes and asks him to leave.

As this is a lost and found drama, there has to be a subplot involving a birth mark or tattoo for easy identification. In this case it is a tattoo on Indi’s arm. Point to be noted!

Back to the story. A major tragedy awaits the happy family. Events happen in quick succession. Damu Sawkar goes after Narayan and forcefully tries to get the land documents signed and transferred in his favour. When Narayan refuses, he tortures him and eventually kills him. Shirpa tries to intervene and manages to kill Viju Khote with an axe. The mother Laxmi takes the blame on herself and is arrested by the police. She asks Shirpa to run away. The boy loiters in the mountains where he is captured by some dacoits. The sardar of the dacoits adopts him and names him Ranu Singh.

And what about Indi, the daughter? The poor girl is left alone wandering when she meets a childless couple engaged in the Kadaklaxmi tradition. They decide to take her with them. They will return her if the parents are traced and come looking for her. Of course, this doesn’t happen and she is brought up like their daughter.

So Indi grows up as a Kadaklaxmi performer. She sings, dances, whips herself and earns money for her family. She is now called Fatakdi (Sushma Shiromanee) and lives up to her name which means firecracker. 🧨

She gives her introduction through the song…Aali Fatakdi.

Other characters have grown up too. Her brother Shirpa / Ranu is a successful dacoit (played by Yeshwant Dutt). He is the new sardar after his foster father passes away.

Damu Sawkar’s son is Ramesh Deo. He is as spoilt as he can be. He has his eyes on Fatakdi but she knows how to keep him at bay. Pratap is getting married soon. The dacoits crash the marriage celebrations. Fearless Fatakdi tries to challenge them single handedly. She comes face to face with Ranu alias Shirpa. She doesn’t know he is her brother and vice versa. He praises her courage and leaves.

A random character called Bawlya (Ashok Saraf) is introduced suddenly. He behaves like an idiot and wants to be romantically involved with Fatakdi.

In between we see some masala elements popping up. There is a Ganpati celebration song (Ganpatichya mhora saare naachu gaauya) featuring Bhagwan and Kaajal Kiran in special appearances. And later, a lavani performance by Rekha!

Laxmi is released from jail early on account of good conduct. She goes to the village. She knows she has lost her husband and children. When she visits her farmland, she blurts out it is her land. Damu Sawkar and Pratap hear this and try to shoo her off. Laxmi and Damu Sawkar recognize each other. Damu Sawkar tells her that he is the rightful owner of the land and has the documents to prove it. Laxmi refuses to accept this.

Pratap pulls and pushes Laxmi and attempts to throw her out. Fatakdi steps in and saves Laxmi. She insults Pratap and takes Laxmi to her house for a meal. Fatakdi’s foster mother (played by Leela Gandhi) shouts at her for bringing strangers to the house and feeding them. A helpless Laxmi leaves quietly and settles in the temple.

Laxmi and Fatakdi meet again. They can feel the unknown connection between them. Laxmi tells her about Damu Sawkar and the document he claims to have in his possession. Fatakdi promises to serach for it. For this, she goes to Damu Sawkar’s house. She cooks up a story to convince the father and son that she is on their side. She is successful and is employed as a servant under the supervision of Pratap’s wife (played by Maya Jadhav).

One day, Damu Sawkar and Pratap’s wife leave to attend a wedding. Pratap is alone and waiting for this opportunity. He tries to molest Fatakdi but Ranu the dacoit arrives suddenly. He remembers Damu Sawkar very well and has been itching to seek revenge for his father’s murder all these years. He shoots Pratap. At the same time, the police arrive. The police inspector is none other than Bawlya. He was behaving like a simpleton but was actually on the lookout for the dacoits.

There are more songs as the story moves towards the climax…Herla ga herla ga and Aai mazi devi mazhi.

What will happen next? Will the family connections be revealed? Will Ranu be arrested by the police? And what about Damu Sawkar? Will justice prevail?

The Music

The music did well. Jagdish Khebudkar (lyricist) and Bal Palsule (music director) team up for some hit numbers. Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle lend their voices. The evergreen song is undoubtedly Kutha kutha jayache honeymoonla featuring Rekha.

My Thoughts

Sushma Shiromanee is the gutsy producer as well as the lead actress. She performs the role of Fatakdi in full spirit and is a complete package. The production values are good. She shrewdly casts many well known names like Shreeram Lagoo, Nilu Phule, Usha Kiran, Ramesh Deo, Yeshwant Dutt and Ashok Saraf who perform on expected lines. The appearance of the Hindi stars is a good strategy and adds that extra flavour. Overall, Fatakdi is an entertaining film and credit to Sushma Shiromanee for her efforts.

Ek Dil Sao Afsane (1963)

My Reviews,

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.

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.

“Almost Solo” Songs

My Lists

Hindi films are incomplete with songs. Some songs take the narrative ahead and some are there simply to entertain. We have many accomplished singers who sing those lovely compositions. The songs are in the form of solos or duets, some backed by chorus and some having multiple singers.

Then there are some which sound like a solo i.e. featuring one singer. But on close observation, you realize there is another singer’s presence in the song. Their contribution is limited to singing the mukhda, a few words or even humming. I wonder if these songs can be called solos? How about terming them as “almost solos” because technically they are not duets?

So, here is a list of some songs on this theme. Do you remember any such songs?

1) Song: Woh Chand Khila
Film: Anari (1959)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh

This is a sweet and playful song picturised on Nutan and the “simple” hero Raj Kapoor. Nutan’s character does most of the singing. But hold on, the hero croons something too, calling out the movie’s title! Raj Kapoor via Mukesh sings only one line at the beginning…naa samjhe woh anari hai.

2) Song: Madhuban Mein Radhika
Film: Kohinoor (1960)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Mohammed Rafi and Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan

This is an evergreen semi-classical song picturized on Dilip Kumar. He sings and plays the sitar while Kumkum responds through her dance moves. A lovely song based on raga Hameer. While a predominantly solo song by Mohammed Rafi, it has a very small classical portion sung by Mukri’s character, apparently for comic relief. These fast and difficult taans are voiced by Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan, a classical vocalist of the Kirana gharana.

3) Song: Ho Re Ho Re Jhanan Ghoongar Baaje
Film: Gunga Jumna (1961)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra Kapoor and Chorus

Dilip Kumar, playing Gunga is being released from the prison and returning home. Vyjanthimala (as Dhanno) is eagerly waiting for him and sings this song in anticipation. The male portion at the end (O..ho..hooo) where Gunga announces his arrival is said to be voiced by Mahendra Kapoor (though he is not officially credited).

4) Song: Thandi Hawa Ye Chandni Suhani
Film: Jhumroo (1961)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Kishore Kumar | Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle

Another gem of a song in the voice of Kishore Kumar. But the song begins in a female voice. We see Madhubala humming at the beginning. She gets diverted by Kishore Kumar’s singing as he begins his portion and occupies the song. It seems Asha Bhosle does the humming, but the song is known as a Kishore Kumar solo.

5) Song: Yeh Mera Prem Patra
Film: Sangam (1964)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

This as we know is a Mohammed Rafi song. Rajendra Kumar sings it addressed to Vyjanthimala. The song continues after the hero’s portion is done. Towards the end, Lata Mangeshkar starts humming and sings two lines…ke tum meri zindagi ho, ke tum meri bandagi ho. The song ends on that note.

6) Song: Aaj Hai Pyaar Ka Faisla
Film: Leader (1964)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi

This is a fantasy song from a boring movie with great songs. Lata Mangeshkar sings for Vyjanthimala. Her lover Dilip Kumar has been converted to stone. She sings and dances in agony to bring him back in human form. Her efforts are successful. At the end, the hero emerges, and Mohammed Rafi delivers a couple of lines of a sher – Husna se ishq kabhi door nahi reh sakta. Dil agar dil hai to, majboor nahi reh sakta.

7) Song: Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho
Film: Hanste Zakhm (1973)
Credits: Kaifi Azmi | Madan Mohan | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

This is a beautiful song by Madan Mohan with a terrific music arrangement. Navin Nischol is driving a taxi and he sings this number addressed to Priya Rajvansh. Midway into the song, they are sitting beside the sea when she sings the mukhda. There is no music, you hear Lata Mangeshkar’s clear voice with the waves lashing in the background. Then, the tempo increases like never before. It is back to the hero to sing the last stanza and complete the roller coster of a song.

8) Song: Parda Hai Parda
Film: Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Mohammed Rafi, Amit Kumar and Chorus

This is one of the entertaining songs of the most entertaining Amar Akbar Anthony. Akbar (Rishi Kapoor) sings this qawwali addressed to Neetu Singh. His catch line is “Akbar mera naam nahi hai.” His friend Anthony (Amitabh Bachchan) is sitting in the audience and reacts with wah wah and only one line – Akbar tera naam nahi hai towards the end.

The story goes that Kishore Kumar was approached to sing that line but he quoted a high price. In the end, it was sung by his son Amit Kumar. (Note: For some reason, the “Tips” company version circulated on YouTube has Mohammed Rafi singing that line. He sings “Akbar mera naam nahi hai” whereas you can easily see Amitabh mouthing “Akbar tera naam nahi hai.” I wonder why this editing was done).

9) Song: Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Naa
Film: Ghar (1978)
Credits: Gulzar | R. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

Ghar was directed by Gulzar. Rekha and Vinod Mehra play the happily married couple. This is a melodious and well picturized song. Lata Mangeshkar is the main singer and Kishore Kumar unexpectedly joins at the end to sing the mukhda. It seems there are 2 versions of the song available – one as a solo and the “duet” which appears in the movie soundtrack.

10) Song: Aur Is Dil Mein
Film: Imaandaar (1987)
Credits: Prakash Mehra | Kalyanji Anandji | Suresh Wadkar and Asha Bhosle

This hit song appears twice in this forgotten movie. Sanjay Dutt and Farah play the leads who fall in love and get separated. In this song, Sanjay Dutt sings his heart out describing that all he cares for is the heroine and her love. The heroine is sitting as a guest, listening and reacting to this rendition. Suresh Wadkar almost sings the full song. At the end, the heroine is unable to control herself and sings a couple of lines in admission of her love. These are sung by Asha Bhosle who also sings the “proper” solo version earlier in the film.