Aap Ke Deewane (1980)

My Reviews,

6th September was Rakesh Roshan’s birthday (born: 1949). The son of well known music composer Roshan, he entered the film industry as an actor and moved to producing and directing films. He launched his production company Filmkraft, and Aap Ke Deewane was its first offering. According to the credits, the film is produced by Vimal Kumar and directed by Surendra Mohan. The movie was a flop but he achieved success later with his “K” series movies like Khoon Bhari Maang, Karan Arjun, Kaho Na Pyar Hai and Koi Mil Gaya to name a few.

Aap Ke Deewane is primarily based on the theme of friendship between the 2 leads (Rakesh Roshan and Rishi Kapoor) who belong to different religions. The strength of their friendship is tested many times and they need to overcome the obstacle every time, ensuring a win-win outcome for both of them.

The Plot

The film opens with the annual day celebrations of a college. Ram (Rishi Kapoor) and Rahim (Rakesh Roshan) are close friends. They are also the winner of multiple prizes for that year. Surprisingly, Ram is awarded for scoring the highest marks in Urdu while Rahim scores the highest in Hindi. The principal (Sudhir Dalvi) congratulates them for their consistent achievements for the past 3 years. He calls out their proficiency in the two languages which proves that a language is not affected by the barrier of a name, state, or religion.

Later, that night in the boys’ hostel, the friends are enjoying their success. Ram is busy ironing his shirt while Rahim is playing the guitar. Both are so engrossed that Ram burns his shirt and Rahim breaks the strings of his guitar. Rahim is sad as he had worked hard to collect the money for the strings. Apparently, both come from poor families and nothing is mentioned about their parents or other family members. Ram tells Rahim to look for positives. Tomorrow, they need to visit the college to complete their admissions for the new academic year. Being brilliant students, they will be successful once they complete their degrees and get a job.

One student not happy with Ram and Rahim’s success is Kundan (Ranjeet). Kundan is a spoilt rich guy (man?). He has been trying to clear his exams since 6 years and is known to have cheated a few girls. Kundan tries to help a student Meena (Shoma Anand) who is confused about the subject selection for the new academic year. Kundan steps in to guide her (and in turn flirt with her.) Ram and Rahim hear the conversation and mock Kundan, calling him uncle and highlight his multiple attempts in clearing the exam. Kundan insults both of them, talking about their dress sense and indirectly referring to their economic condition. As evident, this is a typical college grudge which may lead to serious consequences.

There are multiple incidents involving Ram, Rahim, and Kundan & his friends. And every time, Ram and Rahim manage to outwit Kundan and teach him a lesson. In between all this there is a poignant moment on their birthday. Thick friends Ram and Rahim have their birthday on the same day – 25th December. They want to give a surprise gift to each other. This scene is inspired from O Henry’s story Gift of the Magi. Rahim sells his guitar to buy a new shirt for Ram to wear with his jacket. Ram sells his jacket to buy new strings for Rahim’s guitar. But there is no guitar and no jacket!

What follows is a birthday celebration arranged by Meena and other friends. They go on a cycle ride singing about their friendship Ram kare Allah kare. But the mood is about to change.

While returning from the celebration, Ram saves a girl being chased by a rogue Yusuf (Yusuf Khan). A crowd gathers as Ram and Yusuf bash each other. Shockingly, the girl points towards Ram as the perpetrator and blames him for trying to molest her. The matter reaches the college authorities. Based on Ram’s record, the principal avoids a police case but makes it clear that Ram needs to leave the college. He is rusticated. Ram is helpless but Rahim suspects that Kundan is behind this matter.

We see Kundan talking to Yusuf and it is revealed he is the mastermind behind the scheme to trap Ram. Rahim goes to confront Kundan and pleads with him to tell the truth. There is a fight and things reach a point when Rahim may beat the heavily injured Kundan to death. Ram rushes to intervenes in time and pulls away Rahim. They collect their stuff and board a train. In short, they run away from the scene. Kundan tells the police that he got injured in an accident. But in reality, he is waiting to meet Ram and Rahim again and seek revenge. He tells his men to search for the duo at any cost and inform him. In his words – he want to recover his principal with interest.

The friends are discussing their future. Ram comments that they will have to sell their awards and medals to arrange some money. Rahim is perusing the newspaper for some job opportunities and gives him good news. There is a job of a Urdu tutor in Srinagar with a monthly salary of Rs. 1,000. Ram being the Urdu scholar has to go for it. Ram points out the age criteria is mentioned as 50+ years. But Rahim tells him that can be “arranged” with a disguise. Ram agrees reluctantly.

The scene shifts to Srinagar. We again have 2 friends from different religions – retired Colonel Thakur Vikram Singh/ TVK (Pran) and retired SP Inshallah Khan/ IK (Ashok Kumar). They are arguing about the welfare of their daughter. Their caretaker cum butler is Idea (Deven Verma) whose full name is Ishwar Damodar Eknath Acharekar (IDEA). Idea informs IK that some men are waiting for him in the guesthouse. IK realises he is referring to the the applicants for the post of the Urdu tutor. So it was IK who had published the advertisement without informing TVK. IK explains that he would want their daughter to learn Urdu etc..

IK and a miffed TVK go to meet the applicants. They inform the post is for teaching Urdu to their daughter Sameera. The applicants are surprised to hear that both claim to be the father of the same girl. How is this even possible? Confused, they refuse to consider the job and leave. The only person remaining is Ram (in disguise) who readily accepts the position. Idea takes Ram to Sameera’s room. Ram questions him about Sameera’s background – who exactly is her father – TVK or IK? Idea informs he doesn’t know the truth and strangely, there is a court case going on where both IK & TVK are claiming to be Sameera’s father. So, it’s up to the judge to make the decision.

The first meeting between Sameera (Tina Munim) and Ram is on expected lines. She has no inclination to learn Urdu, that too from a boring old man but he is insistent. She also tells him that there will be no class tomorrow as she needs to attend the court hearing.

There is a funny court scene involving the 2 fathers and their lawyers (Gulshan Bawra and Keshto Mukherjee). We come to know that Sameera as a baby had been found in Pahalgam. There is no trace of her parents and they decide to bring her home and raise her as “their” daughter. Sameera grows up and loves her caring fathers. They are highly protective of her. The latest friction point between the two is the appointment of the Urdu tutor. IK offers to appoint a Hindi lady tutor to balance the matter. Sameera is not amused.

Predictably, there is a Hindi expert available in the form of Rahim. Ram hatches a plan to introduce him as the Hindi tutor by disguising him as an old woman. But Rahim is not convinced. Disguising as an old man is different but a woman, no way.

But being a Hindi film, Ram has his way and Rahim is all dressed up to meet Sameera and her fathers. He bumps into TVK, who falls for the cute Hindi teacher and “she” gets the job.

After that, there are some predictable comedy scenes involving the 2 teachers and the 2 fathers. Further, the Urdu tutor introduces (the real) Rahim as his son while the Hindi lady introduces Ram as her son. The fathers are impressed by both the young men – they are so cultured and good looking and want Sameera to be friendly with them.

The track continues for some time. IK is supportive of Rahim while TVK of Ram. They want Sameera to select one of them as her husband. She likes both of them too but is in a dilemma to make the decision.

So, who will make it? And will the decision impact the friendship of Ram – Rahim as well as TVK – IK?

The Music

The songs have lyrics by Anand Bakshi and music by Rajesh Roshan. The memorable songs are Tauba tera jalwa hai (Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar) and Mere dil mein jo hota hai (Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar). Jeetendra plays a special appearance as a dancer called Rocky. He performs the title song with Ram and Rahim Hum to aap ke deewane hai (sung by Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar and Mohammed Rafi).

My Thoughts

The plot is entertaining in parts but predictable. It might have worked if a proper love triangle had been shown with lesser interference from the 2 father characters. Sameera’s decision in the climax is too abrupt. Rishi Kapoor is impressive as Ram. Rakesh Roshan is more impactful as the Hindi tutor and looks comfortable in the comedy track with Pran. What can we say about Ashok Kumar and Pran? The roles could have been better written but they are hilarious in their constant bickering and give and take. Deven Verma is equally impressive in the small role of the butler. Tina Munim looks beautiful and plays the confused girl convincingly. Not an easy role as she needs to deal with 2 fathers and 2 suitors at the same time! Ranjeet is as usual good as the stereotype villain.

Ashtavinayak (1979)

My Reviews,

Films revolving around religious themes have been common in Indian cinema. This week the Ganesha or Ganpati festival is being celebrated across India and abroad. Lord Ganesha occupies a special place in the hearts of its followers. In 1979, came Ashtavinayak, a Marathi film centred around this favourite deity. Under the banner of Manoram Films, it was produced by Sharad Pilgaonkar and directed by Rajdutt. It is said to be based on a real story from 1975 involving a well known business family in Sangli.

Ashtavinayaka means “eight Ganeshas”. It refers to the eight Hindu temples in the state of Maharashtra, India, located around the city of Pune. Devotees undertake the Ashtavinayaka tour to visit all the temples in a specific sequence.

The Plot

As the titles roll, we see Shree Gajanan Mills celebrating its silver jubilee. A well known singer Pandit Vishwanath Bhosle (Dr. Vasantrao deshpande) is performing with his young daughter (song = Tu sukhkarta). Few more years pass as the credits end.

The owner of the mill is Nanasaheb Inamdar (Chandrakant). He is recovering from an illness and the doctor has advised him to take it easy. Nanasaheb is a respected and caring employer. He has helped many a worker in the time of their need. He is also an ardent devotee of Ganpati. Everyday, he worships the Ganesha idol in the mill. And the annual Ganpati festival celebrations are well known and a period of relaxation for the workers.

Nanasaheb’s close associate cum friend is Appa Sathe (Sharad Talwalkar). Appa has brought his son Sadanand to meet Nanasaheb. Sadanand has passed his graduation exam and Nanasaheb offers him the job of sub accountant in his mill. Nanasaheb has one son Balasaheb/ Bal (Sachin). Bal is studying in Italy and will be returning to India soon. Bal’s mother has passed away. Nanasaheb has married again but Bal is not on very good terms with his stepmother referred as Maa (Padma Chavan).

Sadanand is dispatched to Mumbai to receive Bal and bring him home. Nanasaheb is overjoyed to see his son back. Bal has completed his degree education in Italian paper technology and won the gold medal. Bal is a talented and practical person. He soon impresses everyone with his knowledge and brings efficiency in the way the mill is operated. Nanasaheb hands over the running of the mill to Bal.

Nanansaheb, Appa and the workers are happy. But there is one glitch. Nanasaheb is a pious man devoted to Lord Ganesha. But Bal is the exact opposite. He is not a believer in God and insists its a person’s hard work and talent that is important to be successful. (His reason for being a non-believer is revealed later.) This difference in their beliefs is going to cause problems.

One person not happy with Bal’s success is Maa. She feels insecure with Bal taking charge of the mill. With her husband’s attention and affection diverted to his son, she has no say and feels like junk in the house. She has called her brother Narayan Chavan alias Naru Mama (Raja Gosavi) to offer her support. Naru Mama is a dishonest and lazy character. He is someone who doesn’t do anything himself and finds pleasure in the suffering of others. Especially when he is the root cause of their suffering! He has his own family – a wife, son and daughter (Shama Gosavi). He doesn’t mind leaving them to the fend for themselves as he enjoys a comfortable life in his sister’s company.

Bal is constantly thinking of efficiency and innovation to benefit the mill. Nanasaheb tells Bal that he is impressed by his hard work; ultimately all this grandeur is going to be his one day. Maa is uncomfortable to hear this. She tells Naru Mama to do something. He finds a solution. Naru Mama will ask his daughter Nayana to come and meet Bal. The plan is to get Bal and Nayana married so that he and Maa can continue enjoy the fruits of Bal’s labour effortlessly.

But things don’t work as desired. Naina arrives but she meets Sadanand and falls for him. She moves closer to him instead of Bal.

The mill gets a huge order to be completed in a few months. Bal devises a plan to make the workers work overtime to complete the order. Appa points out that the annual Ganesh festival is around the corner. The festival is celebrated in the mill with full pomp every year since last 40 years. Bal tells him that he cares more about the committed deadline and profit rather than whiling away of time in religious celebrations. Work is a priority and their product needs to be in the market as per the agreed schedule.

This doesn’t go with the workers as well as his father. Nanasaheb proposes to get an extension for the order delivery date but Bal is adamant. Nanansaheb is regretting his decision to handover the charge to Bal. Bal gives him a choice – the workers can celebrate the festival but he will quit his post. Nanasaheb is unable to hear this and collapses. He is seriously ill and bedridden.

Naru Mama asks Maa to clarify with Nanasaheb what provision has been made for her after his death. Or else her future will be in the darkness with Bal being in charge. She goes to meet Nanasaheb and ask him outright but he is unable to digest another shock and passes away. The workers are devastated at the loss of their owner and fatherly figure. But they recover and continue with the production schedule.

With new orders coming their way, it is time to open a new branch of the mill. The bank authorities are impressed by Bal’s success. They are ready to back him financially. Appa tells Bal him that there is land available near the Krishna river in Sangli. Bal decides to go to Sangli to view the site. On the way, he encounters torrential rain and a tree collapse which force him to seek shelter. Luckily he sees a house. This is the house of his family’s old acquaintance Pandit Vishwanath Bhosle (Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande). He is away but his daughter Veena (Vandana Pandit) and sister (Saroj Sukhtankar) welcome Bal wholeheartedly. Next day, Bal is introduced to Veena’s talent – she is a singer too. Needless to say, he has fallen in love at first sight.

Upon returning, he conveys his decision to get married to Veena. Appa is overjoyed and goes to meet Panditji (he is performing with his daughter in a temple (song = Pratham tula vandito)) . Maa and Naru Mama fume at the failure of their plan and admonish Nayana.

Bal has made it clear that he does not expect anything from the Bhosle family (meaning dowry). Panditji is happy with the proposal. Veena rushes to pray to the Ganesh idol and promises that she will come with her husband and complete the Ashtavinayaka yatra. This is a dramatic moment as Appa hears it. He realizes Veena and Bal are diametrically opposite in their religious views and fears the way ahead for the couple.

So, Veena and Bal get married. The first few months are fine. Maa is not very welcoming to Veena but Bal and Appa provide support as she settles down in the Inamdar household. And Veena is expecting their first child. But things don’t stay normal.

The new factory construction is underway in Sangli and there is a Ganesh temple blocking the construction site. Bal orders demolishing of the temple to make way for the factory’s power house building. Veena is shaken to hear this. She joins the villager’s protests but Bal succeeds in his mission. Veena gets injured and is affected emotionally. She is hospitalized and is in a fragile mental state.

There are further twists. There is a fire incident in the new mill and Bal may lose everything that he had aspired for. That includes not only his mill and his wealth but also Veena. Things reach a point when Bal has to make a decision that tests his faith. Will he bend and overcome his principles? And what about Veena’s unwavering faith in the Almighty?

The Music

The film has all memorable songs composed by the Anil Arun duo. There are 4 lyricists namely Shanta Shelke, Madhusudan Kalelkar, Shantaram Nandgaonkar and Jagdish Khebudkar. Pratham tula vandito krupala (Pt Vasantrao Deshpande and Anuradha Paudwal), Tu sukhkarta (Pt Vasantrao Deshpande and Rani Varma) are duets addressed to Ganesha. Daatun kanth yeto Pt Vasantrao Deshpande) expresses the emotional state of a father whose daughter is getting married.

The two solos by Anuradha Paudwal, Diste majala sukh chitra naave and Aali majhya ghari hi Diwali showcase the happiness of the heroine.

And finally the climax song which takes the viewer on an Ashtavinayaka yatra (journey)!. Ashtavinayaka tujha mahima kasa, sung by multiple singers and picturised on well known faces of the Marathi film industry (Usha Chavan, Asha Kale, Jayshree Gadkar, Shahu Modak, Suryakant, Krushnakant Dalvi, Sudhir Dalvi, Ravindra Mahajani and Ashok Saraf). It is said that Jagdish Khebudkar was specially brought in to write this song. The song describes each Ashtavinayak location, the temple and the deity. Apparently, the lyricist had never visited any of the temples yet delivered this superb number. For each verse, the tune incorporates different musical forms from the state of Maharashtra.

My Thoughts

The well made film won multiple trophies at the State Film Awards. Ashtavinayak was presented by Sachin, whose father was the producer. He forms a fresh pair with Vandana Pandit. This was perhaps her only movie as the main lead as she got married and quit films. Well known singer Pt Vasantrao Deshpande played a small role and performs the father cum singer character convincingly. All his songs are popular till date. Overall, it is the older cast who steal the show. Sharad Talwalkar, Raja Gosavi and Padma Chavan are impressive.

The story is about the non-believer (atheist?) who sticks to his beliefs until circumstances compel him to at least rethink his approach. The change is gradual and the ending is a bit ambiguous. The film has a serious tone but is balanced by the humorous touches which keep it entertaining. The popular songs especially the long climax number will continued to be heard during the Ganpati festival, highlighting the longevity of a good score.

Sharara (1984)

My Reviews,

A few years ago I had read Irving Wallace’s cold war based novel titled The Second Lady. The novel had an improbable plot involving the replacement of the U. S. president’s wife by a duplicate woman from Russia. But it was well written and the ambiguous ending left it to the reader to determine the outcome. Upon researching, I realized there was a 1980s Hindi movie based on the same plot and I had watched it too. So it was time to revisit Sharara (meaning a spark or flame) and see how it measures up to the book. The film was produced by Hema Malini. The credits mention the producer as R.J. Chakravarthi and director as S.V. Rajendra Singh.

The Plot

In Sharara, the U.S. president is replaced by an Indian army officer. Raaj Kumar (Colonel Dharam Veer Singh Pathan) is delivering a motivational speech to the Indian soldiers (we do not see them on screen). He tells them there is only aim and that is victory. The Indian army emerges victorious and peace prevails. The events seem to happen near the Jammu and Kashmir border. Obviously the enemy (the country is not named) is not happy.

A foreign agent Zomacko(?)(Tom Alter) is plotting to send a spy called Captain Cameron (or Kamran(?)) to the area where Dharam Veer Singh is currently posted as the commanding officer. Cameron’s job is to infiltrate the army unit and find a top secret file full of military plans. There is an existing spy in the army who will contact Cameron and guide him. So, Cameron manages to slip in by impersonating a soldier and meets the spy. He causes a diversion and accesses Dharam Veer Singh’s office. He lays hands on the file and starts taking photos. However, an alert Dharam Veer Singh returns and confronts both the men. There is a chase and a fight before both are captured and killed. Zomacko is furious when he hears the news. Now he will have to go to India and make alternate plans.

He comes to Mumbai with Jefferson (Bob Christo) and meets more villains – KK (Kader Khan) who talks in an irritating hoarse voice and Mr. Kapoor (Shakti Kapoor). The other villains are Kapoor’s girlfriend (Kalpana Iyer) and Simon (Ranjeet). KK and Kapoor are informed about the military secrets file. KK refuses to undertake the job as this involves dealing with the army.

Enter the dashing Vicky (Shatrughan Sinha). He is KK’s right hand man. He tells that nothing is impossible and is ready to volunteer and steal the file. The enemy agents are impressed. They show him photos of the army headquarters, of Dharam Veer Singh and his wife Madhu (Hema Malini). Vicky is startled to see Madhu’s photo. Does he have any connection with her?

Madhu resembles Champavati or Chandni, a banjara (gypsy) girl that he is familiar with. He wants to substitute Madhu with Chandni, so that she can infiltrate the Colonel’s house and help to steal the military secrets. But he has to convince Chandni first, who is a simple girl. Apparently, Vicky and Chandni are in love. He immediately goes to meet her. He paints a rosy picture of her future life full of money, a big house with kids etc. He wants to train her and make her a heroine. For this, she will have to come with him. She is easily convinced and agrees.

Meanwhile, Dharam Veer Singh leaves for his house in Srinagar. We meet his lovely wife Madhu (who as expected looks exactly like Chandni). She is the dutiful army officer wife, always hoping for his well being and success.

Later, they attend the army unit’s anniversary ball. Vicky attends the ball too, posing as a photographer. He clicks Madhu’s pictures for showing them to Chandni. But his plan is foiled when Dharam Veer Singh notices him and removes the roll from the camera. He is sent away with a warning.

It is announced that Dharam Veer Singh will be awarded the prestigious Param Vir Chakra. On this joyous occasion, Madhu sings the title song “Shabnam ka yeh katra hai, yaad ka ek sharara.

Vicky is not to accept defeat easily. When the Colonel and Madhu are out skiing, he manages to meet Madhu alone, impress her and take her photographs. Mission successful, he goes back to Chandni and focuses on her transformation. Thus begins Chandni’s journey – from the naive gypsy girl to the sophisticated army officer’s wife.

Right from her looks, table manners, driving a car, playing the piano, and skiing – she has to be comfortable and act like Madhu. Vicky trains her accordingly. She is given information about Dharam Veer and Madhu’s families, their house etc. The plan is ready for execution but they are waiting for the perfect opportunity to make the switch.

It comes soon. Madhu will be travelling from Srinagar to Mysore to attend a function. The plan is to kidnap her from the hotel and make Chandni take her place. Things go as planned. Madhu goes to Mysore. She is joined there by her sister Rashmi (Tina Munim) and her friend Deepak (Mithun Chakraborty in a special apperance). Rashmi and Deepak perform a song at the function.

The substitution of Madhu with Chandni is successful. Chandni returns to Srinagar whereas Madhu is kept as prisoner by KK and team. The rest of the film shows how Chandni moves closer to her goal.

Will Chandni be successful in stealing the army secrets? There is danger and intrigue at every point. And the Colonel is shrewd enough to suspect that everything is not right about his wife. Will he expose the impostor and reunite with the real Madhu?

The Music

There are only 3 songs and Shabnam ka yeh katra hai (by Lata Mangeshkar) stands out because of its tune and presentation. The song appears twice. The lyrics are by Anand Bakshi, the composer being Laxmikant Pyarelal.

My Thoughts

Sharara keeps the viewer hooked especially after the replacement is made and the Colonel starts suspecting his wife. But being a Hindi film, it has to include all India movie elements to satisfy the audience’s expectations. And these make the plot less engaging. The Kashmir landscape scenes are well done.

Raaj Kumar acts with his usual style and mannerisms. However he looks too old to be Hema Malini’s husband. Wonder why they did not cast a younger actor. Same with Shatrughan Sinha – there is not much chemistry with the heroine. Hema Malini performs well as the classy army wife and the impostor. The villains are shown ruthless and predictable. Ranjeet, who appears later as one of the enemy agents is impressive.

Overall, it does not meet the expectations of the book, which operates on a grander scale involving US-Russia relations during the cold war, making it a political thriller. Comparatively, the film is weak and predictable. It works only in parts.