Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a celebrated filmmaker famous for making “slice of life” movies. They showed ordinary people and the happenings in their life. The films were non-flashy, low budget and told simple stories. Mem Didi is perhaps a lesser known movie of this ace director but it has his unmissable touches. The film does not boast any big stars. It has three character actors David, Jayant and Lalita Pawar acting as the main leads, supported by newcomers Tanuja and Kaysi Mehra. There is a dialogue in the movie – “dusron ki khushi ko apna khushi samjho, dekho kitna maza aata hai” which sums up the message it attempts to deliver. Interestingly, Hrishikesh Mukherjee made Achha Bura on the same story in 1983.

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The Plot

Mem Didi is set in a poor locality. The poor residents are one big family. They laugh and cry together. They enjoy and celebrate together. For example, there is a man called Giridhari’s daughter’s marriage. The whole neighborhood comes together to help with the arrangements and make the occasion a success.

But there are two “go to” persons who are the self appointed trouble shooters in the neighbourhood. They are the local dadas Sher Khan (Jayant) and Bahadur Singh (David). You just need to approach them and they are all ready to help you out. This usually involves threatening the so called villain of the situation (like the local moneylender (played by Dhumal), and getting the job done.

It is fun to watch the two cooking up a story and making their point indirectly. Their professions are not clear but Sher Khan seems to be a lorry driver. They are inseparable friends and the actors display great chemistry. They enjoy doing the job of maintaining harmony in the locality by helping its residents. And the residents find them dependable and approachable to highlight their problems for a quick action solution. They are bullies but with a golden heart.

There is a new arrival in the locality in the form of a new tenant – memsahib (Lalita Pawar). But the first meeting between Sher Khan, Bahadur Singh and the lady is disastrous. There is an unnecessary ruckus going on when she arrives and tries to enter her rented house. Sher Khan and Bahadur Singh realize she is the memsahib they had heard of. But they were expecting a young and fashionable lady as opposed to the actual arrival. They burst out laughing at the realization..khoda pahaad aur nikali chuhiya. But she is not amused. She feels insulted and slaps them.

The men are shaken. They are insulted, that too in a locality where they are the revered bullies. They must seek revenge from the old lady. But that is easier said than done. She is a woman, how can they raise a hand on her? The approaches of the 2 men to this problem are different. Sher Khan has a rough and tough thinking whereas Bahadur Singh has a more toned down and sensible way of dealing with things. After much deliberation and funny dialogues, they hatch a weird plan. They will make her sit on a chair and throw it out of the house. Revenge accomplished!

With much gusto, they go to her house. She is relieved to see them when they arrive unannounced. She asks them to help her in moving heavy stuff like trunks and a sewing machine. She offers them sweets as they have come to her house for the first time. They are confused at this turn of events.

Finally, they manage to make her sit on the chair and Sher Khan blurts out their plan of teaching her a lesson. But the old lady is a tough nut. She sits on the chair and challenges them to throw her out. They are unable to react. Later, she gets emotional, starts crying and tells them that she will leave the locality if she is not welcome there. They cannot bear this and apologize to her. She tells them she is their sister going forward. They decide a name for her – Mem Didi.

Mem Didi settles down happily. On a Sunday, Sher Khan and Bahadur Singh are bored as its a weekly off. Mem Didi asks Sher Khan to get his lorry. She asks all the neighbours to get ready for an outing and hop in the lorry. All are happy and the day is spent enjoyably.

More details are revealed about Mem Didi. She has a daughter Rita (Tanuja) studying in Shimla. Rita is of the carefree type. She spends her time frolicking with friends. She also has a lover Dilip (Kaysi Mehra) who is the son of a very wealthy man (played by Hari Shivdasani).

Mem Didi gets along with her neighbours but she is known as a miser in the locality. She is very careful in money matters. Sher Khan and Bahadur Singh find out that she slogs day and night to ensure the monthly fees of Rs. 300 are sent to Rita on time. To achieve this, she stitches clothes, makes badis (or wadis) and pickles, and sells them for earning money. All this for Rita.

One day, a thief steals her bag containing the “fees” money she has managed to collect with great effort. Sher Khan And Bahadur come to know this is the handiwork of the local goonda Jaggu. They confront him and retrieve the money. They tell a grateful Mem Didi that they are Rita’s mamas (uncles) and have some responsibility towards her.

But things are about to change. Mem Didi falls sick after returning home on a rainy night. Her 2 brothers and the neighbours look after and help her recover. Bahadur Singh manages to find Rita’s address and sends a telegram informing her of Mem Didi’s condition. For 3 days, the 2 men are constantly looking after Mem Didi without having food or sleep. Mem Didi is speechless when she hears this. But she is shaken when a telegram arrives stating that Rita will be coming home.

Mem Didi reveals that Rita is not her real daughter. She used to work as an ayah in her parents’ house. Her parents were very rich. The parents passed away and the wealth also went away. But Rita was not made aware of this. She was brought up by Mem Didi like the daughter of a rich family. Mem Didi would slog to ensure Rita gets everything. The shocking truth should not be revealed to her.

What will happen when Rita comes home? Can Mem Didi continue with the deception? The engaging events continue with the two men stepping in to help out Mem Didi and ensure a sweet end to the story.

The Music

Mem Didi’s songs were written by Shailendra and composed by Salil Chowdhury. Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh and Mahendra Kapoor provided the playback. The songs are melodious but somehow not popular compared to other films of Salil Da or Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The song Bhula De Zindagi Ke Gham is played during the titles. The duet Ham To Ghar Me Chulha Phuke is performed during the marriage celebrations scene. Raaton Ko Jab Neend Udd Jaaye is Tanuja’s introduction song. Bachpan O Bachpan Pyare Bachpan is a picnic song whereas Main Jaanti Hoon is a romantic duet. And there is the delightful Beta Wa Waw Waw picturized on Tanuja as she plays with a dog in the locality.

My Thoughts

Mem Didi is a delightful film thanks to Hrishikesh Mukherjee and the 3 main actors. Lalita Pawar performs the role effortlessly. You are obviously reminded of her Mrs D’sa in Anari (1959) and the matron in Anand (1971). David performs as usual but I particularly liked Jayant. He normally appeared in villain roles but he is so impressive here and gets a long screen time. The 3 leads are shown to be from different faiths. Bahadur Singh is a Rajput (Hindu), Sher Khan is Muslim and Mem Didi, a Christian. Tanuja is chirpy as the role demands but she and Kaysi Mehra don’t have much to do. There are certain loopholes in the story but those can be overlooked. The interaction between the main actors, the small actions, reactions leave you satisfied. I would say you have the watch the movie properly to enjoy all those intricate nuances that Hrishi Da was a master of.