Glimpses of a golden decade

AFTER THREE recent releases ``Kairee'', ``Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar'' and ``Astitva'', it is the predictable, pre-Diwali lean phase. As Yash Chopra's ``Mohabbatein'' and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's ``Mission: Kashmir'' get ready for the festival release and the media does an overkill of Hrithik Roshan versus Shah Rukh Khan comparisons, it is time to borrow a few pages from the past. It was no different in the olden days when yesteryear stars found themselves embroiled in media created wars. The 1960s was a phase of tragedies, thrillers and patriotic movies. The film makers were exploring foreign locales and the filmgoers were getting ready for a new superstar. A journey down the golden decade.

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Sharmila Tagore played a double role in ``An Evening In Paris''. Raj Kapoor made ``Around The World'' and began the trend of shooting movies abroad. Film maker Nasir Hussain took a break from his magnificent musicals and made a small-budget socially relevant film about unemployment, ``Baharon Ke Sapne,'' starring Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh. V. Shantaram's ``Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti'' was to star daughter Rajshree who got married and had to be replaced by his old faithful Mumtaz. ``Jewel Thief'' by Vijay Anand on the lines of ``Teesri Manzil;'' was shot extensively in Nepal. ``Milan'' marked the comeback of South actress Jamuna and was the first significant film on reincarnation after ``Madhumati''. Nargis took a bow with ``Raat Aur Din'' where she played a split personality. The film was in the making for almost a decade. ``Ram Aur Shyam'', the best of the double roles ever made won, Dilip Kumar applause and awards. Manoj Kumar who earlier directed ``Shaheed'', re-invented himself as `Bharat' with ``Upkaar''.

A. Bhim Singh's ``Aadmi'' was a turning point in Dilip Kumar's career, a film in which he loses the heroine to a younger hero. The character talks to a doll called Meena (also Waheeda Rehman's name in the film). The idea was later borrowed in Prakash Mehra's ``Muqaddar Ka Sikandar'' where Amitabh talks to a doll addressing her `memsaab' (Raakhee's character). Hrishikesh Mukherji offered Ashok Kumar the best role of his career. Kumar didn't believe him till ``Aashirwaad'' was complete. Neetu Singh alias Baby Sonia made her debut in ``Do Kaliyan'', a remake of ``The Parent Trap''. R. D. Burman and Mehmood excelled in ``Padosan''. Hema Malini made a debut in ``Sapnon Ka Saudagar''. Anant swamy, Hema's godfather came up with the promotional line `Dream girl comes to town....!' Three decades later, Hema remains the dream girl.

``Aradhana'' sky-rocketed Rajesh Khanna to superstardom and established the Rajesh-Sharmila pair. ``Bandhan'', and later Raj Khosla's ``Do Raaste'', established the Rajesh-Mumtaz pair. In R. K. Nayyar's ``Inteqaam'', Lata Mangeshkar sang a cabaret number for the first time, ``Aa Jaane Ja...'' picturised on Helen. Yash Chopra's ``Ittefaq'' based on the story of one night opened to lukewarm reaction and then gradually picked up. Amitabh Bachchan made his debut in K. A. Abbas' ``Saat Hindustani''.

Inspired by Raj Kapoor and Hrishikesh Mukherji's friendship, Shashi Kapoor and Uttam Kumar were the original choices for ``Anand'' though finally Rajesh Khanna was cast. Amitabh came into prominence with his understated but intense performance as Anand's brooding `babumoshai'. Film Institute of India's first batch graduate, Rehana Sultan, who had earlier played a prostitute in B. R. Ishara's ``Chetna'', played the tenant of a house earlier occupied by a sex worker, in ``Dastak''. Consequently, clients knocked at her door, assuming that the hooker still resided there. The Ramsays come into focus with ``Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi'' and turned horror films into their forte. Thespian Dilip Kumar made an exit as a hero with his swan song ``Gopi'' cast opposite his wife, Saira Banu. For the first time, the entire dialogue of a film was written in verse by Kaifi Azmi in ``Heer Ranjha''. ``Jeevan Mrityu'' marked the debut of Raakhee. Navketan gave yet another blockbuster from Vijay Anand, ``Johnny Mera Naam''. Raj Kapoor's classic, self-reflective tale of the entertainer, essaying his raison de etre and philosophy, ``Mera Naam Joker'' was a super flop wherein Rishi Kapoor made his debut as a podgy but sensitive adolescent. And Mohan Sehgal's ``Saawan Bhadon'' became the debut vehicle for Navin Nischol and Rekha, for whom distributors predicted a bright future.

Ramesh Sippy's ``Andaaz'' dwelt on the bold subject of an unwed mother and a widower falling in love. Hrishikesh Mukherji analysed the repercussions of a fan in love with a superstar in ``Guddi'' starring Jaya Bhadhuri, FTII gold medalist. Dev Anand's ``Hare Rama Hare Krishna'' starring Zeenat Aman as a drug addict, created sensation. Her first film ``Hulchul'' had bombed and Zeenat's mother married to a German was planning a migration. Dev persuaded them to wait until Friday. They agreed. The film was a hit and Zeenat became a star overnight. Gulzar, having assisted Bimal Roy, made his debut as a director with ``Mere Apne'' about student unrest with Meena Kumari and a bunch of newcomers. The same year ``Pakeezah'' that was in the making for a long time, was released. Initially, it was declared a flop but soon after Meena Kumari passed away and the shows ran to full house.

Durga Khote and Usha Kiron came back after a long sabbatical in Hrishikesh Mukherji's ``Bawarchi'' with Rajesh Khanna playing the title role. S. Ramanathan signed Amitabh Bachchan, who was staying with Mehmood in those days, for his comedy ``Bombay To Goa'' opposite Aruna Irani. Ramesh Sippy gave a bigger hit ``Seeta Aur Geeta'' with Hema Malini in a double role, displaying an amazing flair for comedy.

Amitabh and Jaya did ``Abhimaan'' with Hrishikesh Mukherji with music by S. D. Burman. Raj Kapoor, touching 50, made a teenage love story ``Bobby'', which was a phenomenal success.

Dimple Kapadia made her debut and started the trend of merchandising film memorabilia.

A love triangle with Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore and Raakhee, the film failed because of the message of a man sharing his life with two women.

On the other hand, B. R. Chopra's ``Dhund'', without songs and with Zeenat Aman playing an adulteress, received rave reviews. ``Garm Hawa'' was IPTA's (Indian People Theatres' Association) first production starring theatre artistes and was directed by M. S. Sathyu. Due to the film's tight budget, the actors underwent extensive rehearsals before every take. Sadly, Balraj Sahni died before he could get the news of his nomination for the Best Actor National Award.

BHAWANA SOMAAYA

Editor `g' Magazine

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