Despite all the goodness (Sharmilee)

I've been struggling to find time to put up a new post. Well, that's just half the truth, if I may be allowed to say so. Actually, I've been neck deep in work, but that does not mean I've not been watching films. But over 15 days I've mostly watched those films which I've already written about. My husband is revealing his new-found love for the classics and both of us have been enjoying them

Forgiveness comes naturally (Bahurani)

This is a typical family masala entertainer that sails smoothly because of its easy story and good performances. Yes, the melodrama, the conniving, the songs, the twists, the dances are all in place. But what stands out in this 1963 film is how a woman hold court throughout. A feisty heroine helps her husband come into his own through the light of erudition. She does all the good deeds despite

More of Jubilee Kumar (Hamrahi)

My tryst with Rajendra Kumar continues...
This time I encountered Kumar playing a philanderer turned good husband. Did he do it well? I didn't get to reason that out because I kept feeling let down by the director's decision to cast Jamuna in the role of the leading lady. A good actress she is, but certainly not gorgeous in the looks department. And definitely not the person for whom Shekhar

Fun departure (Dil Hi To Hai)

Those of you who are accustomed to being bogged down by the conventional role play of Raj Kapoor should watch this romantic comedy. Yes, Raj Kapoor is the hero in Dil Hi To Hai and he does some delightful comedy with panache. Strange isn't it? Even I was a bit skeptical about seeing Raj Kapoor get into the shoes of what would otherwise be the perfect part for maybe his brother, Shammi Kapoor, but

Love... Set in Paradise (Arzoo)

How important is it to have a romantic ambience to make hearts flutter in love? If you take into consideration that Usha flips for Sarju (the man she found quite irksome inside a aeroplane in Delhi) while at the beautiful valley of Srinagar, you'd seriously think that the spectacular surrounding induces the tender feelings in her. With the verdant valley, the colourful flowers, the brilliantly

A peek into domesticity (Abhinetri)

Wonder what kept me away from this Subodh Mukherjee film till now? I had heard about this film ever since they played the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa song in Chitrahaar when I used to be a little girl. By the time I was in my senses to retain it in my memory, I knew that Shashi Kapoor looked extremely attractive and Hema Malini looked uber-fetching in a film called Abhinetri. So then, why did I not make an

Banal prejudices (Parvarish)

I don't believe this! An entire film hovering on the predicament of a father who is not able to distinguish his own son from another child who is just as cute!! Ridiculous! And I thought Parvarish would have more meat to it!

Frankly speaking, I was quite keen to watch this 1958 drama. Not only because it stars some famed names in the field of acting, but also the story read interesting. A

A special bond (Chhota Bhai)

When I was in school, there used to be a film aired on television almost regularly. Those were the times when cable TV had just been initiated in India and we, the takers lapped up everything no matter what it was. So, understandably, I was hooked on to these films (whether good or non-sense) at every opportunity. This particular film, of course, was quite interesting. It was a spicy family saga

Anand in a different garb (Kalapani)

Dev Anand and dashing go hand in hand. His very name conjures up an image of a freewheeling youngster whistling away in the woods, singing some peppy romantic numbers and wooing the woman in his own charismatic style. He flashes that characteristic smile at every instant to destabilise you, he walks with that swagger reminding you that there will only be one and only one Dev Anand. So, when you

The truth of life (Asli Naqli)

There is seldom anything wrong with the films made by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Even when he was yet to dabble with wholesome comedy, he was making films that were sweet, simple and sensitive. His characters were immensely likable, his narrative was crease-free and his stories were absolutely enthralling. It is hard not to enjoy films such as Anupama. And, the same can be said about the beautiful

Black sheep (Aap ki Parchhaiyan)

Running a family calls for a wee bit of diplomacy, they say. And, how true that is. For, when a man gets married, his equation with his parents and siblings undergoes a sea change. He now has a partner, who he is responsible for. The onus is on him to initiate her into the ways of his house, make her comfortable and help her become one with the family. This girl has left her beloved parents and

United they stand (Naya Daur)

Man vs Machine tipped Horses vs Wheels. Thereafter, Love vs Friendship took center stage, before I realised that Naya Daur, B R Chopra's magnum opus, is a film that cannot be buttonholed into any two categories. It is a film that celebrates the beauty of classical Indian cinema, while harping on the issues of industrialisation in post-independant India and overall, salutes dignity of labour. It