The fourth film (first in my study, first available) for director/actor Guru Dutt. Dutt directed a total of eight films – all in the 1950’s.
Dutt died young- age 39
Here he plays Kalu- and there’s an undeniable charisma about him as an actor- sort of an endearing rogue with a smile. This is a love triangle romantic comedy (with a bit of crime thrown in– this film has everything)– a Bollywood film with musical numbers where characters interrupt actions and break into songs- not different than Mamoulian’s Love Me Tonight in 1932.
Dutt is an even better director than actor. Like Joseph von Sternberg – Dutt’s camera is constantly obstructed and the frame designed. The camera goes below the car, below the sink. In another scene he shoots behind a stairwell and then car windows during a musical number. There are blinds at the jail, then prison bars, window panels and then ultimately trees and branches in the chase shootout climax.
Dutt is constantly using these obstructions to create a frame within a frame. If it was just once or twice- call it a recommend or R/HR border—but this dedication to it throughout pushes it higher
Hey, great to see an Indian movie here. I’m also Indian. If you wanna check out some great Indian films, I highly recommend you check out the director “Shyam benegal” his films have screened and won prizes at cannes and Berlin. I highly recommend these 3 films:
1. Bhumika (1977)
2. Ankur (1974)
3. Nishant (1975)
Hey, great to see an Indian movie here. I’m also Indian. If you wanna check out some great Indian films, I highly recommend you check out the director “Shyam benegal” his films have screened and won prizes at cannes and Berlin. I highly recommend these 3 films:
1. Bhumika (1977)
2. Ankur (1974)
3. Nishant (1975)
@M*A*S*H – thank you for the suggestion- I’ve added Shyam benegal to my list
It’s great to see you are finally getting into Bollywood films.