• 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
  • Highly Recommend- top 10 of the year quality