"I like the friend who finds time for me,
in his calender,
But I cherish the friend, who for me
does not consult his calender."
-- Swami Ameetananda
Often we find ourselves developing a special bond, a special relationship, which we call as ’’best friend’’. We enjoy each others presence, we share joys and sorrows selflessly, we chat endlessly, we look forward for seeing that special movie together, we are restless when we are apart, worried when the other is sick. Often we may hide a thing or two from our parents who may be closer to us, but feel comfortable sharing it with this special friend - such is the bond.
One such movie that explored this special relationship comes from the house of Rajshri Productions. Now do I hear ’’Oh no’’. Well no, for a change, this one does not have wealthy families who sing and dine happily together (between marriages). This probably has to do with the fact that it’s from the senior Mr. Tarachand Barjatya. The movie that I am talking of is a vintage gem of a movie, a movie that touched my heart and evoked my emotions. The film is from the black and white era of 1964 - Dosti.
I am quite surprised that this movie fascinated me so much that I couldn’t help write a review on it. I who would find old movies too boring and on top of that a black and white movie! There was some undefined element that had me hooked. But I attribute it to colleague in office (ncravi on MS), who was with me on my recent official Cochin trip. He purchased the VCD for Rs. 139. We saw the movie while idling our time in Hotel when Ernakulam celebrated a national holiday (Janmashtami).
»» THE STORY »»
The movie begins with a typical Bollywood exaggeration of poverty and plight, which by now we are so used to, but probably would have been pretty fresh in that era. But yet it gives the feeling that maybe someone in real life could be really going through such a hell...God forbid!
So picture a fatherless boy (Ramu) who is good at sports and studies alike [but mind you not so filmy as today’s super (filmy) stars] and an old mother with heart problem having a hand-to-mouth existence, both waiting for compensation from the company where the father died in accident. The company refuses, Ramu is rusticated from school for non-payment of fees, mother stumbles from stairs and dies on the spot, desparate boy runs to fetch doctor and meets with an accident that results in amputation of his legs.
Picture another scene where a blind boy (Mohan) is asking for help to cross the road but sadly nobody complies, so he decides to just cross and is saved by our Ramu. Thus, the two handicapped boys become friends for life. Mohan has a sad story too. He loses his sight due to some eye disease. His sister leaves for Mumbai city to become nurse so that some day she can help restore Mohan’s sight. Meanwhile flood grips the village and Mohan is rendered homeless who lands up in Mumbai and now as a blind begger begs around hospitals hoping that his sister would spot him.
Rest of the story deals with the struggle of the two handicapped friends to live a respectable life in the hard cold heartless world, each step increasing their bond of friendship. Each of them pursuing their dreams - Ramu’s to pursue education as promised to his mother and Mohan’s to find his sister.
What happens in between is what I urge you to see and experience the surge of emotions that come from deep within.
The movie had its special moments when the two share joy and the pain. The part when the two separate, but yet their actions and purpose of life seemed so devoted to one another, is really well depicted on screen. The anguish of Mohan (blind boy) when he realizes that his sister had seen him but avoided him because he was a beggar was also well enacted.
The performance of SushilKumar and Sudhirkumar is commendable.
»» THE STRAY ASPECTS »»
Of course not everything was in place and was unnerving me ’cause barring these the movie was near perfect.
1) Initially Ramu’s condition was depicted in sheer poverty. So I wondered who bore the cost of his operation and crutches...?
2) The movie also had some characters strewn in like Baby Farida and her wealthy brother. These were just fit in to develop some convincing story around the nurse sister (whom the blind Mohan is searching for).
»» THE SONGS »»
Oh mine! Just wonderful! I am missing adjectives here. Laxmikant Pyarelal has churned out such beautiful songs that seemed to fit the movie scenes too well. The lyrics, Majrooh Sultanpuri. Let me mention three among the many beautiful songs:
"Ka ho manva dukh ki chinta kyon satati hai, dukh to apna saathi hai"
Why are you so worried about sadness? Joy and happiness come in our lives and then part away and are thus so unfaithful. Sadness, on the other hand is so loyal and always there with us. Such meaningful lyrics! No wonder people praise the old songs.
"Teri Dosti, Mera pyar"
A lighter song - title song that talks about love and friendship. Very hummable.
"Chahunga main tumhe, saanj savre. Phir bhi abhi naam ko tere awaaz mein naa dunga."
Obviously this is most heard and one gem of a song. One may not really comprehend the song when you just hear the audio. The song leaves a much deeper impact in the movie - so deep and so appropriate to the situation that tears filled my eye. (and you thought boys don’t cry). But if a song can make you so emotional imagine the power of good music! Hats off to Sultanpuriji and Laximikantji-Pyarelalji.
And to hear it in golden voice of Mohammad Rafi Saahab is a bliss.
»» OVERALL »»
The movie is not just about friendship. It is about love, respect and faith that come devoid of any selfishness, jealousy etc. And importantly it is also about determination and will. It is a movie which you must see....and make sure you have tissues handy.
Well, it won 6 Filmfare Awards back then.