Sholay(1975) is an iconic Bollywood movie which was not only a record-breaking(and record-making) commercial success but such a movie whose characters and dialogues have become a part of the Indian folklore. Its writers Salim-Javed had penned its script by seeking inspiration from movies like Seven Samurai(1954) and The Magnificent Seven(1960). However Sholay was not the first Indian movie to be made on this theme. Four years prior to it another movie had been made in Bollywood on the same theme. It was Mera Gaon Mera Desh(1971) which was produced and directed by Raj Khosla.
Retired military officer Jaswant Singh(Jayant) catches a petty thief Ajit(Dharmendra) and hands him over to the police. However when Ajit’s sentence is complete, he only calls him to his village for a job. Ajit starts doing work there and falls in love with a village girl Anju(Asha Parekh). The village lives under the terror of a deadly bandit Jabbar Singh(Vinod Khanna). Ajit takes on him and after a long tussle, he is able to make the village free from his terror.
Coincidentally Dharmendra who is the hero of this movie only played the role of the hero in Sholay. However the script(by G.R. Kamat) of this movie is not stylish like Sholay. Nor are the dialogues(by Akhtar Romani) theatrical like Sholay. Nor are any peculiar(and unusual) characters in it as they are in Sholay. All the same, it’s a story well written and well told. The credit of the story has been given to(the story department of) Khosla Enterprizes. However the real source of the story is well-known.
The movie starts interestingly and moves towards its finale in an impressive manner. It’s not a very long movie and the length is according to the norm prevailing in that period. The narrative flows naturally and does not bore anywhere because the script is studded with interesting incidents. All the technical aspects are in order. Laxmikant Pyarelaal have given good music with the lyrics of Anand Bakshi. Songs like Kuchh Kehta Hai Yeh Saawan, Sona Lai Ja Re, Aaya Aaya Atariya Pe Koi Chor, Maar Diya Jaaye Ya Chhod Diya Jaaye and Haay Sharmaaoon are all quite good. Choerography of the songs is also praiseworthy.
Dharmendra has acted naturally. Asha Parekh has fulfilled the quota of the heroine. However her pair with Dharmendra looks charming as always. Vinod Khanna has played the role of the villain Jabbar Singh with proficiency. Jayant is also natural in the role akin to that of Thakur in Sholay. Other supporting actors have also done well. Laxmi Chhaya as Munnibaai deserves a special mention for her performance. Her dance on the song Haay Sharmaaoon is a treat to watch. A dancing actress impressing so much in her dance performance is indeed rare in Bollywood movies.
Summing up, Mera Gaon Mera Desh is the predecessor to Sholay. However it can be enjoyed by those also who have seen Sholay as the narrative is different despite the same theme. It was a commercial success also when released. While comparing these two movies, one interesting fact that comes to notice is that the name of the bandit is Jabbar Singh in Mera Gaon Mera Desh whereas it is Gabbar Singh in Sholay.
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