Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Avdi's Dev Anand Tag

First a link to my review on Dev Anand
http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Dev_Anand-144533-1.html

Next a link to my review on Guide
http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Guide_-_FilmFare_Award_1966-130373-1.html

Movies Seen & Liked
Des Pardes (1978) --- The last good Dev Anand movie. There is a nice line in the last song that I identify with a lot "Wahaan Ek JeevanSathi Hai Yahaan Roz Naya Sawariya, Woh Bhi Theek To Yeh Bhi Theek Hai Apna Apna Nazariya." (Expressing tolerance and understanding for the West & India.)
Haré Raama Haré Krishna (1971) --- His best directorial venture, partly flawed (all that moorti stealing stuff with Prem Chopra); but mostly ahead of the curve. Zeenat Aman's debut, and great songs "Dum Maaro Dum", "Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka", "Kaanchi Re Kaanchi", "O Re Ghunghroo Ka Bole", Dekho O Deewano".
Tere Mere Sapne (1971) --- A sensitive movie that explores medical ethics and husband-wife relationships, Dev Anand & Mumtaz make a lovely pair. Great songs "He Maine Kasam Li", "Jeevan Ki Bagiya Mehkengi", "Jaise Radha Ne Mala Japi".
Johny Mera Naam (1970) --- All us kids were greatly impressed with Dev Anand as a cool hep dude Johnny, who in reality is a CID inspector. We used to play a game called HandsUp, and all of us would try to imitate him. Me and my brother must have spent several years fighting like the long lost brothers Dev Anand & Pran.
Duniya (1968) --- Do not remember much, had a great song "Dooriyaan Nazhdikiyaan Ban Gayi". I think it was a whodunit murder plot.
Jewel Thief (1967) --- First Hindi movie seen outside India, as someone said "A Great combination of James Bond & Agatha Christie.". Do I need to say great songs ?
Guide (1965) --- Refer to my review, My all-time favorite Hindi movie.
Teen Devian (1965) --- Great songs with Nanda, Kalpana (not Kalpana Kartik his wife) & Simi Garewal. "Are Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho GhazaB', "Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat", "Likha Hai Teri Ankhon Mein", "Aise To Na Dekho". Only Dev Anand can be simultaneously in love with 3 women.
Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) --- His best movie with Nutan, a delightful entertainer. Great songs "Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar", "Tere Ghar Ke Samne", "Tu Kahaan Ye Bataa", "Dekho Rootha Na Karo".
Asli-Naqli (1962) --- Only film with Hrishikesh Mukherjee, they had a fight. HK thought that DA was all charisma and no acting ability, and DA would retort that no one would come to see HK's movies. Many great songs and a lovely Sadhana, "Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se Baandh liya Hai", "Tera Mera Pyaar Amar", "Ek Budh Banaoonga", "Kal Ki Daulat AAj Ki Khooshiyaan".
Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962) --- An underrated thriller with Dev Anand as a lawyer and Waheeda Rehman as his client accused of a murder. Great songs "Na Tum Hame Jaano", "Akela Hoon Mein".
Hum Dono (1961) --- Dev Anand shines in a double role, Sadhana is lovely (as usual) and great songs (as usual). "Abhi Na Jaao Chodkar", "Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhaata Chala Gaya".
Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai (1961) --- A nice pair Dev Anand & Asha Parekh, with great songs "Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai", "Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tumse Pyaar Tha", "Teri Zulfon Se Judaai To Nahi Mangi Thi."
Bombai Ka Babu (1960) --- Sensitively handled the taboo topic of incest, Dev Anand plays Suchitra Sen's long lost brother. In reality, he has accidently murdered the real brother; but now falls in love with her. She obviously cannot reciprocate, and finally marries someone else. Both looked great, and so were the songs "Dekhne Mein Bhola Hai Dil ka Salona", "Deewana Mastana Hua Dil Jaane Kaha Hoke Bahaar Ayi', "Chal Ri Sajni Ab Kya Soche."
Kala Bazar (1960) --- Another great pairing with Waheeda Rehman, Vijay Anand acts and directs this movie. Numerous great songs. A great early scene shows Dev Anand selling "Mother India's" tickets in black, at it premiere attended by several Hindi Movie industry figures.
Kalapani (1958) --- Dev Anand & Madhubala must be the best looking pair in Hindi Movies, also great acting acting by DA (won Filmfare best actor award.) Great songs again "Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye", "Nazar Laagi Raja Tore Bugle Par",
"AchaJi Mein Haari Chalo Man Jaao Na".
Nau Do Gyarah (1957) --- Starts as a copy of "It Happened One Night", but unlike another Raj Kapoor-Nargis copy "Chori Chori"; veers away from the original. And when it veers away, it also looses some of the charm. Never mind, great song "Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke", "Ankhon Mein Kya Jee Rupaila Badal", "Aaja Panchii Akela Hai", will keep you entertained. (BTW, both Dev
Anand & Raj Kapoor copy Clark Gable's hair style, in different songs.)
Paying Guest (1957) --- I think his first pairing with Nutan, and a delightful movie. A character "Sharabi Jeejajee" unintentionally provides a lot more fun. Great songs once again
C.I.D. (1956) --- Dev Anand excels at playing a sauve smart CID inspector, Johnny Walker provides comic relief and a great song "Yeh hai Bombay Meri Jaan", Waheeda Rehman's debut is not to be missed.
Munimji (1955) --- Great song "Jeevan Ke Safar Mein Rahi".
Patita (1953) --- Several great songs.

Movies seen & Liked as a Kid But ROFL now
I cannot belive that as a kid I liked these movies, and actually looked forward to seeing them.
Bullet (1976) --- Has a song that goes something like "Bullet, Bullet, Bullet, Dekho Yeh Kya Hai".
Jaaneman (1976) --- Apparently a remake of Taxi Driver with Hema Malini in a double role.
Warrant (1975) --- Has to be seen once to see Bombay Police dressed in skin tight pale blue outfits while raiding Ajit's den.Ajit goes around looking for a "Faarmoola", and also has a pool of acid in which he throws people he wants to kill. Now strictly ROFL. Nice song "Ruk Jaana O Jaana Humse Do Baate Karke Chali Jaana".
Amir Garib (1974) --- What in hell is a Bagla Bhagat (Dev Anand's bad character's name.).
Joshila (1973) --- Great song "Kiska Rasta Dekhe"
Chhupa Rustam (1973) --- Yet another CID role with Hema Malini. Dev Anand does a qawwali, with Ajit, Prem Chopra & Hema Malini looking on; again strictly ROFL.
Banarasi Babu (1973) --- Dev Anand in a double role, one of which is a paan chewing Babu from Banaras.
Heera Panna (1973) --- Great Song "Panna Ki Tamanna"; Zeenat looks awesome in a bikini in another song.
Shareef Budmaash (1973) --- Yet another CID role with Hema Malini. Great song "Neend Churakar Raaton Mein".
Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) --- With Sharmila Tagore.

Movies Seen & Not Liked
Love at Times Square (2003) --- Cant believe I actually saw this one, and also read the New York Times's review where they too were sort of kind to him.
Return of Jewel Thief (1996) --- ROFL, ROFL, ROFL at the first song and most of the movie. This movie should never have been made.
Gangster (1994) --- Remember only bits & pieces, to quote Kulbhushan Kharbanda from Shaan "Meri Samajh Mein Nahi Aaya Ke Mein Hansoo Ya Rouu" (forgive the spelling of Rouu.)
Sau Crore (1991) --- Again vaguely remember.
Awwal Number (1990) --- A movie containing Cricket & Aamir Khan, and yet so bad.
Swami Dada (1982) --- Holy Cow !!!!
Man Pasand (1980) --- Dev Anand as Henry Higgins has to be the greatest miscast of all time.
Kalabaaz (1977) --- ROFL @ Dev Anand & Zeenat on an elephant.
Saheb Bahadur (1977) --- Apparently a remake of Afsar which I have not seen, judging by this movie am glad I did not.
Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974) --- Had good songs, but no one could figure out the story.
Gambler (1971) --- Great songs but what was the point ???
Prem Pujari (1970) --- Great songs (multiple), Dev Anand's direction leaves a lot to be desired. Grimsel Pass (Phoolon Ke Rang Se) in real life is the closest Lunar Landscape on earth.
Love Marriage (1959) --- Yet another movie with Cricket, ROFL @ Dev Anand hitting sixes; only 10 people in the theatre; we 4 friends walked out during the interval (2 of us strong DA fans). Great songs "Dheere Dheere Chal Chand Gagan Mein" & "Kahen Jhoom Jhoom Raat Ye Suhaani".
Amar Deep (1958) --- A Love triangle that dragged on, Great songs "Dekh Hame Awaaz Na Dena" & "Mere Man Ka Bawra Panchii".
House No. 44 (1955) --- Great songs, but a slow movie.
Insaniyat (1955) --- ROFL @ names like Zangoora, and Dev Anand with a moustache, and Dilip Kumar hamming away.
Taxi Driver (1954) --- Slow movie, but a couple of great songs.

Movies Not Seen
Mr Prime Minister (2005)
Aman Ke Farishtey (2003)
Censor (2001)
Hum Naujawan (1985)
Anand Aur Anand (1984)
Lootmaar (1980)
Darling Darling (1977) --- Has a great song "Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho"
Prem Shastra (1974)
The Evil Within (1970) --- ????
Mahal (1969)
Kahin Aur Chal (1968)
Pyar Mohabbat (1966)
Sharabi (1964) --- Great song "Kabhie Na Kabhie Kahi Na Kahi Koi Na Koi To Ayega"
Kinare Kinare (1963)
Maya (1961) --- Great songs "Koi Sone Ke Dilwaala", "Tasveer Teri Dil Mein"
Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961)
Ek Ke Baad Ek (1960)
Jaali Note (1960)
Manzil (1960)
Sarhad (1960)
Solva Saal (1958) --- Great song "Hai Apna Dil To Awara"
Baarish (1957)
Dushman (1957)
Funtoosh (1956)
Pocket Maar (1956)
Dev Anand in Goa (Alias Farar) (1955)
Milap (1955)
Baadbaan (1954)
'Ferry' (1954)
Armaan (1953)
Humsafar (1953)
Rahi (1953)
Aandhiyan (1952)
Jaal (1952) --- Great song "Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahaan"
Tamasha (1952)
Zalzala (1952)
Aaram (1951)
Baazi (1951) --- Great song "Tadbeer Se bigdi hui"
Do Sitare (1951)
Nadaan (1951)
Sanam (1951)
Sazaa (1951) --- Great song "Tum Na Jaane Kis Jahaan Mein Kho Gaye"
Stage (1951)
Afsar (1950)
Birha Ki Raat (1950)
Dilruba (1950)
Hindustan Hamara (1950)
Khel (1950)
Madhubala (1950)
Nili (1950)
Nirala (1950)
Jeet (1949)
Shair (1949)
Shayar (1949)
Udhaar (1949)
Hum Bhi Insaan Hain (1948)
Vidya (1948)
Ziddi (1948)
Aage Badho (1947)
Mohan (1947)
Hum Ek Hain (1946)