Angoor (1982) : Comedy of errors without any error
What can be an exclusive comedy? Have to see Angoor to get the answer. A film directed by Gulzar. Gulzar excellently adapted Shakespere’s comedy of errors here in Indian scenario. A genius mind can get inspirations from any where in the world and can present his own creation with his trademark impression spread all over and Gulzar has done this in Angoor. Gulzar has taken idea of two identical twins from Shakespere and rest is his brilliant screen play.
Gulzar’s films are his own no matter who acted in those films, Jeetdendra, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, Meena Kumari, Sanjeev Kumar, Sharmila Tagore, Jaya, Wahida Rehman, Tabu, Nana Patekar, Chandrachudh Singh. If one has watched his one film than can recognise another film that its made by Gulzar. He has style of his own. And whenever Gulzar made team with Sanjeev Kumar then both came out with their best. Sanjeev was ready to do any kind of experiments in his acting under the direction of Gulzar.
It was painful to wait in AB’s films till he become adult no matter if his look alike Mayur played his childhood role. It was very painful for audience to wait for their favourite star to come on screen and its very clear in Angoor also that it was painful for Gulzar to wait till he could show Sanjeev Kumar comes on screen. Film walks differently till SK comes on screen. Even Utpal Datt does not please and perhaps Gulzar was not even interested in giving more time to Utpal Datt also.
Well film’s first comedy scene starts when Utpal Datt stops his journey in bullok cart to rest in a dharmshala along with his newely born twin sons and wife Shammi. She complains,’’ apne dono ke naam bhee to ek hee rakh diye hain, chhota Ashok aur Bada Ashok”. At this first wit comes from Gulzar through Utpal datt when he replies” koi dusra naam rakhne se dono mein antar aa jata kya”.
Utpal Datt’s servant comes to inform that somebody has left two twins outside and he has brought them here and request Utpal Datt to adopt them also.
Utpal Datt after taking consent of Shammi goes to another twin pairs and says atleast 5 times same word “Uff” in 1 minut shot.
One such dialogue is “ Uff kitanee khubsurat nepali ankhen hain, ekdam bahadur lagte hain”. His servant says,” inka naam bahadur hee rakh dijiye saahab”.
Sea travel and lost and found sequence and one Bahadur remains with one Ashok. Casting etc and film again starts with now adult one Ashok (Sanjeev Kumar) playing cards with wife Sudha (Maushoomi Chatterjee) and sister in law Tanu (Deepti Naval). SK asks about Bahadur(Deven Verma). He gest angry after knowing that Bahadur has gone to cinema hall. On his anger Deepti Naval says that he works whole day like a gadha. and on this Ashok says ” Gadhe kee tarah hee karta hai”. How SK used voice modulation to give proper impact to a character, can be seen in this film.
To get right feelings below mentioned the names of characters
Bada and Chota Ashok : both played by Sanjeev Kumar
Bahadurs : both played by Deven Verma
Sudha : Wife of Bada Ashok, played by Maushumi Chaterjee
Tanu : Sister in law of Bada Ashok, played by Deepti Nval
Prema : Wife of Bahadur, living with Bada Ashok, Played by Aruna Irani
Story is based in small city where mostly everybody knows everybody. Characters are given language and dialogues, which are suitable to their profession and personality. Drama is in full quantity in this film as film demands that yet actors have brought reality in their performances and audience feels that there is really something like this is happening. We audience know that there are 2 Ashoks and 2 Bhaadurs so we can search some micro differences between their personality which Director Gulzar has wisely created but characters in the film don’t know about the presence of similar Ashoks and Bahadurs and so the differences between the behaviours of 4 main characters are taken as situational disorders in their general behaviour. One Bahadur wears a Kada in his wrist and one does not but Bahadurs relation with respective Ashoks is the point to find some difference between two bahadurs and Gulzar has shown it in very subtle manner. SK and Deven Verma play aptly double role here. Deven Verma not only give tough competition to SK in playing double role but he establishes a landmark also for other actors. Though before SK his performance is not talked much.
Bada Ashok gets angry easily and his Bahadur is more emotional than other Bahadur with Chhota Ashok. Bada Bahadur fears Bada Ashok a lot while Chhota Bahadur can even threaten Chhota Ashok. Chhota Bahadur is more confident and clever than Bada Bahadur.
Chhota Ashok likes to read detective novels and in his entry scene while travelling in train, he is shown to read a detective novel (something like Agyaat Aparadhi) of famous Vijay series by Ved Prakash Kamboj. Chhota Ashok literally believes these novels and even checks bathroom in train under the suspicion that someone might hide there. when he reaches to the city where Bada Ashok lives and TC at the gate misunderstand him with Bada Ashok and asks” kahin bahar gaye the kya seth ji?”.
Chhota Ashok replies” Gaye the matlab abhee to aa rahe hain”
TC: Kahin bahar gaye the tabhee aa rahe hain na
Jasusigiri is always affecting chhota Ashok and he asks TC” aap Ticket collectory ke alawa koi aur kaam bhee karte hain kya, bade chalu lagte hain”.
And when chhota Ashok and Bahadur sit in Taxi and Driver asks” kahan chalein sahib”. At this Ashok says without wasting a fraction” kyon batayen tumko”.
When Bahadur makes him understand that we have to tell the driver where to go Ashok says to driver, OK pehle Imperial hotel chalo waise ham wahan thehre hue nahin hain baad mein kahin aur chale jayenge. And he smiles mysteriously towards Bahadur that he has befooled the driver. Watch expression on face of SK. Gulzar knew that SK had beautiful smile and he has used his charming smile in this film multiple times.
Watch another scene when after reaching hotel Ashok explains to Bahadur that he has kept 1 lakh Rs in almirah and empty bag is left at the bed.
Bahadur with open mouth looks at Ashoks and SK with smile and a feeling that he has done something big and very mysterious, says ” Whai to ( his takiaqalam) …..: if some gang is after them then they will steal the beg and we will save our money.
And then he again explains to Bahadur that when he goes out Bahadur should not open the door for anyone and when he will be back he will knock the door thrice with nails and will sing the song “ Preetam aan milo”. Bahadur force him to leave th hotel so that he come back soon. Ashok to check whether Bahadur understood his instructions properly or not, come back within minute and knock the door and bahadur opens the door with toothbrush in his mouth. SK stares him with anger and DV looks him blankly. Union of two great actors and communication exchange through eyes only and audience get every minute detail of that symbolic communication. That’s the beauty of these actors and Director Gulzar through out the film. Ashok scolds Bahadur that why he opened the door? Bahadur says he has opened the door for him. To this Ashok asks,” how you knew that it was me?”
Bahadur: Babu ek minute mein kaun aa jayega tumhare siva?
Ashok: saarhe teen minute mein pura bank luta ja sakta hai. Dikhaun kaise?
Bahadur: Babu kisi bank mein jakar dikhao. Babu ab der ho rahee hai jaldee jao jisse jaldee aa sako.
How conscious this Ashok is, can be seen when he is at a village where he has gone to see grape yards. Owner asks one of his worker to accompany Ashok till main road so that he gets the bus and this man’s body language and dress ( a banyan and check tehmad) raise suspicion in mind of Ashok. This man whistles while walking and Ashok asks” seeti kyon baja rahe ho, koi ishara hai kya”
Worker become silent and Ashok says under self imposed caution: Mein to zeb mein 10 Rs se jyada lekar hee nahin chalta.
Worker: bada kharab jamana aa gaya hai. paisa na ghar mein surakshit na bank ”
Ashok becomes curious and asks” ghar mein kya dikkat hai?
Worker: chor dekh lete hain.
Ashok : aur bank mein
Worker : sarkar dekh letee hai,
Ashok enjoys his saying and says in over enthusiasm: haan dono hee to…. He does not complete his sentence but audience get the full meaning and enjoy Gulzar’s witty dialogues.
he says further” mein isiliye dono jagah hee nahin rakhta.
worker: bada achcha karte hain sahab, jane kaise chor uchakke rehate hain shahr mein kisi ne dhar liya to?
Ashok boasts now: mein nahin darta, deekhne mein avanyee lagta hun par ulte haath ka ek chaanta mar dun to pata chal jayega….
Gulzar and SK made this word “Avanyee” popular. They used the word in Aandhi also.
Gulzar and SK don’t leave illusion that this is a film and when Ashok sees a bus is coming slowly towards them he says” Bada footage kha rahee hai Bus”. Gulzar special touch ?
And now first mixing starts. Chhota Ashok gets down from the bus and takes out cigarette to lit and is seen by Bada Bahadur who has come to buy vegetables in market. He finds it strange that Ashok is smoking which he does not do. Ashok also sees him and scolds him under the impression that this is his own Bahadur: Bahadur tu yahan kya kar raha hai, Hotel chhor kyon aya. Paise kahan hain?
Bahadur: kaun se paise:
Ashok: Matlab mein tujhe koi paise diye hee nahin.
Bahadur: ek baar das Rs diye the 7 saal pehle aajtak hiusab mang rahe ho.
Ashok: tera Dimag kharab ho gaya hai, wo laaaaaaaaakh (he supresses volume of his voice) Rs kya hue?
Bahadur: Lakh Rs. Mujhe?, Hotel? Aap kya baat kar rahe ho? Sahab lagta hai subah ke jahgree ke karan aap abhee tak pareshan hain. Ghar chalo didi aur chhoti didi intjaar kar rahee hain. Mein mujhe muli lene bheja hai kyonki aapko muli ke paranthe pasand hain.
Ashok: Didi, ye Didi kaun hai?
Bahadur: Didi meri apki patni, Chhoti Didi yane Didi kee chhoti behan apki saali.
Ashok: ye Sali Beewi kahan se aa gayee. Meri shadi kab huyee?
After some more confusing quarrels Bahadur gets a slap on his face from Ashok and run away saying that Ashok has gone mad.
Now what a person like Chhota Ashok will do? when he goes back to hotel and asks at hotel counter if they had seen Bahadur going out. Waiter informs him that ” 102 wale sahab ne lunch ka oder diya hai kamre par”
Ashok: sahab mein hun wo mera mera naukar hai” watch body language of SK when he pats counter of reception with his hands in a hurry to reach to his room to scold Bahadur and in hurry he foregts his own instructions of opening the door. Bahadur does not open the door when Ashok beats the door heavily and then with frustration Ashok starts singing in besure style” Preetam aan milo”. Audience feel churning in stomach when Bahadur open the door with innocent face saying” mein to pehle hee samajh gaya tha ki tum ho par tum dantne na lago isliye darwaja nahin khola”.
after some quarrel:
Ashok: tumne mujhe kabhi cigarette peete nahin dekha kyon?
Bahadur: kaise batein karte ho babu, din bhar mein 5o cigeratte pee jate ho mana karne par bhee nahin mante.
after some fight between them waiter knocks the door and Ashok angrily asks him ” kya hai”?
“Mooli ke paranthe saab”
Zor ka jhatka dheere se!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its worthy expression on SK’s face when he angirly looks towards Deven Verma and greed over Deven’s face for lunch.
How SK has played the role of chhota Ashok is wonderful to watch and how he has used his voice for this role is worthy to notice. In another scene when he is caught and brought at bada Ashok’s home by Deepti Naval under identity confusion then he asks her while feeding her Bhang ke pakore.
Achcha man lo mein wahan pahunchta hee nahin to?
Tanu: kaise nahin pahunchte. ek mahine se taiyaree kar rakhee thee.
Ashok: nahin farz karo. agar mein atta hee nahin to.
Tanu: kaise nahin aate. apne samajh kya rakha hai. police se bulwate. koi shaq hai kya?
SK replies in hasten with artificial expression on his face ” shaq karne ka to sawal hee paida nahin hota Phhir to”. its nice to see him saying this line with his unique style.
and again Gulzar brings him towards melodrama when he tries to repel doubts of Tanu when she says something is mixed in pakore.
He says” koi chese achchi hai to hai, kyon hai, aman chhoro na hatao na” .
Any other actor perhaps except AB could have spoilt this way of saying this line but SK hits audience in every single shot.
His jokes, his anger, his confusion everything is so true to the role that one wonders of what soil he was made of?
This is rather wrong to quote the scenes and dialogues from this hilarious film as those who have not seen, should enjoy the film fully with a surprise element because in film we don’t know, what fun, next scene is going to bring?
Mention of few scenes is sufficient to get the feeling about greatness of this film.
What happens when Chhota Ashok is caught by Deepti Naval in a theatre under the impression that he is Bada Ashok – Brother in law of hers. And then real hangama starts.
I feel to watch it again and again rather than to write about it.
Gulzar has used small characters aptly. There is Chedilal- Goldsmith, character played by CS Dubey. Ganeshi Lal – who does cutting of diamonds and similar precious stones. Role played by TP Jain. Those who don’t know this actor can recall an old TV advertisement of Dabar’s lal dant manjan (Tooth powder) where he is a teacher asking his Student: are raju tumhare daant to motiyon jaise chamak rahe hain.
Mansur Miyan : worker at shop of goldsmith Chhedilal, this role was played by Yunus Parwez.
Inspector Sinha: Col. T. Kapoor (who made TV serial Fauji – launching Serial of SRK).
Films came from union of SK+ Gulzar are collector’s item and Angoor is certainly one of the best comedy film made in hindi cinema. Year 1982 was very tough as far as Filmfare awards are concerned. As Masoom, Shakti, Vidhata, Premrog, Angoor, Bazar, Nikah, Sanam Teri Kasam etc were released in same year.
SK was nominated for best actor in Angoor along with Dilip Kumar( Shakti), AB(3 nominations,Bemisal, Namak Halal, Shakti) and award was won by Dilip Kumar for his brilliant performance in the role of Police officer Aswini Kumar in shakti.
Though Deven Verma got best comedian award for his role in Angoor.
Angoor had one good song sung by Asha Bhonsle” Hothon pe aisee baat aye hai”.
If you have not seen this film, watch it ASAP!!!!!!!!! Gulzar made only one full fledged comedy in the form of Angoor and what a master stroke!!! This is a film to watch for SK, for Deven Verma , For Gulzar, for a comedy category film, and for the simple fact that there is only one and only one Angoor made in Hindi cinema. Govinda wanted Gulzar to remake this film with him playing roles played by SK.
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
@Tushar…. Fantastic post my man. Yep Angoor is right up there among the best 5 in Bollywood Comedy Genre. Gulzar..Gulzar…what a man. Ijaazat has to be one of my fav Gulzar movies.
this is a classic movie which you can watch countless of times without getting bored.
Ooops My Bad RK..I am sorry my man…i addressed wrongly..Ho sake tho Maaf Kardena…:((
OM: its abt comedy of errors so identity errors are quite right and symbolic too.
Gulzar really lives the Urdu meaning of his name.
HG: Yes this film can be watched again and again. Repetition value of this film is more than other comedies like Parosan,Chupke Chupke and Jane bhee do yaron.
i love Angoor.it’s a classic and one of the best comedies made in Indian cinema..
It’s true that Angoor was based on Shakespear’s Comedy of Errors but we should also mention that Gulzar’s Angoor was also inspired by a forgotten classic ‘Do Dooni Char’ made by Debu Sen in 1968.
It had Kishore Kumar,Tanuja and Asit Sen
in d main lead..
It was Debu Sen’s version of Comedy Of Errors..
Kishore da’s role was essayed by Sanjeev Kumar
and Asit Sen’s role by Deven Verma in Gulzar’s
version..
Gulzaar saab has admitted that he was inspired by this Kishore da starrer..
Angoor was the film that drew Vishal Bharadwaj to Shakespear
Akhil: thanks for this info. abt Kishor’s film.
I have to search this film as it would really be a visual treat to watch Kishor Kumar in double role.
Gattu:
yes V.B got interested in Shakespere and Gulzar both.
Thanks to Angoor and Gulzar saab as they catalyzed the passion of film making in VB’s mind and he gave us Maqbool and Omkara!!!!