logo

iView Author:
Sarang
(Honolulu, USA)

Email:
saranghere [at] gmail [dot] com

Baazi: A revelation for me!

As I was buying my groceries for the week, I glanced through the DVD collection that the desi store had for rent. I wasn’t expecting to rent anything new and I wanted to get my mind off with some movie that made no sense. So, I picked up Kaafila, yes, the Sunny Deol one that deals with the issue of illegal immigration. Along with that DVD on the rack, I found another DVD which was cheaper to rent and it had two movies Baazi and Patita. I picked that up. I had seen Baazi a long time ago when all I knew was Dev Anand was the hero and I laughed at a few comic situations I could understand. Anyway, I had been wanting to watch this movie since it’s a Guru Dutt movie.

What I did not know was this: The story is by Guru Dutt and Balraj Sahni and the screenplay is by Balraj Sahni. This movie is Guru Dutt’s directorial debut. (I think so). Music is by the great master S.D. Burman. Also of interest is that the choreography is by Zohra Sehgal. Navketan produced the movie, meaning it is Dev Anand’s home production! Wow! So many things I did not know! All this in the time when the initial credits were rolling! I got even more interested. The movie open with a scene of a car coming to a halt at some ’shady’ location as we can see some ‘random’ homeless/drunk or wasted guy sitting on the footpath with his back turned to us. We do not see who is getting out of the car all we see is the the legs of the person dressed ‘well’ getting out and walking to wards the screen and as he brushes past the guy on the footpath and doesn’t even stop to look back at him. Trademark Guru Dutt! (Reminded me of Pyaasa’s first scene though picturized differently!) The guy in the car is Pedro and he has come to a shady gambling adda to hunt for new talent for his boss. We have an old lady at the door who says to Pedro “Bahut achcha ladka hai! Ise mat le jaayiye!” but Pedro goes on. He sees a guy being kicked out of the joint. Johnny Walker in a very small role plays the guy who gets kicked out. There is a game of dice going on! Only the guy throwing two sixes wins! He gets a kiss from a girl on his hands before throwing. He is Madan our protagonist and he always wins his Baazi! An interesting scene this one! To show a protagonist, gambling and having a rough edge to get into a scuffle to get his money! Now that’s introduction!

Throughout the movie you see the touch of the master Guru Dutt. For example, there is a murder that takes place and the murder weapon is left on the floor for Madan to pick it up. And he does but immediately he realizes the fingerprint issue and quickly cleans the weapon with a cloth! Now that is intelligent! One more scene: The villian (Who else but KN Singh. More on him later): sends a letter to Madan threatening him that his sister would die if he squealed. The inspector investigating the case, played by a very good looking Krishan Dhawan suspects KN Singh and searches for clues on Kn Singh’s desk. He looks at the notepad and realizes that something was written on the notepad but the letter isn’t there. Uses the inscription on the next page on the notepad to figure out what was written. Intelligent again! These are moments in the movie that give a glimpse of the genius behind it. To make a thriller worth the watch and making every small scene in the movie worth its time on the screen is sheer magic! We all know from the start of the movie that KN Singh is the boss since we see his name in the credits before the movie begins. We recognize his voice as well. In the movie though the face of the boss is hidden for a long time and when Madan figures out who he is he comes out of the shadow. Amazingly shot scene as you slowly see the boss walking out of the shadow and finally in full light is KN Singh who is the father of the leading lady Kalpana Karthik. Geeta Bali is the other woman! No romantic track there. She and Madan con people into gambling at the Star hotel owned by KN Singh. She likes Madan’s honesty and knows he is in love with Kalpana.But her character is just what it should be no melodrama, no fuss. Again, amazing screenplay and characterization.

A few things about Madan’s character. Is very honest (even though he gambles? Yes!). Is proud not to take free help from anyone not even Kalpana. When she offers to help him support his sister’s medical expenses he simply refuses. Even if he has to do something illegal he would prefer to earn that money himself rather than begging anyone else. Is very aware of the hypocrisy in the society and is not surprised to find the most famous person in the city who is known for his charitable works to be the head of the gambling racket. His character is consistent and does not waver throughout the movie. Even when he is waiting to be hanged in 6 hours he is still the same. I was very pleasantly surprised to see all the different tracks in the movie like, romance, comedy, tragedy, fun, danger, thrill, all are packaged to the right extent and nothing feels out of place.

Coming to my favourite character and my favourite actor: KN Singh. If there was ever and I haven’t seen anyone else till now, who could be a Superhero villain or a James Bond villain, it was KN Singh. You can never be careless when he is around because not only he is evil he is sharp intelligent witty, charming and bloody brilliant! I have never liked any other villain in my life. Except may be Rehman. Now, those two guys are the best for me! I have seen so many movies where he has been the villain and I have always had respect for him. Same is the case with Rehman. The thing that Rehman had the KN Singh did not was the killer looks! If someone can take some time and talk about these two giants of our cinema, I would be eternally grateful!

Well, I guess I have rambled too much! Sorry if this post made no sense but I thought I shall share what I felt with you all. I do ask you to go and watch Baazi and I am sure you will find a lot more interesting bits that I did.

By the way, this is something my wife mentioned to me: Shyam Benegal is related to Guru Dutt right? She asked me if I thought that in any of Mr. Benegal’s work do we see any influence of Guru Dutt? I don’t think so but it is too late for me to think right now…………………