Newspaper editor Shrivastav, who is against the criminals being murdered as per the order of the head of the criminals. Inspector Shekhar was appointed to find out the anonymous main culprit of this murder.
A 50's crime thriller with a stunning soundtrack. As a Dev Anand fan I always wanted to watch the film though I wasn't had much interest earlier. Because I thought this would be another crime thriller surrounded by just suspense. But I was completely wrong. This film is not just a way ahead of its time, but also a complete package of entertainment.
This film marked one of Dev Anand's early successes, showcasing his charm and impeccable acting skills. Known for his perfection in crime thrillers during the golden era, Dev Anand shines in this one. Shakila caught my attention with her stunning looks and impressive acting, particularly in the first half. Johnny Walker's breakout role may not have been as exceptional as his other performances, possibly due to it being one of his early career roles. Nonetheless, he never fails to entertain the audience, and his chemistry with Kumkum is a highlight. While K. N. Singh usually plays the villain in crime thrillers of the 50s, this film takes a different approach. Debutant Waheeda Rehman delivers an impressive performance, even though I feel that a negative role may not have been the best fit for her at such a young age. Nevertheless, she looks breathtakingly beautiful, captivating the audience with her intoxicating eyes. Despite not being paired as a couple, the chemistry between Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman is still enjoyable to watch. Mehmood takes on a serious role, deviating from his usual comedic characters, and Tun Tun also makes a brief appearance. Minoo Mumtaz and Sheela Vaz showcase their dancing talents in two numbers, with Minoo's performance in 'Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re' leaving a lasting impression. She truly added soul to the song.
The plot is not much of a thriller compared to today's films. But way ahead of the 50's. Usually these crime thrillers have serious thriller scenes with less entertainment and music. But this film is the opposite. I really appreciate how Raj Khosla managed to keep the entertainment of the film while making it a serious crime thriller as well.
I loved the song picturization. Especially in the closeup shots, the actresses look breathtakingly beautiful. Also impressed by the choreography by Zohra Sehgal in the songs. It's so simple though, bringing many emotions to the song picturization.
The film's standout star is O. P. Nayyar, who created a super hit album and background score. While not entirely impressed with the score, the brilliant soundtrack compensates for it. Among my favorites from the film are 'Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re' , 'Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan' , 'Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar' , and 'Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana'. Unfortunately, the best song, 'Jaata Kahaan Hai Dewaane', was removed, but its intro is used in the background score. 'Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar' has two versions, one happy and the other sad. Not a single bad song can be found in the film, and I would consider this one of Nayyar's finest works. I also appreciate how the lyrics of 'Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana' accurately match the scenes, with Kamini urging Shekhar to run away as the villain Daramadas approaches. Majrooh Sultanpuri deserves credit for brilliantly writing the lyrics.
I would recommend anyone who likes to watch the golden era films should watch this film. Especially if you think 50's movies are boring, this film will change your mind. You can never have any other crime thriller full of entertainment like this film.
