Chhote Nawab (1961)

Continuing the theme of maybe not so remarkable films but definitely a remarkable soundtrack is 1961's
Chhote Nawab (Little Master) which as i understand gave Mehmood (one of my favourite comedians) his
first leading role, but the great fact about Chhote Nawab is that it marked the music directorial debut of
the great Hindi film music director R.D. Burman. According to Mehmood (via wikipedia) he appointed R.D.
Burman as the music director because he got tired of R.D. Burman constantly denting his car with his
constant drumming.Great Choice Mehmood I say, as I'm in love with this soundtrack but first lets get into
the plot

Our Story begins in Lucknow where Bade Nawab (?) is burdened by the upcoming birthday bash of his 5
going on 20 years old son (just as well, as he was born on a leap year) son Chhote Nawab (Mehmood)
He's advised by his personal Assistant Munshi-ji (S.N. Banerjee) to keep it a low key affair but Safdar
(Kumar) his son in law reminds him of his reputation which results in the Nawab taking out a loan from
Bhagwati Prasad (?) who's out to exploit him, Nawab places his house as a collateral (I think we know
where this is going, bad mistake Nawab)

Days after Chhote Nawab's birthday celebration when he's unable to pay back his loan, Bade Nawab suffers
a hear attack when Bhagwati comes to reclaim his property.It turns out the idea to get bade Nawab to
place his house as a collateral was a plan between Bhagwati and Safdar to usurp Nawabs wealth. However,
Bhagwati cheats Safdar out of his share and ends up usurping Bade Nawab's property leaving Safdar
penniless
Angry and frustrated at being conned by Bhagwati, Safdar starts mistreating everyone around him
including his wife (Minoo Mumtaz) and her brother Chhote Nawab. Unable to take Safdar's humiliating
treatments any more Chhote Nawab escapes to Mumbai.

He's found roaming the streets of Mumbai by family friend Nawab Nazir (Nasir Hussain) who takes him
home and offers his daughter Roshan (Ameeta) as his fiancee
Chhote Nawab comes across as uncouth and after a humiliating episode Chhote Nawab subjects her to,
Ameeta alongside Kanchan (Johnny walker) starts educating Chhote Nawab and transforms him from a
bumpkin to a city Slicker
Alas all her hard work soon starts causing jealousy when Sophie (Helen) a night club dancer starts flirting
with him

Chhote Nawab starts acting erratically and turns cold towards Roshan and her family, forgetting how they
had helped him when he was down and out (see what the beauty of Helen can cause)
If all this wasn't enough he gets in with the bad crowd when he becomes friends with Bihari (Anwar
Hussain) a gambler whose company causes him to start visiting Kotha's (brothels) as well as become a
raging alcoholic
 The lovely Sheila Vaz

Will Nawab ever come back to his senses or will it be too late to save him from his debauched lifestyle?
Watch Chhote Nawab to find out

While not being up there with my favourites, I enjoyed watching Chhote Nawab, the first half moves along
rather smoothly and was very enjoyable mostly due to Mehmood's child like antics plus the general drama,
but then the second half which follows his journey from Lucknow to Mumbai and which sees him
transformed from country bumpkin to city slicker becomes all preachy and moralistic in that cliched
modern versus traditional life manner but alas Chhhote Nawab had matured and they had to pad out the
story, still though this is na enjoyable film and I'd recomend it for mehmood fans and for R.D. Burmans

Performance wise Mehmood is the scene stealer in this film which I've heard he self produced, I'd describe
him as delightfully loud and annoying yet oh so lovable, his childlike mannerisms and body language are
simply unmatchable see the scene below for example, I love Mehmood I really do
And Ameeta is love interest was oh so beautiful though a bit too camera conscious as I noticed numerous
sceens where kept glancing directly at the camera

And Helen what a beauty, i loved her look in this film

Great Soundtrack from R.D. Burman, the songs on this blew me away and I couldn't help but appreciate
R.D.'s talent ever more so, the songs on here are pretty remarkable for a debut. Favourites include the
playful kiddie song 'aam chum tam chuum', the sweet and uplifting 'aaj hua dil matwala' and two super
mujra's in the form of 'Ghar aaja ghir' with the lovely Sheila Vaz and 'chura ke dil' can anyone Id the lady in
the clip (see her below)

can anyone id her?

two favourites I've chosen to embed are 'matwali ankhonwale' with Mehmood and Helen in full flamenco
mode (I love this picturisation so much)

and the fun 'jeenewale muskura ke jee' I love this composure so much and Mehmood's child like giggles
added to the song makes it ever so delightful

Paisa Vasool Rating: 6/10

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