Manoranjan

Movie definitely was ahead of its time. Equal rights for sex workers, union and legalising this business, but definitely was needed for that time. I can only imagine how "embarrassed" the middle class of india would have been of this movie. I can imagine my parents and their fellow generation people not going to watch this. Everyone acted superbly. And Zeenat and Sanjeev both looked absolutely adorable

Sanjiv Kumar plays a constable who falls in love with Zeenat Aman, a prostitute. The result is hilarious. This is one of the few Hindi movies which acknowledge the source. In this case the source being Irma La Douce, probably the Billy Wilder movie, not the play written by Alxandre Breffort. Sanjiv Kumar is brilliant as usual. He seems eminently comfortable in comic roles. Zeenat Aman is stiff as usual, but manages to look quite attractive, and naughty. The studio set used is not naturalistic enough but it does not hamper the illusion. One brilliant scene is where Zeenat's room is searched by several policemen. Sanjiv Kumar, as the Nawab, is superb. Shammi Kapur proves to be quite a good director. Its a pity he does not give us more. The film was famous for its 'adult' content. It was famous, but no phenomenon like Sholay.

Manoranjan review :

Before Raj Kapoor got besotted by the charming Zeenat Aman to cast her in his Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), younger bro Shammi worked with her in his directorial debut Manoranjan. Featuring Sanjeev Kumar opposite Zeenat, Shammi Kapoor himself played the pivotal role of Cafè owner Dhoop Chaaon who is also the film's narrator.

Based on the musical comedy 'Irma La Douce', the plot revolves around a red light street called Manoranjan where simpleton havaldar (Sanjeev Kumar) is assigned his first duty and gets fired pronto for catching his senior inspector (Madan Puri) red handed with a prostitute.

The havaldar then befriends a kind hearted prostitute (Zeenat) and in a bid to stop her immoral business, disguises as a Lucknowi Nawab to become her regular client. The 'kahaani mein twist' comes when one fine day, the havaldar gets caught for murdering the Nawab!!!

Shammi Kapoor's direction was not to the level of Raj Saahab but he deserves credit for handling such a bold subject in the 70s. A heroine sleeping with the hero without even knowing him properly was something unimaginable in those times and naturally, the film was shunned by the critics and audience alike. Presenting prostitution as an element of fun was another factor which evoked a lot of criticism.

The super gorgeous Zeenat Aman is the highlight of the film and the camera seems to be in love with her whether lingering on her bare back or caressing her beautiful legs in one scene. There are two bathing scenes devoted to her and undoubtedly, Manoranjan is a treat for every Zeenat Aman fan. Satyam Shivam Sundaram was about inner beauty but Manoranjan is all about the exterior....and its in your face!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni

I saw this film on TV yesterday by chance. Never heard of it, it came put 12 years before I was born.

But what a film.. way ahead of its time.

I was glued on the screen through out.. All because of one person. That person is the amazing Zeenat Aman.

She looked beautiful and sexy the entire film.

So seductive, voluptuous, she is a buxom and the clothes she wore has made me fall in love with her.

Watch this film. For zeenat. Series then most girls now.

The characters, setting, costumes, or the events clearly suggest the western influence in this comedy. The film fails to deliver novelty, meanders a lot, and is overlong feeling you to skip some of the parts. Despite, the film is also interesting in parts with comedies done by Sanjeev Kumar and Shammi Kapoor. The formulaic comedy of disguise by the hero looks a very bad imitation of "Professor" and at least there are moments when you would like to bang your head for the silliness of the movie. The songs, dances, and the performances from the supporting cast (even Zeenat Aman) isn't impressive. What you would like of this movie is its comical situations and wit created towards the second half of the movie. Overall, the film begins well and if you can tolerate the muddled events in the middle, the film ends at a humorous note. Anyway, if you like Shammi kapoor's screen presence, have a try with this one in which he makes a nice role.

Rating: 1 star out of 4