Dushmun

I can't believe this movie has low ratings as compared to high quality content. Some of the worst movies I have ever seen have ratings more than 7.

What a socially relevant movie with good songs, emotions, a different kind of a story and tearjerker at times.

If I look back at Rajesh Khanna movies, it was tow prominent points - 1. Heroine oriented and yet he shines. 2. Content is mostly family driven, even romantic movies could be watched along your family. Of course there were exceptions like Red Rose.

The songs are really beautiful and the whole movie will involve you in a sense as if it is not happening on screen but around you.

Kudos to makers and cast for such a socially relevant yet entertaining movie. Long live Superstar. !

Surjit Singh (Rajesh Khanna), a truck driver, accidentally kills a farmer named Ram Din in a truck accident. But instead of running from the accident place, he decides to face the consequences. In an attempt to set a novel and exemplary method, Judge gives him the punishment to serve and look after Ram Din's family for 2 years. There he tries to gain the trust of Ram's family and protect villagers from a covetous landlord who wants to capture the poor farmers' land.

During my vacation I got an opportunity to watch this Classic Bollywood film of the first superstar of Indian Cinema Rajesh Khanna a.k.a Kaka. He was marvelous in his role. In most of the films we've watched Kaka in romantic roles but in Dushman, he is in action Avatar. He looked totally reckless and arrogant. Mumtaz was so beautiful and energetic that you can't even blink your eyes when she's on-screen. Her on-screen chemistry with Khanna has always been a favorite topic for entertainment magazines.

Dushman, being a long film yet successfully keeps viewers invested and entertained. The actors looked credible and with a good storyline, Dushman gives you a great cinematic experience. Watching Bollywood film of the early days was such a heart whelming and refreshing experience. Every actor is remarkable. One of the assets of the film is its euphonious songs. Melodious Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar's voice gives you a mellifluent feel. "Maine Dekha Tune Dekha" is my personal favorite.

Overall you can watch Dushman with your whole family. It's an amazing and beautiful movie. If you are a Kaka fan then you can't miss this film at any cost.

Jails are made to keep sentenced convicts so that they are reformed during the period of their sentence and restart their life in the society outside after that. However practically speaking, seldom such convicts come outside as reformed ones. The reason is the undesirable environment inside the four walls of the most of the prisons in India which works against the very purpose they are built for. And if the sentenced convict is a nice person who has accidentally committed a crime, it's definitely a clear injustice to send him to the prison to spend time among the habitual hardcore criminals. Then what should be done in his case ? What should be his sentence that may satisfy both the law and the society ? And what about the family / dependents of the victim if the crime had resulted in someone's death ? Sending the perpetrator of the crime won't bring any solace to them because their problem to make both ends meet won't be solved by that. The story of a Hindi movie Dushmun (1971) tries to furnish a suitable answer to these questions.

Dushmun (or Dushman) means enemy. This is the term used for Surjeet Singh (Rajesh Khanna) who is a truck driver and happens to accidentally kill a peasant. He gets himself arrested and confesses his guilt also. Now the judge (Rehman) feels that sending him to prison won't solve the problems of the family of the dead peasant who was the breadwinner for his entire family consisting of his parents, his widow, his sister and his children. He decides to make an experiment. He delivers the verdict which says that Surjeet will have to take care of the deceased person's family and fulfill their needs. This verdict does not go well with the widow of the deceased who tells her children that this person is their enemy. The innocent children start calling Surjeet as Dushman Chacha (enemy uncle). Surjeet who initially was unwilling to undergo such kind of sentence, has to shoulder the responsibility of the entire family and the household. Gradually the love of the innocent children wins him over on one hand and his service and care with pure heart wins the hearts of the members of the concerned family except the widow (Meena Kumari) who finds herself as unable to forgive him for her husband's death. He falls in love with a girl of that village, Phoolmati (Mumtaz). What will happen after completion of his sentence ? Will he leave that family that he has been taking care of ? Will the widow of the deceased be able to forgive him ? What will the judge conclude regarding his 'experiment' once the sentence period is over ? The climax furnishes the answers to these questions.

Dushmun has been made in the style of the formula-based Bollywood flicks only with ample doses of emotions, comedy, romance, songs and dances, action etc. However it's the novel theme of the movie as well as the admirable treatment of the same which makes it a winner. It's not only an entertaining movie but a thought-provoking one also. The script has been written intelligently to serve both the purposes. If someone is reformable, why not allow him to live in the society (instead of jail) and undergo the reform process ? Just like the movies of the fifties, sixties and early seventies; this movie also has greedy landlords, money-lenders and businessmen who exploit the peasants and the ordinary people. A heroine is also there to romance with the hero. All the same, it's not the run-of-the-mill Hindi cinema. It's different. And truly speaking, pleasantly different. Watching this movie is a heart-soothing experience from the start to the finish.

Laxmikant Pyarelaal have composed good music for the movie. Especially the song which says 'Ek Dushman Jo Doston Se Pyaara Hai' (an enemy which is dearer than the friends) is heart-conquering and tells the gist of the movie. All the technical aspects of the movie are in order and its length also doesn't feel due to the highly interesting narrative.

Rajesh Khanna who was on top of the world those days, has delivered a brilliant performance in the lead role. His performance embeds his trademark style but despite that he appears quite natural. The other significant role is that of the widow of the deceased which has been performed by Meena Kumari very well. Mumtaz has filled the quota of the heroine. All others have also done well, especially the child artists.

Movies like Dushmun are like oasis in the desert of Bollywood. It was a huge commercial success when released. In real life, there may not be such judges delivering such experimental verdicts and there may not be such convicts doing so much for the family of someone putting their heart and soul in their endeavours. However why not assume that it's possible ? Human-beings are emotional by nature. Their emotions can be utilized for some noble cause especially when they are repenting for something wrong inadvertently done by them.

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No, it's not Aradhana, not even Roti or Daag or Sachcha Juttha! It's Dushman, which tells you why Rajesh Khanna was super star of his time. Superb acting by RK, paired with very beautiful Mumtaz and enchanting lovely music engrossed in beautiful meaningful words! Wow! This combo makes a super duper must watch movie, Dushman.

Meena Kumari plays role much elder to her age and that too without much dialogues. What always speaks is her eyes.

Dulal Guha as a director did splendid work, a benchmark work! Laxmikant Pyarelal gives their best, what a lovely music.

Hats off to entire team for giving us such mesmerizing film!

Dushmun (1972) : Brief Review -

A criminal's reformation process that challenges law and order. Dulal Guha's Dushmun is very much inspired by the old Hollywood Westerns and crime noirs. It won't be justified if I name one or two Hollywood movies and compare their plots with Dushmun because the motive behind this film was different and the law and order or the system is far different in our country. The basic idea is copied, though. Just like in those westerns or crime dramas, a man accidentally kills an innocent man and makes his family miserable and helpless. The guilt of killing an innocent man starts killing him, and then he decides to support the family and do everything the dead man could have done for that family. However, Dushmun has a kick here. Instead of guilt and self-realization, the man is sent to the house of the dead man as a part sentence. Instead of jail, he is sent to the house to take care of the family for that particular period. He is despised and loathed by the family members, but as the time passes, he grows close to them. They start adoring him and his efforts until the villain strikes. Will he again go down the criminal path and forget all the good work he has done so far? Dushmun makes a strong statement on that criminal mind and the justice system that allows them to think otherwise. Rajesh Khanna has done a good job here, and Mumtaz has a beautiful role. It was a bit shocking to see tragedy queen Meena Kumari playing such an old role, but that was natural since she has been a gorgeous heroine since the 50s and this was early 70s. Vaada Tera Vaada and Dushman Jo Dost Se Pyaara Hai songs feel so fresh even today. The screenplay could have been better and less dramatic, I feel. Otherwise, it's a fine social drama against crime and justice. Overall, a good attempt by Dulal Guha and a deserving box office hit for its time.

RATING - 6/10*

By - #samthebestest.