In a bustling city, Roshan lives a double life as both a pickpocket and a respected member of the community. When he steals a valuable necklace and finds himself embroiled in a dangerous plot, his life takes a tumultuous turn. His friendship with fellow gambler Daboo and his encounter with the upper-class Rita set off a chain of events that lead to betrayal and heartbreak. As Roshan gets entangled with the enigmatic figure Shankar and the stolen money, he must navigate a web of deceit and loyalty. Love, revenge, and redemption intertwine in this gripping tale of secrets and sacrifice.
Dev Anand, as usual, gives his best. The first half of his performance lacks anything extraordinary, but in the climax, when Roshan's mother dies, he portrays the emotions very well. Geeta Bali adds charm to the film, although there is nothing extraordinary in her character or acting. Nadira delivers an outstanding performance, depicting Rita's soft corner and her rage effectively. Gope contributes to the film's entertainment with his comic timing. Ramayan Tiwari effectively portrays Shankar's villainous side. The versatile Lalita Pawar adds emotional depth to the plot. Tun Tun has a brief appearance in the film, with no significant impact. Minoo Mumtaz is seen in a special dance appearance, but her usual spectacular performance is missed due to poor choreography and music.
It felt like the film was lacking something that cannot be described in words. Compared to Dev Anand's earlier crime dramas like CID, this film ranks the lowest. The only positive aspect of the plot is the way it guides the audience towards the right path by showing how Roshan lost her beloved mother due to his crimes.
Usually, when Madan Mohan composes for a film, he enriches the film. However, this time it somehow feels like he is a misfit for this crime action film. The songs are excellent and soulful, but they do not match the crime drama vibes and are more suitable for a romantic drama film. Most of the songs are slow-paced, including the cabaret ones. Almost every song, sung by Lata Mangeshkar with the same slow beats, feels monotonous. The only song I enjoyed in the film was "Duniya Ke Saath Chal Pyare," sung by Geeta Dutt. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate the background score, which adds a thrilling feeling to each scene.
Overall, 'Pocket Maar' is a good film, although not very entertaining. However, it can be enjoyed by Dev Anand fans.
