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Apne Paraye Reviews

Basu Da draws Sarat Babu's classic on celluloid
Dec 10, 2010 01:08 PM 3965 Views

I have read on the back cover of a novel (paperback edition) of legendary Bangla author - Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay - 'Pooja Ke Phool Jitne Pavitra Hote Hain Us-se Bhi Zyaada Pavitra Hain Sarat Babu Ke Upanyaas' (Sarat Babu's novels are even more sacrosanct than the flowers used in God's worship). After reading a number of novels penned by this legend during the first few decades of the twentieth century, I can safely endorse this statement. Reading his novels renders a pious effect to the heart and the soul of the reader.


One such novel is Nishkriti which is a touching family drama full of emotions, love and family bonds. It was adapted by the director Basu Chatterjee for the Hindi movie - Apne Paraaye (1980). It's a movie which can be seen by the whole Indian family together without any hitch as this emotional and lovely family drama is sans all kinds of vulgarity and shallowness. The plot itself is great. And the efficient and interesting treatment, supported by excellent performances and melodious as well as meaningful songs makes it a memorable social movie. Doing justice to a classic literary work is not an easy job but director Basu Chatterjee has done it with finesse.


The story belongs to a highly successful and well-off lawyer, Utpal Dutt who loves his younger cousin, Amol Palekar very much. His wife, Ashalata treats Amol's wife Shabana Aazmi no less than her younger sister. The children in the family are also living as real siblings instead of cousins. The only thing is that clean-heart and naive, Amol does not take much interest in earning and is happy being dependent on his elder cousin. Things change when Utpal's real brother, Girish Karnad comes to live with him alongwith his wife, Bharti Acharekar and son. Now this greedy and manipulative couple starts creating rifts in the family and turning the environment against Amol and Shabana. Finally Amol and Shabana leave Utpal's home and shift to the village. However Girish sues them in the name of Utpal under false charges. Utpal remains ignorant of these developments for a long time but when he becomes aware of them, he takes such a step which is no less than a slap on the face of the conspiring Girish and Bharti. The family gets reunited with the return of Amol and Shabana.


The screenplay of this story is full of touching and loving moments. The readers will agree that when there is love in hearts, even the anger shown is more ostentatious than real. This has been made clear through Ashalata's anger towards her sister-in-law Shabana who is more educated, mature and sensible in comparison to her and practically runs the household all by herself despite her husband's contributing nothing to the family income. The love shown among the children is also heart-conquering. When Amol and Shabana leave the home with their children, Ashalata's emotions are simply tear-jerking. The movie contains several scenes which underscore the importance of family bonds and win the viewers' hearts.


The drama is utterly interesting right from the very start to the very finish. There is not a single boring scene. There is no dearth of laughs in the movie, generated through the forgetful nature of Utpal Dutt. The only thing is that the performances of certain characters including that of Bharti Acharekar are over the top. Besides, a highly successful lawyer, i.e., Utpal Dutt having a forgetful nature, is also not convincing. However these flaws do not catch the attention of the audience and for the most part of it, the movie contains a flare of naturalness.


The performances are perfect. However Utpal Dutt is the show-stealer. Personally I consider the performance of debutant Ashalata as highly admirable. In fact, all, including the child artists, have done complete justice to the assigned roles. It's a simple movie with a simple backdrop. The technical aspects are in accordance with this fact and perfectly in order.


Melodious and meaningful songs are another highlight of this movie. Surprisingly, Bappi Lahiri has composed melodious music for the songs authored by Yogesh. The title song - Kaise Din Jeevan Mein Aaye has been sung by Kishore Kumar. The best song is a devotional song Shyam Rang Ranga Re which has been sung by Yesudas. A beautiful Lori - Halke Halke Aayi Chalke has been sung by Lata. An excellent duet - Gaao Mere Mann has been sung by Yesudas and Asha. The words and the compositions carry the fragrance of the Indianness and testify the greatness of the Indian music. After listening to these songs based on Indian classical Raagas, it's hard to believe that these have been composed by Bappi Lahiri.


I recommend this excellent movie to all who are interested in watching good movies made on literary works as well as those who like neat and clean, no-nonsense, natural family dramas stressing family bonds, family values and Indian traditions in a loving and touching way.


Apne Paraye (1980) - Movie Review
May 27, 2004 04:25 AM 9220 Views

''Apne paraye... A film that makes any family realize how important is to stay together, through good and bad times...''


An exceptional and heart-warming film written and directed by Basu Chatterjee. This movie had a wonderful cast, memorable songs and amazing dialogues.


Though the music is made by Bappi Lahiri, [who isn't the greatest music composer of our times], has put his effort in placing Bengali tunes in all of the songs in this film. They were peaceful and beautiful at the same time. Most songs were sung by Yesudas {Amazing singer!!}. Lyrics were by Yogesh, which sadly I did not understand most of the words from the songs, but by watching the actors sing these songs, you could tell by their expressions and feelings while singing.


This is a story of a joint-family system who lives in a nice huge house and every single day, the routine is the same to the family, until a newcomer comes into the system...


In the first scene of the film, we are introduced by two men eating ''Daal & Rice'' {my favourite dish}. Those two men were none other than Amol Palekar {My favourite actor of the 70s & 80s - Sorry Amitabh...} and Utpal Dutt {''Aacha Hai!'' - Without a moustache!}. We learn here that Chandranath {Amol} is the cousin of Utpal and how he is very poor. He has come with his wife {Shabana Azmi} and kids to live with Utpal, his wife and thier kids. The character of Utpal is a very difficult man, since he never listens to anybody. He is a lawyer and makes a fair amount of money to take of everyone in the house. We see that the reason why Chandranath is living with them since his cousin helps him out to get a decent job to make a living for his family.


However, the problem is that Chandranath is a slacker and does nothing except play his dhol and hang out with the kids. Which is why Chandranath's wife does everything around the house and everyone adores her, including the wife of Utpal's character. {I apologize, I forgot the characters name}. We see the love and happiness among all the children and among Shabana and Ashalata {who plays the wife of Utpal}. Ashalata in the film trusts Shabana so much, and that they are more like sisters rather than cousin in laws. Ashalata's character is very caring, and devoted to all.


Everything is quite realistic in this film, since it describes an everyday life of how the family stick together. We see many different perspective in this film. Utpal's character treats his cousin like he a brother to him. Amol's character is scared of his cousin since he does not do anything and still will not do anything. Shabana's character worries most of the time, why won't her husband will do anything to satisfy the rest of the family. And Ashalata's character hopes for the best for everyone.


A new turning point begins, when Utpal's younger brother named Harish Bhai comes to visit his elder brother along with his rude and selfish wife and spoiled brat son. A new change has occurred around the house and slowly and slowly, Ashalata's relationship with Shabana changes ever since the new sister-in-law begins to talk about how Shabana and her husband are not the real relatives of the family. Ashalata becomes brainwashed with the fact that blood brothers come first. The new family has been causing trouble around the house, which ends up Shabana taking the blame. The character of Shabana, on the other hand, accepts the blame and does not say anything to her cousins... Though she is a tough, smart young lady but she still respects her relatives no matter what.


Jealousy is what Harish Bhai's wife is feeling around Shabana and Ashalata. She tries everything to get Shabana and her kids in trouble so they would be kicked out of the house because she wants what Shabana has in the house.


So, the bitchy wife of Harish Bhai wins, and finally gets to kick Amol and his family out of the house. However not literally does she kick the family out. It was Shabana who thought that her and her family don't deserve to live there anymore since they are being misjudged by all. {Except for Utpal, who absolutely no idea what is going on around the house}.


So What Happened Next? Where did the family go? Where they happy to be where they ended up in? Was Ashalata's character was satisfied with the new change in her home?


Watch and see what happens next. My parents loved this movie, and everytime they see this film, they always end up with tears in their eyes.


Compared to the crappy family-movies people make today, these directors don't know how to show realistic and true things about being in a family.


There are many light-hearted comedy scenes in this film, such as:




  1. When Utpal's character never listens and never has any clue what is going on. He is so clueless, that when he puts his cigarette down, and picks it up to smoke again, there is always a pen that ends up in his finger!




  2. How the mean sister-in-law wants the ''key'' to Ashalata's cupboard filled with money and jewelry. And she never gets the key!






The most memorable scene in the film:


When Shabana and her children are ready to leave the house for the first time, Ashalata does not say goodbye to them. She closes the door on them and then Shabana and her children tearfully bow down on their knees to the door.



THE ACTING:


Amol Palekar: He had a very small role in this film but his expressions on realizing how depressed his family were ever they moved away from their family were amazing. You see two different characters in this film acted by him. He was amazing. I loved the way when he nods his head in front of Utpal. He always nod his head sideways! LOL... Hilarious.


Utpal Dutt: He has brought out many humourous scenes throughout the film. His role was also very small. He mostly came in the second half of the film.


Ashalata: She was one of the actors who stole the show in this film. Her feelings for Shabana's kids were very real and amazing. Ashalata showed her better side of acting as a mother, cousin, sister-in-law and a wife. You should watch out for her worriness around her home.


The mean wife of Harish Bhai!: I don't know her real name. She was great as playing a cunning woman who wants her way. There are many funny moments between her and her husband.


The kids: Oh how cute they were! They were amazing as well.


NOW.... Shabana Azmi: Her name came up first in the credits, and boy was she the best throughout the film! She really made me cry when she was singing ''Halke Halke'' which is the most beautiful song sung by Lata Mangeshkar....



Okay.... So therefore, I highly recommend you to see this film with your family or anyone else. It is worth a watch! Please Rate/Comment on my review! Please!!!


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