Page 35 - Seniors Today October 2020

Cover Package | Films Meanwhile in Delhi, Vijay is having a

college romance with Renu (Sharmila
Tagore), who happens to be Ravi’s foster
sister. He has to move to Bombay to seek
treatment for his ailing mother and finds
employment as a driver with Chinoy.
Kedarnath, released from prison, comes to
Bombay in search of his family. In typical
movie fashion, he does run into his sons, but
Time is of Ae meri zohra jabeen is practically an anthem for mature they do not recognise one another.

Revelation and murder
the essence lovers Raja decides to reveal to Ravi that they are

Torn asunder
brothers, at a party hosted by Chinoy. An
The youngest boy Munna (who grows up employee misbehaves with Meena, and
With memorable music, a star-studded cast and despite the most improbable to be Vijay – Shashi Kapoor) remains with Raja threatens to kill him. Later, when

storyline, Waqt remains literally a family favourite, writes Deepa Gahlot the mother, while the rest go missing. At the Chinoy ends up murdering the same man,
rescue camp, Lakshmi is told that her husband it is convenient to dump the corpse in
Waqt (1965) put them on lavish sets, dressed them in is dead. She ends up doing menial work in Raja’s cupboard and frame him. The sole
It was in 1970 that Yash Chopra set up his sumptuous costumes (by Bhanu Athaiya), people’s houses and then taking in sewing. witness, Vijay, is silenced with money for his
own production company, Yash Raj Films – gave them great songs (Sahir-Ravi), The oldest son Raju (later, Raja – Raaj Kumar, mother’s medical care.
the YRF logo now being mainstream Hindi memorable lines (Akhtar-ul-Imaan), and who has the immortal line “Ye chaku hai, lag Raja is arrested and Ravi defends him
cinema’s calling card wherever Bollywood made sure that over half a century later, the jaaye to khoon nikal aata hai)” ends up in an in court. In a dramatic court sequence, he
spreads its entertainment wings. The film still delivers emotion, romance, action orphanage, while middle son Babloo (later, proves his brother’s innocence. Lakshmi
company, now headed by his son Aditya and entertainment neatly packaged. Ravi – Sunil Dutt) is found on the road by a arrives in court looking for Vijay, is spotted
Chopra, is celebrating 50 years, though it rich couple, who take him home and raise him by Kedarnath; all brothers are already there,
was three years later that Yash Chopra’s first Family saga as their own. so there is a tearful reunion, and a happy end
film under his home banner came out, which The film begins with Lala Kedarnath (Balraj Lala Kedarnath manages to find out where with Lala Kedarnath & Sons resurrected. But
was Daag. Till this time, his elder brother BR Sahni), inordinately pleased with his success Raju is, but when he goes to the orphanage the boastful Lala has been taught his lesson
Chopra produced films for him. — he is about to inaugurate his new carpet he discovers the boy has run away, because — the fate of humans is controlled by time —
After assisting his brother, Yash Chopra and dry fruits shop on the birthday of his of the ill treatment and beatings by the Waqt.
started his independent directing career three sons (only in Bollywood could three manager (Jeevan). In a rage, Lala kills the man The film had an almost three-hour running
with two serious black-and-white films— boys, a couple of years apart, be born on the and goes to jail. Raju becomes a pickpocket time, but not a dull moment. The high-
Dhool Ka Phool (1959) and Dharmputra same day!). The function to celebrate that and then a smart thief, working for Chinoy powered cast was supported by Motilal,
(1961), both making a case for communal includes the memorable serenade Ae Meri Seth (Rehman). He falls in love with Meena Shashikala, Surendranath, Leela Chitnis,
harmony; both were appreciated but neither Zohra Jabeen, from Lalaji to his blushing (Sadhana) and decides to reform, only to find Sumati Gupte, Madan Puri, Manmohan
set the box-office on fire. wife Lakshmi (Achla Sachdev). that she is all set to marry Ravi, who is now a Krishna, Mubarak, Jagdish Raj…obviously,
Then, in 1965, he burst into full showman He scoffs at the prediction by an astrologer lawyer. no expense spared.
mode with the multi-starrer Waqt, and warning of rough times ahead, claiming he When he decides to kill Ravi, he learns that Add to that the lovely songs— Aage Bhi
henceforth stayed resolutely mainstream. has written his own destiny; when he tells he his long-lost brother. Meanwhile, Meena’s Jaane Na Tu, Chehre Pe Khushi Chhaa Jaati
The film reinvented the lost-and-found his wife of his grand plans for the future, he parents break off her engagement with Ravi Hai, Din Hai Bahaar Ke Tere Mere Iqrar Ke,
formula that remained popular for decades; tempts fate. An earthquake hits, destroying because they are told he was picked up off the Hum Jab Simat Ke Aapki—and the film is a
he got together an enviable cast of stars, his shop and home and scattering his family. street. timeless ode to the best of Bollywood.

34 SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #16 | OCTOBER 2020 35