Shagird

Shagird (1967) : Brief Review -

Guru and Chela fighting for the same girl. Why don't we crack such ideas for rom-coms in today's time? Shagird may seem inspired by a couple of films (I am not 100% sure, though), but the fun moments look so organic and original that you can't stop loving them. The film is about a professor who despises a term called "love." He has a pupil who follows his path and thoughts. However, he forgets all that when he meets a beautiful girl from the village and falls in love with her. There is more fun in store when you see the professor also fall in love with the same girl. 45 years old, and yet he calls himself a "young man." The tricks and competition begin between these two, but we know that the girl is already in love with the pupil. Saira Banu has played many romantic roles, but this one has to be the cutest one amongst them all. That "Aiyaaa" she does is so adorable, and then Lata Didi doing the same in her melodious voice is like a honey touch! "Wo Hai Zara Khafa" has to be the best song from the entire album, while "Dil Wil Pyar Vyar" stands as the second best. Banu's performance reminded me of Carole Lombard from "My Man Godfrey" (1936). Though she was a chatterbox, Banu was very childish and cute. In a few scenes, she suddenly becomes mature-much to kill the logic, or just blame the writer for that. Joy Mukerjee and IS Johar's contest is pure fun to watch, whereas Madan Puri's antagonist is damn devilish and gruesome. Four writers come together to form a good script, but it couldn't help running behind several cliches that look highly predictable. Samir Ganguly's direction was fine, as the film has no boring moments. A few hiccups, for sure, but ignorable mistakes considering contemporary filmmaking. I'd still give a shot to the idea rather than the screenplay because we do lack such ideas nowadays. Can somebody go for a fresh adaptation today? Please do.

RATING - 6.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.