Khatte-Meethe Angoor. Review on Angoor

With sagging shoulders, a creased brow and a puckered nose I walk down Main Street under the sweltering sun. I reach my destination “half-baked” and “deep-fried”. Fuming within, but smiling at the surface, I greet my friend. “Garmi to hai” I exclaim, in a concealed manner…trying to hide my displeasure. The blistering heat is unrelenting and very daunting. I see my plans wash away, go down the drain. It is August now, but the heat wave is on!

I need to let off some steam, I say to my friend. I need to laugh.

“Shakespeare”, suggests my friend.

“Last weekend’s trip to the theatre was too dark…too intense…I nearly shed a tear”.

“Not Othello’s Omkara, stupid! I’m talking about error’s comedy, er, I’m talking about Angoor”.

“You mean, Sanjeev Kapoor…?” (Apparently, I got it wrong)

“Duh, no, I mean GRAPES” (evidently annoyed)

“Right! (sarcasm) So would you please pull the drapes?”

“Something to drink?”

“What will you bring?”

“And do you mind the locks?”

“Ah yes! I’ll have Pepsi…on the rocks”. ;)

The mood: lazy and comic

The setting: a quiet afternoon at home on a working day, save for the small hum of the a/c. Shades down, an iced beverage on the side and company you enjoy… (how to beat-the-heat formula!??)

The occupation: First, of procuring the VCD (it is found on a rack labeled “Angoor. Starring: Sanjeev Kumar, Deven Verma, Moushumi Chatterjee, Deepti Naval and Aruna Irani”). Then, of watching it.

The next two hours: The afternoon show begins as I press PLAY. The credits roll and I am impressed, more alert (wondering why I didn’t pursue this project earlier).

Screenplay, Dialogues and Direction – Gulzar

Music – R.D.Burman

Lyrics – Gulzar

Based On – Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors

Angoor is a small budget film, set in a small town. There are no extra, unnecessary sets or fancy locations. There are no dream-sequences, not even a jig where the heroine can show off her dancing skills (all songs are situational and quietly woven into the script). There are no guest appearances or item numbers, i.e., no sheen or gloss to make the show glitter. The foundation of the movie is its concept and execution. It does not rely on gimmicks and other deceptive tricks of the (movie) trade.

It is that typical 80’s production, with that heart-warming, down-to-earth touch...and the Gulzar signature.

This is a story about errors and the comic situations that arise owing to mistaken identities. Unlike most movies about twins, this movie has sets of two twins. So one pair of twins is born to a couple, but trapped in a funny situation, they end up adopting another pair. One pair is played by the inimitable Sanjeev Kumar, and the other by Deven Verma. The father decides to call his sons Ashok (both by the same name, as they look alike) and the adopted pair by the name Bahadur.

From the start you realize that this is going to be a laugh riot. The pairs get separated when a ship wreck ends their family’s voyage. But the separation is quite a design…Ashok and Bahadur survive. (Which Ashok and which Bahadur??) Well, there’s another Ashok and another Bahadur…and they survive too, but land in a different place.

Fast forward to the present – Ashok and Bahadur are adults. They decide to visit another town on a business account. Ashok wants to buy land. I’M CONFUSED but Confusion reigns throughout the movie. Let me number the characters!

So Ashok #1 wants to buy land. Ashok #1 is a man with a suspicious temperament and though he doesn’t intend to be funny, he is an amusing character. He reads murder mysteries and thrillers and suspects everyone. Bahadur #1 is a dope lover and never misses a chance to enjoy his bhang. So Ashok #1 along with Bahadur #1 reaches this new town. But this is the town where Ashok #2 and Bahadur #2 reside. None of the two groups know about the other, and in this small town they create utter chaos. Ashok #2 is married to a nagging woman, Sudha (Moushumi Chatterjee) and his quest is for a diamond necklace that his wife desires. Bahadur #2 is married to Prema (Aruna Irani). Ashok #1 and Bahadur #1 are both unmarried.

What follows is beyond words, it only has to be witnessed. Ashoks and Bahadurs keep getting mixed up (to make matters worse, they wear the same clothes) and even between themselves they have no clue, till the end.

Gulzar is, simply put, excellent. The dialogues are rib tickling and the direction does full justice to the tight script. There is never a sloppy moment. Though every actor in this movie is brilliant, Sanjeev Kumar requires special mention and an extra pat on his back. His dialogue delivery and expressions are absolutely original. As a whole, Angoor is an exceptional movie…a must watch.

Gyaan gained from this experience: When the sun offers no respite, take refuge in comedy. The heat wave will subside, at least temporarily.