Bollywood

Beginning this Saturday IndiaFM presents a new section where we review classic yesteryear movies which released in this week down the years. We begin with Basu Chatterjee’s Baton Baton Mein. Date of Release: 13 April, 1979Director: Basu ChatterjeeCast: Amol Palekar, Tina Munim, David, Pearl Padamsee, Ranjit Choudhary, Leela Mishra. Music: Rajesh RoshanWhen Sholay released in 1975, four years before this film, a new term in Hindi Cinema was coined- ‘Masala’. This trend continued for almost three decades after that. However, Baton Baton Mein stays away from melodrama, loud acting and choreographed dancing. Director Basu Chatterjee definitely needs no introduction. With very notable films behind him like Chhoti Si Baat, Rajnigandha, etc. a sincere film was always expected from this man. And he doesn’t let us down one bit. With low key drama, Baton Baton Mein explores the relationship of Tony Braganza (Amol Palekar) and Nancy Pereira (Tina Munim). And true to its title, their relationship is based only on their meetings where they talk and spend time with each other. Nancy has an uncle named Tom (late David) who coaxes her to meet Tony, a stranger he meets on the local Bombay train. An artist by profession, Tony enters into the house of Nancy and meets up with her entire family who consists of her mother Rosie (late Pearl Padamsee), brother Sabhi (Ranjit Choudhary) and aunty Philomena (late Leela Mishra in an all new avtaar). However, Tony is reluctant to introduce Nancy to his parents because of his mother who still thinks he is a little child. (Note- Amol was about 35 years old while doing this film) So, after four months of seeing each other, aunty Philomena fills Rosie’s ears on whether the two are going to get married. A hilarious situation arises when Tony goes to the movies with his mother only to find out that his mother is seated next to Nancy’s mother. A conversation follows and Tony’s mother is flabbergasted to find out about her son’s relationship with Nancy. She walks away in a huff only to be followed by Tony. This incident leads to a no-talking scenario between the couple. All the protagonists and their mannerisms are introduced in the very beginning thus establishing their characters very well. Basu Chatterjee has used music very well to take the film forward in its own way. For instance the title song comes when the two are going for a stroll for the first time. You get the feeling that something just might develop between the two which gives you some relief since Nancy did not pay much heed to Tony’s advances (in the presence of Uncle Tony) in the initial reels. Another instance is the importance of Sabhi’s obsession for the violin. Used at the right moments to bring in the perfect mood, be it romance or just for humorous purposes. The writing is on par with Basu’s direction. If one notices carefully, even the secondary characters play an integral part in the film. Be it Henry who is the shy boy in love with Nancy or Nancy’s childhood friend Hazel, who causes Nancy and Tony’s first tiff. Basuda definitely deserves praise for not portraying Indian Christians in the stereotypical way that they are always shown in Hindi cinema. So, just because practically a character is Christian, do not expect one drunkard with a bottle in one hand who hiccups or a lady who goes ‘aye tu kya bolta hai man?’ in a Goan accent. Amol Palekar once again enacts the role of a commoner, something that he excelled in most of his career and this time too it was anything but a let down. Though he looked a little old for Tina Munim, his composed performance is definitely something to watch out for. Tina Munim in her second film looks beautiful and is partly convincing as an actress. Though she needed to work on her dialogue delivery, her beautiful smile and elegant clothes make up for it. Pearl Padamsee as Nancy’s mother does complete justice to her character. Known for her theatre, one wished she had acted in more movies in her lifetime. One wonders who would have enacted the part of the very understanding Uncle Tom but David. His eyes and smile speak for themselves and the seasoned actor did wonders for this tight-budgeted film. Sadly the actor passed away two years after the film released. Ranjit Choudhary too in his second film enacts his part with conviction. Armed with one liners and a violin to pitch at the right time, one definitely expected Ranjit to mature as an actor in the years to come after a competent performance. Leela Mishra in an all new get up does well for herself though she hardly has three scenes in the film. If you are a person who likes low key drama that is seen in a lot in European films, this is the movie for you. Apart from exploring the understanding of the urban Christian culture, watch it for the classic scenic of Bombay. Trivia: When Tony’s and Nancy’s families go to watch a movie, the film playing is Ginny aur Johny, directed and starring the late Mehmood. Asrani does a walk over part in the very end. Asrani has earlier worked with Basu and Amol in Choti Si Baat which released in 1975. A week after the release of this film, late Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film Golmaal released which also had Amol Palekar in the lead. Though the music was a runaway hit, at least one of the songs composed by Rajesh Roshan was original. The hit song Uthe Sab Ke Kadam was lifted from The Ants go Marching one by one. The film was subtitled ‘A Casual Affair’. Incidentally, Amol and Basu film Choti Si Baat was subtitled ‘A Little Affair’. Late Tun Tun is seen in a blink and miss role when Tony is imagining what Nancy’s mother might look like.

Original post by Pankaj