This is not only one of the best Hindi films that I have ever seen, it is also one of the greatest movies I have seen.
But first things first, MEENA KUMARI, a queen among beautiful women, looks so breath-taking, sometimes you really have to catch your breath and stop staring at her face in wonder. The soft sensuality of her sari clad figure is unparalleled. Which other women I say, clothed from head to feet , can look so alluring, beguiling, mysterious, lovable. The movie with lush black and white cinematography showcases her spell binding beauty flawlessly. My oh my, the scene where she first appears on the screen, some half an hour into the film, we see her from the feet upwards and hear her beautiful voice that could have anything from any man in the world. From the first instant, she wins your heart and your heart goes out to her as the inevitable tragedy unfolds.
Set in the affluent house of high society Bengal Family, the story tells the tale of ruin of a household when all the people in the house are blinded by their many conflicting ambitions. Of particular interest to us is the story of the servant Bhoothnath(Guru Dutt) who falls in love with his mistress, the enigmatic Choti Bahu(Meena Kumari), wife of the youngest wayward son (Rehman)in the house who spends most of his time drinking at whore-houses. The ploys employed by the young wife with the help of the faithful and loyal servant to bring her husband lead nowhere. Soon she to turns alcoholic and very soon has her own problems with the bottle to add to the troubles. All the men in the house blinded by joys of money ignore the family business completely which ultimately brings about the the ruin of the house.
The movie also has the wonderful subplot of Bhoothnath and Jaba(Waheeda Rehman), another beautiful and gifted actress. Their little tale also unfolds with the tragedy occurring in the big house.
All in all, an outstanding movies comparable to Citizen Kane, Casblanca, Sunset Boulevard and All Aboue Eve for the style, narration, and of course superb acting all around. Particularly by the amazing Meena Kumari, who excels in her drunken outbursts towards the end of the movie. The ending of the movie is also sublime. Go watch the movie tho know what great movies are capable off. This is a gem produced in India that is not widely discovered and acknowledged.
