Bobby at 50: A Tribute
Raj Sahab; thank you for liberating us) 
‘Bobby’ a film on Teenage love story released in 1973 liberated the Middle class India ; the bulk of the film goers. It freed us from the clutches of our parental controls as the college crowd clapped, wept and cried watching Rishi Kapoor and Dimple, meeting, shying, loving, separating, fighting, cajoling, contesting, escaping, eloping, dancing, defying as their story unfolded on the screen. It reflected the sub - conscious desire of us all, our parents, grand parents, teachers and the masses. Raj Kapoor gave us a film which we had not even seen among the Hollywood cinema to which we were exposed. 'Summer of 42' did explore briefly this teenage desire to be together and the protagonist in it also did get liberated by the young widow whose husband had died in the ongoing world War. But it was Bobby which was near us and brought the colors and music for us on screen. The film lifted the Taboo . The commercial success of the film transformed the theme and story. A simple teenage love story written by the Marxist film maker and writer Khwaja Ahmad Abbas who had earlier written 'Awaara', 'Shree 420', 'Mera Naam Joker' for Raj Kapoor. It was a love story of a Boy of rich parents who do not have time for him and on account of his naughtiness is banished to boarding school . On his return to Home there is a grand party thrown by his parents in which his Nanny arrives uninvited to give him a cake. She is accompanied by her granddaughter ‘Bobby’ played by Dimple Kapadia. On seeing her Raj played by Rishi Kapoor falls in love with her, though they do not meet but he sings a song in the party" Main Shayar to nahin , magar ai haseen jab se dekha maine tumko ; mujhko shayri aagayi... ". Raj wants to meet her and visits his Nanny. They meet, fall in love, but the rich and poor conflict arises which after heart aches and adventures are overcome. They finally live together happily.
Prior to Bobby there were many love stories about students. But the role of the students was played by elders and aged actors -Rajendra Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Manoj Kumar, Pradeep Kumar etc. With 'Bobby' it was perhaps the first time when the age of lead actors was realistic ( though Rishi was 21 at the time of release but he looked a teenager), Dimple was 16.
They looked a convincing 'Teenage couple' and acted and sang' Teenage ' - " Hum tum ik kamre main band hon aur chabi kho jaye ".
The magic which mesmerized us all was the presentation of the film. It was a love story in which new actors were introduced. It was perhaps the first time when a young love story had 'young lead actors'. Rishi had played a Chubby boy in ' Mera Naam joker' who falls in love with his teacher , but all that was forgotten when he arrived in slim and trim shape and was different and new and most viewers considered him to be a newcomer.
Raj made this movie as a ‘bench mark’. Though it is learnt that he was not much hopeful of it's success. He had planned a big dacoit movie starring Dharmendra and Mumtaz titled ' Daud' based on the story of the famous Gujrati writer Abid Surti;but that was not to be.
He expected ' Bobby' to be a moderate success film as the actors were new and perhaps it was sort of an experiment. Little did this creator knew that he will launch a new era of young love stories, a new norm a new genre in Hindi film cinema. No matter how skeptical and unsure he was of his film's success he controlled each aspect and department with astuteness for which he was known. His famous music director duo of Shankar Jaikishan had delivered their best music before Jaikishan died suddenly. Known not to many Raj Kapoor himself was a gifted musician and music was the core of his cinema. Shankar Jaikishan gave music to most of his films but it was distinctly Raj Kapoor music with most songs written by his favourite Shailendra. He made music sitting on his harmonium in his famous RK cottage with his team consisting of Shankar- Jaikishan, Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Mukesh and Lata. They made a formidable group which presented great music from Barsaat to Awaara to Shri 420 to Jis desh main Ganga behti hai to Sangam to Mera Naam Joker. In his films the music matched with the film step to step. Music was the soul of his cinema.
This was in Bobby too but the voice, the sound the 'sur' of Bobby was different from his films prior and thereafter. ' Bobby' gave s new ‘sound’ a new ‘meter’ matching with the teenage love story . Music was by Laxmikant Pyerelal but after this the duo never gave a similar music in any of their films, the reason was that there was no Raj Kapoor. A new male voice in Shailendra Singh was discover
ed. 'Main Shayar to Nahin..... ' Anand Bakshi wrote 5 out of 8 Songs but such new poetry, such newness and novelty was never witnessed there after, though he continued to be hugely successful and prolific. The reason again was Raj Kapoor and his creativity, his control and mediation and mastery. Two songs - ' na maangu sona chandi, na maangu bangla gaadi ye mere kis kaam ke.... ' and ' jhooth bole kawwa kate kale kawwe se dariyo main maike chali jaungi tum dekhte rahiyo' were written by Vithal bhai patel. Another sufi song ' besak mandir masjid to do Bulle shah ye kehta, par pyar bada dil kabhi na todo is mein dilbar reinda..... ' was sung by Chanchal and is credited to Raj Kavi Tulsi. In addition to Shailendra Singh folk singer Chanchal found success and did sing in films there after. The song sung by Chanchal and his words of ' separation and longing' set in Kashmir opened a new style and situation and used thereafter in films such as ' Hero' by Subhash Ghai where the folk singer Reshma sings on the beach ' chaar dina da mela lambi judai'. The two typical Goan/Koli songs ' na mangu... :' and ' jhoot bole' were extremely popular and added value to the film. Altogether along with the young couple the songs too were a great attraction.
The songs moved the story . The first song is sung by Rishi Kapoor in the party thrown by his father on his arrival from the boarding school . A ‘Famme –Fatale’ – Aruna Irani a friend of his mother and an easy going person dances to the song “ Mai shayar to nahin magar ae hasin tujhko dekhe jabse maine tabse shayri aagayi” the image of Dimple appears on the screen as she had left the scene with her grandmother in between , but Rishi had chanced upon her and was imagining her as he sang. The second song shows their love developing and acceptance of each other in various situations displaying the coyness and beauty of Dimple ( Bobby) . She is shown playing badminton ,swimming in a swimming suit, and then Rishi showering flowers on her as she is lazily lying in the garden . All the ingredients of a love blooming are presented through this song-“ Muzhe kuch keha hai…muzhe bhi kuch keha hai …pehle tum …pehle tum” . There occurs a misunderstanding between the two when Dimple is taken to a party by Raj and where he meets Aruna Irani. Bobby thinks that Raj was cheating on her and she goes away to Kashmir as part of the college trip . Raj; like a true lover follows her atop a bus and finds her camp and location. He tries to enter her camp but is beaten badly by the guards who think him to be a miscreant. Then the famous ‘haunting’ song of Chanchal is played on screen . Chanchal himself is on screen by the bonfire made by the village peoople/workers and sings this song on Daphli “
beshak mandir masjid todo Bullehshah ye kehta , par pyar bada dil kabhi na todo is men dilbar rehta, jis paddle main tule mohabat usmen chandi nahin todna dholna main nahin bolna ….”
( it says that we may break Masjid or Mandir but never break the heart where your lover resides……..never barter love for silver) . This music this style , these words were something new apart from Shailendra Singh this was the new voice on screen; now I can compare that like Kailesh Kher became famous at that time it was ‘Chanchal’. While the song is being played on screen Dimple in a black attire suitable to the Kashmir weather comes out of her tent , eyes red and swollen and Rishi stands firm at a distance despite the beating received. Their love had crossed yet another hurdle we in audience could gauge. The song and the words make the two lovers long for each other and differences and complaints seem to be forgotten .
Bobby is yet to reconcile and whilst on a horse is unable to control it, probably she does it on purpose. Raj is behind and follows her , she is thrown away by the horse and is on the grass when Raj arrives , they yet again express their love for each other and embrace . Raj takes away Dimple from her friends and in the scenic surrounding of Kashmir they sing that naughty and yet highly romantic song , a unique song – “ hum tm ek kamre main band hon aur chabi kho jaye …….”( we two are closed in a room and the key is lost! ) imagining various silly and simple situations of danger and surprise and expecting a reply from the other.( hum tum yunhi jungle se guzren aur sher aajaye? ) – Sher se main kahun wo tumhen chod de muzhe kha jaye…..”
Raj somehow convinces his parents to meet Bobby and her Parents- Father and Grand mother. Mr Jack Briganja is a ‘hands on’ fisherman who does good business , loud, robust, proud, large hearted who drinks rum; bottle tucked in his lungi. Raj is happy and goes to the residence of Bobby to announce the good news and to invite them home. There are celebrations at that time in Bobby’s locality; perhaps someone was getting married ! and two Koli /fisherman songs cast in Goan music are played in sequence showing the vibrant culture , deep love between Raj and Bobby and a little lively repartee. As said above the two songs were penned byVithal bhai Patel. “ Na maangu sona chandi na mmangu bangla gaadi ye mere kis kaam ke ; deti hai dil de badle mein dil ke pyar mein sauda nahin” ( I do not ask for Bungalow or car, I do not ask gold or silver , if you want to give, then give your heart in return of my heart; there is no bargain in love ), the song appropriately suited the occasion and the proposal in hand which Raj brings with him . Immediately after the song is completed , Bobby flutters to the dance floor singing “ Jhoot bole kawwa kate kale kawe se dariyo main maike chali jaaungi tum dekhte rahiyo” ( if you tell a lie the black crow bites you , be afraid of him ; I shall go away to my parents and you keep watching! ). Now; this was a sort of reply to his boastful “ na maangu sona chandi…..”. In the song Dimple is draped in traditional 9 yard saree , which is worn by women in Maharashtra. She looks saucy and different. She dances so professionally . She; perhaps was trained so well that she has never danced like this thereafter on screen. This was celebration of love and there was expectation in the air. The couple was hopeful that in the meeting of their parents the matter would be resolved and they would marry soon. But , that was not to be . Jack Briganja ( Prem Nath ) Mrs Briganja his mother ( Durga Khote) and Bobby arrive in the palatial residence of Pran ( Raj’s father) . After the pleasantries Raj is asked to show Bobby around . The two parties are left to discuss the matter. Raj takes Bobby to his room and Raj presents her with a bottle in which a couple are dancing , they play with it; it depicts their happy state . But below there is problem ; Pran offers Jack money in return to keep Bobby away; Jack is insulted and furious ; they rise and leave. Jack shouts for Bobby who rushes with the gift in hand. Jack in his rage throws the bottle on the floor. It breaks ;Bobby sobs ; they leave ; but the image of the dancing couple does not break; they keep dancing. The audience in the hall understood the symbolism.
Bobby is taken away from Bombay to Goa on board a ship. As the ship leaves harbor and Raj stands teary eyed on the shore the most soulful and heart stirring song of the film sung by Lata and penned byAnand Bakshi comes on screen in background –“ Ankhiyon ko rehne de ankhiyon ke aas paas , door se dil ki bujhti rahe pyas…..” ( let the eyes remain close to each other , from the distance our heart’s longing shall be satisfied) . Raj’s father plans his marriage to his friends daughter played by Farida Jalal , who is dim witted and plays her role well , there is grand party thrown on the occasion of engagement . Aruna Irani dances again on the occasion and sings the song “ uska luta ghar baar … dil main phansa”. Here again the words of the song reflect the situation in which Raj is engulfed.
Raj runs away from home in his motor cycle, a mini ‘Bajaj bike’ which became very popular at that time . The Aruna Irani song being played in the background. On reaching he meets Bobby but his grandmother pulls away Bobby and locks her in a room . She is also successful in locking Raj in a room as she plans to inform his father of his whereabouts and to take him back home. However ; Raj manages to escape from the window of the bathroom and successfully releases Bobby from her captivity. The two ; run away to nowhere in Raj’s bike with the audience gleefully clapping abound. Whilst sitting on the bike and clutching Raj in tight embrace Bobby in a unique and novel expression of love bites the ear of her lover. Oh ! the audience not only approved the act but enjoyed along. This scene among others remained a talking point of the movie. When they run out of fuel they hitch hike on a truck and encounter the famous villain Prem Chopra who appears as Prem Chopra and incessantly slaps the two lovers and stating “ Main hun Prem ; Prem Chopra …”; this was again a new style and despite being of one scene it was remembered for long. The lovers escape his clutches and decide to drown in the river but are saved by their fathers who had been in the look out for them . The parents realize that they were wrong , and the young lovers were united for ever.
As I said that as in any good Indian film made for larger public the songs are not only central to the story but move the story and the story and the film is remembered through its songs.What made Bobby unique was also its casting. From main actors to the minor and character artists were cast correctly. Appropriate casting was one among the many qualities which Raj Kapoor possessed . Firstly; he had to present his son and work on his physique ; make him slim and trim from a chubby boy to a lover with him the young girls in the audience should fall in love! And he succeeded in that. Dimple was exotic ; from another world! If one was to describe her in one word , it would be ‘sophisticated’, ‘ class’. In addition she had that Regal beauty. No one had seen such a face before . As parents of Raj , Pran and Sonia Sahni were cast perfect; Pran was a known face and a versatile actor but Sonia was cast because she was beautiful and arrogant as required in character and was indeed a surprise pick. It is learnt that Raj Kapoor had asked Sadhna; the famous heroine for the role of Rishi’s mother but she declined; such was the insight and interest of Raj Kapoor in his films. For the parents of Bobby he cast Duga Khote as her Grandmother she had acted opposite Prithvi Raj Kapoor and was honoured with Dada Saheb Phalke award ; she played the caring and careful Christian Nanny to the T . For the role of Jack her father he cast his brother in Law ,Premnath – strong, robust , hardy , boisterous, who was in retirement after his successful stint as hero in sixties, as a swashbuckling star. His role as the main villain in Vijay Anand’s ‘Johny Mera Naam’ was so successful that he had an excellent return as a villain. Earlier he was seen in Raj Kapoor’s first successful film –Barsaat in 1949 in a parallel role opposite Nimmi and the memorable and eternal love song “ Barsaat main hum se mile tum, tum se mile hum Barsaat main”. In ‘Bobby’ his attire of Lungi , Koli topi and bandi was apt. when he goes to meet the parents of Raj , he has his own dignity , he carries his own Rum and wears an ill fitted suit like a good Christian going to Sunday Church. He has few scenes- the first is the introduction scene when he arrives on beach after his fishing sortie, the second was his introduction to Raj who has come home to ask Bobby out. The third is the famous scene when he is invited by Pran and pleads and weeps and in the end walks out to safeguard his self respect. The last is when he saves Raj from drowning. The villain in Prem Chopra his single dialogue made history. Aruna Irani in a flirtatious role , played her best role. Farida Jalal as a dim witted , doll like girl with wide eyes and dialogues suiting her mental state was again tapped correctly. All the above factors made the movie unique .
The film opened a new genre of subject and film making ‘ Teenage love story’, a subject not Taboo but never explored or experimented. Firstly ; the success of the theme and ‘teenage casting’ brought a large number of films on screen . In many Rishi was himself the hero – ‘Khel Khel Main’, ‘Rafuchakkar’, ‘Zinda Dil’, ‘ Jhoota kahinka’ and many more. But; Rishi remained a ‘young hero’ perhaps for a very long time. He was also cast with numerous new heroines in romantic roles- Nitu Singh ( he did maximum films with her and later married her too) was his most successful pair; Kajal Kiran ( Hum kisi se kum nahin), Shoma Anand ( Barood), Jaya Pradha in her first Hindi film ( Sargam ), Naseem ( Kabhi Kabhi ), Ashwani Bhave ( Henna) , Ranjeeta ( Laila Majnu ) and many more. Bobby gave rise not only to new love stories , but also to new romantic pairs one such successful and popular pair was that of ‘Sachin and Sarika’ s ‘Geet gaata chal’, was their most popular and successful film. Sachin also gave hit films with Ranjeeta ( Ankhiyon ke zaronkhon se ) and ‘Balika Badhu’ with Rajni Sharma.
It also became a trend to try out a new ‘teenage couple’ for a film ; the motivation given by Bobby exists still. The film families were coming of age and their next generation was being prepared for the silver screen ; Raj Kapoor showed the way. Most of the actors/stars and actresses too launched their children based on the template prepared by Raj Kapoor/Bobby. Rajendra Kumar lauched his son Kumar Gaurav with Vijayte Pandit in ‘Love Story’ the film had good music by R D Burman and was successful . In the same year ( 1981) Sunil Dutt launched his son Sanjay Dutt opposite his girl friend Tina Munim in ‘Rocky’ which too was successful. Dharmendra lauched his son Sunny opposite new comer Amrita Singh in ‘Betaab’ written by Javed Akhtar and was a huge success, his second son was also launched with another star daughter Twinkle Khanna in ‘Barsaat’. Amir khan and Juhi Chawla were presented by Nasir Hussain in ‘Kayamat se Kayamat tak’ a hugely successful tragic love story, much later but here again ‘Bobby’ was the stimulus . Salman Khan and Bhagwashri another new couple was put on screen by Sooraj Barjatia in a block buster love story in 1989, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’. Much later perhaps with Hritik Roshan the trend changed to love story plus action and so Macho new comers arrived. Recently son of Sunny Deol was launched in a romantic film ‘Palpal dil ke paas’.
So the genre which Raj Kapoor created continues to inspire still; this was perhaps his greatest contribution. But; for us who had just entered our teens , it was a new world opened . The satisfying aspect was that the elders too liked the film and approved of it . But; for the society at large it was a door opened which was shut for long and it opened a shaft of sunlight for the generation to come . The sun shone brightly on the ‘teenage love story’ genre and its creator the Legend- Raj Kapoor.
After Bobby, there was no sin in loving; there was no guilt; there was no wrong; there was no secret to love and seek love, to dream of love ;to search and woo our partner . even if our parents had led an unromantic/sedate life of conformism ; having been married in concurrence to the will of their parents . But this banner of love , this flag of romance every young wanted to hold and spree with it . Such was the strong undercurrent of this movie.
Parents thought that this was seasonal and as it had come it would go. But; no Bobby changed things for ever. It had opened a lid, a horizon, a door to light and brightness, of freedom of chance to seek company ; to seek partner in life.
After more than 50 years of having seen the movie twice on its release , it is now that I ponder as to why the name of the film was ‘Bobby’ when it was a story of Raj and Bobby. But the writer Khwaja Ahmad Abbas and the producer –director Raj Kapoor did not make any change to the title . Yes; the film belonged to Bobby because she was the emancipator in the movie ;it is she who readily accepts the friendship of the rich boy on equal footing when she emerges with the background music playing like an ‘overture’ and says “ Main hun Bobby; mujhse Dosti karoge”. She agrees to go on a date with Raj after seeking her father’s approval. Now this was plausible in a Christian liberal home which Raj Kapoor selected as story. Therefore it is also a love story which is not a routine love story but a progressive story which imagines a new India which has broken its traditional mould and inter –religion marriage was acceptable. No where in the movie the question of her religion emerges . What emerges is class- conflict, the rich-poor question which continues to bog the Nation more still.
Thank You Raj Kapoor! For liberating us.
In dinon dil mera , mujhse keh raha
Tu khwaab saza,tu jile zaraa
Hai tujhe bhi ijazat kar le tubhi mohabbat
Hai tujhe bhi ijazat kar le tubhi mohabbat
Sayeed Kadri- Life in Metro (2007)
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