RAM AUR SHYAM belongs entirely to actor DILIP KUMAR...
It is an entertaining comedy with Dilip Kumar playing double roles ..that of RAM and SHYAM who exchange places...quite a predictable story in the present day hindi cinema.But way back in 1967 such a story was a novelty and the film was received with a lot of enthusiasm , went on to become a major success.The concept of a simpleton guy and his street-smart look alike , and the incidents that follow kept one thoroughly entertained.
It was made by a South Indian Production company owned by Nagi Reddy of Hyderabad and directed by Chanakya a Telugu film director.
Story Of "Ram Aur Shyam"
It begins with the story of Ram(Dilip Kumar), a docile quite and withdrawn youngster , very rich but completely dominated by his brother in law Gajendra ( Pran), mentally and physically tortured by him at every level.Ram is very timid and is unable to defend himself against all these atrocities meted out to him.
However his sister(Nirupa Roy) is very sympathetic and tries to shield him from her husbands cruelties ...Ram is happy only while he is in the company of his young niece Kuku (Baby Farida).Gajendra deides that Ram should get married to the Beautiful Anjana(Waheeda Rehman) who is very rich and about to inherit her father's vast wealth.
Gajendra and his mother who also live at Ram's Palatial house have their eyes firmly fixed on the huge wealth that Ram will be inheriting in a matter of days.They are plotting to put him away at an assylum , so that ,they can take over the entire lot of wealth .
As things turn more and more oppressive for Ram,Until one day fed up of the constant abuse and cruelty inflicted upon hm, he decides to leave home ...He comes across Shanta( Mumtaz) a village belle who mistakes him for Shyam(Dilip Kumar again in a duel role), who is her childhood friend.
Shyam is a smart youngster living with his mother in a small village.He leaves for town on work and there circumstances lead him to meet Ram's brother in law , who promptly drags him back to the house mistaking him for Ram....But Shyam is not one to take things lying down...Hilarious episodes of mistaken identity follow and the film is like a roller coaster ride after this..
My views of the film
This is probably one of the rare films where Dilip Kumar plays a light comedy role.Earlier he had successfully paired with another equally talented and sober acctress Meena Kumari to play a light comic role in 'Kohinoor' which was a great success..
Dilip Kumar is in his element here , as the subdued Ram and the energetic , bold and the reckless Shyam..It is a pity that Dilip Kumar did not act in more such roles.The entire film belongs to him and he has done a tremendous job of carrying the entire film on his shoulder.
Waheeda Rehman is the embodiment of classic Muslim beauty , and in this film she has played the role of Anjana , who is supposed to wed Ram but falls in love with Shyam thinking that he is Ram !! Waheeda is very feminine and charming as an actress and she looks very pretty in the song sequences with Dilip.
Mumtaz was a character actress playing bit roles in most of the as the Gangsters moll or a leading lady in B and C grade films. In Ram aur Shyam, as Shanta she got the role of a life time being cast opposite the great Dilip Kumar and, this proved to be the turning point in her film career..she went on to sign some top movies after the super success of this film and became the number one star of the seventies.
Pran as the cruel brother in law Gajendra has done a great job, he has always been good in his roles as a vllain ,acting in many of the 60's and 70's films..i have always liked his punchlines and they are very effectively delivered by him and when you talk about a particular film you automatically think of Pran the villain , he makes an impact in any film.
The songs are excellent in this film composed by the Classic director Naushad. Naushad is to music what Dilip Kumar is to acting.,each an instiution in their respective fields and whenever they came together along with singer Mohammad Rafi for a film they created history..Naushad has said that he had to put in extra effort to compose music for films starring Dilip Kumar. He has given excellent music for this film , with varying tunes .. the light hearted ' Aayi hai Baharen mite' and the sombre 'Aaj ki raat mere dil ki salaami lele..both by Mohammad rafi.A lovely duet ' Mein hoon saaqi' by Mohd rafi and Lata Mangeshkar picturised in some beautiful locations in Ooty..
The List of Songs from this film
Aaj sakhi ri mori piya ghar aaye re - Asha Bhonsle
Aayi hai baharen mite zulm aur sitam -Mohammad Rafi
Badayi ho badayi - Lata Mangeshkar
Main hoon saaqi tu hai sharabi sharabi - Mohanmmad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
Is nagri ki reet hai ulti- Asha Bhonsle
Maine kab tumse kaha tha ke mujhe pyar karo - Lata Mangeshkar
O baalam tere pyar k tandi - Asha Bhonsle, Mohd rafi
Yeh raat ..Aaj ki raat mere dil ki salaami lele - Mohd rafi
Details of the film
Actors : Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz,Pran,Nirupa Roy,Mukhri, Baby Farida, Laxmi Chhaya
Directors : Tapi Chanakya
Music : Naushad
Lyrics : Shakeel Badayuni
Summary: A must see film for Dilip Kumar fans..
