Namak Haraam

Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachan put in two of the best performances of Indian cinema. Although Amitabh Bachan in a louder role got more praise from the masses, it is Rajesh Khanna in a role that required underplaying, who is the heart of the film and whose acting performance is as good if not better than that of Amitabh. This is not to say that Amitabh puts in a truly great acting performance (one of his best). The film itself is excellent and is another tribute to the greatness and versatility of Hrishikesh Mukherjee (director). Quite simply put, it is in the 'MUST NOT MISS' category. By the way the excellent music is also a real plus.

This film teams the two biggest stars of the day--Rajesh Khanna as Somu and Amitabh Bachchan as Vikram. It's an interesting film from start to finish and it has a lot to say--much more than a typical Bollywood film.

When the film begins, Somu and Vikram are two friends that are closer than brothers. Although Vikram is quite rich, he shares what he has with Somu and his family--and neither work. They mostly hang out and have fun together during the first portion of the film. However, when Vikram learns that his father has had a heart attack, his entire life changes. Because of his dad's illness, Vikram's days of playing are over and he has to run his father's company. However, Vikram shows himself to be a horrible boss--and he treats his employees like dirt. He also is quite distrustful of them and hates the union representative, so he contacts his friend Somu and asks him to come to the city and help him with running the place. The plan is for Somu to pose as a disgruntled employee with a lot of guts and eventually get the employees to elect Somu as their union representative--a representative in the pocket of the company, so to speak.

Through the course of Somu's time at the company, however, his attitude changes. While he still loves Vikram, he cannot hear about the plight of his fellow workers without feeling for them as well as resenting the way Vikram is taking advantage of his workers. And, over time, the two friends drift farther and farther apart. What's next? See the film--it's worth it.

Apart from Vikram taking responsibility for a crime he did not commit (and this made little sense to me), there's an awful lot to like about this film. The two actors are quite good and the plot is a wonderful social commentary. The film also seemed to have a bit of a gay subtext, as the two leads really, really like each other...a lot. Well worth your time and well-crafted.

Amitabh portrays the role of an arrogant son of an industrialist, Rajesh Khanna who is very close friend of Amitabh in this movie goes on the pursuit to avenge Amitabh's insult by a worker but ends up being a worker himself to know the cause why the worker insulted his closest friend. Amitabh does not have any songs in the movie, whereas all songs were sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar for Rajesh Khanna. The comparison between Amitabh & Rajesh Khanna is unfair in this movie as songs are an integral part of Indian Cinema. Although they both are of equal calibre in acting abilities, it was 51 Amitabh & 49 Rajesh Khanna (Kaka as he was fondly known as). Despite all the songs, Amitabh was a shade better.

People call Amitabh's angry young man roles are as stereo type, but they conveniently forget that Rajesh Khanna's many hit movies have the same ending when Rajesh Khanna would evoke maximum sympathy & for no reason would die in the end. Aap Ki kasam, Babu & Namak Haraam to name a few. He invariably requested many directors to kill his character in the end so that he gets more support emotionally from the audience, which was a successful formula for the movie makers of those times. Of course Rajesh Khanna had the knack of selecting better stories than Amitabh who was more interested in using his charisma than the story lines. For Rajesh Khanna, he always used to get the best playback singer Kishore Kumar, the best music by RD Burman & his own supreme acting ability to make a movie run. Amitabh, even the poorest script would make the film run because of him. Amitabh is the cause of poor Cinema in Bollywood now, his craze for any film ruined the quality. Latest heroes (including all khans) all follow Amitabh & not the quality oriented Kaka. Amitabh would suit in any role but Rajesh Khanna he was a misfit as an action hero or angry young man.This shows that Amitabh could do any Rajesh Khanna role but not vice versa.

Overall this Namak Haraam also portrays Om Shivpuri & AK Hangal in powerful roles. The heroes were at their supreme best after Anand where again the battle was equally fought, Rajesh Khanna having lot larger role.

I have just seen the movie Namak Haraam. I am stunned. I cannot understand why this movie is ignored on TV channels. It has everything which makes a movie great. It has story, drama, enchanting songs and above all amazing performance by two great actors Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh. The story is predictable but the plot and presentation make it absorbing. It has some occasions to shed tears also. Character study of Amitabh and Rajesh is quite deep. Both the actors are my favourites. Amitabh with his imposing style and Rajesh with his soft loving style of acting are two poles apart. But they fit like gems in their respective characters. This movies has become my top five favourites of Rajesh Khanna with Dushman, Amar Prem, and Anand.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee could never disappoint. Nor could Gulzar. Here Mukherjee directs a film scripted by Gulzar and the result is an excellent film in all respects - real, intelligent, moving. The movie starts well and keeps growing on you as it proceeds.

This is a story of two brother-like friends, Somu (Khanna) and Vicky (Bachchan). Somu lives a poor lifestyle with his mother and sister while Vicky is the son of a wealthy businessman who runs a huge factory in Bombay. When Vicky's father has a heart attack and is advised to take bed-rest, Vicky takes his place. He has a confrontation with the union leader, Bipinlal, as a result of which a strike takes place and he is forced to apologise in public. He confides Somu about his humiliation, and the two plan to take revenge on the poor honest man. Somu poses as a labourer in the factory, befriends his fellow-workers, wins their confidence by arranging them several contrived benefits, and ultimately takes Bipilal's place as the union leader. But while the mission gets completed, Somu finds it difficult to leave. He gradually gets close to the people and gets increasingly involved with their life troubles, which makes him look at things differently.

This social drama is brilliantly written - an interesting story, a tight conflicted script, awesome dialogues. Mukherjee's direction is excellent as always, and the film is brilliantly executed. The depiction of poverty and hardship among people from the lower middle class is spot on and at points really manages to tug at your heartstrings. That makes it easier to understand Somu's involvement with the world of simple villagers, a world he actually belongs to but an involvement which could smash his friendship with Vicky. This conflict of interests is well brought out by Mukherjee. The film of course presents a clash of opposing economic worlds, but it works essentially because of the human relationship between the two friends, which is extremely well done. Somu and Vicky are very different, the former being soft-spoken, simple and generous, and the latter being hot-tempered, proud and a bit aggressive. Yet their friendship is convincing and it's clear that each one of them would do anything for the other.

Rajesh Khanna plays Somu exceedingly well, and his character is very easy to relate to. But it is clearly Amitabh Bachchan's film. As Vicky, he delivers an impressive performance by creating a tough, dignified and stylish persona. His decisiveness, inner conflict, anger and care for a friend are excellently displayed, and everything--from his facial expressions to his line delivery to his body language--is incredibly forceful. Apart from Bachchan and Khanna, the cast includes many good actors, all of whom perform well. A very young Rekha appears in a tiny role as the sassy Shyama and she is very charming. Simi Garewal plays the intelligent and educated Manisha with grace. A.K. Hangal is outstanding and likable as Bipinlal. Om Shivpuri does a good job as Vicky's dad and he gets some of the better dialogues in this film. Raza Murad is wonderful as Alam, an alcoholic poet who befriends Somu. So are Durga Khote and actress Manisha who play Somu's mother and sister.

Namak Haram is one of many great films made by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and written by Gulzar, with a beautiful soundtrack composed by master RD Burman and some memorable performances. I recommend you to watch Namak Haram - it is entertaining, it is moving, it is heartbreaking, it is a classic.