Sachaa Jhutha

If I had NOT known this was a Manmohan Desai film, I would have dropped the rating by 2 points. I have come to enjoy Manmohan Desai films as a mindless entertainment. In 1970s when I saw his films, initially I had hard time appreciating his films. They seemed incredibly silly. In spite of this, I kept on watching his works: Dharam Veer (1977), Chacha Bhatija, Parvarish, Amar Akbar Anthony, and Suhaag. But by the time I watched Naseeb (1983) in theater, my brain had become immunized to preposterous coincidences, incredibly resourceful villains, and 'brawny-no-brains' heroes. I actually had enjoyed Naseeb. I think Amitabh Bacchan had a big part for why I continued to watch his films.

I had not seen Sacha Jhuta back in 1970s. I happened to watch it on DVD forty years after it was made. My immunized brain tolerated the story -- I even almost enjoyed it. This movie had plenty of 'coincidences' and villains smarter than the hero. In this movie, the hero starts out as a moron and changes into a smart guy. Only Manmohan Desai could make such an extraordinary transformation possible. Desai had always some interesting twists in his story. This film was no exception.

Also, his movies never had outstanding songs. However, there were always a couple of popular and enjoyable ones. Again, no exception here. Rajesh Khanna produces his trademark acting. Over the years, I have watched many comedian performing a mimicry of his dancing style. It was fun to see the original. I consider Mumtaz as one of the good looking actresses of her time. She looked better in some of her other movies, though.

Not much scope for acting in this movie. However, interestingly Rajesh Khanna won Filmfare award 1971 for it. I rate this film at 7, which includes 2 points for the nostalgic value. If you are a younger generation, probably you might consider this at 5.

Before he started making Bacchan blockbusters, Manmohan Desai had a try with many other good actors as well, namely Shammi Kapoor ("Bluffmaster") and Rajesh Khanna with this movie ("Saccha Juttha") amongst others.

There is a nice plot here and you can feel the Manmohan Desai touch throughout. Rajesh Khanna plays in a dual role, as a simple-tom who comes from a village into Bombay to make it big but instead falls upon his conniving double. A lot of intrigue and also good acting from Rajesh Khanna (who won a Best Actor for this film) and Mumtaz.

But to me, the voice of Kishore really steals the whole show, namely in the song "Meri Pyaari Behena". Kishore really transcends himself here and the end product is nothing but pure magic. Maestros Kalyandji Anandji are also to be commended for the composition, but the sincerity that Kishore brings to the song is nothing short of breathtaking. Not that Rafi and Lata did not have good songs (the duet "Yuhi Tum Mujse Baat" is spellbinding), but you have to understand that, at that time in his career, Kishore had reached almost perfection in his voice.

"Saccha Juttha" is a must for movie lovers with a keen ear for melody. It belongs to a golden period that isn't going to come back soon, unfortunately...

A penniless musician is unwittingly forced to trade places with a look-alike diamond merchant/thief causing a comedy of errors by everyone involved.

Released during Rajesh Khanna's super hit years, Sachaa Jhutta features two Rajesh Khannas - one a ruthless criminal, the other a flute playing village simpleton who is trying to raise to get his sister hitched. When the doppelgängers meet, a comedy of errors as well Action, humour and romance occur - the songs were hits in their day.

It's an enjoyable Hindi film; perhaps a little far fetched, however, it is executed with good acting and maintaining a good balance between drama and humour.

Before he made Bachchan blockbusters, Manmohan Desai tried good actors like Shammi Kapoor in BLUFF MASTER (1963) and Rajesh Khanna in SACHAA JHUTHA (1970)

This movie has Rajesh Khanna in a double role as a villager Bhola who meets a diamond thief double role of his named Ranjit in the city Ranjit promises to look after him and pay for his sister's wedding if he can impersonate him

Vinod Khanna is a CID Inspector and so is Mumtaz Both of them plan to lure the diamond thief Ranjit by making Mumtaz look like an African diamond heiress But Mumtaz falls in love with Bhola and so does Mumtaz

Rajesh Khanna played the innocent Bhola and menacing Ranjith with ease which is why he won the Filmfare Best Actor award Mumtaz is gorgeous but may have done better Vinod Khanna is good in a supporting role The rest of the cast fit the bill

Sachaa Jhutha (1970) : Brief Review -

Manmohan Desai's FAKE logic for a REAL masala Super Hit! I think Rajesh Khanna's peak time has definitely helped this film. The script almost makes it for the best double-role formula we have ever witnessed in Bollywood history, and that too with negative shades. Unlike Ram Aur Shyam, which showed both characters in a positive light, Sachha Jhuthaa is based on a simple line: "Dil saccha aur chehra jhutha." The logic is simple: the face can deceive you, but the heart cannot. To prove that, we have a dog. Now it's a very good trick, I mean. Humans can fail to recognise the real person because we believe in faces, but animals/pets can actually see beyond that. The logic falters in the screenplay as it delves deeper into consequences and upcoming events. For instance, the dog was eating something on the street, and suddenly he started running and reached the courtroom. Who told him so? The writer, I guess. One similar fault is with the previous scene, when Ranjit drinks the coke when he himself was the one who planned it. Why would he drink it after all when he is the one who planned it all? Barring these two major flaws, I don't think Sachaa Jhutha goes wrong anywhere, except in the stupid beginning. The brother is ready to marry his handicapped sister to an ugly-looking elder man, and that too after paying a dowry of Rs. 10,000. You don't really want me to believe this crap. Rest, it's a fantastic script with perfect situations of messy facial deception. Desai gives it a thrilling touch in the last quarter, which is absolutely mind-blowing. Rajesh Khanna dancing, romancing, doing action, and being the star of the film was so massy and lovable. Mumtaz looked gorgeous, and I really liked Faryal's glamorous exposure to the silver screen, which was too glittering for 1970. Overall, illogical in parts, but a true masala super hit from the golden age.

RATING - 6.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.