Baton Baton Mein

Very few movies have been made in bollywood upon the life of the Christians in India. I consider Julie (1975) and Bada Din (1998) as classics in this context. Today I am reviewing a movie which portrays the life of middle class working Christians in India (Mumbai being the backdrop of the story) with utmost sincerity. In fact, the middle strata of the Indian society contains people from all communities and religions without any discrimination on religious ground. They problems are almost the same. Their issues are almost the same. Their pains and pleasures are almost the same.

Baaton Baaton Mein (1979) is a story of middle class working Christians directed by none other than Basu Chatterjee, the director who earned a name in the seventies and early eighties for making low-budget, simple, yet touching movies whose characters belong to the Indian middle class, neither living in slums, nor living in palaces (just a metaphor). Since we belong to that class only, we can easily relate to the stories told by him through his movies whose characters appear to us like ourselves only.

Baaton Baaton Mein (through the talks only) has a story set in Mumbai (then Bombay). Tony (Amol Palekar) and Nancy (Tina Munim) happen to get introduced in local train while going to their respective workplaces. Nancy's uncle Tom (David) helps them coming close to each other because he is aware of the pain in Nancy's heart because of a broken affair with Peter (Dev Mukherjee) and hopes that Tony's friendship will prove to be a healer for Nancy. Tony and Nancy start liking each other very much but both of them have a problematic member in his / her family. And they are the mothers. Nancy's mother (Pearl Padamsee) is so concerned with her marriage to a reasonable (earning wise) boy that she jumps to the matrimonial issues every now and then with childish enthusiasm. On the other hand, Tony's mother (Piloo J. Wadia) is over-possessive with her son and wants him to live his life like a dependent child, doing everything by asking her only. Due to these peculiar females, how intricacies develop in the relationship of Tony and Nancy and how they are able to finally tie the sacred knot forms the remaining part of the story which is a pleasure to watch.

Baaton Baaton Mein is a movie which does not loses its track even for a second. Right from the beginning to the very end, it keeps its focus on the main story without any undue digression. The narrative is very interesting, close to the real lives of the working people in metro cities and touching, of course. The script-writer has maintained the curiosity factor quite proficiently throughout the movie and the twist in the tale leading the story to its climax is very impressive. In between the story, some songs (total four) appear but they do not block its flow. Instead they support it and being excellent, they prove to be the cherry on the delicious cake.

The complete milieu of the movie is authentic. Sets are simple and sober. The scenes in the local trains as well as near the sea shore add to the natural flare of the movie. Editing is also quite good. The complete narrative is a smooth sailing with every emotion suitably placed at the perfect point.

Performances are good. Except for some over the top ones (even they also do not look bad), the acting performances of the cast are natural. The favourite actor of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee - Amol Palekar has delivered a brilliant performance. In fact, such middle class person's roles were tailor-made for him. Tina Munim was never a very good actress but the able director has made her act too. She looks quite beautiful also. Among others, the performances of Pearl Padamsee and Ranjit Chowdhury (Nancy's brother - Sabby) are just lovable.

Music of this movie is memorable. It contains only four songs three of which are duets and one is Kishore Kumar's solo. I mention the solo song first which is very good and one of Kishore Da's underrated songs - Kahan Tak Ye Mann Ko Andhere Chhalenge, Udaasi Bhare Din Kabhi To Dhalenge. The other three are - the title song (Suniye . . .. Kahiye . . . ) sung by Kishore and Asha, Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuchh Kaha (Asha and Amit Kumar) and Uthein Sab Ke Kadam Dekho Rum Pum Pum Aji Aise Geet Gaaya Karo (Lata, Amit Kumar and Pearl Padamsee). Every song composed by Rajesh Roshan is a gem. The beautiful lyrics have been penned by Yogesh and Amit Khanna. Any music lover can listen to these songs again and again without getting bored or tired.

Baaton Baaton Mein is not a great movie but it is a simple and lovable movie which has enormous repeat value. I have seen it many times and once seen, anybody would love to watch it once again.

Review By Kamal K

Superb, lovely simple film! That ambience, those light romantic moments, simple but effective dialogues, and full of smiles and laughters and very sweet songs & music!

Each character is lively, each one is imp in the story of the film, even Sabby and Henry. Tina Munim looks so so so....... beautiful!

Such films are rare, not made daily!

It's a once in a decade type of movie.

I always enjoy watching it repeatedly!

Hats off to Basu da for giving us one more supreb film after Chhoti si baat.

Basu Chatterji narrates this story in a most simplistic manner capturing the day to day life of working class India ( mainly the deep rooted Indo- Catholic culture) of 1979 set in Bandra Bombay ( Mumbai )

Tina Munim stands out as Nancy along with Tony played brilliantly by the then urban india star Amol Palekar.

David Abraham as Nancy"s uncle Tom,Leela Mishra ,the Daadi, Pearl Padamse as Rosie (Nancy"s mom) and Ranjit Chowdhary as Sabhi( Nancy"s younger brother ) together creates an absorbing family drama which feels like Band-Stand's pleasant breeze.

Rajesh Roshan gives a super hit album with noted performances by Amit & Kishore Kumar.

Plot :

Tony falls for Nancy while travelling to work in Bombay Local train. The movie takes us on a journey depicting the relationship between various characters revolving around Nancy and Tony.

This film has a lovely story that isn't your run of the mile bollywood over dramatised romeo & juliet style love story. The film itself is simple and unfortunately it shows. The film looks cheap in places and the direction is not at its best in times. The soundtrack is fantastic with lovey classic numbers such as baaton baaton me pyar ho jayega!" After several afternoon meeting with the heroine and her ever loving family. The hero comes to grips with the fact that his new best friend is actually the girl for him. it all ends very happy happy.. A good effort that is not bad. all in all a good watchable film

Basu Chatterji's movies are known for depicting middle-class lives of Indians effectively.This movie does the same.Based in Christian families of Mumbai of Tony and Nancy,it talks about their love relationship,the involvement of their families into it and marriage!!!

Basu da's direction is flawless.The movie does not falter at any moment. It is highly engrossing and makes for repeated viewing.The music by Rajesh Roshan is beautiful.All the four songs are extra-ordinary and have been sung equally well.The cinematography,art direction, costumes, editing,etc are all good and add to the beauty of the story.

Coming to the performances,Amol Palekar as always is exceptional.His look in the movie compliments his acting.Tina Munim is average.The supporting cast that consists of Pearl Padamsee,Piloo Wadia,Leela Mishra,Shobhini Singh,David,Ranjit Chowdhary,Deb Mukherjee,Uday Chandra,Arvind Deshpande,etc have all performed very well.Asrani in a special appearance and Tun Tun in an imaginary sequence leave a mark.

On the overall,the movie is very good and makes for repeated viewing.