Dus Numbri

Review By Kamal K

It begins with a series of raids by Inspector Shivnath (Abhi Bhattacharya) on a dark night unearthing not only a fake currency racket but also one of the kingpins, Karamchand (Om Shivpuri). In retaliation he is framed, his wife Radha (Kamini Kaushal) loses her mental balance, and his teenaged son Arjun is forced to fend for himself on the streets until he grows up and becomes the local vigilante No. 10 (Manoj Kumar). Bade Maalik gets Karamchand's wife, Sundari (Hema Malini) who had overheard the conversation, killed on route to Pune, but the kind-hearted jobber leaves the girl with a lame alcoholic who grows up to be a street hustler, Rosemary Fernandes (also played by Hema Malini) who after a few hiccups flips for No. 10.

Into the narrative enters CBI officer Karam - also doubling up as corrupt Havaldar Karan Singh Badshah (Pran) who clandestinely helps Arjun nab the fake currency racketeers - who is none other than loud and reckless Inspector Jaichand (Prem Nath), who too supposedly has a double, the real brain behind the racket. Pran excels, masquerading through several get-ups, improvising dialogue in the process. Hema is brilliant. Bindu just has two dance numbers and a scene in which she excels.

Although he tries his best, his familiar mannerism, modulated dialogue delivery and soft hero image make Manoj Kumar a weak gangster.

The comedy sequences are crude. Scripted by Shahid Akbarpuri and Dhruva Chatterjee with lackluster dialogue by Ali Raza, except some cornered by the hero himself. Cinematography by Rajan Kinagi and Madan Sinha shifts from brilliant to ordinary.

Dus Numbri was a big hit of its time, and I think it was one of the most horrible movies of its time. People may have liked it as a "so bad it's good" movie which makes no sense and lets you just laugh at its stupidity, but I didn't manage to get even that. The movie was badly written, with pathetic dialogues and unbelievably silly proceedings, and it was badly directed. The action scenes were poorly handled, the music is just below average, and the movie, despite starring a bunch of good and popular actors of the times, is awfully acted, with almost everyone hamming it up to an annoying effect. Not their fault of course, it's the script that is terrible. Manoj Kumar tries to be cool but he ends up looking very weird with his strange glasses and funny undertone. Hema Malini is the saving grace since she is immensely pretty but she too is not given more than that. I guess fans of this genre would enjoy this movie, more because at points it is unintentionally hilarious, but I say just avoid and forget.

Dus Numbri (1976) : Brief Review -

Finally, the urge to see Manoj Kumar in an out-and-out commercial masala blockbuster fulfilled. Before watching Dus Numbri, you have to erase the image of Manoj Kumar from your mind, which he had created with his previous works. The social relatability, awareness, and patriotism he showed with films like Himalay Ki God Mein, Shaheed, Upkar, Purab Aur Pacchim, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, and Sanyasi created the notion that Manoj Kumar's commercial blockbusters would also have some social message (even Kranti was about patriotism). Dus Numbri destroyed that image and gave him a role that reached the grass-level masses. This one's pure fun at the movies. Entertainment, comedy, romance, swag, family drama, and action-it ticked all the boxes of a mainstream desi blockbuster of the 1970s. Laxmikant Pyarelal's music helps a lot, and the director's vision to present those songs is even better. The title number is a cult in every manner. Be it the composition, lyrics, or execution-it's a perfect theme song. There are two more good songs, both featuring Hema Malini's peak beauty and glamour. This is how you glorify the top actress of the time with her screen presence. Hema Malini's role goes through several changes-from a cheater to a good girl to a rich heiress-and her chemistry with Manoj Kumar is amazing. Kumar plays Dus Numbri like he was born to play the role. The first frame when he shows his t-shirt with the "10" number printed on it was so classy and massy. It might have been a fashion trend back then, I guess. Pran also plays a huge role and brings that much-needed twist I was hoping for from his character from the beginning. Prem Nath stuns as a villain, and with a twist. Madan Mohla's direction allows Manoj Kumar to excel as a mass hero, as he presents the superstar as a robinhood, a messiah, and even as a social hero in the end. Overall, a perfect mass treat from the golden era of mass movies.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Where has this movie been all these years? It is so incredibly bad, it's good! The acting is awful and hammy, the script is horrible. The songs even are atrocious too! But once you put it on, you'll stay with it to the end, because it's that good. The plot is overlaid with bad guys, lots of twists and turns (done with the utmost of corn), and the requisite boy-mom, street boy, boy-girl, revenge and reunion scripts that are so Bollywood. There is nothing redeeming about this movie, but you'll find yourself dressing like him at Halloween, or plopping in the DVD for a party anyway. When you mention "Rocky Horror" or "Clockwork Orange", throw in "Dus Numbri" too. I highly recommend it!

Movie is incredibly excellent! Music is awesome!! just awesome, the way the songs has been sung and the lyrics are the one that keep us sticking to the movie. In 70s most of the movies used to have the similar formula so obviously the mother son, two brothers, or same face mother daughter etc....and some funny or awkward looking plots are present, however the excellent acting by the lead actors is what gives a different taste to this movie. When I accidentally saw the earnings of this movie on box Office india then initially I was surprised, but when I saw the movie, I realized why it was a blockbuster at that time. The simple reason is that it "connects" with the majority of Indian audiences. The dialogues are just the reflection. I was surprised by the action avatar of the otherwise sober romantic Manoj Kumar. Such a versatile personality he is. Really a gem. The ease with which they act is simply commendable. Music is excellent as I mentioned earlier. The legendary Mukesh..........if you carefully listen how he and lata ji has sung the songs with so many smooth turns ups and down of the tunes of the songs, you will definitely praise them. The songs directly connect to the audiences and remain with them even after the movie and even after 43yrs they are soothing to the ears and easy on the vocal chords. If you listen just the tune, you will not be able to stop yourself to sing or hymn the lyrics. Simply awesome. Those who criticize these movies, should go and watch hollywood star wars or alien movies or war movies....and see how typical formula they use with all the non-sense screenplay a super hero is necessary, and so on. If hollywood movies survive on their technology then bollywood survive on music and songs. The formula or type cast at hollywood is also as it is at bollywood. Hence, just dont critize or demean the work at bollywood. Art is art. In this movie camera work...you can observe many innovations or the different angles and movements of the camera. Direction is good.