Bobby

Raj Kapoor proved himself as a successful director by the release of Bobby. He introduced his next son Rishi, (younger than the elder Randhir) who later in years became a screen icon along with Amitab.

Bobby was released in 1973 during the Rajesh Khanna years and this film was eventful in the sense that people learned and became aware of a young entrant of an old Indian cinema family - The first being the Prithvi Raj Kapoor.

The songs composed by R.D. Burman are mesmerizing and the direction is also superb. This film along with Amitabh's "Zanjeer" both released in 1973 served a real shock to the "Khanna phenomenon" which was the talk of every town for the last so many years.

Raj Kapoor's "Bobby" will never get old. It is a brilliantly made modern teen romance. Raj Kapoor's direction and imagination are excellent, ditto for his realistic portrayal of the modern 1970s India and its middle-class Christian community. The romance is portrayed beautifully, injected with many youthful energies and further aided by colourful and vernal locations, beautiful romantic songs, comedy and drama, and two very charming fresh talents in the lead roles.

This is the love story of a pretty, smart and headstrong Christian school-girl named Bobby, and a romantic, rich and well-mannered young man named Raj, who, unlike most of his contemporaries, prefers to sit at home and write poetry. He falls in love with her the first minute he meets her, and surprisingly enough, it does not look clichéd. The story shows how they start dating each other and how they later fight parental opposition.

Interestingly, while Raj Kapoor made this film to launch his son on the big screen, he titled it after Dimple Kapadia, who impressed him very much and reminded him of his muse Nargis. In a documentary about the life and craft of Raj Kapoor, he said that Bobby's first meeting with Raj in the film was loosely inspired by Kapoor's first meeting with Nargis at her home. And I completely understand why the memory of meeting her stayed with him for the rest of his life when I see this scene. It is a magic moment.

Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia make for a very good couple. This is according to me Rishi Kapoor's best performance along with his role in Mera Naam Joker. Maybe his dad was the one who could extract his talent to the fullest. He is likable, impressive and very convincing as Raj. Dimple Kapadia's is undoubtedly one of the greatest debuts in the history of Hindi cinema. She was natural, compelling, beautiful and acted with total aplomb. Her western outfits and sex-appeal are still very memorable. The rest of the cast are excellent, with Prem Nath standing out in a wonderful comic act as Bobby's loving father. Pran was also very convincing as Raj's witty, proud and dignified father, and Durga Khote and Aruna Irani provided fantastic support. Oh, and how can one forget Farida Jalal's Alka Sharma? A five-minute role which stays with you forever just like the film.

The film's cinematography is effective, the editing is good as well, and the art direction is fantastic. The characters are well-written, and most importantly - the music is simply outstanding. My favourite songs are "Main Shair To Nahin" (as is Aruna Irani's wonderful dance for the song) and "Chabi Kho Jaye (Hum Tum)". All in all, Bobby was a trend-setter, and it still remains an all-time sensational and fresh love story, which will never look dated.

With 8 songs running for nearly an hour, Bobby definitely feels long when watching in 2024. A 16-year-old canoodling with a 19-year-old is also a thorn that sticks out of this hugely entertaining drama that has every reason to be called a classic. I am fascinated by Dimple Kapadia's performance here more than anyone else's as it's evident that she put her best into it, whether it's her dialogues or her dancing. Rishi Kapoor looks nervous in the initial sequences but he manages to match Kapadia's energy, and together they succeed in creating a film that's a love letter to today's lovebirds. Was heartening to see Aruna Irani and Farida Jalal as youngsters. A definitely great watch 50 years later.

A completely crazy Romeo and Juliet-style story about two teenagers, him rich and her poor, who fall head over heels for each other and defend their love against all adversity. Maybe not Raj Kapoor's best, but certainly interesting and groundbreaking for its time. This was actually the first Bollywood film I ever saw where it was clearly expressed (even though through a song and dance scene) that the pair was sleeping with each other - even more unusual as the couple consisted of two teenagers! Very Seventies in style with a severely overacting cast, but great fun nevertheless. In many ways a movie of a much freer and more uncompromising spirit than most Bollywood fare of today - but then, it was the Seventies...

Bobby review :

The debacle of Mera Naam Joker (1970) broke showman Raj Kapoor financially as well as emotionally. His semi-autobiographical and philosophical take was too heavy for the audience to digest. This is when he decided to give them candy floss.

A romantic musical is what he started next. Rajesh Khanna, the reigning superstar, was unaffordable to cast as the lead. Raj Saahab settled for his younger son Rishi who had acted as a school boy in Joker. Dimple, daughter of noted industrialist and Kapoor's family friend Chunnibhai Kapadia, was signed as the heroine. The intent was to keep the budget to the minimum and give audience what they would understand and absorb easily..

Bobby released at the prestigious Metro Cinema in Mumbai in September 1973 and became an instant blockbuster. Though the story of a rich boy falling for a poor girl and then eloping with her offered nothing new, the sheer innocence and freshness of the new pair (Rishi- Dimple) coupled with some awesome music score by Laxmikant Pyarelal worked big time in its favour. Raj Saahab gave some memorable supporting characters like Premnath's rum guzzling Jack Braganza with his ill-fitting suit and open trouser zip!! "AAVAIESSS", a Goan phrase he keeps repeating in the movie..

The sweet sixteen Dimple Kapadia became the national crush after Bobby. Her short skirts and teeny weeny bikini alongwith her fabulous performance got tremendous acclaim and awards that year. She was touted to be the next big star but shockingly, settled for a marriage with Rajesh Khanna. Later, she made a grand comeback in the '80s with Ramesh Sippy's Saagar (1985) and continued her glorious Bollywood innings right till the recent Brahmastra...the elegant lady is my most favourite Bollywood actress of all time!!

Coming to Bobby, "Mujhse dosti karoge?" became the popular pickup line of that time and "Hum tum ek kamre mein bandh ho" song is still referenced in Bollywood. I also love "Main shaayar toh nahi.." number where Shailendra Singh's voice suited the young Rishi so perfectly. Prem Chopra appeared in a cameo and his one liner "Prem naam hai mera..Prem Chopra!!" immortalised him just what "Mogambo khush hua" did to Amrish Puri later.

Personally, I consider Bobby to be Raj Saahab's most underwhelming effort. The film lacked the intellect and underlying social commentary normally associated with his each and every film. It is as if he was mocking the audience saying "You didn't like my masterpiece Mera Naam Joker, so eat this!!".

P. S. (Spoiler alert): Not many know that Raj Kapoor had filmed a sad ending where Rishi- Dimple die but heeding to his trusted distributor, Raj Saahab opted for a happy ending for the movie. After all, such an innocent sweet couple deserved to live happily ever after.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.