Namak Haraam

Namak Haraam is about two friends and how gradually social status comes in between them but they remain friends and sacrifice for each other. This Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie had some excellent music by R D Burman. Whereas in Anand, Amitabh had a small role here he has a parallel role against the Super Star Rajesh Khanna and both have done their role well. Amitabh has a loud role as against the soft role of Superstar and thus Amitabh got noticed in the movie. This is the second and last time that Rajesh and Amitabh acted in a movie ever. However, the movie is a classic epic and tale of two friends which is a must see for both Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan fans and here they will be able to make out what Super Star Rajesh Khanna was all about - the best emotional and romantic hero in India ever.

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.

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.

Two of the ALL time bests on the screen together. Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan and the music of RD Burman and the voice of Kishore Kumar. Excellent writing. Magic like this is gone forever.

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.