C.I.D.

Though much better than the decade-old running TV series on Indian TV by the same name (sorry couldn't resist the namesake comparison), Raj Khosla's CID was a very simple and straightforward who-dun-it. In the mould of Hollywood film-noir, CID was gripping and entertaining.

CID officer Shekhar (Dev Anand) is investigating the murder of a newspaper editor but somehow gets falsely implicated for the murder of the editor's murderer (Mehmood). A mysterious woman Kamini (Waheeda Rehman) helps Shekhar reach the real murderer.

Unlike most multi-layered modern murder mysteries, CID was very one-dimensional without any subplots. While the simplicity added to the appeal of the thriller in the 50s, it kind of looks too undemanding in present times. In the sense that the identity of the killer is revealed to the viewer very early in the film (which could easily have been kept a mystery and been a highpoint of the suspense drama). The motive of the editor's murder was never explained. Director Raj Khosla went on to make the same mistakes in future in Kala Pani.

Waheeda Rehman's character was too half-baked with no background account to her. While she made an impressive debut in a character with grey shades, her abrupt change of heart towards Shekhar (the hero) isn't justified. Thankfully the story doesn't get into a love triangle with the beautiful Shakila playing the only love interest of Dev Anand in the film.

Otherwise CID was a decent entertainer and had to its credit a superlative soundtrack. Each and every track in the film from "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan", "Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Ishaara Ho Gaya", "Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana" to "Bujh Mera Kya Naam Re Nadi Kinare Gaav Re" was a chart-buster and is in common knowledge even today. Wonderful melodies by O P Nayyar! Performances were quite good. Dev Anand was convincing, both, as an efficient investigating officer and a victimized fugitive. Shakila looked beautiful. Producer Guru Dutt had spotted Waheeda Rehman in a Telugu film (Rojulu Marayi) and cast her as the supporting actress (with grey shades) in her first Hindi film. The rest, as they say, is history. Mehmood, who later went on to become one of the most popular Bollywood comedians ever, played a negative role in the film. His sister Minoo Mumtaz was also in the film. Johnny Walker offered some genuine light moments in the otherwise earnest film.

Interesting Trivia: Oscar winner Bhanu Athaiya (then known as Bhanumati) debuted as a costume designer with this film. Javed Akhtar's father Jan Nisar Akhtar wrote the lyrics of 'Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Ishaara Ho Gaya'. Tinu Anand's father Inder Raj Anand wrote the script. Popular senior actress Zohra Sehgal known to play grandmotherly roles today choreographed the songs.

Watch it as a modern film of the 50s and you might like CID.

• Gaurav Malani

CID (1956) : Brief Review -

The most entertaining crime thriller ever made by its time not just in Indian Cinema but in any corner of world. Deservingly, the biggest hit of all time in thriller genre. Bollywood hadn't made many crime thrillers on good scale by mid 50s, one or two noir films in the crime world belonged to Dev Anand only in his early days. At the same time Hitchcock was ruling with his prime thrillers not just Hollywood but also the world cinema. Taking about his films made in 50s, some were excellent and some were cliched but mostly he adapted the material from somewhere like novels or plays. Now just one more question, does Hitchcock films entertain you? Do they provide anything else than suspense and mystery? The answer is no. His films were not that entertaining except for a few and rest of the films were mostly set in dark and tensed atmosphere. Just think about watching the similar thriller in light zone with additional romance, iconic songs, comedy etc. Overall, a spicy dish i mean. CID does exactly that. A newspaper editor gets murdered when he was about to expose the underworld links of a rich person. So, a CID inspector gets assigned to investigate the murder case. The film has similar cliches or should i say dragged moments what we have seen in Hitchcock films of 40s & 50s but for Bollywood it wasn't cliches, it became trendsetter because bollywood had never tried something like that before. Dev Anand as Inspector Shekhar is truly iconic, his aura, his attitude everything is iconic. Waheeda Rehman debuts with the bang. What a terrific introduction scene she has got. Shakila looks beautiful while Johny Walker provides superb funny punches. CID is a triumph for Raj Khosla, actually not just for him but for the entire bollywood or to some extent Indian Cinema. A wholesome entertaining thriller that redefined the commercial value of the genre for world cinema.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

I thoroughly enjoyed 'C.I.D.', made in Film Noire style. The suspense, the car chase, the simplicity added to the entertainment value. The background score and lighting just make up the Noire style.

Dev Anand is pretty cool as the framed C.I.D. Shakila is bubbly and Waheeda Rehman was awesome in her debut, playing a greyish character.

The songs are quite fun too. I especially liked 'Kahin pe Nigahen' and the lyrics are awesome as through these lyrics, Waheeda's character narrates the escape route to Dev Anand. The turns and twists were skillfully handled and director Raj Khosla presents them very well. No time is wasted in meaningless subplots in this fast-paced thriller. Cinematography is top notch. All in all, this is one of the enjoyable classics. You can expect good entertainment :).

"A newspaper editor, Shrivastav, is wounded when he was about to expose the underworld links of a rich and influential man. He calls over his friend, Inspector Shekhar from C. I. D to talk to him about the threat he receives from the underworld." (Wikipedias starting of the story)

The movie was good, acting was good too, dev Anand did great acting in this flim, Shakilas acting was okay in the start, it got better as the movie went on, the best acting in the movie was definitely waheeda rehmans in my opinion, storyline was good but i didn't really see any chemistry between hero and the main heroine Shakila, music and songs were great especially "leke pehla pehla pyar" sung by shamshad begum and picturised on Sheela Vaz, "kahin pe nigahe" sung by shamshad begum, "yeh hai Bombay meri jaan" sung by Mohammad Rafi Geeta Dutt and aankhon hi aankhon mein also sung by Rafi and Geeta lyrics were also good, the movie has abit of problems and some unrealistic stuff too, but the last 30 minutes were very entertaining and suspenseful.

Overall it's a movie worth watching.

Newspaper editor Shrivastav, who is against the criminals being murdered as per the order of the head of the criminals. Inspector Shekhar was appointed to find out the anonymous main culprit of this murder.

A 50's crime thriller with a stunning soundtrack. As a Dev Anand fan I always wanted to watch the film though I wasn't had much interest earlier. Because I thought this would be another crime thriller surrounded by just suspense. But I was completely wrong. This film is not just a way ahead of its time, but also a complete package of entertainment.

This film marked one of Dev Anand's early successes, showcasing his charm and impeccable acting skills. Known for his perfection in crime thrillers during the golden era, Dev Anand shines in this one. Shakila caught my attention with her stunning looks and impressive acting, particularly in the first half. Johnny Walker's breakout role may not have been as exceptional as his other performances, possibly due to it being one of his early career roles. Nonetheless, he never fails to entertain the audience, and his chemistry with Kumkum is a highlight. While K. N. Singh usually plays the villain in crime thrillers of the 50s, this film takes a different approach. Debutant Waheeda Rehman delivers an impressive performance, even though I feel that a negative role may not have been the best fit for her at such a young age. Nevertheless, she looks breathtakingly beautiful, captivating the audience with her intoxicating eyes. Despite not being paired as a couple, the chemistry between Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman is still enjoyable to watch. Mehmood takes on a serious role, deviating from his usual comedic characters, and Tun Tun also makes a brief appearance. Minoo Mumtaz and Sheela Vaz showcase their dancing talents in two numbers, with Minoo's performance in 'Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re' leaving a lasting impression. She truly added soul to the song.

The plot is not much of a thriller compared to today's films. But way ahead of the 50's. Usually these crime thrillers have serious thriller scenes with less entertainment and music. But this film is the opposite. I really appreciate how Raj Khosla managed to keep the entertainment of the film while making it a serious crime thriller as well.

I loved the song picturization. Especially in the closeup shots, the actresses look breathtakingly beautiful. Also impressed by the choreography by Zohra Sehgal in the songs. It's so simple though, bringing many emotions to the song picturization.

The film's standout star is O. P. Nayyar, who created a super hit album and background score. While not entirely impressed with the score, the brilliant soundtrack compensates for it. Among my favorites from the film are 'Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re' , 'Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan' , 'Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar' , and 'Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana'. Unfortunately, the best song, 'Jaata Kahaan Hai Dewaane', was removed, but its intro is used in the background score. 'Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar' has two versions, one happy and the other sad. Not a single bad song can be found in the film, and I would consider this one of Nayyar's finest works. I also appreciate how the lyrics of 'Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana' accurately match the scenes, with Kamini urging Shekhar to run away as the villain Daramadas approaches. Majrooh Sultanpuri deserves credit for brilliantly writing the lyrics.

I would recommend anyone who likes to watch the golden era films should watch this film. Especially if you think 50's movies are boring, this film will change your mind. You can never have any other crime thriller full of entertainment like this film.