Musafir

Musafir (1957) : Brief Review -

Hollywood has the Oscar-winning "Grand Hotel" (1932), Bollywood has Musafir. Hrishi da's classic debut in Hindi cinema! I don't know how many of you have seen the Oscar-winning Hollywood movie Grand Hotel (1932). So let me tell you the essence of that in the shortest possible manner. Grand Hotel is a place; we see multiple characters coming to stay there-some happy, some unhappy, some with troubles, of course. In the end, we see some of them leaving happily, and some are left with the undeniable bitter facts of life. The doorman says, "People come, people go. Grand Hotel, always the same." Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Musafir brings that essence to a house. So there is a house on rent, and the film tells three stories of its tenants. They come to the house with a lot of troubles in their lives and leave with solutions. Well, that's the story for the first two segments, but the third one is a little different. The first story is about two lovers who are soon-to-be married and how their lives change after coming to the house, since the man's father was against his choice. The second one is about a family suffering from the trauma of the death of the eldest son. The younger one has to get a job, and the window is not happy with her soon-to-be child. This one almost had a tragic ending but then displayed cinematic brilliance with a fantastic twist. The third one finally brings "Pagla Babu," who has been off screen in the first two stories. Here we get to know why he was like that, and there is a tragic past that is connected to the family that is shifted in the house. This one has a sad ending, in my opinion, even though the message is positive. Hrishikesh Mukherjee's film relates to every heart since it's a real-life depiction of almost all middle-class people's issues. I don't know why this gem has remained underrated for years, but from now on, it will be in my top 10 of Hrishi da.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

An interesting movie ! The story revolves around a house which is let out by the house-owner ( David ) to a series of tenants - all of whom stay for a little while, let the viewers into their lives and then leave. The movie sports some big names - though they do not appear together. Suchitra Sen is part of a runaway couple who are the first tenants. When they leave, the next set includes Kishore Kumar, Nasir Hussain and Nirupa Roy. The final set of tenants involves Usha Kiran and Dilip Kumar. And thus, one can imagine the story to continue forever ....

Kishore Kumar sings a famous, lively song 'munna bada pyaara'. The movie also has a rare song sung by the famous actor Dilip Kumar.

All in all, an interesting story, well directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee who has made several great Hindi films like Anari, Asli Naqli, Anupama, Anuradha, Anand, Guddi, Golmaal, Bawarchi etc. Definitely worth seeing.

Presenting three unique stories, all connected via the thread that they happen in the same home, just at different times. The first one is a melodramatic one that is not helped by the rueful female lead. It is the second act that stands out the most. Presenting Kishore Kumar as a youth looking for employment(something that was detailed in Bimal Roy's 1954 'Naukri'), it almost reflects a nation's view even several decades later.

The last act lands with Dilip Kumar but honestly, failed to sway me. The songs in this film are all forgettable (though the director's next venture 'Anari' would have a classic score).

A three act movie about a house and its varied renters representing phases of life.Rushikesh Mukerjee debuted here as director and the future genius is obvious. For me the biggest treat is Dilip Lata duet in Dilips own voice....Lagi nahin chhote rama kahe jiya jai...

The cast is superb. The famous Munna bada pyara song is part of charm. Complex..as life and as ephemeral

David and his house are the constants

There is a type of black and white photography which sets the 50s in outstanding relief. I was only 9 when I saw it but it has stayed with me for half century

This Hindi film was the debut of director Hrishikesh Mukherjee. And wow, what a film. In terms of theme, much ahead of its time! And not surprising hence to see it's a multi starrer with so many good actors including Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Kishore Kumar along with a very good support cast.

The film is about three stories that happen in a home each time when it gets rented out. Each story ends happily even if there is some hurt along the way. The stories capture various themes including love, family, problems of youth, sickness, despair and hope.

Suchitra Sen is graceful with captivating beauty in the first story. Although her accent when speaking Hindi is noticeable. Kishore Kumar is bubbly in the second story and adds to the comic element. While you wonder where he's been - Dilip Kumar shows up in the third story. I bet the lack of footage of the superstar is one of the reasons for the film not running much. It should also be boredom of him playing too many brooding characters after Devdas.

It's otherwise a gem of a film in the story, direction and performances. Highly recommend!