Namak Haraam

This film teams the two biggest stars of the day--Rajesh Khanna as Somu and Amitabh Bachchan as Vikram. It's an interesting film from start to finish and it has a lot to say--much more than a typical Bollywood film.

When the film begins, Somu and Vikram are two friends that are closer than brothers. Although Vikram is quite rich, he shares what he has with Somu and his family--and neither work. They mostly hang out and have fun together during the first portion of the film. However, when Vikram learns that his father has had a heart attack, his entire life changes. Because of his dad's illness, Vikram's days of playing are over and he has to run his father's company. However, Vikram shows himself to be a horrible boss--and he treats his employees like dirt. He also is quite distrustful of them and hates the union representative, so he contacts his friend Somu and asks him to come to the city and help him with running the place. The plan is for Somu to pose as a disgruntled employee with a lot of guts and eventually get the employees to elect Somu as their union representative--a representative in the pocket of the company, so to speak.

Through the course of Somu's time at the company, however, his attitude changes. While he still loves Vikram, he cannot hear about the plight of his fellow workers without feeling for them as well as resenting the way Vikram is taking advantage of his workers. And, over time, the two friends drift farther and farther apart. What's next? See the film--it's worth it.

Apart from Vikram taking responsibility for a crime he did not commit (and this made little sense to me), there's an awful lot to like about this film. The two actors are quite good and the plot is a wonderful social commentary. The film also seemed to have a bit of a gay subtext, as the two leads really, really like each other...a lot. Well worth your time and well-crafted.

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.

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.

Review By Kamal K

This film brilliantly depicts the economic depression era of the 70s through the legends such as Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. How well the bad condition of workers has been shown through the medium of Friendship of two persons. It is a must watch film for each and every Indian and hats of to Hrishikesh Da and other actors who excelled in their respective works.

Namak Haraam is a drama film directed by Late Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Late Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Asrani, Raza Murad, Late A. K. Hangal, Simi Garewal and Late Om Shivpuri.

Two best friends decide to exact revenge on the union leader by one of the friend joins the factory and starts working as a Labour. However, when the friend understands the plight of the workers, it creates a rift between the two friends.

What a great film by Hrishi da and this film truly shows his class as a director. Hrishi da had the talent to take the best out of every actor and this film is a prime example of it.

The plot of the film is good and execution is superb, the film is little predictable in nature but presentation is good and will keep you entertained. The film has good drama and is beautifully supported by mesmerizing songs.

Acting is superb and the strongest aspect of the film. Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan both of them compliments each other very well and will give you the glimpse of another masterpiece film Anand but for me in this film Amitabh Bachchan outshone Rajesh Khanna and it seems that the death of the character of Rajesh Khanna backfired this time as the dialogues by Amitabh Bachchan in climax was stunningly great.

Music of the film his mesmerizing and almost all the songs were successful and is still looks great to listen. Climax of the film is strong. A must watch film for all the true cinema lovers.