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Do Aur Do Paanch is the story of two con men Vijay/Ram (Amitabh) and Sunil/Laxman (Shashi Kapoor) (also bitter enemies) who want to abduct Bittoo, son of a rich man (Shree Ram Lagoo) from a high security boarding school. The difference is that Vijay is doing it on his own and, Sunil for Uncle (Kader Khan) an enemy of Bittoo's father. To help their own cause, Ram and Laxman lure two teachers Anju (Parveen Babi) and Shalu (Hema Malini), respectively in their web of love. What ensues from here is a hilarious comedy of one-up-man-ship, Ram and Laxman trying to outwit each other.

What makes Do Aur Do Paanch different from other comedy movies is that unlike other comedies where there is usually one or two main supporting comedian, there is no comedian in it (unless you want to rank Amitabh and Shashi along comedians). The element of comic is in the story telling, script, dialogs and acting. Moreover, the comedy is spontaneous and is not forced upon the audience.

Amitabh and Shashi who have proved their chemistry in earlier movies excel in this movie with their first rate acting and dialog delivery timing. Hema Malini and Parveen Babi as love interests of Shashi and Amitabh have supported ably with their acting skills. Kader Khan has little screen presence but leaves a lasting impression as villain "Uncle" (a different flavor of villain). There is menace in his role but at the same time his acting, dialog delivery and timing evokes laughter. Not to forget is Bittoo the child artist who has acted very well and is the heart of the movie. The list of supporting cast is huge but all of them have acted well. It is necessary to mention that in this huge cast and spectra of talented actors Amitabh stands tall through his superior acting skills.

Rajesh Roshan's music composition is first rate. So are the words of lyricist Anjaan. All the songs are melodious and play-it-again kind. In songs "Mere Zindagi Ne Mujhpe Ehsaan Kyaa Kiya Hai", "Do Aur Do Paanch", "Chhoti Hai Raat", and a small portion of "Prem Se Humko Zine Do" Kishore is simply at his best. The song "Yeh Zulfon Ki Bhikri Ghatta Kya Kahti Hai (Kya Kahti Hai)" rendered by Asha Bhonsle is soothing and pleasing to ear. In "Prem Se Humho Zine Do" Lata shows her versatility. The surprise package is Mehmood's magical rendering of part two of the "Prem Se Humko Zine Do", and Rajesh Roshan rendering part two of "Do Aur Do Paanch". Furthermore, the background score is noticeable and pleasant.

Rakesh Kumar's direction is good. His direction and the script makes sure the characters of the supporting cast is memorable. For instance, Goga Kapoor has only like six scenes but he will be remembered for the beating he (Lion) gets from two donkeys in "Prem Se Humko Zine Do". Also, memorable are the cameo appearances of Om Prakash and Jagdeep. Credit also goes to the writing department (story, script, and dialogs) for giving us such a hilarious movie. Do Aur Do Paanch story has some not so apparent flaws but fast paced, linear and to the point (even when the heroes are with their heroines) story telling keeps the audience attention engaged till the end of movie and, away from the flaws.

Do Aur Do Paanch is a collectible movie. To say it again, one never gets enough of it even after several viewings.

After directing action movies Joshila and Deewaar, Yash Chopra made Kabhie Kabhie with a theme that he is good at i.e. Love. The movie starts with the song "Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon" and, ends with the song "Main Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon". What lies between the two songs of the poet is a well told love story spanning two generations that shows the transformation of the poet from "Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar" to "Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar".

I have watched Kabhie Kabhie several times and, yet I have not got tired of this movie. The main reason for this is that as an audience I can associate to Kabhi Kabhie in different ways, to the characters, to the story, to the music or simply to the musings of the poet.

There are seven main characters and, all of these characters are natural and realistic that audience can feel each of the characters emotion and associate to them. Amitabh, Rakhee, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Naseem, all of them have acted very well; but it is Amitabh who steals the show. Parikshit Sahni and Simi Grewal have supported well as the foster parents of Neetu Singh and, Deven Verma provides the comical relief (given a few scenes he leaves a good impression).

Yash Chopra has handled the theme of the movie very well and, has directed superbly. He keeps the story telling simple and linear, develops each character very well, and never goes far from the crux of the story even when touching issues like premarital relationship. Though brief, he also captures the capital Delhi nicely. I regard Kabhie Kabhie as Yash Chopra's best movie until now. He did break the grounds with "Lamhe" in terms of story but he is yet to surpass Kabhie Kabhie as director.

Music and songs have always been the strong point of Yash Chopra's movie. Kabhie Kabhie is among the top ones in that list. The credit goes to both Khayyam and Sahir. One may have to watch Kabhie Kabhie second time just to enjoy the music and songs. The songs melodiously rendered by Mukesh, Lata, Kishore and Pamela to date are chart busters. At the time when Kishore's voice was getting associated with Amitabh, Khayyam broke the trend by using Mukesh's voice to capture the soul and the depth in the poet's (or Sahir's) lyrics (note that in Trishul he did it again using Yesudas's voice for Amitabh).

Khayyam not only composed delightful music for beautiful songs written by Sahir, but also scored one of the best background music in Hindi cinema. The background music is very rich, consistent, pleasant and captures the mood of the characters so as to relate them to the audience. Khayyam has done it mainly by efficiently fiddling with two instruments, such as, two guitars (when Sweety introduces Vicky to Preeti and, when Amit, Anjali, Vicky, Sweety and Preeti are eating dinner), guitar and sitar (Amit and Anjali discussing in the bedroom while they are thinking about two different things and, the change when they talk about themselves; Preeti and Vicky arguing in the garden after Preeti comes to know about her mother), banjo and violin (when Anjali finds out about Preeti and Vicky's love) to describe a few.

It isn't that there are no weak moments in the movie. The story line does has some weakness; but the different strengths of the movie does not lets the audience feel or see them, or lets the audience to ignore them.

As a whole Kabhie Kabhie is one of the best movie that has graced the screens of Hindi cinema.

Dillagi is one of the best comedies directed by Basu Chatterjee. Unlike his other movies such as Piya Ka Ghar, Choti Si Baat, Rajnigandha, Baton Baton Mein, Dillagi has a lighter and funny theme. Right from the very first scene to the last scene the movie is hilarious.

Dharmendra is a new Sanskrit lecturer of a "all girls" college who on the very first day at college falls for uptight fellow Chemistry lecturer Phool Renu (Hema Malini). For Phool Renu, the whole world is all about her mother and brother (Asrani); she does not have the time to think about herself. The rest of the story is about how Dharmendra through his sustained efforts ignites the flame of love in the heart of Hema Malini and, how they get united.

Definitely, Dillagi is one of the best movie of Dharmendra and Hema Malini combination. Both have acted very well. Dharmendra who in general is known for his muscle power in the movies dons the role of the Sanskrit lecturer effortlessly. Throughout the movie Dharmendra wears a funny big eye glass which makes you laugh. I believe this was primarily needed to cover the aging face of Dharmendra. Hema Malini has given a restrained and controlled performance. There are not any usual "um ah uh" scenes from her. Through out the movie she wears normal Sarees and has no special hair styles, but still she looks so beautiful that it looks natural when Dharmendra falls for her on the very first day at the college.

The supporting cast of Mithu Mukherjee, Asrani, Deven Verma have extended their support very well. Especially, Deven Verma despite having a very small screen presence leaves a memorable impression as a Bengali lecturer vying to marry Hema Malini. Shatrughan Sinha does well in cameo appearances as Dharmendra's friend and Mithu Mukherjee's lover.

The biggest credit goes to Basuda who has told this story in a very funny and hilarious way that one would like to watch this movie again and again. The main plus points of the movie are

(a) The story is plain and simple. What ever is shown in the movie, one could or must have seen or experienced it in their own day-todays life. Moreover, at no point in the movie the comedy is forced upon the viewers.

(b) The characters portrayed by Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and supporting cast are so natural and believable (there is nothing out of the world stuff) that the viewers can attach themselves to the characters till the end of the movie.

(c) The direction is impeccable.

Script, dialogues and the use of pure Hindi has always been the strength of Basuda's movies. This time Basuda ups it with quite some usage of Sanskrit words, their meanings and interpretations. A lots of Hindi movies story often revolve around college but seldom there is a good scene about the subject that is being taught by the teachers. In this movie, Basuda makes sure that the audience get the taste of the subjects taught by the main characters without digressing from the theme of the movie.

Rajesh Roshan has composed the music. There are four nice songs in the movie which at the first listening may not make an impact. Thus, to enjoy the songs you may have to listen them again. The first song "Oh Rang" is a mix of several tempos set in the back drop of Holi. The second song a duet "Prem Hai, Prem Hai" has been sung well by Nitin Mukhesh and Lata. The third song is the best, "Main Koun Sa Geet Sunaoon, Kya Gaoon, Jab Piyaa Bas Jaaye, Tere Tan Man Mein" beautifully penned by Yogesh and sung superbly by Lata. In the movie, Asrani's fiancée is shown singing this song on the banks of river and Hema Malini dreaming about Dharmendra, good editing work and voice of Lata makes sure that you hear and see the differences when the scenes change (Some times I have my doubts that this song has been sung by two female playback singers). The last one is the melodious "Baadal To Aaye, Lahara Ke Chhaaye, O Aane Vaale Par, Tum To Na Aaye" sung by Lata.

Dillagi is a collectible movie, i.e., it is worth to have it in the personal collection. Please note that in the DVD version, the video has been extracted from a badly worn out source.