Guddi

Review By Kamal K

QWorth watching film, it's a movie framed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee which makes us realise how much hard work is required to become an actor, and also we fall in love with filmstars without knowing each other personally.

The film is good we should not consider filmstars as our relatives or lover as they are human beings like us.

'Guddi' is another good entertainment by the vintage Mukherjee. This is the story of Kusum, a bubbly and vivacious girl who is a great film buff and whose biggest love is Dharmendra, the top film star of that time. Her uncle, Mr. Gupta, wants her to get married to a guy named Navin, and she honestly tells Navin of her real/impossible love. Her uncle decides to give her an opportunity to meet her idol, and with the help of the star himself, gets permission to visit the sets daily in order for Kusum to see what film-making is all about.

The film intelligently shows how Kusum's enthusiasm is gradually fading with every day as she gets to know more of this world. Mukherjee gives us a great glimpse into the world of cinema, and we learn a lot about it, as does Kusum. She learns that much of the action is fake, that actors are not what they are perceived to be on-screen, that they are simple people who often make mistakes, and through the character of Dharmendra, she witnesses their feelings, fears and regrets. This leads to both a great deal of disappointment and at the same time some appreciation towards the star, but she simply realises he is not what she really thought him to be.

The film is done realistically, with simple writing and normal situations. The acting is very natural. Utpal Dutt is funny and likable with his comic sense. Samit Bhanja is absolutely fantastic as Navin. Dharmendra surprisingly does not have that big a role, yet he does full justice to it. But 'Guddi' is Jaya's film all the way. Her Kusum "Guddi" is a character many would find very easy to relate to, because not once have we ourselves been in love with different artists. I myself remember falling in love with several actresses after watching certain films. The viewer may sympathise and identify with her gradual growth, and that's purely because of her natural acting and simplicity. All in all, 'Guddi' is a worthy film. I wouldn't say it's particularly great, but it's entertaining, well-made and easily relatable.

A movie of the times when people mixed the reel with the real (many still do). A movie that helps see the reality behind the make believe film world. The romance track is handled quite immaturely though. The highlights are Jaya Bhaduri's acting's and the Bollywood referencing (for e.g. the film hoardings scene when Guddi arrives in Bombay).

I found this movie to be one of the weakest by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

It starts on a promising note. The infatuation of school girls with movie stars is aptly captured with Jaya Bhaduri nailing it as a bubbly teenage girl. The scene where the girls meet Dharamendra for the first time is done well.

Unfortunately, the movie loses steam in the second half when the story shifts to Bombay. Since the script uses real life movie stars as part of the story, it has the onus of being politically correct to depict all the film personalities as perfect idealizations. After a point, the preoccupation of script with flattering of the stars derails the narrative.

Guddi is a drama film directed by Late Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Late Sumita Sanyal, Late Samit Bhanja, Late A. K. Hangal, Asrani and Late Utpal Dutt.

Kusum disregards her family's efforts to get her married as she is obsessed with the actor, Dharmendra. Tired of her antics, her uncle contacts the actor to show her the realities of life.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee fondly known as Hrishi Da was known for making family oriented films which a middle class can relate to themselves and Guddi is one such film in which a teenager girl gets attracted and infatuated towards and actor after seeing larger than life cinema industry and after spending some time in between the film making process and watching the shoot she gradually realizes the pros and cons of this industry and gets disenchanted.

Hrishi Da deserves an applause in making such a realistic film without showing anything larger than life and it gives a feel that everything is happening in front of you and you'll feel yourself as the part of the film.

Acting in the film is good and Jaya Bachchan nails her role with perfection. Utpal Dutt never disappoints and have to say that he proves that he was one of the main pillar of the film. Dharmendra was superb and it was hard to describe if he was acting or he was in his natural state. Sumit Bhanja, Sumita Sanyal and A. K Aangal were also impressive. Asrani leaves a mark in his limited screen appreance.

Screenplay of the film is superb and will keep you hooked. Songs were melodious and ending could've been little more stretched but still the film never disappoints.

If you are looking for a family oriented realistic film than this is the film for you. A Must watch.