23 October,2023 01:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Shachi Chaturvedi
Pic/Poster
Must-watch classics: 'Brahmachari' is a 1968 film, written by Sachin Bhowmick, and produced by G. P. and Ramesh Sippy's production house, and directed by Bhappi Sonie. The film stars Shammi Kapoor, Rajshree, Pran, Mumtaz, Jagdeep, Sachin, and Asit Sen.
The story begins with an introduction to the lead character, Brahmachari (Shammi Kapoor), who sells happy pictures of his kids to earn money. One day, when the owner of the magazine refuses to take the pictures and asks him to find a newsworthy and exclusive picture (we totally get this, don't we). He then meets Sheetal (Rajshree), who is on the verge of committing suicide. This is the moment that will have you laughing out loud and rolling out of your chairs. A tense situation in which a woman is about to take her own life becomes incredibly funny as Brahmachari doesn't try to stop her but instead, requests her to give him a picture before she jumps into the river. This scene is hilarious.
Later, when Sheetal changes her mind, Brahmachari takes on the responsibility of reuniting her with the love of her life, Ravi Khanna (Pran), who is promiscuous. Brahmachari asks Sheetal to give him money after she reunites with Ravi, but in the process of bringing them together, Sheetal and Brahmachari fall in love. What happens next is for you to watch.
Talking about the music of the film, songs like 'Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein,' 'Chakke Men Chakka Chakke Pe Gaadi,' and 'Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche' will make you nostalgic. At some point, we must have sung 'Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche' for someone special. This song evokes all those old memories - the feeling of falling in love, the warmth of dancing with our partner, and all that jazz. For those who visited Mumbai for the first time, they must have sung 'Chakke Men Chakka Chakke Pe Gaadi' with their family.
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This film is a real rollercoaster of emotions and a classic example of why the '90s kids still can't get over the films they watched in their childhood. It's what we call a full package deal. The movie, with its rib-tickling humour, manages to make you emotional when something bad happens.
Who are we to comment on Shammi Kapoor and Rajshree's acting skills? The two are incredible throughout the film. Shammi Kapoor, with his glittering eyes and innocent face, makes you fall in love with his character, and Rajshree, with her beauty, leaves you mesmerized. There are moments in the film where you might feel there's a continuity issue, but given the technology they had back then, the film they managed to create is way ahead of today's so-called 'Bollywood masala entertainers'.
In a world where the pace of life has quickened, 'Brahmachari' stands as a precious relic of a bygone era, a time when Indian cinema was synonymous with timeless music, unforgettable characters, and stories that tugged at the heartstrings. The film continues to transport us back to a simpler, more innocent time, filling us with a sense of nostalgia for the golden age of Bollywood. Shammi Kapoor's 'Brahmachari' will always remain a treasured gem, a reminder of the magic that cinema can create and the joy it brings to our lives.