I’m gonna try to make notes while we have our Zoom call, and we’ll be talking about the same questions so this whole thing should feel like one big conversation, Zoom and here.
Who is more charming, Shammi or Sanjeev or Zeenat?
Shammi! He should be annoying, and yet he was charming. So most charming! Or Zeenat, because she is playing a character that should not be charming. Or Sanjeev, because this is such an unusual role for him, fully comic and juvenile and so on? We had 3 people on this call, and 3 different answers!
Was the “argument” scene in the second half when Shammi puts Zeenat on the bed too much?
YES! None of us liked it! But Naina pointed out something that changed my whole perspective, this would have been the intermission point of the film. So you need something to grab the audience and bring them in.
Too lighthearted of a take on sex work, or okay?
Would not work today, but okay for the time. They did acknowledge the problems, explicitly in the script statements about violence and so on. And the setting tells you this is a bit of a fantasy world, not supposed to be a “real” version of these lives.
Too serious of a take on sex work (ultimately she doesn’t want her daughter doing it), or okay?
Okay, it would have been too dark if there had been kids around during her sex work, so they go up to that line and then say “no, that’s too dark, I have to change my life” was the right decision.
Is the plot AT ALL logical?
Yes! If we accept that putting on a false beard means your girlfriend will no longer recognize you.
Do we buy the romance?
Absolutely. Zeenat says it, this is the first time she’s been able to boss around a man instead of the other way round and it is intoxicating. And Sanjeev had never been with a woman before, plus this is ZEENAT AMAN, so of course he would fall in love.
Can it be recast today?
No. There are many actors who could play Comic Charming Shammi and Funny Hero Sanjeev, but there is no actress who can be the modern western but Indian sexy but likeable Zeenat!
And then, what to watch next? We landed on something classic and feminist.
So, my suggestions! Zanjeer: I love this movie, I think Jaya’s character is great and the romance is amazing, plus of course it was Amitabh’s big break. (on einthusan)
Blackmail: Raakhee’s favorite movie of her own, very silly and fun and happy, great performances from Dharmendra and Shatrughan Sinha too. (on einthusan)
Lal Pathar: Okay, this one is ultimately sad. But it is a GREAT role for Hema Malini, and really really interesting and unusual. (on Netflix)
dontcallitbollywood 
I vote for Blackmail!!!!
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Btw the courtesan movie I want to watch and discuss is called Dangerous Beauty. (not an Indian movie) if anyone is ever interested
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Maybe we should do a zoom call for Crew!
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Who is more charming, Shammi or Sanjeev or Zeenat?
I can’t choose but I will say Shammi and Sanjeev. Shammi could have been annoying but he is shammi and has that Kapoor charm where he is just so charming. Sanjeev also has that rare quality of being both an idiot and somehow weirdly suave where you just fall for him. That way that he shows that he’s scared for Zeenat but not in a patronising way that he wants to control her but in a genuine way is only something Sanjeev Kumar can do.
Was the “argument” scene in the second half when Sanjeev puts Zeenat on the bed too much?
100% too much. Also Sanjeev Kumar suddenly becomes too serious for the film and switches to Thakur mode. It just doesn’t work for a film like this but I accept the explanation Naina gave since its made for theatres.
Too lighthearted of a take on sex work, or okay?
I think its ok as it’s also told from Shammi Kapoor’s point of view and he views everything from a different view than Zeenat and Sanjeev. Maybe if Zeenat had told the story it would be darker or Sanjeev would’ve said it as an heroic tale of how he ‘saved’ Zeenat.
Too serious of a take on sex work (ultimately she doesn’t want her daughter doing it), or okay?
I think it is more on the vein of the 60’s Shammi Kapoor films. They address serious issues in a jovial way because looking at things seriously makes things a greater problem than it actually is. This is why Zeenat doesn’t view her life in a tragic way and tries to enjoy it as much as she can because she knows she can’t get out of it. However, I think beyond the child Sanjeev also states how she can’t do this profession forever as once she ages she will not be able to do it. It highlights the tragedies and also the hypocrisies of the people who criticise sex work but ultimately profit off of it (like the corrupt inspectors). Zeenat knew her life when she was just a prostitute but once she has a kid, her life changes and she knows she can’t continue her work which is why she decides to get married.
Is the plot AT ALL logical?
No, but it is ok as it is a romantic comedy essentially. Ultimately, it is a fantasy tale which is heartwarming. The fact the police people believe the Nawab so easily and no one realises his very fake Urdu other than Shammi shows it is a fairytale.
Do we buy the romance?
Yes, of course. Zeenat has never been in a relationship where she has been the centre of power and Sanjeev would’ve honestly fallen in love with any girl who showed him attention. But he would be loyal to that one girl for sure. I also think that Shammi shows very nicely how Zeenat slowly comes to truly love him and that love blossoms when she sees how he stays by her when she goes to jail and is ready to accept a baby which isn’t his (obviously it is his). It wasn’t the grand gestures or the earning money – it was just the fact that Sanjeev cared for her throughout and stayed by her and never got ‘bored’ by her.
Can it be recast today?
Never, I think that likeable Zeenat can be played by a young Madhuri or Karishma. However it wouldn’t come off the same way. But in my opinion its really Sanjeev who can’t be replaced by any new generation actor as being a complete idiot yet still making everyone swoon is only something he can do. Everyone else would be an endearing idiot but not a suave one.
I vote for Zanjeer since I need to watch it as my classic bollywood list.
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Hadn’t thought about it being from Shammi’s perspective! You are right, that is a big difference. And also, yes, Sanjeev is somehow both funny and swoony in this role. I’m trying to think of someone who is really good at comedy and could also be swoony. Maybe Varun Dhawan? But not sure.
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I would love to discuss Amar Prem. It is sad but also such a beautiful film that it would be wonderful to discuss. I will continue my Kuch Bheege Alfaz propaganda as well.
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