Movie Review: Guide (1965)

A multitude of factors made me watch Vijay Anand’s adaptation of R.K. Narayan’s novel – The Guide. I knew nothing about the movie except that Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman star in it with the latter getting the opportunity to experience the worldly pleasure of throwing a matka from a haystack laden truck.

The plot
The movie starts with Raju (Dev Anand) who literally stands at the crossroad of life after being released from jail. Having taken a few steps towards his town (Udaipur) to get back to his profession of being a likeable multilingual Guide, he decides against it; telling us that only embarrassment awaits him there. He reaches a small village in tattered condition and villagers start believing Raju to be a saint.

Zoom back we go in flashback via Rosy (Waheeda Rehman) and Raju’s Maataji.

Rosy’s mother was a devdaasi [hint: the oldest profession] and wants to keep Rosy out of the dirty business. However, genes, it seems, refuse to take beating from prohibition. Rosy has taken up a liking for ghungroo – but mind you, only as an art form. Rosy is married to Marco – a well to-do person who is actually bald under his hat. He is vehemently opposed to Rosy’s dance training. Marco’s character slowly unfolds as the couple goes to Udaipur and hires our good ol’ Raju guide. Marco is only interested in exploring some caves away his wife who craves for his company. Irritable fights ensue between the couple. While Marco is busy exploring caves full of non-living dance statues, Rosy tries to commit suicide but is saved by Raju. He gives Rosy a confidence-booster dose and she develops an altogether different outlook towards life. She sings, dances and carelessly roams on the streets with ghunghroo in her feet, raising whispers among onlookers. Raju tries to bring Marco and Rosy together but plans deflate when Rosy sees Marco swinging in arms of another girl. She gives Marco one tight slap, leaves him and starts living with Raju. Rosy and Raju are struck by love. People start talking terrible stuff about Raju who fights everybody in order to keep Rosy at his home. Even his dear mother leaves him. Eventually, Raju takes Rosy (now called Ms. Nalini) to heights of stardom through her dancing prowess.

Raju’s demeanour undergoes a change and he lends a hand towards defaming the entire “man”kind. Money drives him towards liquor and gambling. Rosy starts distancing herself from Raju. Obviously, she had not asked for this. Even Marco starts making advances towards Rosy. Raju sees the trivial matter of getting Rosy’s signature as Marco’s evil ploy to reach Rosy. He forges her signature. Doom. Rosy somehow finds out about Raju’s forgery and gets him jailed.

Back today, a not-so-funny famine has struck the village where Raju, the saint, resides. He takes to fasting for twelve days in order to please the rain gods. Well if you’re a plot driven person, I would leave you hanging without giving you the few moments before the end.

So much for the plot.

Why should you watch it?
Actors: Acting is superb and beyond the descriptive ability of this blog. Dev Anand’s adorable chirpiness. The immense talent he showcases as Raju goes through different phases will leave you hating all the cheap shots/mimicries you’ve witnessed. Waheeda Rehman’s intense expressive dancing – especially the snake dance. Also, how beautiful a woman looks in saree.

The characters & the plot: To see how humans change. To see how Raju, the likeable know-it-all guide fights against his entire world for the newest entrant in it – Rosy and then fails to see beyond riches and evils that swallow the general niceties in life. His commitment towards her leaves a mark. To see how he yearns for her attention – at least to slap him, the way she slapped Marco. To see how Rosy persists to being the simple girl that she is, who loves dancing, learns lessons of life from Raju but doesn’t want to learn earning through her art. Her expectations from life are not many but still nobody seems capable to fulfil them. To see how life is a ride – you might lose a host of people and get accepted by an entirely new world. It is just a matter of time, the best healer.

The dialogues: Even 183 minutes don’t leave you checking how many minutes are remaining for the end. Dialogues form the soul of the plot. One particular exchange between the leads about “matlab (purpose) and pyaar (love) is particularly interesting. Ditto for a dialogue between mind and body towards the end.

Special mention for the music: Sachin Dev Burman [assisted by R.D.Burman] has delivered a knockout punch in Guide with many memorable songs. Every song that you come across will leave you with a feeling of “I have listened to this one before” as it starts and “I will listen to it again” as it ends. Songs are definitely meaningful and story progresses with each word.

Songs:
1. Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna
2. Din Dhal Jaaye
3. Gaata Rahe Mera Dil
4. Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya
5. Piya Tose Naina Laage Re
6. Saiyaan Beimaan
7. Tere Mere Sapne
8. Wahan Kaun Hai Tera
9. He Ram Hamare Ramchandra
10. Allah Megh De Paani De

Oh by the way, Bappi Lahiri’s “De de pyaar de” from Sharaabi (1985) was inspired from “Allah megh de” from Guide.

Recommendation: Take my word. Watch Guide. At least, listen to the songs.

When should you watch it: Any time is good but specially suits if you've just gone broke or have just broken up and think that the world is a crappy place to live in and will always remain so. Not recommended for toddlers/teenagers. If nothing, you will end up boasting about having watched a movie screened at Cannes, 42 years after its release.

Rating: Beyond rating.