SHRI 420’ – some rare musings. (by SSMurthy) श्री एस एस मूर्ति शंकर जयकिशन के जीवन एवं उनकी गतिविधियों से भली भांति परिचित हैं एवं इनके फैन हैं

There is this scene iTheren Shree 420, just a little after the film starts unreeling of Raj and the kelewali,(Lalita Pawar) when she says, "aathh aane ka dozen, chhutta lega to, do aane ka teen" and repeats when Raj amuses the kelewali with his "theen ane ka do" and asks her to ponder over, knowing pretty well a bargain, which will never come off, when a beguiled Lalita Pawar calls him back and accepts the offer, when the real truth comes out as Raj shows his empty pockets, but promises to take them at the promised price when he has money.

The scene ends with the kelewali offering the kele to be paid when he has the money and Raj stating what if he absconds? and the kelewali reciprocating "ham sochega ki hamara beta na khaya hai"

such a touching scene so beautifully presented as he goes away stating " Tum kelewali nahin hai dilwali hai dilwali" is comically moving and very touching.

You also have this scene and the background score where the beggar asks Raj to move aside saying "dhandhe ka time hai bhai...." till Nargis slips on the banana peel and later Raj himself is simply fascinating and marvellous.

There was a scene where Raj enters Nadira's house and finding no one, his eyes fall on a pack of cards, which he amusingly picks up and distributes to four players incognito and comically ends up with three ACES for himself. It was here that the Director in Raj shows his showmanship as Nadira makes a grand entry with a dazed and mischevous look as she says "Shabash"

and

SJ resoundingly reciprocate in the background, with the acordion flourish of "Kisiki muskurahaton. ...." , It was in this scene where you can see a sozzled Johhny Jaikishan and also in "Mud mud ke na dekh mud mud ke...." .

This incident marks a significant turning point to Raj's reel life in the movie since then, as much as Nadira's real life where she admittedly regretted joyfully, the mistake of accepting this character of a vamp, a role that became so popular and brought her accolades, but never again the pedestal of the leading lady.

ssmurthy