This movie, if seen even today, is an out and out entertainer. The music is good but not block-buster material either. But as far as story and screen play is concerned - brilliant is the term that defines it. And what stands above all this is Dilip Kumar(aka Yousuf Khan)'s acting. Before Amitabh Bachchan, I guess Dilip Kumar was the one who made it felt that style-personified dialogue delivery is an important aspect of acting. Though a hard-core Amitabh Bachchan fan, I do tend to agree with folks of the opinion that AB copies Dilip Kumar's acting style/persona quite a few times.
Apparently, this movie is one of the last hits of Dilip Kumar's reign as Bollywood's hero no. 1. "Last but not the least" aptly describes the acting prowess of Dilip Saab.
The story: Ram, introvert and mentally challenged to some extent, is coping with life with lot of difficulties whereas Shyam, a filmi-buffoon, enjoys every moment of life. Fate has them interchange their positions in life and both of them enjoy their instincts till they wait for Pran (their evil brother-in-law) to reveal the truth.
Highlights: Comic timing of Dilip Saab. The classic scene: Where street-smart Shyam enters a restaurant to eat like a glutton and escapes without a word... the same Dilip Kumar now entering as Ram, scared and hungry, asking for a cup of tea and being forced to pay 20-30 rupees for the food. Another scene: Where Shyam is eating food at Waheeda Rehman's place - the cuteness with which he says, "Khaane do na gareeb ko, duaaen denga" - is just uncherishable. Oh, you really got to see the movie to feel the punch. :)
It would be a grave injustice to not mention Waheeda Rehman and Pran's contributions. Waheeda Rehman, in the 1st half of the movie, before she falls in love with Shyam, is different from her usual roles of 'Sati Savitri' kind. Pran, an actor par excellence, conveys another winning performance.
A must watch reco is given to this movie. Namaste, Shabba-khair, Sasriyakaal ... till next time :)
Rating: 4.0/5.0
