‘Padosan’: Celebrating 56 years of Bollywood’s timeless comedy classic
Directed by Jyoti Swaroop and starring Saira Banu, Sunil Dutt, Kishore Kumar and Mehmood, the film was a resounding hit when it was released to great acclaim on November 29, 1968.
Stills from PadosaN
By Asjad NazirNov 25, 2024
THE classic comedy Padosan is widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s funniest and most entertaining films.
This timeless tale of love, rivalry and musical battles revolves around a simpleton in love with his beautiful neighbour. It also features a music teacher vying for her affections, a spirited singing guru, and a host of colourful characters.
Directed by Jyoti Swaroop and starring Saira Banu, Sunil Dutt, Kishore Kumar and Mehmood, the film was a resounding hit when it was released to great acclaim on November 29, 1968.
Eastern Eye celebrates the film’s 56th anniversary this week by highlighting why the laughter-filled film remains iconic.
Elevation: Padosan was a Bollywood adaptation of the Bengali-language film Pasher Bari (1952), itself based on a short story of the same name. The Hindi comedy was one of the rare remakes that elevated the original material, taking it to even greater heights. Writer Rajinder Krishan and director Jyoti Swaroop infused new elements into the story, enhancing its characters, jokes, and music, which made it uniquely their own.
Storyline: The clever story of buffoons hopelessly in love with a woman out of their league predated Hollywood’s There’s Something About Mary (1998) by decades. Its hilarious tale of misunderstandings, music, and rivalry between two suitors was an epic battle of wits, enriched with superb songs, memorable moments, and vibrant characters. The timeless premise has continued to entertain audiences over the decades.
Music: This full-fledged comedy also boasted a magnificent musical score by the legendary RD Burman. The soundtrack included iconic songs like Mere Samnewali Khidki Mein and Main Chali Main Chali, which remain popular to this day. The standout number Ek Chatur Naar Karke Sringar, featuring Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey, is often cited as Bollywood’s greatest comedic musical duel.
Characterisation: The film’s unique characterisation was one of its biggest strengths. Sunil Dutt set aside the traditional heroic image to play the simpleton Bhola, while Mehmood presented the first memorable south Indian-inspired character in Hindi cinema with his portrayal of Master Pillai. Kishore Kumar, as the energetic Guru, lit up the screen with his fiery performance. The supporting cast also delivered unforgettable portrayals that left a lasting impression.
Direction: Jyoti Swaroop masterfully blended slapstick comedy, situational humour, great music, and memorable characters to deliver the finest film of his career. The well-paced screenplay kept audiences engaged from start to finish, while the director elicited stellar performances from his cast. For many actors, their work in Padosan remains among their finest.
Kishore Kumar: The standout performance in Padosan came from the singing sensation, who showcased his versatility as the eccentric Guru. His high-energy portrayal, complete with improvisation, expressive facial movements, comic timing, and singing, brought the role to life. Legend has it that his performance was so strong that some scenes were edited out to avoid overshadowing the lead protagonists.
Hilarity: At its core, the aim of Padosan was to make audiences laugh, and it delivered in spades. The film was packed with witty dialogues, slapstick comedy, situational humour, and larger-than-life characters. Memorable moments included Bhola (Sunil Dutt) lip-syncing to a song while Kishore Kumar’s character, Guru, sings from behind a curtain, blending comedy and music seamlessly. The film’s humour also relied on clever wordplay, facial expressions, and unexpected moments that came together to create a laugh riot.
Styling: The quirky characters that formed the soul of Padosan were reflected in their unique styling. Saira Banu’s glamorous outfits became iconic fashion statements, while Sunil Dutt’s simpleton look underscored his character’s innocence. Mehmood’s transformation into a south Indian music teacher was both striking and effective. The attention to visual details added richness to the film and made it stand out among its contemporaries.
Culturally rooted: Padosan was firmly grounded in Indian culture at a time when Bollywood films were increasingly incorporating Western influences. From the traditional outfits worn by the cast to the music and characterisations, every element of the film celebrated Indian diversity. Mehmood’s portrayal of a south Indian character brought regional representation to the forefront, while the story also tackled familiar cultural quirks such as language barriers and regional differences, resonating deeply with audiences. Outfits worn by Saira Banu also became empowering style statements.
Legacy: By breaking the established rules of commercial Hindi cinema, Padosan inspired countless comedy films in subsequent decades. Its structure, characterisation, and style of humour became a blueprint for many future projects. Bhola’s naive and innocent persona inspired similar characters in later films, and Satish Kaushik even admitted that his award-winning role in Saajan Chale Sasural (1996) was based on Mehmood’s Master Pillai. The animated series Guru Aur Bhole drew inspiration from Kishore Kumar’s and Sunil Dutt’s characters in the film. Unsurprisingly, Padosan has been featured on numerous lists of the greatest Indian movies ever made, and there has been consistent talk of a remake for decades.
AN ASIAN writer has explained how his new book makes Britain’s imperial past “accessible, engaging and thought-provoking” for a younger audience.
Award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera’s new book, Journeys of Empire, explores empire through 10 journeys he described as being “extraordinary”. Sanghera said his book, published last month by Puffin UK, is “a way of helping children understand how Britain’s biggest story still shapes the world today.”
“We’re not taught this history very well,” he told Eastern Eye.
“The empire is morally complex – sometimes we were good, sometimes bad – so, how do you even begin talking about it? It’s also contentious. There are millions of us whose families were colonised, and millions whose families were the colonisers.”
Teachers cannot teach what they themselves were never taught, Sanghera pointed out.
“There are multiple layers to why British people are so bad at talking about this history. It touches on race, misogyny and geopolitics. It’s easier just not to talk about it.”
And , the cover of his book
Following the success of his bestselling children’s title Stolen History, Sanghera’s this latest work continues Sanghera’s mission to write for readers aged nine and above. With a focus on human experiences, Sanghera said he wanted show that history is not just a list of dates or conquests – it’s a tapestry of stories that connect people.
Born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi immigrant parents, he began school unable to speak English. Later he graduated with first-class honours in English language and literature from Christ’s College, Cambridge.
He has since built a career as a writer and journalist.
His memoir, The Boy with the Topknot, and his novel, Marriage Material, were both shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. Empireland, Sanghera’s exploration of Britain’s colonial legacy, was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non- Fiction, named a Book of the Year at the 2022 National Book Awards, and inspired the Channel 4 documentary series Empire State of Mind.
His first children’s book, Stolen History, introduced young readers to the complex and often overlooked realities of empire. With Journeys of Empire, Sanghera aims to go further. “When I finally learned about the British empire, it changed how I saw myself, how I saw Britain, and how I saw India,” he said.
“It seemed obvious that you’d want to give this gift to young people – because your 40s is a bit late to be learning all this.”
Sanghera said the 10 journeys in the book take readers across continents and centuries, revealing both the ambition and the brutality of empire.
“The British empire covered a quarter of the world’s surface and a large portion of its population. It was seven times the size of the Roman empire,” he said.
Aiming to ensure diversity in both perspective and geography, Sanghera said he chose stories from various countries and different phases of the 400-year history.
Alongside India and Mahatma Gandhi, readers will learn about Guyana’s indentured labour system, Gertrude Bell’s adventures in Iraq, and the British invasion of Tibet led by Francis Younghusband.
“I wanted to highlight areas often left out of mainstream narratives,” the writer said. The stories are written with an accessible and honest tone, and with humour.
“Violence is a tricky area,” Sanghera said. “You can’t go into graphic detail, but you also shouldn’t whitewash it. The violence and racism of colonialism were intrinsic. “I tried to strike a balance - acknowledging the brutality without overwhelming young readers.”
Writing for children isn’t much different from writing for adults, Sanghera said.
“You still need engaging stories and to hold attention. The main thing is to avoid big words that might put them off.”
He pointed out how storytelling can counter the allure of digital screens.
“Kids are addicted to screens, and reading rates are falling globally. That’s disastrous for mental health, intellectual development, and politics,” he said.
“When you get news from screens, you’re in an echo chamber – you’re not being challenged or taught to think in a nuanced way.”
Sanghera’s hope is that stories of Journeys of Empire – from pirates to princes and explorers to rebels – will draw in young readers to a world of curiosity and reflection. He said, “The British empire is a complex story. Even the ‘good guys’ had flaws. That’s what makes it worth understanding.”
At the heart of his book is a message about complexity and contradiction. “The empire involved slavery and the abolition of slavery. It caused environmental destruction and inspired environmentalism. We live in a world that struggles with nuance, but that’s what makes us human,” Sanghera said.
“My hope is that readers – kids and adults – learn that opposite things can be true at the same time.”
After six years of writing about empire, Sanghera said he’s ready for a change. His next book will focus on the late pop star George Michael, due out in June next year.
“I thought George Michael would be a nice break from empire. But then I learned that his father came from Cyprus - which was under British rule. The reason he left Cyprus was because of the British. So, even George Michael’s story connects back to empire. You can’t escape it, wherever you go.”
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