Action, drama, comedy, romance… all combined in the 1980 flick called “Do aur do paanch”. Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Parvin Babi, Kader Khan… there was no dearth of talent in this film. We take some time off to go back to the bygone times and relish the gifts of a part of the Indian film industry through this movie.
The plot of this film is centered on the abduction of a little boy called Bittoo (Master Bittoo) who is the son of a rich businessman (Sheeram Lagoo) and has been put in a boarding school by the extra protective side of his father. The two astute con men but likeable human beings at heart are Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) and Sunil (Shashi Kapoor), the two long time rivals who want to procure Bittoo, each for his own self and thus obviously demand a huge ransom from his father. While Vijay is a freelancer in his profession, Sunil works for his so called Uncle (Kader Khan). For the same mission, they both enroll as teachers in the same boarding school under false names with fake credits, Vijay as Ram (the PT instructor) and Sunil as Laxman (the music mentor). Thus the story progresses as they both try to employ various schemes and tricks in order to seize the little boy and endeavor to outwit each other constantly in this game of “kidnap the kid”.
As for their love encounters, Vijay gets involved with the principal’s daughter Anju (Parveen Babi) and Sunil gets occupied with another teacher of the school, Shalu (Hema Malini). The story goes through its seasons of melodramatic moments as Vijay and Sunil undergo changes and their pasts and realities are revealed to their respective girlfriends. Despite the dramatic interludes in the movie, it still ranges high in comedy, owing to the fantastic chemistry between Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor. The movie includes the typically Bollywood Hero-Villain style fights and not to forget the high class, techno studded “addass” of the lofty villains of those times which showcase marvels such as button operated doors and innovative man-killing ideas.
The movie was directed by Rakesh Kumar and was scripted by Sachin Bhowmick. Lalita Pawar also starred in the movie as the mother of Shashi Kapoor’s character. Jagdeep also makes an appearance for a short while. The movie in the initial stages charts the course of its two male protagonists as each others competitors but later it is largely about their bonding and their growth in each others trust, faith and friendship. Also a realization to become better individuals comes over them since all their lives, they had found recourse in illegal activities (that is why do aur do had always been paanch for them and not chaar).
The music was given by Rajesh Roshan and the song “Tune Abhi Dekha Nahi” sung by Kishore Kumar is an ever popular number. “Do Aur Do Paanch” will keep you glued till the very end and it comes forward as a hilarious and an adorable movie of all times.
A total “masala” movie accomplished with all the right ingredients in the perfect combination!!!!
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