Paigham (1959) :
Brief Review -
Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala's social drama on mill workers union issues. It was late 1950s, and this mill workers forming unions was a new trend in India, coming from western countries. Obviously, our conflicts differ from those of American, European, and Russian labourers, but somewhere they were on the same lines. The basic issues were bonus, security, and accidental insurance, which mill owners and partners used to eat up and still do. It wasn't like Paigham was a pathbreaking film or a social sensation, but it was a good attempt. It has a typical amount of drama and some flaws that make it a one-time watch. It's predictable even for its time, and the dramatic turnarounds are too cheesy. Then what works? The cast, the engaging factors, the drama, and socially important questions. In the beginning, I was hooked on that beautiful love triangle formed by Dilip, Vyjayanthimala, and B. Saroja Devi. There is a nice metaphor and taunt to it. The rich girl couldn't pass the B. A., and the poor girl tops it. The boy is another study genius and very good at principles, so basically he should have gone for the poor girl, and he does too. But then his brother is unhappy with it. Imagine an elder brother being so concerned about an educated girl not having a father, but he may not have issues with a rich, spoiled girl with a father (his boss). That was a dig at cowardly thinking of working middle class men and has been going on for years. What changes Malti's mind suddenly when she goes against her father? Why does Manju, a graduate girl, lose her senses and become so hysterical? We don't get clear answers but have to finish the film because it was all coming to a "happy ending." The film could have bettered itself in the final 15 minutes and given us a concrete plot. Nevertheless, it is still watchable for moderate and time-pass entertainment value.
RATING - 6/10*
By - #samthebestest.
