Based on some Internet research on the best of Bollywood, and on a lifelong crush on Raj Kapoor's brother Shashi, this was the first Bollywood movie I sought out at an Indian video store, and it completely blew me away. If you want to start to get to know the greatness of this cultural tradition, this is a good place to start, and I recommend watching it thirty times. It is still my favorite after some months of searching out Bollywood classics.
This movie provides a sublime pathway to love of Bollywood; for one thing the music is completely enchanting, beginning with the first song, sung by Raj Kapoor in his role as a university- educated ("B.A. passed") young country fellow garbed as a hobo on his way to Bombay--he sings his song of the road about "My shoes are Japanese, my trousers are British, my red hat is Russian, but my heart is Indian" --Mera juta hai Japani, etc. I do not speak Hindi and I have had to memorize it. I think some westerners may believe that the music of Bollywood movies will be a stumbling-block, but see if you still think that after you see this one. The songs are compelling and varied, the lyrics elaborate story elements, with the additional pleasure of being Indian or non-Western or whatever in their sentiments. Raj Kapoor's brilliant physicality and body language alone make the movie a joy.
It also provides the pleasures of screen romance with powerful chemistry (between Raj Kapoor and the great star Nargis, his real life inspiration and beloved), and of movement into the nightclub world of the rich and glamorous, and the opportunity to see the spectacularly handsome Raj change from a foolish-acting tramp/clown to a worldly charmer in a dinner jacket (even though this spells temporary trouble for the forgotten and virtuous Nargis).
~Virginia
