Bobby review :
The debacle of Mera Naam Joker (1970) broke showman Raj Kapoor financially as well as emotionally. His semi-autobiographical and philosophical take was too heavy for the audience to digest. This is when he decided to give them candy floss.
A romantic musical is what he started next. Rajesh Khanna, the reigning superstar, was unaffordable to cast as the lead. Raj Saahab settled for his younger son Rishi who had acted as a school boy in Joker. Dimple, daughter of noted industrialist and Kapoor's family friend Chunnibhai Kapadia, was signed as the heroine. The intent was to keep the budget to the minimum and give audience what they would understand and absorb easily..
Bobby released at the prestigious Metro Cinema in Mumbai in September 1973 and became an instant blockbuster. Though the story of a rich boy falling for a poor girl and then eloping with her offered nothing new, the sheer innocence and freshness of the new pair (Rishi- Dimple) coupled with some awesome music score by Laxmikant Pyarelal worked big time in its favour. Raj Saahab gave some memorable supporting characters like Premnath's rum guzzling Jack Braganza with his ill-fitting suit and open trouser zip!! "AAVAIESSS", a Goan phrase he keeps repeating in the movie..
The sweet sixteen Dimple Kapadia became the national crush after Bobby. Her short skirts and teeny weeny bikini alongwith her fabulous performance got tremendous acclaim and awards that year. She was touted to be the next big star but shockingly, settled for a marriage with Rajesh Khanna. Later, she made a grand comeback in the '80s with Ramesh Sippy's Saagar (1985) and continued her glorious Bollywood innings right till the recent Brahmastra...the elegant lady is my most favourite Bollywood actress of all time!!
Coming to Bobby, "Mujhse dosti karoge?" became the popular pickup line of that time and "Hum tum ek kamre mein bandh ho" song is still referenced in Bollywood. I also love "Main shaayar toh nahi.." number where Shailendra Singh's voice suited the young Rishi so perfectly. Prem Chopra appeared in a cameo and his one liner "Prem naam hai mera..Prem Chopra!!" immortalised him just what "Mogambo khush hua" did to Amrish Puri later.
Personally, I consider Bobby to be Raj Saahab's most underwhelming effort. The film lacked the intellect and underlying social commentary normally associated with his each and every film. It is as if he was mocking the audience saying "You didn't like my masterpiece Mera Naam Joker, so eat this!!".
P. S. (Spoiler alert): Not many know that Raj Kapoor had filmed a sad ending where Rishi- Dimple die but heeding to his trusted distributor, Raj Saahab opted for a happy ending for the movie. After all, such an innocent sweet couple deserved to live happily ever after.
Regards,
Sumeet Nadkarni.
