A couple enters the old mansion as its new residents. The servant of the mansion is taken aback by the striking resemblance of the new residents to the last occupants of the mansion, Banani and Bijan. He then tells the couple about the story of Banani, the Banjaaran girl, and Bijan, the Zamindar boy. The film revolves around the narration of Banani and Bijan's love story.
Madhubala's performance in this film is not exceptional. While her gypsy accent is effective and her comic timing is impressive, her acting shines particularly when the emotional aspects of the story are explored. However, there are too many sobbing scenes, which, for the first time, caused me to lose interest. On a positive note, her acting when she disguises herself as an astrologer is truly impressive. Bharat Bhushan's character and acting are unremarkable, except for his good chemistry with Madhubala. Nishi Kohli and Jeevan Dhar deliver decent performances as the negative characters, although they are forgettable. Dhumal does a good job of maintaining the film's entertainment value. Mehmood has a brief role, but it doesn't have a significant impact. Badri Prasad and Murad give their best performances in their respective roles. There is also a special appearance by Cukooo, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression on me.
This 1958 film is a rare one in that it doesn't feature a traditional Saas-Bahu drama. However, despite its uniqueness, the story is surprisingly dull. At first, the story seems promising, but as it unfolds, it devolves into a familiar tale of a wealthy boy and poor girl falling in love. The second half of the film is particularly tedious, with too many scenes of sobbing that made me lose interest. The story could have been developed more interestingly, rather than relying on the repetitive plot device of Banani and Bijan's struggles and then their eventual entrapment. Instead, it feels like a predictable and unengaging narrative that fails to capture the viewer's attention.
The cinematography is commendable, but the choreography of the songs could have been improved to better match the emotional tone of the songs.
The standout aspect of the film is its music, courtesy of O. P. Nayyar. While it may not be as versatile as his other works, Nayyar has managed to create a soundtrack that enhances the story. The soundtrack is primarily composed of slow, emotional songs, including the cabaret song, which is surprisingly slow and unengaging. However, the rest of the songs are instant mood lifters. It's remarkable how Nayyar used the tune of "Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya" in many of the songs, making it a symbol of Banani and Bijan's love story. Nayyar's work, along with Asha Bhosle's vocals, has literally saved the film from being mediocre.
In conclusion, 'Phagun' is not a great film by any stretch, but it is an entertaining one with an average storyline and chart-busting music.
