JEWEL THIEF
(1967)
Directed by- Vijay Anand
Written by- K.A. Narayan & Vijay Anand
*Dev Anand, Vyjayantimala, Ashok Kumar, Tanuja, Nazir Hussain, Sapru
Another Vijay Anand suspense thriller that deals with identity, this one is propelled by a labyrinthine plot and held together by a baffling mystery.
A common man, Vinay, is repeatedly mistaken for someone else and as he deals with the unsettling discovery of having a criminal doppleganger, he is thrown in the midst of a confounding conspiracy that takes him across the country in search of the evasive jewel thief, 'Prince'.
Vijay Anand maintains supreme secrecy as he leads us on a manhunt where the bad guy always gets away by a hair's breadth. That is until the predictable and deus ex machina-ish climax.
But despite the guessable ending, I couldn't dislike the film, because of all the fun that preceded it. Anand crafts a mightily intriguing plot from the done to death tropes of mistaken identity and dopplegangers.
I mean, this is a 1967 film and the sheer fun that it has with its plot is incredible. Yes, a lot of plot elements are ludicrous but this is a tighter, more polished screenplay than Johny Mera Naam anyday. I was hugely impressed.
Though the resolution was easy, I was bowled by how the film had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The suspense maintained by the airtight mystery is delicious and though the finale somewhat dampens its effect, it doesn't completely ruin the experience.
The other and even more awesome aspect of the film was S.D. Burman's immortal music. Song after song came and awed me by how deeply embedded it already was in my memory.
Seemingly, every song is a classic, its unforgettable melody tattooed on posterity.
The cast too is perfect. Leading man Dev Anand is as quirky and energetic as ever. He becomes the character and fills it with his infinite, quivering energy.
There's a bit of a romantic triangle in the beginning but the refreshing Tanuja soon shifts to a supporting role, while the unbelievably opulent Vyjayantimala shines as the troubled leading lady.
Ashok Kumar as the villain was convincing. There was one particular scene, though, that caught my attention and sort of cemented his character as a badass and not just a caricaturish Hindi baddie.
As he sticks a cigarette in his mouth an apprehensive henchman offers him a lighter, to which the suave Kumar responds by taking out a lighter of his own and saying, "Apna kaam karo". I instinctively cheered.
Overall, an entertaining film which had me actively participating, rather than passively enjoying it.
Not perfect by any definition, but an absolutely satisfying experience.
Take away the '60s melodrama, the bizarre action and the exposition infested narrative and you have a winner of a plot told with conviction and undeniable style.
Rating- 4.0/5
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