Aug 08 2016

Parineeta to Kati Patang: The great dialogues of Vrajendra Gaur

by   Sonal Pandya

36 years after his death, the screenplay and dialogue writer’s legacy lives on.

1 “Samaj, jo samaj dukhi ka dukh nahi samajta, jo samaj musibat mein sahara nahin dehta, woh samaj dushman ban kar gala dabata hai.” - Nasir Hussain as Gurcharan Babu in Parineeta (1953)

For Bimal Roy’s adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel, Vrajendra Gaur’s words especially highlighted the class differences between Shekhar, a rich landowner’s son, versus the kin of Lalita, a young orphaned poor girl. Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari stoically played the couple, who had to overcome several misunderstandings, with stellar direction by Roy.

2 “Raakh ko koi kitna bhi dehkai, woh aag nahi ban sakti.” -  Nutan as Kumud in Saraswatichandra (1968)

In yet another popular retelling of a beloved novel, Gaur brought particular poignance to the character of Kumud, played by Nutan. Her opinion is never asked until the finale when she finally breaks her silence and speaks her mind to her former suitor, Saraswatichandra.

3 “Agar sharaab dukhon ko mitta sakti, toh har aadmi sharaabi ban jata” - Asha Parekh as Madhavi in Kati Patang (1970)

Gaur’s strong dialogues for Madhavi, a young woman who faces misfortune at every turn, won Asha Parekh her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Parekh and Rajesh Khanna’s performances made Shakti Samanta’s film a huge success.
 

4 “Paise aur khoobsuratee se koi chhota bada nahi hota. Chhota bada banate hai usko uske sanksar.” - Madan Puri as Seth Harikrishan in Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye (1977)

Family values and goodness of heart were strongly emphasised in this Rajshri hit of the late 1970s. Starring Madan Puri, Iftekhar and newcomers Prem Kishen and Rameshwari, Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye brought Vrajendra Gaur two Filmfare Awards, for Best Dialogue and Best Screenplay.

5 “Apna patta khulega toh apun ko salaam karte hue khulega.” - Amitabh Bachchan as Jai in The Great Gambler (1977)

This international espionage tale, starring Amitabh Bachchan, as an expert cardsharp and an upstanding police officer became a cult hit in years to come. Gaur’s dialogues added the extra zing to Bachchan’s character Jai.