MOVIE REVIEW: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)
Starring: Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar,
Anoop Kumar, Madhubala
Director: Satyen Bose
Music Director: S.D. Burman
There’s an interesting tidbit about why Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi was made. It is said that Kishore Kumar produced this movie hoping it would flop and he wouldn’t have to pay income tax. But to his horror, it became a runaway hit, and went on to win six Filmfare Awards! So the whimsical man that he was, Kishore gave away all rights of the film to his secretary, Anoop Sharma.
With all three Ganguly brothers–Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, and Anoop Kumar—joining hands in this madcap rollercoaster ride, and the beautiful and vivacious Madhubala matching the guys step for step, Chalti ka Naam Gaadi remains one of the best comedies of Hindi cinema. It does have a serious side though: The sinister plot twist in the second half adds intrigue to the entertaining sequence of events.
Interestingly, two evergreen songs of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—the iconic rain song Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si and Hum The Wo Thi—were inspired by American singer Tennessee Ernie Ford’s numbers, Sixteen Tons and The Watermelon Song respectively. Hum The Wo Thi was, in fact, a blatant copy of The Watermelon Song. It is said that the legendary composer Sachin Dev Burman agreed to do this on Kishore Kumar’s request!
TOP 10 SONGS
1. Haan Mai Galat (Love Aaj Kal 2)
2. Dus Bahane 2.0 (Baaghi 3)
3. Muqabla (Street Dancer 3D)
4. Mere Liye Tum (Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan)
5. Shaitan Ka Saala (Housefull 4)
6. Dheeme Dheeme (Pati Patni Aur Woh)
7. Don’t Be Shy Again (Bala)
8. Malang Title Song (Malang)
9. Ghungroo Song (War)
10. Sauda Khara Khara (Good Newwz)
Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
TOP 10 MOVIES
1. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
2. Baaghi 3
3. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan
4. Thappad
5. Malang
6. Angrezi Medium
7. Panga
8. Chhapaak
9. Love Aaj Kal 2
10. Bhoot: The Haunted Ship
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