Starcast :- Sunil Dutt, Asha Parekh, Rakesh Roshan, Reena Roy, Tariq, Agha, Madhup Sharma, Helen, Johny Walker and Imtiaz Khan Music :- Ba...
Starcast :- Sunil Dutt, Asha
Parekh, Rakesh Roshan, Reena Roy, Tariq, Agha, Madhup Sharma, Helen, Johny
Walker and Imtiaz Khan
Music :- Bappi Lahiri
Direction :- Raja Thakur
Zakhmee is a 1975 Bollywood action drama that’s got
all the masala you’d expect from a film of that era—family drama, crime,
romance, and some seriously catchy tunes. Directed by Raja Thakur and produced
by Tahir Hussain (Aamir Khan’s father), this flick stars heavyweights like
Sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh, alongside a young Rakesh Roshan, Reena Roy, and a
whole ensemble of familiar faces like Tariq, Helen and Johnny Walker. It’s a
movie that tries to juggle a lot, and while it doesn’t always manage the
landing, it’s a fun, chaotic snapshot of mid-70s Hindi cinema.
The story kicks off with a bang: Anand (Sunil
Dutt), a businessman, gets arrested on his wedding night to Asha (Asha Parekh)
for allegedly murdering his business partner. Anand clams up, refusing to
defend himself, which leaves his lawyer thinking he’s guilty as charged. His
brothers, Amar (Rakesh Roshan) and Pawan (Tariq), aren’t buying it. They’re
convinced their big bro is innocent and decide to take matters into their own
hands. Their plan? Kidnap Nisha (Reena Roy), the daughter of the judge (Iftekhar)
overseeing Anand’s case, to strong-arm him into declaring Anand not guilty.
Spoiler alert: things don’t go smoothly, and what follows is a rollercoaster of
twists, fights, and some gloriously over-the-top moments.
Let’s start with the good stuff. Zakhmee is a
textbook example of 1970s Bollywood’s love for blending genres. You’ve got
crime, drama, a sprinkle of romance, and even some musical numbers that’ll
stick in your head. The music, composed by Bappi Lahiri, is a total highlight.
This was Bappi Da’s big break, and he delivers with some absolute chartbusters
like “Nothing Is Impossible” (sung by Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, and Bappi
himself) and the superhit “Jalta Hai Jiya Mera Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein"
which was Bappi's first Binaca Geetmala topper. Lataji's evergreen "Aao Tumhein
Chand Pe Le Jayein", the impish "Abhi Abhi Thi Dushmani" and that
compulsory hit song "Dil mein Holi Jal" were other brilliant songs from the film.
These songs don’t just complement the story—they’re practically characters
themselves, adding that extra zing to the film’s vibe. The energy of the
soundtrack, paired with Helen’s iconic dance number to a cover of “Na Na Hey
Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” is pure Bollywood magic.
The cast is another big win. Sunil Dutt, as always,
brings gravitas to Anand, making you root for him even when he’s being
frustratingly silent. Asha Parekh is solid as the loyal wife, though her role
feels a bit undercooked compared to her usual spunky performances. Rakesh
Roshan and Tariq, as the bumbling brothers, steal a lot of the spotlight with
their earnest but hilariously inept attempts at playing tough guys. And then
there’s Reena Roy as Nisha, the judge’s daughter who’s basically a firecracker
on a motorcycle. Her entrance in the climactic fight, crashing through a window
, is the kind of moment that makes you forgive the film’s flaws. Reena Roy’s
infectious energy and chemistry with the brothers (especially Amar) is a
standout.
But, to be honest—Zakhmee isn’t perfect. The
screenplay, written by Humayun Mirza, can feel like it’s trying to do too much.
The pacing drags in parts, especially when the story veers into unnecessary
subplots, like the random inclusion of characters like Shirin (Pilloo J. Wadia)
and Rustam (Agha). These detours make the film feel bloated, and you can tell
editor Madhu Sinha had a tough time keeping things tight. The cinematography by
Munir Khan and art direction by Shiv Shankar also come off as a bit tacky, even
for the era. Raja Thakur, in his only Hindi directorial venture, shows flashes
of flair but also some inexperience, which might explain why the film feels
uneven. Sadly, Thakur passed away shortly after the film’s release , so we
never got to see how he might’ve grown as a filmmaker.
What makes Zakhmee stand out, though, is how it
balances Bollywood’s moral streak with its love for thrills. The film’s heroes,
Anand and Asha, are your typical upright Bollywood protagonists—almost too good
to be true. To spice things up, the baddies, like the villainous Tiger (Imtiaz
Khan), get to have all the fun, living it up in colorful lairs with wild
outfits and henchmen sporting funky shirts. Reena Roy’s Nisha, caught between
the good and bad sides, adds a layer of unpredictability that keeps you hooked.
The kidnapping plot, where Nisha seems weirdly thrilled to be held hostage, is
both ridiculous and delightful, turning what could’ve been a grim thriller into
something entertainingly lighthearted.
Box office-wise, Zakhmee held its own in a stacked
year that saw giants like Sholay and Deewar dominate. It wasn’t a blockbuster,
but it did very good business. That’s no small feat when you’re up against such
heavyweights. The film’s blend of star power, catchy music, and a fast-paced
(if messy) story owes a lot to producer Tahir Hussain’s knack for
crowd-pleasing formulas, something he learnt from his brother Nasir Hussain.
So, is Zakhmee a must-watch? If you’re a fan of 70s
Bollywood, absolutely. It’s not that polished nor emotionally gripping, but
it’s got heart, energy, and a certain chaotic charm. It’s the kind of movie you
watch with friends, popcorn in hand, ready to cheer at the over-the-top action
and sing along to the songs. Sure, it’s got its flaws—pacing issues, some weird
visuals—but it’s a time capsule of an era when Hindi films were all about
throwing everything at the wall and seeing what stuck. For fans of Sunil Dutt,
Reena Roy, or Bappi Lahiri’s early work, it’s a hidden gem worth digging up.
By Ayushmaan Mitra
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