Cast: Sunjay Dutt, Reena Roy, Tina Munim, Ranjeet, Aruna Irani, Shakti Kapoor & Amjad Khan. Special Appearance: Rakhee Gulzar Mu...
Cast: Sunjay Dutt, Reena Roy, Tina Munim, Ranjeet, Aruna Irani, Shakti
Kapoor & Amjad Khan. Special Appearance: Rakhee Gulzar
Music: R D Burman
Directed by: Sunil Dutt
Even 45 years later Rocky, released on 8th May 1981, is still fresh in
the audience’s minds as the super-hit songs are still played today. The
introduction of Sanjay Dutt (then spelt Sunjay) in a motorcycle singing
‘Rocky Mera Naam’ was a clap worthy moment. Sanju was not a natural- his walk,
talk and even look was more of a 19-20 years old rather than that of a star. He
was tall, lanky and had a gawky walk (which is now a phenomenon). His dialogue
delivery had shades of slurs (given his drug addiction then) and sleepy eyes
were not what stars are made off. Yet he carries the film with his fight scenes
and motorcycle stunts. Released along with Love Story (released in February
1981), Sanjay was overshadowed by the hero of the latter, Rajendra Kumar’s son,
Kumar Gaurav who had also made his debut. Where the girls swooned over Gaurav,
yet there was a section of audience (read women also) who loved to mother
Sanjay (Nargis had passed away just before the release) and appreciated
his action. Both these films had set out to establish the dynastic tradition in
the industry by introducing sons of the 60s superstars- Rajendra Kumar and
Sunil Dutt. Between Love Story and Rocky, the latter was a better made film -
better plot, better directed and better filmed. Amjad Khan had pivotal roles in
both and R D Burman composed for both the films with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.
And both were plagarised titles of hit Hollywood movies.
In the behest of Seth Ratanlal (Anwar Husain), Union leader Shankar
(Sunil Dutt in a cameo appearance) is killed by Jagdish (Ranjeet) who also
tries to rape Shankar’s wife Parvati (Raakhee) but is saved in the nick of time
by Robert (Amjad Khan). But because of this incident Shankar and Parvati’s son
Rakesh (Master Ravi Valecha) goes into a trauma so much so that when his
mother comes near him, the trauma is repeated in his mind every time. Parvati
is instructed by the doctor to keep away from him. Robert adopts Rakesh. Years
later Rakesh is now christened Rocky (Sanjay). After 2hours of the film he gets
to know the truth about Jagdish aka JD and sets out to avenge his father’s
death and mother’s modesty.
Reena Roy as Lajwanti is wonderful and puts in a restrained performance
as the rape survivor. Amjad Khan is as always good. Ranjeet fits the evil JD to
the ‘T’. Shakti Kapoor as JD’s son RD is flamboyant. Tina Munim as Rocky’s love
interest Renuka just about passes muster as the rich heiress. Others in the
cast like Raakhee, Aruna Irani, Shashikala and Satyen Kappu are dependable.
Special mention must be made about Keshto Mukherjee who brings the house down
with his brilliant comedy.
The biggest success of Rocky is the music. R D Burman’s creates a
masterpiece with “Kya Yahi Pyar Hai” which is still immensely popular even
today. So are other numbers like the awesome disco anthem “Aa Dekhen Zara”
(Kishore- Asha- RD) and the love song “Hum Tumse Mile” (Lata - Kishore). The
youthful “Rocky Mera Naam" (Kishore Kumar) and “Aao Mere Yaaro Aao” (Kishore
Kumar again) were also brilliantly rendered. What an album! Pure brilliance!
Coming to the direction, it was deftly directed by Sunil Dutt but was
completed by Raj Khosla as Dutt Sr was besides Nargis who was fighting her
cancer battle. She did not survive to see the film’s release as she passed away
on May 2,1981, sixdays before the release. A seat was left in between Sunil and Sanjay Dutt at the premiere show (7th May 1981).
The film was certified as ‘100 percent hit” but it was basically an
above average runner at the BO. The major lacuna of the film was perhaps the
saleability of Sanjay Dutt himself despite his never-ending motorcycle stunts (up
and down Marine Drive and hurtling down the steps of Churchgate
over-bridge).Yet Rocky remains far more etched than Love Story mainly because
of the music which is gold dust and the superstar it produced in the later
years - Sanjay Dutt
Even today, Rocky and its music feels fresh and has enough going for it.
By Sanjay Mishra (actor- film maker)
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