"nirmal anand ke liye"

As a kid, I remember watching Khoobsurat many many times over, each time fascinated by the fantasy song, "kayda kayda". It was a child's dream come true on screen....snowy mountains where you could scoop off the snow and it would be icecream in your mouth, candy hanging off trees, ready for plucking, and tasty drinks like colas and coffee on the tap. And being asked, "kayda kayda, akhir fayda?" A good way to question discipline, and authority, at any age!

A little older, I caught the movie again, this time enjoying the rhyming dialogues spoken by Rekha's family (the cook, asharfi lal, who makes masoor ki daal!"), and the draconian matriarch in the other household..the two forming perfect foils for each other with Rekha as the saucy rebel, ploughing on regardless of Dina Pathak's glares and stern comments, winning all hearts.

Then again, and this time, I was taken by the references to "nirmal anand"--- those 2 magical words with which she lures the suppressed family into delicious rebellion. I heard somewhere that the movie was a criticism of Indira Gandhi, and the imposition of emergency and how it took away people's freedom. Interesting idea, although I have never discussed it in detail with anyone.

Another movie, very different, that I have loved was Abhimaan. Beautiful songs and a very, very real situation turned into a movie that can bring on introspection. My heart breaks each time a traumatised Jaya Bhaduri finally bursts into tears thinking of her lost baby as she stands beside her husband on stage towards the end of the movie.

Hearing of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's passing away brought on deep nostalgia for movies I have enjoyed, again and again, over the years. Catching the opening credits of a film while channel surfing, if I missed the film name but saw Hrishikesh Mukherjee's name on it, I would remain on that channel, often informing family to come join me for classics like Chupke Chupke, Guddi, Golmaal, Bawarchi, Anand and so many more. Memorable characters, very well etched, a great plot, absolutely clean humour playing on people's fears, insecurities, irrationalities, eccentricities, and making fun of all of us, here was a man making films that invited everyone to enjoy some nirmal anand without requiring any suspension of disbelief or parental guidance.

To be able to leave behind laughter in the world is a great achievement.