On this weekly column, we revisit gems from the golden years of Hindi cinema. This week, we revisit Raj Khosla’s 1956 movie CID.
A newspaper editor is murdered, and there may be sufficient proof for CID’s inspector Shekhar to catch his man, however he’s sure that there’s extra to the case than meets the attention. Shekhar digs deeper however finds himself accused of police brutality because the felony who killed the editor dies. Operating from the system to show his innocence, the agile detective, who stays suave even within the worst of circumstances, is a person who can discover a needle in a haystack.
The 1956 movie CID ideas its hat to the Hitchcock-style of noir cinema. On the time when it launched, the style wasn’t as widespread in Hindi movies because it got here to be in later years. The morally ambiguous characters painted in all shades of gray, the femme fatale who makes use of her sexuality to get her method, and the detective who has been focused by the system – they had been all skilfully utilized by director Raj Khosla and author Inder Raj Anand in Guru Dutt-produced CID.
Dev Anand performs a suave detective in CID.
The movie opens with a suspicious cellphone name ordering the homicide of a sure somebody however we don’t know who’s behind the cellphone. Quickly after, the newspaper editor is murdered and Shekhar reaches the scene. Performed by Dev Anand, Shekhar is the quintessential hero who takes over the display screen together with his attraction and wit. In a scene the place he has to comply with a suspect as a substitute of attending his beloved’s celebration, he’s informed by his girlfriend, performed by Shakila, “If you happen to depart, we’re accomplished.” He simply says “I’m sorry” and skips out however is prepared the subsequent day serenading her with “Aankhon Hello Aakhon Mein Ishaara Ho Gaya.” Dev’s Shekhar is fast on his ft. He can put two and two collectively as he finds a “charas vali cigarette” on the crime scene and zeroes down the spot the place he may discover the felony.
CID was Waheeda Rehman’s debut in Hindi movies and it’s evident that she was nonetheless honing her craft right here. There’s a sure musicality to her dialogue supply however her display screen presence is fascinating. Her Kamini walks the fantastic line between being the femme fatale whose ethical compass doesn’t look down upon homicide however nonetheless has sufficient morality to be swayed to the nice aspect. Mehmood, who is usually remembered for his comedian outings, is menacing right here because the employed murderer.
CID will get its respiration moments with Johnny Walker’s character – a pickpocket who’s a petty felony however can’t fathom promoting his soul so a assassin may escape. One of the vital remembered songs filmed on him “Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan” has been romanticised to loss of life within the six many years since its launch, however it cleverly conveys the plot with traces like “Beghar Ko Aawaara Yahan Kehte Has Has, Khud Kaate Gale Sabke Kahein Isko Enterprise.”
This efficient use of songs is constant because the movie’s pre-climax astutely utilises the lyrics of “Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana” in taking the story ahead ever so neatly. Not simply the lyrics, CID makes use of its background music fairly effectively as properly. When Shekhar’s character meets Kamini for the primary time, the music that follows him into her mansion is sufficient to get you intrigued.
The movie is a whodunnit for essentially the most half, however by the point viewers discovers who really did it, which is nearly midway via the movie, they’re invested in Shekhar’s journey and need him to resolve the puzzle as properly so he could be the hero he’s speculated to be.
CID’s is a type of musical classics by OP Nayyar that has achieved an evergreen standing. Other than the aforementioned songs, “Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar” and “Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re” had been additionally part of this album. The now well-known “Jaata Kahaan Hai Dewaane” was dropped from the movie, regardless of its presence on the audio, as a result of the censor board discovered some lyrics objectionable. Jan Nisar Akhtar and Majrooh Sultanpuri penned the lyrics for the movie.
At its core, CID is a timeless story that will work with the proper elaborations even at present, perhaps even turn into a franchise.
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CID is streaming on Prime Video and YouTube.
