#7 Piya Ka Ghar (1972)
Released in 1972, directed by ace director Basu Chatterjee, Piya ka ghar was a cult movie about a middle class family . It starred Anil Dhawan and Jaya Bhaduri in the lead roles.
Plot
The film revolves around characters Ram and Malti. Ram stays in Mumbai, in a chawl system, where as Malti stays in a village and is raised by her uncle Gauri Shankar (Raja Paranjpe) with lot of affection. There marriage is fixed by a match maker, against the wishes of Gauri Shankar. He is not in favour of sending Malti to a city.
After marriage, Malti comes to Mumbai. She finds it very difficult to adjust in the joint family of Ram. The reason being, Ram’s congested small home with only partitions to seperate the entire room. Ram and Malti have to sleep in the kitchen at night. Ram’s brother Shiri (Suresh Chatwal) and his sister in law Shobha (Ranjita Thakur) have already accustomed themselves to this small space house.
Hindrances
Their sweet romance of new wedded life is always interrupted either by a flying plane, which Malti loves to watch, or by one of the family members. Their close neighbours Baburao (Kesto Mukherjee) and Kanhaiya (Mukri) are frequently present in the home for playing chess or cricket with Ram’s father Girdharilal (Agha). Ram’s mother Laxmi (Sulochana Chatterjee) has spend her whole life there, so she is very much comfortable with these daily customs. But Malti finds it very wierd and at times irritating, when she has to thrive for simple pleasures of her wedded life.
Moments
Highlight of this movie is the amazing chemistry of Ram and Malti in the entire movie. The small moments he steals to spend time with Malti, is worth watching. He tries his best to make her smile in the not very comfortable atmosphere of his home. His friend Arun gives him advices to impress Malti, but in vain.
The touching scene for me is when the full family is out for some or the other reason. Ram is been adviced by Arun to keep Malti waiting, so as to increase her eagerness to spend time with him. So he spends the day by loitering around with Arun. The melody Piya Ka Ghar Hai Ye , sung by melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, is played then. When he returns, he is extremely disappointed to find out the facts, but its too late as his family returns back. The two of them miss a golden chance to spend time alone.
The super hit song Yeh Jeevan Hai, sung by maestro Kishore Kumar, delivers Ram and Malti’s state of mind in a beautiful manner.
The Final Test
Crisis arises when Ram takes Malti to a lodge for some private moments and an unfortunate incident takes place there, leaving Malti shattered and heart broken. She cries her heart out. On their return, they find a furious Gauri Shankar at home, who is further disturbed by seeing Malti in tears. He decides to take Malti back to village and tells Ram also to come there.
Family of Ram show their larger than life size hearts by compromising, so that Ram and Malti are not seperated. The parents decide to go on a pilgrimage. Ram’s sister in law decides to stay at her maternal house. Where as his brother takes a decision of staying with his friend. Not only this, one of their neighbours, Kanhaiya (Mukri) who have been with them entire life, contribute by selling his taxi to arrange a flat for Ram and Malti.
Happy Ending
These warm gestures and the sacrifices of each touch Malti, and also Gauri Shankar. She rquests her uncle to let her stay with her family as each one is ready to sacrifice for her happiness. Finally, Gauri Shankar melts and agrees. He blesses them and leaves.
The family members go out to see him off. Ram’s naughty sister in law locks the home, and finally Ram and Malti get priceless moments with each other.
This cult movie about a middle class family and the amazing chemistry of Ram and Malti needs to be witnessed on screen. Their love depicted by gestures and expressions most of the time in the film, is worth watching.