PAAKIZA A KAMAL AMROHI’S IMMORTAL MASTERPIECE

By Tapan Pattani

We all know the story behind the great Taj Mahal built by Shahjahan. It was a tribute to his wife Mumtaaz . What if a filmmaker wants to do the same? He makes PAAKIZAA! Yes, today I will write about film which is touted as Kamal Amrohis best! Paakiza was a tribute by Kamal Amrohi to his love of life: Meena Kumari.
Paakiza was realsed on3rd February 1972 with a grand premier in Mumbais Maratha Mandir which was attended by Meena Kumari also , her last premier! But it was in making since 16 years! Kamal had developed the idea of making a film on a courtsean way back in 1956. I am very small man to write on it but I am trying it ! What was in that film that it is still regarded as a cult masterpiece till today? Lets analyse.

Plot: Paakiza tells story of a courtesan ( tawaeif ) and her tryst with destiny and how she meets her father and in what circumstances. In those era, there was trend of making muslim socials and histocricals like ( which I miss a lot today ) . Jahaan aara, Bahu Begam Taj Mahal etc .

Story and screenplay:
Paakiza boasts of a solid razor sharp screenplay with totally well gelled songs . The story is told in a simple manner with great sets and grand music . The climax is a shocker ! And dialogues!!! One of the finest of hindi cinema! Apne paanv zameen par mat rakho, Maile jo jayenge!

Technical aspects:
A german Cinematogrpaher Josef Wirching who had worked wonders with Kamal Amrohi in probably hindi cinema’s first suspense thriller MAHAL ( 1949 ) was roped for Paakiza and what a class cnematography he did! Remember , thath were days when there was No VFX, everything had to be shot on real locations ! The songs, scenes were shot masterfully ! Special mention to song pictuarisation of mausam hai aashiquna! What a gem !

Music:
All adjectives. praise words cannot suffice the immortal magic of Music of Paakiza! Gulam Mohammed gave his best for this film! I have spent my whole childhood listening the songs innumerable times on cassette and then audio cd . Still I get goosebumps whenever i see the songs even today! Every song is diamond gem! Paakiza was also one of the few films which used thumris in mainstream music . There can never be another paakiza in terms of music!

Sadly Gulam Mohammed died very early in 1966 so the background score and rest songs were completed by Naushaad Saab, Listen to the genius of Naushad saab in opening credits. The music of that credits still u can listen till today in Vivid Bharti .

Performances: Paakiza is enriched with one of the greatest and best performances from principal cast, be it Ashok Kumar, Meena Kumari ji or Raajkumar. These were the days when Raajkumar was too famous f his hard hitting dialogues and in this move, he gives One of his most subtle performance! Ashok kumar once again proved that no can match him and he is the DADAMUNI of acting! No words of praaise can match Meena Kumari ji;s Immortal act in Paakiza.! I think she was born to play this role! her health kept on detriotating during filming so in many shots hers duplicate Padma Khanna ji was used and in dance sequences of songs too. Meena kapoor died recently. Rest cast did also splendid job!

Overall:
Kamal Amohi has become immortal in the annals of hindi cinema with paakiza! A sure watch movie infinite times which proves that it was Golden era of cinema!
Impact: Sanjay leela bhansali has always been inspired by this film which I clearly see in his grand cinema andpassion for excellence. Even Bhansali has tried to re-create the scene where madhuri is sleeping near a pond and her hairs are immersed in water of pond.