Kishore Sahu in Hamlet (1954)

Hindi actor, writer, director and producer born in Durg, MP. Son of the Raja of Raigarh’s chief minister. Degree in literature from the University of Nagpur (1937). Wrote many short stories. Started as actor in Bombay Talkies playing ineffectual lover opposite Devika Rani in Jeevan Prabhat (1937) . Prominent early instance of a total author: an actor- director of mid-budget socials usually scripted by and starring himself. Films often claimed classic European sources (e.g. Olivier’s Hamlet, 1948). Started Kishore Sahu Prod. (1940) and Hindustan Chitra (1944). Part of late 40s Filmistan stable. Wrote Insaan (1944) and Apnapan (1977); wrote dialogues for Vasan’s Aurat (1967) and Teen Bahuraniyan (1968). Villainous figure in several Dev Anand films e.g. Kala Pani (1958), Guide (1965), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971).

Guide (1966)

Cast: Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Leela Chitnis, Anwar Husain, Kishore Sahu

Director: Vijay Anand

Music: S.D. Burman

Lyrics: Shailendra

Capsule Review: Vijay Anand smoothly recreates R.K. Narayan’s complex and layered novel, and mixes existentialism with the song-and-dance formula. Waheeda Rehman comes to life as the capricious, defiant and enchanting Rosy, and Dev Anand is every bit Raju Guide who goes from guiding tourists in Rajasthan to guiding the much-married Rosy out of a suffocating marriage into a super-career as a dancer. In the last lap of this fascinating and beguiling drama of love, deception and redemption, Dev Anand is transformed into a saint, the saviour of a drought-stricken village. Rehman, in her best role had Lata Mangeshkar’s voice making Rosy a ravishing mirror of enigma and emancipation.