Aar-Paar (1954)

An ex-convict gets a job as a taxi driver to change his girlfriend's prejudiced father's view of him, and becomes embroiled with a criminal gang in the process.

Director:

Guru Dutt

Writers:

Abrar Alvi (dialogue), Nabendu Ghosh (screenplay)

Stars:

Shyama, Guru Dutt, Jagdish Sethi

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Shyama	...	Nikki
Guru Dutt	...	Kalu
Jagdish Sethi	...	Lalaji
Johnny Walker	...	Rustom (as Johny Walker)
Jagdeep	...	Elaichi Sandow
Shakila	...	Dancer (Captain's Moll)
Bir Sakuja
Rajendra	...	(as Rajinder)
Amir Banu	...	(as Ameer Banu)
Rashid Khan	...	(as Rasheed)
M.A. Latif	...	(as M.A. Lateef)

Storyline

Kalu is a taxi-driver in Bombay, India. He has two women who love him and would like to marry him. Kalu first wants to establish himself, and become rich, before he can even think of marriage. One of the women who loves him, has a father who is involved in gangster-type activities, and would like Kalu also to join him so that he can get rich soon. Kalu has now to decide to become rich quick or sleep better.

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Plot Keywords:

taxi driver | love | taxi | ex convict | love triangle | 

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Genres:

Musical | Romance | Thriller

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Details

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi

Also Known As:

Across the Heart

Filming Locations:

Shreekant Studios, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Company Credits

Production Co:

Guru Dutt Films Pvt. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

146 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Cotton Mary (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Laaga Teer-e-nazar"
Sung by Shamshad Begum
Music composed by O.P. Nayyar
Lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri

User Reviews

Babuji Dheere Chalna...

Guru Dutt's 'Aar Paar' is a film noire-type entertaining thriller. During his time, Dutt, along with the likes of Raj Khosla and Dev Anand have specialized in this genre and have delivered some of the classiest thrillers in Indian cinema. Yet, 'Aar Paar' isn't without its flaws. Some sequences have been dragged on too much and the pacing, at some points, is very slow. Moreover, the Johnny Walker track could have easily been reduced. Most of the songs are a delight. The only one i didn't like was the 'Suhn Suhn' song which is also repeated in a sadder version. Guru Dutt plays his part of the streetsmart driver with ease. Hotties Shyama and Shakila seem to have done an odd switch of roles that had made them famous. Shyama who played a vamp in 'Bhai Bhai' does a fine job as a bubbly down to earth girl-next-door. Shakila who played a sweet charming girl-next-door is very convincing here as an alluring vamp. Overall, 'Aar Paar' is something that can easily be enjoyed with the whole family. It may not be among Dutt's best works but is nonetheless a fun watch.