Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Shashi Kapoor | ... | Vikram | |
Jennifer Kendal | ... | Lucia Lane | |
Zia Mohyeddin | ... | Hari | |
Aparna Sen | ... | Mala | |
Utpal Dutt | ... | Bose | |
Nadira | ... | Anjana Devi | |
Pinchoo Kapoor | ... | Swamiji | |
Helen | ... | Heroine in Gold | |
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Usha Iyer | ... | Cabaret Singer |
Ruby Mayer | ... | Gopal Ma (as Sulochana) | |
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Prayag Raj | ... | Director (as Prayag Raaj) |
Jalal Agha | ... | Young Man | |
Anwar Ali | ... | Young Man | |
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Mohan Nadkarni | ... | Young Man |
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Sukhdev | ... | Man at Bar |
Lucia Lane, an English writer by way of the US, arrives in Bombay to watch the filming of one of her novels. She's nearing middle age, she's had several husbands, she's lonely and self-absorbed. Hari, a screenwriter, offers to show her around. She's interested only in the film's leading man, Vikram, younger than she, married, and building a career as a matinee idol. Lucia takes every opportunity to be near "V," making scenes in front of his wife, demanding his attentions. Hari is long-suffering, carrying Lucia's messages to V, helping her out when the affair gets out of hand. Meanwhile, V's career suffers, with unpleasant repercussions. Who will bring things to a halt? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
An early film by my favorite trio Ivory, Merchant and Jhabvala, failed to light my senses in this nonsensical musical farce. The additional content on the DVD is much better with a feature on the very talented Helen and the customary chat with the trio on making of this movie. This film seems to insult everyone: a very uncaring and self indulgent white authoress, a very lustful Indian actor with no scruples, a charlatan guru, and a mediocre poet with an obsession to murder. Mix this lot in a movie and you get the customary tale of confusion and bad acting. Some moments of the film are memorable including the beginning scene on the giant typewriter, the incredible shots of the staircase at the hotel, and the general view into Bombay film making of the 70s. The ending is, well, rather abrupt, and I was glad it was. Rent it just for the extras on the DVD.