Decoding Mr and Mrs '55 (1955)

June 10, 2018

Movie no -16/100

Having grown up on Filmfares and Stardusts, I was always fascinated by the legends of Madhubala. Much before Madhuri Dixit became a rage for her devastating smile, it was Madhubala who was known for her infectious smile, breathtaking beauty and immense talent. And I got to see a glimpse of it, along with her impeccable comic timing, in actor-director Guru Dutt’s 1955 romcom, Mr and Mrs ’55. Starring Guru Dutt alongside Madhubala, the movie was a satirical comedy on the issues prevailing in a newly independent India, especially the passing of Talaaq Bill (Divorce Bill).

Anita (played by Madhubala) is the 20-year old heir to her father’s riches, who is raised by her feminist paternal aunt, Seeta Devi (played by Lalita Pawar). Her aunt advocates for emancipation of women and considers marriage to be a tool used by men to curb the independence of women. On the other hand, Anita romanticizes the whole idea of love and companionship. Much to Seeta Devi’s angst, Anita’s father lays a clause in his will that allows the transfer of his property to her only if she gets married. The feminazi that Seeta Devi is, cannot bear the thought of her beloved niece ‘ruining’ her life by getting married. She devises a plan and hires a young, righteous, unemployed cartoonist, Preetam (played by Guru Dutt) to marry Anita and divorce her once the legal processes are completed. Anita despises Preetam, as he got into this relationship only for the Rs.250 a month (a big amount back in the day!) that her aunt offered. But Preetam is head-over-heels in love with her and tries to woo her to no end. This results in a marriage filled with hilarious moments of bickering, quarreling and yet, has some moments of genuine love!

It was heartwarming to watch the free-thinking women of 1955, contrary to the regressive image we have of the women back then. Anita is coy, demure but transforms into a brat who parties and crushes for a Tennis player, unabashedly. Be it Anita’s aunt, or Preetam’s sister-in-law, Guru Dutt made sure his portrayal of women was empowering, and not buried under patriarchy. There are also satirical references to the issues plaguing our then newly born country (India had gained independence only 8 years before this movie came out). While the reality of poverty and unemployment are painfully shown in Guru Dutt’s ‘Pyaasa’, here he sends out the message rather subtly, disguising it under humor. Guru Dutt also displays similar directorial traits as in Pyaasa – his characters use lights and shadows to add weight to their emotion. The camerawork is also similar in terms of the long shots and close-ups of the leads. Also, the blissful soundtrack by O.P Nayyar, with hits like Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya ji’ and ‘Preetam Aan Milo’, is one of the highlights of the movie.

I am a sucker for typical Bollywood romcoms and I was taken by a surprise at how beautifully engaging and entertaining this movie was, even 63 years after its release! I would credit this to the Guru Dutt and Madhubala – and the scintillating chemistry between them. Far from Pyaasa, Guru Dutt here is an extremely good-looking, debonair man with intense eyes that compliment his chivalry. It is so good to see a ‘hero’ being so restrained and mellow. He is supported amply by his friend, Johny (played by Johny Walker) and his ‘boss’, Seeta Devi (played by Lalita Pawar). But, it is Madhubala, as the firebrand Anita, who captivates you with her sparkling performance and her beauty. Her comic timing and expressions at the sequence in the registrar’s office talk of her immense acting prowess. She is a complete delight to watch!

The movie also sends a subtle message to its viewers on feminism, which is relevant even in today’s times of fake feminism. It leaves you to ponder over this – A woman choosing to look after her household is not domestication or slavery of one’s husband. A woman finding happiness in her family and children is as empowered as a woman fighting her own battles. It is all about letting women make the choice that make them happy.

Well, the social message aside, Mr and MRs ’55 makes for a delightful watch and I cannot wait to binge on other Madhubala movies as well.