Recently I watched two movies back to back, one (Swami) because social media was full of articles about Girish Karnad and this was one of the few Hindi films he had acted in. And the other (Uphaar) because…well…YouTube threw it up at me after I watched ‘Swami’
What struck me was the similarities that kept coming to mind after watching these films, the most obvious one being that both films were based on stories written by Bengali writers – Saratchandra Chattopadhaya for ‘Swami’ and Tagore for ‘Uphaar’. Needless to say, the directors of both films are also Bengali, as is the setting. In an aside: just how many directors, writers, composers and actors of Hindi cinema were/are Bengalis? It’s an impressive number.
These superficial statistics apart, what both films do have in common is that they are strongly women-oriented stories. The central character in both stories; Mini a.k.a Saudamini from ‘Swami’ and Minoo a.k.a Mrinmayee from ‘Uphaar’ are headstrong, rebellious young women who are married against their wishes into families that struggle to accept them for what they are. Mini (Shabana Azmi) is an intelligent and well-read woman who is married to a wheat trader. By contrast, Minoo (Jaya Bhaduri) is a hoyden, immature and barely literate. Her husband is from a prosperous family and is studying law in Calcutta (but of course)
The similarities don’t end here. Both girls have a doting father figure or a father who indulges them and allows them to be what they want. Mini’s uncle, Utpal Dutt is one of those erudite ‘liberals’ who doesn’t believe in God or tradition and encourages Mini to read, discuss and debate. Minoo’s father is content to pamper her and excuses her unruly antics because she is still a child to him.
Moving on, both girls get husbands who DO accept them for what they are. Once again, I felt that these men were more symbolic than anything else- they had nobility of character, they were patient, understanding and forbearing. Yet, they take a backseat to their spirited wives.
The other strong female character in both films is the Mother-in-law! Both widowed (no surprises there), one doting on her son (who is NOT the hero) and the other doting on her son (who IS the hero!) Mini has Shashikala to deal with; who is typically manipulative and waspish of tongue whenever she talks to her ;bahu’. Minoo on the other hand gets Kamini Kaushal who is so gracious, dignified and yet unable to handle this new, graceless and defiant entrant into her home.
In keeping with the times- both films released in the 1970s- the endings of both Swami and Uphaar are also similar. Mini realises the worth of her husband and so does Minoo. To be fair, both men do possess the attributes looked for in a husband. So, let’s give them their due!
Both Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bhaduri light up the screen with their performances. The music of both ‘Swami’ and ‘Uphaar’ is easy on the ear and no, the composers are not Bengali here. ‘Pal bhar mein yeh kya ho gaya’, “Sunee re nagariya” , ‘Kaa karoon sajini”, and “Maajhi naiyya dhundhe kinaara’, take your pick and keep humming. And think of Mini and Minoo while you do.
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