laawaris

July 17 movie: Laawaris. This was a pretty good 70's Amitabh movie. Amitabh was born out of wedlock and given away to an abusive alcoholic father. Amitabh grows up to be a street-wise young man who'll do anything for a buck. Until he unknowingly meets his true father, who has devoted his life and wealth to helping the poor, out of grief over losing his girlfriend and child. (Dad kicked the mother to the curb in a particularly cruel way, Mom died in childbirth, and Dad was told the baby died also.) It's always nice to see Amitabh and Zeenat Aman (my Bollywood girlfriend) paired together. I just wish Zeenat had more to do! I know she can act from Don and Qurbani, I wish they would give her more opportunity.

There are a couple of great songs, no surprise with Kalyanji Anandji doing the music. The best one takes place in a crazy flashing disco room. I forgot to get a screen cap, alas! but I did find it on Youtube. It's well worth watching if you like the music on Bollywood Funk or the Bombay Connection series, or if you like Indian restaurants that look like a Christmas light factory exploded inside.

I did get a screen cap of Amitabh in drag, which he does in one of the later dance numbers. And can I say, Amitabh's features are not well suited for drag. He looks about as attractive as the Teamsters who dress up in grass skirts and coconut bras for the Mummer's Parade back in Philly. The most hilarious part was his hairy chest and stomach peeking out of the sari. He's quite the hirsute fellow.