Review of Gamble

Though the title of the film is Baazi, meaning to put some thing at stake, the emphasis shifts from stakes on dice and cards, to the hero's precious life itself ! As the most popular song of the movie goes, Tadbir Se Bigdi Hui Takdeer Bana Le, Apnepe Bharosa Hai to Ek Daav Laga Le, indeed , Madan, the hero of the movie played effortlessly, and charmingly by a very youthful and handsome Dev Aanand, has bad luck all the time, except in the game of cards. A sort of maverick, yet firm on his principles, the hero is loved by two women, one, a club dancer, and an accomplice of bad men, yet liberal to the extent of understanding Madan's love for another woman, Rajani, who is a doctor, and has a very rich father. Madan loves his sister dearly, who is suffering from T.B., and under treatment at a sanatorium. With Rajani's help, Madan is able to afford all these expenses initially, but later on, has his own shady income, based upon his skills to lure unsuspecting, rich clients ,into the club-cum-gambling den, owned by none other than Rajani's father, played by K. N.Singh. Unlike some others, Singh portrays a cool, calculating villain, leading double life, in his own style. He is benefited by his looks, specially the eyes. Both Kalpana Kartik and Geeta Bali , look beautiful and have given good performances. However, Geeta Bali as Leena, is simply bewitching, and also gets the sympathy of the viewers, when she sacrifices her own life, while saving Madan's. Dhawan is also excellent as an Inspector, who succeeds in bringing the real culprit to the hook. Overall, though the movie would appear a bit outdated in today's context of Mafia , which is much more sleek, it's not the gambling that the script writer wanted to emphasize, but the morals, and the limitations binding the hero, may it be poverty, or some body's life at stake, or even disclosing the real situation to his lady love, and preferring to go to the gallows, by accepting the crime he hasn't committed. That's the human angle, which touches the heart, a hero in a shady business, and yet true to his soul. Guru Datt's debut as a director is impressive, though the scene when Leena gets shot by mistake, while embracing Madan, and falls on the floor, Madan is panicked, and confused , could have been refined , as it appears strange,that Madan should leave her and go, while she is counting her last breaths. S.D. Burman's music is , of course the strong point of this movie, and even the lyrics are poetic. Dialogues have been written with ease, and are quite natural, and appropriate to the occasions. It's fun, watching this one, even after so many years have passed !